FBC – Chapter 5 Took Advantage of His Drunkenness to Sleep With Him

Just as Gu Wanru was about to take her leave after offering a formal farewell, Gu Hua steeled herself and quickly caught up to her, whispering in a voice only Gu Wanru could hear:

“Elder Sister, serving tea is a sign of your respect toward the Lord Duke. If you want to make a good impression on him, why not serve the tea before you leave?”

Gu Wanru had been unwilling to back down in the first place, but she had no viable option at the time.

After Gu Hua’s reminder, she agreed wholeheartedly.

Indeed, this was the perfect chance to show filial respect. Who knew when she’d get to see her father-in-law again?

Thick-skinned, Gu Wanru turned around and bowed. “Father, I would like to serve you tea as a show of my filial piety. Otherwise, when my husband returns, he might accuse me of being ignorant of proper manners.”

Gu Hua’s every move had fallen into Mu Junyan’s line of sight.

He looked at the obedient little maid with her eyes lowered, and his gaze stirred with subtle waves.

Last night she’d been so daring and reckless, and now she didn’t even dare to look him in the eyes?

“Very well.” The man’s tone dragged slightly, laced with hidden meaning.

“Bring the tea,” Zhou Chunyu instructed the servant.

Gu Hua quickly interjected, “Allow me.”

Head lowered, she walked straight to the servant. “Please take me to the tea room.”

Gu Wanru was pleased. This made it appear as though she had trained her maids well.

She was determined to get control over the household.

The young servant glanced at Zhou Chunyu and, upon receiving a nod, said, “Miss, please follow me.”

The two entered the adjacent tea room. After confirming they were alone, the servant whispered, “Miss, no need for you to do it. I’ll brew the tea, and you can just carry it out.”

The servant, named Dong Mo, served the Duke Yong in scholarly matters.

It was from him that Gu Hua had learned the exact time her master returned home the night before.

She had used the excuse that the Young Madam wanted to prepare a meal to welcome her husband and show her filial devotion.

“I’ll do it myself,” Gu Hua said softly, her voice gentle enough to melt bones.

Dong Mo blushed red from ear to ear at the sound. Seeing her reach out, he quickly stepped aside, only to spot her palm—red and blistered from burns—and gasped in shock.

“What happened to your hand?”

Gu Hua quickly gestured for silence. “Brother Dong, don’t shout. No one must know I’m injured.”

Dong Mo lowered his voice, anxiety creeping in. “With burns this bad, if you don’t apply medicine, your hand might be ruined!”

Gu Hua’s apricot eyes grew misty. “It’s fine. If I don’t make the tea properly, my sister will punish me.”

Dong Mo gaped in disbelief. “Sister? You’re the Young Madam’s biological younger sister? Then why are you dressed like a maid and calling yourself a servant?”

Gu Hua had only been in the residence for just over a month. Other than the head steward Zhou, everyone thought she was a dowry maid sent from the Young Madam’s maternal home.

She wrapped her hands in two handkerchiefs, her voice choking slightly. “I’m the daughter of a concubine. As part of the dowry, doesn’t that make me a servant?”

Dong Mo was dumbfounded.

She endured so much, it made one’s heart ache. His anger bubbled up uncontrollably.

“The Marquis of Gu’s household is a noble and refined family! Even a concubine-born daughter is still a young lady of status—how can they treat you like this?”

“Brother Dong, please don’t say such things. If my sister hears, she’ll have my life.”

The delicate girl looked so frightened her expression turned pale, wrenching anyone’s heart.

Dong Mo melted completely. “I won’t say a word. After all that effort you made to help the Young Madam ask about the Master’s whereabouts, and she still treats you like this? She’s too cruel!”

Gu Hua looked guilty and avoided his eyes. “Tonight, my sister plans to send me to serve the Young Master. But what can I do if I don’t want to? She’s the mistress, I’m the servant. No one can save me.”

Dong Mo blurted out, “She’s sending you to the Young Master? He already has seven or eight concubine maids fighting day and night! This is throwing you into the fire! And she’s your own sister!”

Gu Hua sobbed softly. “Alas, it’s just my misfortune. Brother Dong, you mustn’t tell anyone, or my sister will punish me severely.”

Dong Mo frowned. “Alright, I understand.”

The tea was ready. Gu Hua’s eyes were red. “Brother Dong, can you carry it for me? With my hands like this, if the Master sees them and misunderstands that my sister abuses me, it’ll ruin her reputation.”

