FBC – Chapter 50 Schemes

Mu Junyan stood up, tugged at his robe, and walked toward Gu Hua. A powerful aura pressed down on her.

Gu Hua struggled to keep her legs from fleeing, and then heard five light yet meaningful words:

“You decide for yourself.”

As he left, both Gu Hua and Pei Yi let out a breath of relief.

“Cousin, I’m fine. The Duke is only in Bianjing for about ten days. I just need to finish copying two volumes of the late madam’s poetry collection in that time. Now that I live next to the old madam, you don’t need to worry.”

She certainly wasn’t foolish enough to become Pei Yi’s mistress, but she needed to keep him on her side.

Pei Yi felt a bit more at ease after hearing that and lowered his voice, “Is it safe to talk here?”

Gu Hua didn’t dare let him roam around the manor anymore.

Besides, Lanyue Pavilion was open on all sides, the white silk curtains had been rolled up, and everything inside was visible — there were no secrets here.

Better that someone overheard and told Mu Junyan, rather than have him suspect she was secretly flirting with another man.

She was truly afraid of Mu Junyan getting angry.

Men — they all cared about face.

Even if he hadn’t really fallen for her.

Gu Hua softly said, “It’s fine. Did you come today for anything else, Cousin?”

Pei Yi wasn’t sure if she knew whatConcubine Pei was planning.

But facing this ethereal and holy cousin, he felt that his aunt’s approach was a disgrace to her.

He had thought about it all night and finally decided he only wanted to protect her, not make her a concubine.

He no longer deserved her.

“Cousin, Concubine Pei suggested I buy a residence for you so you could move out of the Gu manor.”

Gu Hua stared at him, her gaze filled with quiet resentment, making Pei Yi so ashamed he wanted to dig a hole and crawl in.

He quickly explained, “It’s not what you think…”

“What do I think? Is Cousin trying to deceive me too?” Gu Hua’s eyes shimmered with tears.

“No, no, you misunderstood.”

Seeing her on the verge of crying, Pei Yi’s heart clenched.

“I just thought — the Gu manor isn’t a long-term solution. I’ve also heard your brother-in-law treats you…”

Seeing the humiliation on her face and the tears about to fall, he hurriedly stopped.

“If you’re not happy at the Gu manor, and your father and stepmother treat you poorly, I can help you leave. Publicly, you’d suffer a bit, but in truth, we’d remain nothing more than cousins. Later, when the time is right, I’ll send you to the Pei family in Jiangling and help you marry someone you truly like, with dignity and honor.”

Gu Hua had never expected him to say such a thing, let alone that he’d be such a decent man.

She looked at him seriously.

“Cousin… you didn’t plan to take me as a concubine?”

Pei Yi blushed instantly and shook his head quickly. “How could I? You are pure as a lotus. I’m not worthy.”

Gu Hua was surprised.

“Thank you, Cousin. Right now, because the Duke has me copying manuscripts, my brother-in-law doesn’t dare touch me, and my elder sister can’t interfere either.”

Pei Yi was relieved to hear this. “Then let’s wait until the Duke goes on campaign before we make any plans?”

“Alright.”

With the awkwardness cleared up, the two were much more at ease.

Suddenly, Pei Yi remembered something important and said bitterly, “I originally wanted to ask you to speak with the Duke and see if the Pei family could submit product samples for the military’s winter procurement. But just now… it seems I’ve angered him.”

“I’ll think of a way.”

Hearing this, Pei Yi quickly said, “Don’t trouble yourself too much.”

“It’s no trouble. The Duke appreciates my calligraphy, and he and his wife are very affectionate. For the late madam’s sake, he’ll probably lend me a hand.”

Gu Hua wasn’t confident, but she had to let Pei Yi think she could help.

Pei Yi quietly relaxed. If this worked out, the Pei family could rise to first-class royal merchants and finally escape the clutches of those who had been bleeding them dry.

“Would Cousin like to see my elder sister?” Gu Hua asked.

Pei Yi nodded.

He was also curious what kind of temperament the eldest legitimate daughter of the Gu family had, having been supported with Pei family money by his aunt.

“I’ll take you to Jinxiu Pavilion. She… has been grounded by the Duke.”

Pei Yi was surprised. “Grounded?”

“Mm.” Gu Hua wore a look that clearly said she didn’t want to talk more.

Pei Yi was now convinced that Gu Hua was telling the truth — the eldest daughter’s position in the Duke’s household was low. There was no way she could help the Pei family.

Jinxiu Pavilion.

Gu Wanru had thick rouge on her face, but it couldn’t conceal her poor complexion and fatigue.

She hadn’t expected Gu Hua to visit, let alone Cousin Pei Yi.

