FBC – Chapter 69 Returning to the Manor Again

Gu Hua returned to Yayun Pavilion and took out the chess manual given to her by Brother Ji, intending to place it into the white chess piece box.

On second thought, she opened the manual and, looking at the annotations he had written for her, suddenly understood many of the previously confusing parts.

Just moments ago, she had been completely overwhelmed by Mu Junyan’s skill, and her interest—nearly extinguished—suddenly flared back to life.

She flipped through the manual while recalling the sequences from the matches she had just played with Mu Junyan, replaying them rapidly in her mind.

The more she read, the more intrigued she became. A desire to challenge Mu Junyan again began to stir within her.

“What are you reading that has you so engrossed, Miss?” Dong Qing walked in carrying a steaming bowl.

“A chess manual.”

Gu Hua looked up, closed the manual, placed it in the chess box, and then put it into the red lacquered cabinet.

“What are you carrying?”

“It’s a tonic Miss Shen Li prepared for you,” Dong Qing replied as she placed down a wooden tray. On it was a small dish holding two or three candied fruits.

Gu Hua didn’t ask further and simply picked up the bowl and drank it.

Shen Li brewed her a tonic every morning and evening, especially during the days she was with Mu Junyan. As soon as Gu Hua returned, a bowl would arrive.

She knew very well—it was a contraceptive decoction.

The rest were genuine tonics.

Her relationship with Mu Junyan was delicate now.

The entire capital knew Mu Junyan wouldn’t marry. Not to mention there was also the connection with Gu Wanru. If she were to become pregnant, it would bring shame to the Duke’s estate and damage Mu Junyan’s reputation.

Anyway, she had endured enough grievances.

But now, she didn’t feel wronged at all. After all, she had monthly silver, ancient books, and precious clothes, jewelry, and chess sets.

While eating the sweet and sour candied fruit, Gu Hua suddenly thought of something.

Mu Junyan had been back for almost ten days and was supposed to return to the battlefield on the 25th.

She counted on her fingers—only six days left!

Gu Hua was startled.

Time was running out for her.

“Dong Qing, go inform Sister Zhou that I want to visit home tomorrow.”

Given her current status, she should inform someone before leaving the manor.

“Yes, understood.”

Less than a quarter of an hour later, Dong Qing returned.

“Sister Zhou said you may go as you please. If you need anything, just let her know.”

Gu Hua nodded, then washed up and went to bed.

Even if people were polite, could she really make demands?

At most, if Sister Zhou arranged a carriage, that’d be ideal. If not, she’d just walk back.

The next day, Gu Hua woke up early.

She took care to dress up, applied delicate makeup, and adorned her hair with the jade hairpin given by Pei Yi. Just as she was about to leave with Dong Hua and Dong Qing—

“Aiya, I almost missed you!”

Zhou Zhilian walked in with a bright smile, and the moment she saw Gu Hua, her eyes lit up in amazement.

“Oh my, you look beautiful today.”

Gu Hua blushed and teased, “I’m going home—I can’t bring shame to the Duke’s Estate.”

“Of course.”

Zhou Zhilian linked arms with her, leading her outside, whispering into her ear, “This is your husband’s home now. You should return to your natal family with full grace and glory.”

Gu Hua was so startled she nearly tripped over the threshold.

She quickly scanned the area to make sure no one overheard and hurriedly pulled Zhou Zhilian close.

“Sister Zhou, you mustn’t speak so carelessly.”

Zhou Zhilian knew she was shy. After all, the lord had yet to give her a proper title. If too many people found out, there’d be gossip, and it could ruin Hua’er’s reputation.

Last night, she had reported Gu Hua’s visit home to the lord, who then ordered gifts prepared and personally selected attendants to accompany her.

The setup practically mirrored a bride’s return to her maiden home after marriage.

Even her brother, after hearing this and helping to arrange the escorts, had exclaimed in admiration that Miss Hua was truly blessed.

Gu Hua left the manor through a side gate with Zhou Zhilian and saw another carriage waiting outside.

By the carriage stood Dong Mo and two other young servants.

Dong Mo stepped forward with a smile. “The lord instructed me to accompany Miss on her visit home with these two men.”

Gu Hua was surprised.

Dong Mo was a close personal servant of Mu Junyan—how could he be sent to accompany her?

“That’s not appropriate. You serve the Duke,” she objected immediately.

“When the lord gives an order, who dares to disobey? If you refuse them, and they get punished later, what then?” Zhou Zhilian pushed her into the carriage and turned back to instruct Dong Hua and Dong Qing.

“There are gifts in the carriage for the masters of the Gu family. Each box is labeled with their respective titles. Be careful not to mix them up.”

Dong Hua and Dong Qing quickly acknowledged her instructions.

Gu Hua didn’t hear them, but once she got into the carriage and saw all the bundles and boxes, she was stunned.

