FBC – Chapter 49 Cousin

Mu Junyan was summoned into the palace by the Empress Dowager. After barely an hour, he returned to his study with a dark expression on his face. The moment he saw the neatly arranged stack of freshly copied manuscripts on the desk—ten full pages—his brow furrowed.

She had been copying all night?

And she didn’t even care that her hand hadn’t fully healed yet. She truly had no regard for her own well-being.

Just like when she tried to get rid of Mu An—willing to sacrifice her own innocence in the process…

In Mu Junyan’s eyes, that little girl wasn’t as soft and delicate as she seemed on the surface. Deep down, she was a stubborn girl with her own ideas.

He picked up a page to examine it. The handwriting was delicate and refined, just like the quiet demeanor she wore when she was calm.

His mind drifted again to how she looked beneath him, breathless and trembling. How many different faces did she truly have?

Lost in thought, the pent-up frustration he’d carried out of the palace began to dissipate without him realizing it.

Looking back at the desk again, he noticed that the rare ancient manuscript he had intended to gift her was still there, with a blank notebook underneath it. Upon opening it, he saw that she had copied only two pages so far.

“Master.” Dong Mo entered the room, holding an invitation card.

“Second Miss Gu’s cousin wishes to see her. Shall I allow it?”

Mu Junyan’s grip tightened, puncturing a hole through the xuan paper.

How dare he come directly to the Duke’s manor!

“What does he want with her?”

“He says it’s a family matter.”

Family matter? Discussing marriage, perhaps?

Even if he were qualified, it’s not proper for a man to approach an unmarried girl about such things directly!

Besides, he no longer had the right to.

“Send him to the Lan Yue Pavilion.”

“Yes.”

Dong Mo hesitated a little, cautiously asking, “Should I summon Second Miss Gu as well?”

Mu Junyan’s eyes were icy.

Dong Mo immediately shrank back and scurried off.

Lan Yue Pavilion.

The atmosphere was tense.

“You are Pei Yi?” Mu Junyan’s fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as he sized up the well-groomed, scholarly man before him.

Pei Yi had been working in the government for five years. Though still at the lower rungs, the influence of officialdom had rubbed off on him.

Moreover, he had spent decades battling in the business world, meeting with nobles and high officials regularly—though never one as high-ranking as Duke Yong.

Despite feeling anxious, he managed to maintain a calm facade.

He had thought it over all night and mustered the courage to come see Gu Hua personally.

There were things he needed to clarify.

They concerned not only Gu Hua’s entire future, but also the Pei family’s future.

He never expected Duke Yong himself would be the one to receive him. The shock mingled with awe.

It was a rare opportunity to meet someone of such status face-to-face, but all Pei Yi could think about was Gu Hua.

He was very worried about her.

Pei Yi steadied himself and greeted respectfully, “I am Pei Yi. Greetings, Duke Yong.”

“Where are you currently posted?”

“I serve as a clerk in the Ministry of Revenue, Your Grace.”

“A mere subordinate of the eighth rank,” Mu Junyan said slowly, his tone cutting.

A merchant background—what kind of attitude hadn’t he seen before?

Pei Yi’s expression remained unchanged, still respectful. “It is due to my own incompetence.”

Mu Junyan glanced at him and acknowledged the proper attitude. “Though your official rank is low, it hasn’t stopped the Pei family from getting filthy rich in Bianjing these past few years.”

There was a clear note of sarcasm in his tone.

This time, Pei Yi couldn’t maintain composure, but he didn’t know how to respond either.

“What business brings you here?”

Even an idiot could sense that Duke Yong’s tone and gaze were far from friendly.

For someone as gentle as Gu Hua, living in this manor… If she really ended up as his concubine, what kind of life would she have?

Pei Yi had hesitated before coming, afraid of damaging her reputation. But now, he was resolute.

He mustered his courage: “I… I came to take Cousin Hua back from the manor.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, it felt like the entire room froze, a biting cold pressing in from all sides.

Mu Junyan sat across from him like a war god on horseback, stroking a teacup, his gaze as sharp as a drawn sword.

His voice, however, was calm: “She is currently transcribing my late wife’s manuscripts and is not free to leave.”

Pei Yi persisted, “Could she perhaps copy them outside the manor?”

Mu Junyan’s panther-like eyes slowly lifted. “Items of the deceased cannot be taken out.”

Pei Yi: “……”

His grandaunt’s attitude yesterday had seemed desperate to get Cousin Hua out—even suggesting she become a kept woman. Was Gu Hua being controlled here? Was she not free?