Holding the air of a young duchess, she ignored Gu Hua’s greeting and lazily pointed Pei Yi to a seat.

“Sit.”

Pei Yi quickly glanced at Gu Wanru.

Seeing her adorned with extravagant jewelry and dressed in luxurious clothes, she stood in stark contrast to the simply dressed Gu Hua.

Because of that little wretch, her husband had been cold to her lately.

Seeing Gu Hua made Gu Wanru gnash her teeth, but she couldn’t lash out in front of Pei Yi.

She noticed Gu Hua’s only jade hairpin — at a glance, it was of exceptional quality.

Her clothes, though plain in style, were made of fabric far better than anything she had.

Jealousy surged. In a sarcastic tone, she asked, “Little sister, is that hairpin a gift from the Duke? And your dress — it’s new too, isn’t it? Seems you’re dressed more finely than your elder sister now.”

She didn’t notice Pei Yi frowning slightly.

Gu Hua awkwardly touched her hairpin and said softly, “It’s from Linglong Pavilion. Steward Zhou gave me the dress. I don’t know if it’s expensive.”

“Hmph.”

Gu Wanru sneered. “Just that one hairpin is worth all the jewelry Concubine Pei gave me. You’re quite something — no need for me to worry about your living expenses now. The Duke thinks of everything for you. Such skill, sister.”

She had hoped to make Pei Yi see how shameless her sister was, but instead, her words confirmed what Gu Hua had told him yesterday.

Gu Hua’s eyes brimmed with tears from her sister’s disdain.

“Sister, you’ve misunderstood me. As the younger sister of the Duke heir’s wife, I can’t keep wearing servant clothes. What if I run into an important guest while copying texts? It’d disgrace both the Duke’s household and the Gu family.”

Gu Wanru’s face turned dark with fury. “The face of the Gu family is mine to uphold, not yours. A lowly-born merchant’s daughter like you — how much face could you possibly have?”

“Elder Sister, you can scold me or hit me, but Cousin Pei is here. Please, have some consideration.”

Gu Hua was on the verge of tears.

Pei Yi’s face darkened with anger.

So this was how the legitimate daughter of the Gu family treated his cousin? And Concubine Pei had always given her the best things, spending Pei family money to support her? Utterly blind.

A sudden surge of fury rose in him. He no longer wanted to speak to her and stood to leave.

Gu Wanru didn’t want to associate with merchant families anyway.

She had long regarded herself as the true noble daughter.

Gu Hua, eyes red, silently accompanied Pei Yi out of the manor.

But inside, she was thrilled. Clearly, Pei Yi didn’t know about the identity switch between her and Gu Wanru.

That made things easier.

Pei Yi’s face was grim, and he didn’t speak the entire way.

At the gate, Gu Hua bowed and said tearfully, “Cousin, I’m sorry you had to witness that.”

Pei Yi quickly returned the gesture and said, “Cousin, the Pei family’s fate is tied to Concubine Pei and you. If the Pei family prospers, both of you will have support.”

Gu Hua nodded. “I understand. That’s why I want to do everything I can to help you. Family should help each other.”

She sighed. “My situation in the Gu family is difficult. My mother doesn’t love me, and my father treats me like a tool. I can only plan for myself.”

Pei Yi looked at her for a long moment. “Don’t worry. You have me.”

Gu Hua’s eyes reddened. “Cousin, you’re a good man.”

Pei Yi’s heart clenched.

Suddenly, he stuffed something into her arms and, before she could react, climbed into the carriage.

Stunned, Gu Hua stared at the departing carriage. The window suddenly lifted, and Pei Yi called out:

“If it’s not enough, just send someone to Xuanhua Tower to let me know.”

As the carriage faded from view, Gu Hua returned to her usual expression and looked down at what he had given her.

A silver banknote.

One thousand taels.

For the Pei family, it was nothing. For Gu Hua, it was more silver than she had seen in two lifetimes.

Perfect.

The plan was working.

Gu Hua realized she wasn’t actually stupid.

In fact, regarding the winter military procurement, she did know a few things. Perhaps, she could help Pei Yi without even needing Mu Junyan’s help.

And she could completely pull the rug out from under her sister and brother-in-law.

Let them fight it out — the more chaotic, the better.

But…

There was one more matter she had to ask Mu Junyan for help with. She truly couldn’t think of a way.

That meant… she’d have to hook him in again?

Gu Hua blushed at the thought and slapped her head to stop herself from daydreaming.

Looking around to make sure no one was watching, she quickly stuffed the silver note into her sleeve and gracefully turned to re-enter the house.

On the wall, a head popped up.

Eyes wide in disbelief.

So this little concubine-born sister of the Duchess… is this cunning?

A few sweet words and she’s earned a thousand taels?