Dong Hua and Dong Qing got in shortly after, and seeing her expression, they explained quickly.

“These were arranged by Sister Zhou for the Gu family. Gifts have been prepared for each young lady and gentleman. We’ll check them now.”

The two maids began inspecting the boxes seriously, whispering among themselves to arrange them according to status.

Gu Hua said nothing.

There was no way to return them now.

She felt a rush of emotion and a twinge of guilt.

“Whose carriage is this?”

She caught a familiar scent—Mu Junyan’s. Her heart raced.

Dong Hua didn’t even look up. “The lord’s.”

Gu Hua’s face suddenly burned.

Did the dignified Duke arrange all this to give her face?

Was he fond of her?

Impossible.

Gu Hua couldn’t figure it out no matter how she thought about it during the ride. By the time she came to her senses, the carriage had arrived at the gates of the Wenchang Marquis Manor.

The gatekeeper saw the second young miss returning with such grandeur again and didn’t dare slack off. He respectfully invited her in and immediately sent a servant to inform the inner court.

As a concubine-born daughter returning home, Gu Hua naturally had to first greet the madam of the house.

Madam Wang looked much better than before. Seeing Gu Hua’s bright appearance, she gave her a warm and knowing smile.

Gu Hua signaled Dong Qing to present the gifts.

Dong Qing and Dong Hua each carried a large box forward. Granny Zhou and a maid accepted them and opened the boxes right away. Even someone as experienced as Granny Zhou couldn’t help but gasp.

Gu Hua leaned in curiously to look.

Each box had three compartments, each filled with a different rare medicinal ingredient.

Ginseng, ganoderma, deer antler, cordyceps, snow lotus, bird’s nest.

Gu Hua was well-versed in medicinal herbs and could tell at a glance that they were top-quality.

She was both shocked and delighted. These were exactly what Madam Wang needed to recover her health.

Sister Zhou was so considerate. She knew how important Madam Wang was to her and had deliberately arranged the most suitable and valuable gifts.

Madam Wang was deeply moved. This concubine-born daughter was more thoughtful than her own.

She felt guilty for neglecting and not cherishing Gu Hua before.

Her eyes reddened as she held Gu Hua’s hand and looked her over. “Very good. You look much healthier, your face even has a bit more flesh.”

Gu Hua felt warmth in her heart. Though she wasn’t as overwhelmed as when she first met her birth mother, the thought of the truth soon being revealed made her emotional and teary.

“Is your health better now, Mother?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, I’ve been recovering steadily,” Madam Wang gently patted her hand.

They smiled at each other knowingly.

Gu Hua imagined the moment the truth was revealed. She could finally lean into her mother’s arms and act spoiled—something she had longed for in both her lives.

Granny Zhou treated Gu Hua even more kindly now, whispering, “The courtyard has been cleaned inside and out. I personally decocted the medicine using the prescriptions left by Doctor Shen Li. Madam’s health improves day by day.”

Gu Hua nodded with tears in her eyes. “That’s good.”

“Did you return for something? Or is something troubling you? Why didn’t your elder sister come along?” Madam Wang asked, concerned.

Granny Zhou, knowing her lady worried constantly about her eldest daughter, quickly smiled and said, “The young miss is pregnant—it’s inconvenient for her to travel.”

So the manor didn’t know about Gu Wanru’s miscarriage.

Gu Hua found it strange. Granny Chen, who managed external affairs for Gu Wanru, hadn’t sent any word?

Or did Gu Wanru not want their mother to know?

Not want the family to see her as useless?

Gu Hua didn’t want to worry her mother, so she wiped her tears. “Sister drinks her tonics regularly. She asked me to pass on her greetings to you.”

In truth, Gu Wanru hadn’t said a single word of concern.

Their mother had raised a selfish ingrate.

Gu Hua was worried—what if her mother, still physically and mentally fragile, couldn’t handle the truth?

As she looked at Madam Wang’s gentle face, Gu Hua decided that the matter of the switched daughters should be delayed until her mother fully recovered.

“Mother, I’d like to visit Concubine Pei.”

Madam Wang, for some unknown reason, felt a strange fondness for this daughter she once disliked.

Each of her returns had been filled with affection and filial warmth.

Reluctantly but supportively, she let go of her hand. “Go ahead.”

Gu Hua didn’t want to see her father or her sisters in the manor. Her two younger brothers were still at the clan school and hadn’t returned, so she handed their gifts to Granny Zhou to distribute.

Her father’s gift was given to Madam Wang to pass on.

She didn’t even know what Sister Zhou had prepared for them.

In any case, she didn’t care.

As long as it wasn’t too extravagant.

Gu Hua entered Concubine Pei’s Xianglan Courtyard.

Concubine Pei had already heard the news and was neatly dressed, sitting upright in the main seat—posing as if she were the true mistress of the household.