Pei Yi hardened his heart: “Could the Duke permit Cousin Hua to make her own decision?”

Surely even Duke Yong wouldn’t go as far as to imprison an unmarried girl in his manor?

Meanwhile, Gu Hua had just finished preparing three kinds of pastries and was about to personally deliver them to Xiangrui Hall when Dong Mo came to fetch her.

The moment she heard Pei Yi had come and was stopped by Mu Junyan, she froze.

The oppressive pressure from last night returned.

She had no choice but to brace herself and go.

Xiangrui Hall.

Yi Niang entered with maids carrying several plates of pastries.

With a warm smile, she said, “Old Madam, have some snacks.”

The Old Madam, reclining with her eyes closed in a grand chair, basking in the sun, slowly opened her eyes. Though they were clouded and her gaze was dull, the powerful aura of a former female general still clung to her.

The Old Madam pouted and shook her head. “I want candy.”

Yi Niang coaxed her cheerfully, “These are even sweeter than candy. The young lady from the Gu family next door made them herself. Didn’t you say they were delicious last time?”

The Old Madam’s eyes lit up and she nodded vigorously. “Delicious, delicious. I want some.”

Yi Niang picked up a hibiscus-shaped tea cake and handed it to her. “See? It looks good and tastes even better.”

“So pretty, I can’t bear to eat it.” The Old Madam cradled it carefully, admiring it like a delighted child.

“There’s more after this.” Yi Niang coaxed her with a smile.

“The young lady wanted to come deliver them herself and greet you, but the Master called her to the front hall to see a guest.”

The Old Madam didn’t seem to hear. She took a tiny bite, then beamed. “Wow! Osmanthus filling—so sweet!”

“Mhm, Old Madam’s favorite.” Yi Niang smiled.

The young lady from the Gu family had a kind heart. Every time she brought snacks, she’d send Dong Qing to ask what the Old Madam liked most.

“I want to see the young lady,” the Old Madam whined.

Yi Niang gently wiped the sugar from her lips. “Alright, once the Master lets her go, I’ll have her come see you.”

The Old Madam grinned from ear to ear.

Yi Niang looked at her tenderly.

Only when the Master returned home did the Old Madam show such genuine joy.

Gu Hua walked nervously into Lan Yue Pavilion.

The moment she entered, she saw Pei Yi standing stiffly. The atmosphere was clearly off, and her heart skipped a beat.

Mu Junyan had asked about her fiancé and the hairpin last night, and now here he was in person.

How was she supposed to explain this?

She quickly glanced at Mu Junyan’s face. It was expressionless, betraying no emotion.

She had no choice but to steady herself, bowed properly, and said, “Greetings, Duke Yong.”

Mu Junyan looked down and didn’t respond. Just an “Mm.”

Gu Hua had to turn to Pei Yi, her voice instantly softening, “Cousin, why have you come?”

Hah—cold as ice when speaking to him.

But with that ridiculous cousin of hers, her voice dripped like honey!

Mu Junyan stared at the porcelain cup in his hand. His fingers rubbed it so hard, he nearly scraped off the glaze.

Just like he wanted to squeeze someone’s slender waist.

Pei Yi examined her carefully, checking for any signs of injury.

Gu Hua tilted her head slightly and blinked at him.

Say something already, Cousin.

The two stood facing each other—handsome man, beautiful woman—a perfect match.

Mu Junyan couldn’t help but raise his eyes, only to catch that moment.

Flirting right in front of him?

Did they think he was dead?

Bang.

The teacup slammed heavily on the table.

Startled, both of them looked over, faces going pale at the same time.

Mu Junyan said with a chilling tone, “Second Miss Gu, although you are my daughter-in-law’s sister, the Duke’s manor will not restrict your freedom. You may decide whether to stay or go.”

Gu Hua’s scalp tightened. She hurriedly looked to Pei Yi. “Since I agreed to help the Duke copy the late Madam’s manuscripts, I naturally must stay and complete the task.”

Pei Yi, undeterred by Mu Junyan’s blade-like glare, protested, “Cousin, you’re still unmarried. It’s highly inappropriate to remain in the Duke’s manor. If you must copy, you can enter the manor daily.”

“Oh?” Mu Junyan said coolly. “Does Lord Pei think the Duke’s manor is a den of wolves and tigers? That my daughter-in-law’s sister cannot live here safely?”

“…I wouldn’t dare.”

But now Pei Yi was certain—his cousin hadn’t lied yesterday. Her life here was truly difficult.

This was worse than a tiger’s den.

A lustful son, a tyrannical father.

His sweet little cousin was just a lamb on the chopping block.