FBC – Chapter 57 Family Law

Front Courtyard.

Yinzhi was tied to a bench, her face ashen like death.

Gu Wanru knelt on the ground and wailed, “Father, Yinzhi did it all for Young Master’s sake! It was Gu Hua’s maid who brought the wrong bowl of soup—it wasn’t Yinzhi’s fault!”

Gu Hua and Zhou Zhilian happened to overhear everything. The two of them stopped in their tracks and hid nearby to watch.

Gu Hua was confused. If the wrong bowl was taken, who was the soup originally meant for?

She noticed a stunning woman in a light pink ruqun kneeling beside Gu Wanru.

It was Yaoyao.

In her previous life, after being forced to become a concubine, this woman had often led the other women in Mu An’s inner courtyard to isolate and bully her.

Of course—it could only be her who had access to such filthy things.

Mu An stood silently behind Mu Junyan, head lowered.

Mu Junyan, dressed in a dark robe, sat on a chair, rhythmically tapping the armrest with his fingers.

His cold and severe expression exerted a silent pressure that made everyone present hold their breath.

In a low, steady voice, he said, “When the founding emperor conferred the title of Duke Yong upon my grandfather, he specially crafted this iron whip to enforce the Mu family laws. The Mu family army has always upheld strict military discipline, and the Duke’s household is no different.

This whip has never been used on a woman before. But anyone who dares to violate the Mu family’s rules must face the consequences! One strike pierces half an inch into flesh, tears muscle, and pulls sinew. If not killed, one is crippled. It teaches the meaning of a fate worse than death—no one dares act recklessly afterward.”

Chiyu held the spiked iron whip and brandished it in front of Yinzhi.

Each spike was stained black with old, crusted blood. Yinzhi almost fainted from fright.

Gu Wanru choked on her sobs and stared blankly at the whip.

Mu An’s face had turned completely pale.

When he first entered the residence, Mu Junyan had made him memorize the family rules.

His own father, too, had frequently reminded him to learn the military code of the Mu army.

The Mu family’s iron whip was worshipped in the ancestral hall. In all his years at the Mu estate, Mu Junyan had never once invoked family punishment.

Zhou Chunyu frowned. “Concubine Yin, you’d best tell the truth. The Duke never goes back on his word. His military law is as strict as his household law.”

Yinzhi’s lips trembled as she looked at Gu Wanru.

Gu Wanru shot her a threatening glare, then suddenly clutched her stomach and wailed.

“My stomach hurts, Father, please let your daughter-in-law withdraw first. I carry your first grandson in my womb!”

A physician Sun residence appeared out of nowhere, took her hand, and checked her pulse.

Then he stood and bowed toward Mu Junyan. “The fetus is unharmed.”

Gu Wanru could no longer cry.

“Proceed with the punishment,” Mu Junyan said calmly.

Chiyu raised the whip and struck.

A sharp, blood-curdling scream echoed. The iron whip sliced through the air, flinging blood as chunks of flesh were caught on its barbed edges.

Gu Hua’s face turned pale. She covered her mouth, retching from nausea.

That strike didn’t go too deep, sparing the organs, but the entire back was torn and bloody.

Yinzhi fainted from the pain.

Gu Wanru collapsed to the ground, trembling all over.

“Give her a bowl of ginseng tonic,” Mu Junyan ordered.

Before his words even settled, Zhou Chunyu gestured to a nearby maid holding a bowl of ginseng soup. The maid stepped forward, grabbed Gu Wanru’s chin, forced her mouth open, and poured it down her throat.

The more Yinzhi regained consciousness, the sharper the pain became. That one strike had already left her wishing for death.

Mu Junyan turned to look at Mu An.

It was early autumn, and the night was cold.

But Mu An’s back was already soaked in sweat.

One glance from his father, sharp as a blade, made him collapse to his knees.

“Father, it wasn’t me—it was that vile woman Yinzhi!” he cried.

Mu Junyan sneered in anger. “A mere concubine dares drug me and Second Miss Gu?”

Who would believe that?

Gu Wanru’s tear-filled eyes briefly flashed with hatred.

Mu An’s eyes rolled as he tried to think. “It was Yinzhi’s idea… she wanted to help you and my sister-in-law consummate.”

Mu Junyan abruptly stood up, raised his leg, and kicked Mu An hard in the chest. His face was livid, his chest heaving.

This was the son he had raised!

“That’s not how it was.”

The silent Yaoyao finally spoke.

Everyone turned to look at her.

She acted as if nothing was wrong, speaking sweetly, “Yinzhi said the young madam ordered her to ask me for something that could… spark intimacy between a man and woman. I didn’t dare just hand it over—those things can be potent or mild. So I asked who it was for. If just for amusement, a tiny dose would be enough.

