FBC – Chapter 66 Deep Sisterly Affection

Gu Wanru and Mu An were both selfish people.

They only cared about their own interests.

In the previous life, Gu Wanru and Mu An appeared to be in perfect harmony, but in reality, each had their own little schemes.

Gu Wanru wanted more support from the Pei family and agreed to act as a go-between for Concubine Pei in order to curry favor with Mu An.

Mu An, in pursuit of greater profit, secretly pulled a bait-and-switch, causing the Pei family to suffer a significant loss.

This led to the first fierce quarrel between Gu Wanru and Mu An.

Later, Gu Wanru tearfully complained to Concubine Pei, prompting the Pei family to proactively offer a large sum of silver and even bought Mu An the courtyard he had long desired.

Finding the Pei family generous and obedient, Mu An quickly reconciled with Gu Wanru. Outwardly, they seemed like a loving couple, but in truth, they were simply using each other.

Eventually, Mu An did help Pei Yi get introduced to the adopted son of the Director of the Inner Court.

But that night was also the beginning of Gu Hua’s nightmare.

After that night, the Pei family secured a lucrative military supply contract and successfully entered the top tier of royal merchants in the capital.

Yet, this success was not thanks to Gu Wanru and Mu An.

It came at the cost of Gu Hua’s painful sacrifice.

Gu Hua trembled, then shook off the flood of memories in her mind.

Her beautiful eyes flickered with a trace of malice, lips curling into a faint smile.

This life, she would make this drama even more exciting.

“You give me your mother and brother’s residence, and I’ll have a doctor regularly treat your mother. I’ll also take responsibility for her medicine. On top of that, I’ll provide them with a monthly living allowance.”

Jinkui’s eyes widened in astonishment, completely in disbelief.

“…How could that be appropriate?”

“I help the Duke transcribe his late wife’s manuscripts, so the Duke’s manor gives me a monthly stipend. I can also summon Physician Sun whenever I need.”

With a thud, Jinkui knelt down again. “Second Miss, you are my life-saving bodhisattva.”

Gu Hua pulled her up and said meaningfully, “You must save your own life. If you only know fear, the wicked will bully you even more. Only if you find your own path can you glimpse a sliver of hope. Do you understand?”

Jinkui stared at Gu Hua in a daze, as if seeing her for the first time.

After a long moment, she finally understood.

“Yes, I understand. Second Miss, my life is yours.”

Gu Hua chuckled. “What do I want with your life? You and I—we both must live well.”

Jinkui felt both guilty and deeply moved. “Whatever you ask of me, I will do it with my life.”

That was exactly what Gu Hua had been waiting for.

She patted Jinkui’s hand. “From now on, tell me whatever you hear. We’ll find an opportunity together to remove your slave status.”

“Remove… my status?” Jinkui’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Help her shed her slave status?

But for some reason, she trusted Gu Hua.

Gu Hua had been forced into the Duke’s manor by Concubine Pei and made to sign slave papers, which was why Yin Zhi had dared to insult her publicly.

But before long, the Duke had personally protected her, and the manor had torn up the slave contract on her behalf.

When Yin Zhi bitterly recounted this, Jinkui had also been shocked that the once-timid Second Miss had become so capable.

“There’s no such thing as impossible. People need dreams—what if one comes true?”

That last sentence of Gu Hua’s echoed in Jinkui’s mind.

On her way back to Jinxiu Pavilion, Gu Hua’s words kept replaying in her head.

Entering the pavilion, Gu Wanru looked annoyed when she saw Mu An hadn’t come. Just as she was about to lash out, Jinkui quickly repeated the excuse Gu Hua had taught her.

“The Young Master is short five thousand taels of silver lately?”

Gu Wanru frowned.

“Yes. He said he’s been busy securing funds and has no time to visit.”

Jinkui lied nervously, stammering a bit.

Gu Wanru didn’t doubt her.

Jinkui had always been this cowardly and slow-witted.

But Gu Wanru really was short on money—otherwise, she wouldn’t be living so miserably right now.

Sensing her mood, Jinkui quickly added, “Should I try to sneak out and ask Concubine Pei for help?”

“You have a way to get out?”

Granny Chen could go out, but Gu Wanru didn’t want her knowing too much.

“I don’t—but Second Miss does.”

Gu Wanru’s rage surged. “You want me to beg that wretched Gu Hua!?”

Jinkui immediately knelt. “Eldest Miss, Second Miss now manages the household affairs with Miss Zhou. She has many conveniences and can leave the manor easily. She is your real sister—how could she not help you in a time of need? After all, she’s still a daughter of the Gu family and will need Madam’s help when it comes to marriage, right?”

Gu Wanru calmed down. What Jinkui said made sense.

Thinking carefully, Gu Hua didn’t really have a deep grudge against her.

