FBC – Chapter 68 The Wealthy Patron Is Truly Wicked

Mu Junyan frowned slightly.

She was resisting him from the bottom of her heart.

Especially that bowl of ginseng soup—it made her feel that offering her body for his pleasure was just a form of exchange.

And yet, the young girl’s nervous and bashful cheeks were tinged with a soft blush.

Her delicate lips were red like ripened cherries, as if a gentle kiss would be enough to bruise them.

Mu Junyan had only meant to tease her and ease her tension, but somehow, in the back-and-forth, it had stirred a fire within him.

And this fire… brought with it a bad feeling.

Pleasure obtained with ulterior motives—though intoxicating in the moment, left him feeling deeply agitated afterward.

Who exactly was tormenting whom?

Mu Junyan looked down and twisted the ring on his finger, the smile on his face fading as his gaze turned colder.

Perhaps he should try a different approach—to see whether it was simply lust toward a woman, or genuine interest in Gu Hua herself.

“Do you know how to play chess?”

Gu Hua was still trying to figure out why Mu Junyan’s expression had suddenly changed. Startled by the question, she instinctively replied, “I do.”

Mu Junyan raised his eyebrows in surprise. “You’ve learned it?”

Gu Hua had, briefly—a few lessons taught by Brother Ji. His chess skills were exceptional.

Unfortunately, she never got the chance to continue learning from him.

Later, she used the chess manual Brother Ji had gifted her to try studying on her own, not wanting his efforts to go to waste.

But she wasn’t very bright and had no one to practice with, so she never made much progress.

Her eyes grew warm at the thought. She lowered her head and whispered, “I learned the basics at the family academy… but I can’t say I really know how to play.”

“My skills are decent. I can teach you.”

Hearing this, Gu Hua perked up instantly and replied in a sweet, syrupy voice, “Really? My lord, you’re so kind.”

Mu Junyan couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Look at that—her little kitten-like flattery was back again.

And he… really liked it.

“Oh, right!”

Suddenly, Gu Hua rushed over, lifting her skirt as she moved. She pulled a silver note from her sleeve and offered it with both hands.

“My lord, to compensate for your jade pendant.”

Mu Junyan raised a brow. She really gave it, huh.

He took it without the slightest hesitation and tucked it away.

Gu Hua: “……”

Looking up, he saw the young girl glaring at him with wide eyes, her lips pouty.

Greedy bastard.

He clearly knew she was reluctant to part with it.

Mu Junyan pretended not to notice her glum little face, walking over to a bookshelf and retrieving a set of chess pieces and a board from a drawer.

Sitting cross-legged on the soft couch, he set up the board. “Come pick your color.”

Gu Hua was still sulking, inwardly grumbling about how stingy the Duke was.

A whole thousand taels—gone just like that.

She wasn’t being petty!

Was it really her fault?

If she had known the man she saved was the prestigious heir of the Yong Duke’s household, she wouldn’t have dared to lose that jade pendant. She would’ve worn it every day, guarding it like a precious gem!

She couldn’t help but glare at him from the side.

His handsome face didn’t diminish her resentment at all.

“What are you standing there for? Come here,” Mu Junyan said, completely ignoring her little tantrum.

Gu Hua took a deep breath, comforting herself.

It’s fine. If she learns chess well, she won’t have let Brother Ji down.

Thinking of Brother Ji, Gu Hua subdued her temper and obediently climbed onto the couch, kneeling across from Mu Junyan and pointing at the white pieces.

Mu Junyan brought the black pieces to his side. “You go first.”

Gu Hua panicked a little.

“I only know the basics… My lord, do you have a chess manual?”

She hadn’t even fully understood the one Brother Ji gave her.

Mu Junyan replied bluntly, “No need. Playing directly is the best way to grasp the essence of chess.”

Gu Hua focused with all her might, recalling the opening move from Brother Ji’s manual, and cautiously placed a white piece at the center of the board.

She thought—this is the noble Duke Yong, surely he would go easy on a beginner like her.

She just needed to follow the manual, ask questions when confused.

Who would’ve thought, in less than half a cup of tea’s time, he’d wipe her out mercilessly.

Her little face turned bright red from frustration.

She had let Brother Ji down—how shameful!

No.

She had to get back up where she fell—just like Brother Ji always said!