But Yinzhi said the young madam wanted to use it on Second Miss Gu, and it needed to be strong enough for Young Master to enjoy himself. Since it was the young madam’s order, I dared not disobey. But I did warn her—Second Miss Gu is delicate, so use only a little.”

“You liar!” Gu Wanru screamed, completely losing control. Despite being pregnant, she jumped up and pointed at Yaoyao’s nose.

“You filthy, lewd, low-born wench! You dare bring such obscene filth into the Duke’s residence and even slander me? Clearly, you and Yinzhi conspired to throw my poor sister into Young Master’s bed!

It was Yinzhi who mixed up the soups, sending the one meant for Young Master to Father instead. That’s how Father discovered your scheme!”

Yinzhi, now fully conscious thanks to the ginseng tonic, looked at Gu Wanru with tear-filled eyes. Her head dropped, and her will to live vanished.

Gu Hua felt a chill spread through her whole body.

Mu An was still clinging to hope.

Zhou Zhilian was so furious she wanted to lash Yinzhi herself.

Despicable.

“You wretches! You dare drag me into this mess? I knew nothing about this, didn’t drink any soup either! Gu Wanru, you vile woman, you’re trying to kill me!”

Mu An also lost it and rushed at Gu Wanru to hit her, only to be stopped by Zhou Chunyu grabbing his wrist.

“Young Master, the young madam is pregnant. What if something happens? Wouldn’t you regret it?”

Mu An angrily withdrew his hand. “A woman without virtue is unfit to bear the Duke’s heir! Father, I want to divorce her!”

“Husband, how dare you speak of divorce!” Gu Wanru stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what he had just said.

Mu Junyan turned and happened to see Gu Hua bracing herself on a fake rockery, biting her lip hard to keep from crying.

His heart sank.

“Deal with it according to family law,” he said coldly and turned, striding toward Gu Hua.

Gu Hua, eyes filled with tears, looked at him.

Mu Junyan grasped her wrist and said softly, “Don’t look.”

With that, he pulled her away.

Gu Hua didn’t want to see anymore either. She let him drag her away quickly.

But behind them, screams of pain kept echoing—sharp cries that were abruptly cut off, followed by the sound of water being poured and Zhou Chunyu ordering more ginseng tonic…

The cycle repeated, and the screams grew weaker each time.

Gu Hua turned completely pale. Her legs lost strength, and she struggled to keep up with Mu Junyan.

Suddenly, she stumbled and cried out softly as she fell forward.

A tall figure turned around, opened his arms, and caught her mid-fall.

Falling into a warm, broad chest, Gu Hua didn’t resist and curled into his embrace, crying silently.

Mu Junyan’s expression was grim as he carried her all the way to Yayun Pavilion, placed her gently on the bed, and tucked her in.

“Don’t think about anything. Just sleep.”

He adjusted her covers and turned to leave.

Gu Hua felt a twinge in her heart.

He seemed deeply upset.

She didn’t know the full story between him and Mu An. But whether Mu An could inherit the title or not, he had been enjoying all the wealth and honor of the Duke’s residence—which showed that Mu Junyan had truly treated him like a son.

And yet Mu An…

To embarrass him publicly like that—how heartbreaking must that be?

Gu Hua sat up, holding the blanket. After calming herself and confirming she felt fine, she got out of bed and put on her shoes.

Dong Hua and Dong Qing didn’t dare enter until Mu Junyan had left. Seeing her up, they quickly stepped forward to support her.

“I want to check if the pastries are ready.”

“But…”

“I promised to make some pastries as a late-night snack for the Duke.”

She couldn’t just use him. If she could ease his mood a little, that would be something.

Dong Hua and Dong Qing had no choice but to follow her to the kitchen.

Guanshan Pavilion.

The study was unlit.

Gu Hua carried the food box to the door and, seeing it dark inside, felt a little disappointed.

She was just about to turn around when a hoarse voice came from within: “Come in.”

Gu Hua took a deep breath and quietly pushed the door open.

In the dim light, she could vaguely see Mu Junyan sitting in the dark, motionless.

“What is it?” he asked.

His tone was calm, without emotion, but Gu Hua could hear the heaviness in it.

“I made a couple of snacks for you… as a late-night meal,” she whispered.

The room was silent.

But Gu Hua could feel his overwhelming pressure again—the kind that made her want to flee.

Suddenly, a flicker of light appeared.

Mu Junyan lit the cloud-crane lamp on his desk.

Gu Hua’s heart eased slightly. Since he didn’t object, she brought the food box closer to his desk.

She opened it and placed a plate of delicate butterfly pastries and a plate of savory crystal dumplings on the table.

Mu Junyan’s eyes darkened slightly. Suddenly, he reached out and pulled her in.

Gu Hua let out a soft gasp. The food box clattered to the floor, and she landed squarely on his lap.