That wretched girl simply didn’t like Mu An and wanted someone better.

But Mu Junyan had publicly declared he wouldn’t marry, and he hadn’t made Gu Hua a concubine either. That meant she’d lost her innocence and become a laughingstock.

She must be thinking of her own future now. Offending the legitimate daughter would do her no good.

Currently, Gu Wanru was grounded, ignored by Mu An, and had no control in the Duke’s manor. The only person she could use… was Gu Hua.

“Tell Gu Hua to join me for dinner tonight.”

Jinkui finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She quietly gave Second Miss a thumbs up. She truly had foresight—Eldest Miss really did want to make peace.

“Yes, ma’am.”

After hearing Jinkui report everything in detail, Gu Hua smiled.

“Alright. Go tell Eldest Sister I’ll personally instruct the kitchen to prepare some good dishes. I’ll join her for dinner tonight.”

When Gu Wanru heard that Gu Hua would personally arrange the menu, she snorted coldly with pride.

Wretched thing will always be a wretch.

Gu Hua dressed in a bright goose-yellow ruqun and wore two new accessories.

With Dong Hua and Dong Qing carrying two large food boxes, she made her way to Jinxiu Pavilion.

As dusk fell, the golden afterglow of sunset cast a radiant sheen over the red bricks and white walls, making the exquisitely carved beams gleam with splendor.

Gu Hua stood taller and straighter than ever.

For the first time, she felt the thrill of controlling her own destiny.

To break is to remake.

Facing a seemingly doomed fate, she chose to go against the grain.

In this life, who would win was still undecided.

At Jinxiu Pavilion—

Gu Hua glanced around.

It was much quieter than before.

Previously, even if she hadn’t yet taken over the household, she was still the Duke’s only young madam.

Whether from the Gu residence or the Duke’s manor, everyone assumed she was destined to become the head mistress.

The female stewards from every courtyard would often come to curry favor.

But now?

Ha.

Gu Hua was in high spirits as she entered the main room and saw Gu Wanru wearing her most lavish attire, sitting at the table waiting for her.

“Eldest Sister.”

Gu Hua curtsied properly.

Gu Wanru could barely hide her hatred but forced a smile. “You’ve come, Sister. Come, sit. I’m feeling unwell and won’t get up.”

Gu Hua sat obediently beside her. “Sister, you’ve just miscarried. You should be resting. Why tire yourself like this?”

Gu Wanru’s smile nearly cracked from anger. She forced a reply, “I’ve missed you dearly.”

Yes, she missed her so much she wanted to strangle her.

Gu Hua smiled sweetly. “I missed Sister too.”

Gu Wanru stared at Gu Hua’s increasingly radiant face and the exquisite hairpin on her head, burning with rage.

She took a deep breath and grasped Gu Hua’s hand.

“Sister, we’ve had some misunderstandings. I wrongly assumed you liked the Young Master and that he liked you too, so I tried to matchmake you both.

I thought if we both served him together, we’d have each other for support. I didn’t know you didn’t like him. If only you had told me sooner.”

Gu Hua smiled lightly. “Yes, I should have told you sooner.”

Gu Wanru couldn’t keep up the act anymore. She let go and picked up some chicken wings, placing them in Gu Hua’s bowl.

“Let this meal be my apology.”

“Thank you, Sister.”

Gu Hua softly replied, staring at the chicken wings.

Was this a metaphor for her “wings hardening” or a sarcastic wish for her to fly high?

This was their first time dining and chatting like real sisters. What a heartwarming scene of deep sisterly affection.

Even Jinkui was secretly impressed by Second Miss’s calm demeanor.

“Sister, if you have any difficulties, just say the word. I’m helping Miss Zhou manage the inner court now. Whatever you want to eat or use, just let me know. I’ll find a way to get it for you.”

You think I need a wretched girl to provide for me?

Gu Wanru stared at Gu Hua’s dazzling smile and almost lost control again.

Her smile clashed with the fire in her heart, making her face twitch awkwardly.

“I married into this family with a grand dowry, including several shops. Why would I need the Duke’s manor to feed and clothe me?”

Gu Hua blushed slightly. “I saw Sister’s complexion and worried you weren’t recovering well. I overthought it.”

Gu Wanru held back and changed the subject. “My health is poor, and I can’t leave the house. Jinkui is slow-witted. Since you can go out freely now, could you perhaps relay a message to your aunt on my behalf?”

Gu Hua sneered inwardly.

Your own mother, and you have to ask me, a fake daughter, to pass the message?

How the tables turn.

“Of course. Whatever Sister needs, I’m sure my mother will be happy to help.”

Gu Hua smiled sincerely—

Waiting for that proud peacock, Gu Wanru, to walk straight into her trap.