Clenching her lips, Gu Hua straightened her posture, took a deep breath, and placed another white piece.

Mu Junyan looked at her defiant little expression and thought to himself—What a determined little girl.

But Gu Hua never expected that after three consecutive games, Mu Junyan still didn’t hold back, crushing her every time.

“Continue,” Mu Junyan said calmly.

Gu Hua: “……!”

She had thought he was a righteous, decent man.

What part of him was kind?

Two full cups of tea later…

“Why are your eyes red?” Mu Junyan tilted his head to look at her.

Gu Hua sulked and mumbled, unwilling to talk to him.

What kind of person was this!

Seven straight games lost—completely.

Mu Junyan reached across the board and gently lifted her chin. “Speak. What’s wrong?”

Gu Hua had to come up with an excuse, eyes full of grievance: “Last night… I didn’t sleep well.”

“Oh? Why didn’t you sleep well? Didn’t you sleep alone?” Mu Junyan asked in surprise.

Gu Hua shot him a glare.

You seriously don’t know why?

With his robust health and still insisting on feeding her ginseng soup, he was like a vampire sucking her dry—and not satisfied until her bones were ground into powder. Her whole body still ached when she moved.

And this morning, Sister Zhou dragged her out early for household training.

Though it was enjoyable, her body couldn’t take it! Now it was already dark, and he still wanted to play chess.

Fine. Play chess.

But she told him she only knew a little!

He said he’d teach, but then didn’t show her any mercy—beating her eight times in a row.

Any interest she had in chess from Brother Ji was completely crushed.

Brother Ji always let her win sometimes, guiding her to improve and even letting her win a round or two to boost her confidence.

But he?

No grace, no gentlemanly conduct—not at all like Brother Ji.

And besides, did she not want to rest?

It all depended on his whims!

Yet he acted clueless.

So wicked!

Still, despite all her grievances, she didn’t dare speak up in front of the Duke, only grumbled under her breath and gave a sullen “Mm.”

Mu Junyan held a black chess piece, eyes falling on the bite mark at the base of his thumb—his mood suddenly lifted.

The more he looked at her, the more she reminded him of a cat.

When she wanted something, she was like a hungry kitten, rubbing up affectionately and trying to please.

But when angry—she’d puff up and even bite.

“Well then, go back and rest.”

Gu Hua’s gloomy expression vanished instantly. She hurried to pack up the chess pieces, climbed off the couch, and curtsied.

“Then I shall take my leave. May my lord rest well tonight.”

“Take this set of chess pieces with you. Study it well.”

Gu Hua paused mid-step, glancing at the pieces and the rosewood board.

Was it a loan or a gift?

Mu Junyan saw her eyes darting about and wondered what nonsense she was thinking now.

“I’m giving it to you.”

Gu Hua gasped in surprise, then quickly composed herself, standing properly and cautiously sizing him up.

“You’re giving it to me? This set looks very expensive.”

Mu Junyan answered casually, “It was a gift from my grandfather. A reward for taking the head of my first enemy commander. The white pieces are pure Hetian jade—flawless and translucent. Such pure jade doesn’t exist elsewhere. The black pieces are made of imperial jade, also the finest quality.”

Gu Hua was dumbfounded.

It was that valuable? And a gift from the first Duke? She didn’t dare accept it!

Hidden in the shadows outside, Chi Yu, who had been eavesdropping, was stunned.

That chess set—his master never even let others touch it. Yet now he was giving it to a girl who barely knew how to play.

Clearly, his master was truly taken with her.

“What’s wrong? Now you don’t dare take it?”

Mu Junyan looked at her.

Gu Hua suddenly thought of that thousand-tael banknote.

The Duke Yong truly had deep pockets—not even afraid of Mu An’s spending.

Better it go to her than to Mu An.

She quickly hugged the board and pieces tightly, flashing what she believed was her sweetest smile. “Thank you, my lord!”

“If you lose this badly next time, I’m taking it back.”

Gu Hua clutched it tighter. “I’ll study hard!”

It cost her a thousand taels, after all.

Happily hugging her big treasure, Gu Hua ran back to Yayun Pavilion.

The Duke seemed to be in a great mood—surely he wouldn’t be angry when she left the residence tomorrow?

Lost in thoughts of going out the next day, Gu Hua had no idea just how special she had become in Mu Junyan’s eyes.