Dong Mo was speechless. “You’re in this state and you’re still worried about her? You’re too soft-hearted.”

“Please,” she begged pitifully.

Unable to resist her sorrowful plea, Dong Mo quickly picked up the tray.

“Of course I’ll carry it. Quickly unwrap your hands. If the blisters break before applying medicine, it’ll be bad.”

Gu Hua gratefully pulled out a silver ingot and slipped it into Dong Mo’s hand.

“I can’t accept this! You gave me five taels just yesterday!”

Gu Hua’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Yesterday’s was from my sister. Today’s is from me. One is to thank you for keeping my secret, and two, Brother Dong, you’re kind. Could you help me find some good medicine?”

This was the last of her savings.

She was truly burning all bridges.

Dong Mo’s eyes reddened too.

Her own sister had her scalded hands make tea—didn’t even provide medicine?

That Young Madam’s character was truly appalling.

Gu Hua and Dong Mo returned to the main hall. Gu Wanru picked up a teacup from the tray and knelt to offer tea.

Mu Junyan accepted and took a sip. “You may rise.”

Gu Wanru beamed. “Father, will you be returning home tonight? I could arrange a banquet so you and your son can have a proper talk.”

“We’ll see,” Mu Junyan said, his tone much gentler now.

“Yes,” Gu Wanru responded, pleased.

Though he hadn’t agreed outright, he hadn’t refused either.

She had to help her husband secure the heir title—it was her only way to earn his respect.

Gu Hua’s heart skipped.

If Mu Junyan didn’t come home tonight, wouldn’t she be unable to escape her fate?

She couldn’t help but glance quickly at the man seated at the top—but unexpectedly met his deep, probing gaze. Startled, she immediately lowered her eyes.

“Hurry up and go!” Gu Wanru frowned and snapped when she saw Gu Hua’s pale face.

Once the two left, Zhou Chunyu waved at Dong Mo. “You may go.”

Dong Mo hesitated, wanting to speak.

Zhou Chunyu glared. “Spit it out!”

Dong Mo mustered his courage. “Shouldn’t the Master give the Young Madam a reward?”

He needed an excuse to bring medicine to poor Gu Hua.

Zhou Chunyu widened his eyes. “You little rascal, getting bolder by the day!”

Mu Junyan looked at Dong Mo thoughtfully.

“Dong Mo is right. Gu Wanru married in and I left for the front the very next day. Today is the first time I’ve tasted her tea—it deserves a reward.”

Dong Mo was overjoyed.

“What would you like to give? Should I go to the storehouse and select something?” Zhou Chunyu asked, trying to gauge his master’s mood.

“Let Dong Mo go. Let him pick whatever he wants.”

Dong Mo froze. “M-me?”

“You suggested it. Naturally, you’ll do it,” Mu Junyan said calmly.

Dong Mo panicked.

Was the Master angry that he spoke out of turn?

He glanced anxiously at Zhou Chunyu.

Zhou seemed to understand and handed over his waist token. “Tell the storehouse the Master sent you. Go on.”

Dong Mo took the token with trembling hands, his face blank as he stumbled out.

Dear heavens!

That was the token of the household master!

He could take anything from the storehouse?

Why did it feel like he was walking into life-or-death?

“See what he picks,” Mu Junyan said.

A shadow slipped from the dark and followed after Dong Mo.

Zhou Chunyu glanced at the Master and cautiously asked, “Do you think that maid is the same woman from last night?”

The Master had said the girl from last night had a unique fragrance and seductive eyes—such a woman would surely bring trouble. He had ordered her to be found and dealt with.

Earlier, Zhou had smelled a faint, distinct fragrance from the Young Madam’s sister—nothing like what any maid would wear. Her face, too, was stunning, even by capital city standards.

He had immediately sent people to secretly investigate Jinxiu Pavilion.

Previously, women who tried to climb into the Master’s bed and failed were all flogged and sold.

This one not only succeeded while the Master was drunk, but even dared to steal his sleeping robe and flee?

If caught, she would be beaten to death for sure.

“Have you found my sleeping robe?” Mu Junyan asked, casting him a side glance.

When he woke up this morning and saw the plum-blossom-shaped bloodstain on the sheets, he had laughed in disbelief.

He’d been taken advantage of in his drunkenness, then the girl just slipped away without a trace?

Such brazen impudence. If she dared use the robe to threaten him… she deserved to die.