FBC – Chapter 7 I’ve Caught the Eye of the Duke

Dong Mo was wandering around the courtyard, eyes darting everywhere, looking for someone from Jinxiu Pavilion to ask a question, when he suddenly spotted Jin Kui emerging from the west corner gate and hurried over.

“Big Sister Jin, where is your Miss Gu Hua?”

Jin Kui recognized him and pointed toward the west gate. “She’s in the small kitchen.”

“She’s working with her hand injured like that?” Dong Mo stared in disbelief.

Jin Kui looked at him, surprised. “You know her hand is hurt?”

Dong Mo suddenly remembered Gu Hua had told him not to say anything.

“No, no… I just noticed her fingers were a bit red when she was serving tea for the young madam today.”

Jin Kui didn’t think too much about it. “I already gave her some medicine.”

“Thank you, Sister. I just have something to ask her.” Not wanting to talk more, Dong Mo rushed to the small kitchen.

Jin Kui frowned as she watched his back. Since when was Gu Hua this familiar with someone from the Duke’s side?

Inside, Gu Hua was busy helping the cook. She looked up casually and was startled to see Dong Mo peeking through the moon gate and waving to her.

She quickly glanced at the cook—thankfully, the woman was crouched low, tending the fire, and hadn’t seen anything.

Gu Hua hurried outside and whispered, “Brother Dong, why are you here?”

If Gu Wanru noticed anything unusual, she wouldn’t let her off.

Dong Mo didn’t dare stay long either. He quickly shoved two bottles of ointment into her hands and lowered his voice. “The white porcelain one is a treasure from the palace. Make sure to use it—it’ll restore your skin completely. The other is for burns.”

Gu Hua froze. “These are too precious—I can’t accept them.”

“They’re a gift from the Lord. Use them freely.” Dong Mo ran off before the cook noticed him.

If the Duke had gifted them, why would Dong Mo be sneaking around?

Clearly, it was Dong Mo who had gone to great lengths to get them.

Gu Hua looked down at the bottles in her hands, eyes stinging with heat.

Since entering the Duke’s manor, this was the first time someone had truly cared about her.

So… there were still good people in this world.

Suddenly reminded of something, she lifted her skirt and ran after him, calling softly, “Brother Dong, Brother Dong, is the Lord still in the manor?”

Without turning back, Dong Mo waved his hand. “He left just now.”

Gu Hua’s heart sank.

So, there was no one she could count on?

But before dinner time even arrived, Gu Wanru’s husband, Mu An, showed up.

“Jin Kui, have Hua’er come serve us,” Gu Wanru said with a smile.

Not long after, Gu Hua entered with a tray of pastries, following Jin Kui into the room.

The two of them served tea and laid out the snacks for their masters.

Mu An’s eyes shamelessly lingered on Gu Hua like a fly glued to a delicacy.

A chill spread over Gu Hua’s body. After placing the pastries into a white porcelain dish, she silently stepped back.

Gu Wanru wore a soft smile, but her eyes were sharp with ice.

Mu An clasped Gu Wanru’s hand affectionately. “To have a wife like you—what more could a husband wish for?”

Gu Wanru coyly nestled into his embrace. “Being able to marry you, husband, is the greatest blessing of my life.”

Watching this sickening display of affection, Gu Hua nearly vomited.

Gu Wanru saw her as a thorn in the side, wishing she’d disappear forever. To keep her favored position, she had laid her out like meat on a butcher’s block.

Mu An, hungry for beauty, would satisfy his lust and then try to gain benefits from the main wife—after which, he’d kill her and cover it up.

No one cared about her will, her life, or the life of her unborn child.

To them, she was just a thing—an object.

Gu Wanru, your entire life has been stolen from mine.

Don’t you remember?

In the previous life, Mu An raped her right after dinner on this very day.

So how could she escape the devil’s grasp in this life?

Gu Hua’s mind was in chaos.

The couple flirted a while longer, but Mu An’s gaze remained fixed hungrily on Gu Hua standing in the back. His expression betrayed growing impatience with the woman in his arms.

Gu Wanru sensed it too. She pushed him away lightly and smiled sweetly. “Dinner’s a bit later. I’m feeling tired. Why don’t you go rest in the side room? Once we’re both refreshed, dinner will taste even better.”

Mu An, thrilled, kissed her on the cheek. “My wife is so thoughtful.”

Gu Wanru rolled her eyes playfully. “Just remember how good I am to you.”

Then she turned to Gu Hua, her voice gentle. “Hua’er, go accompany the young master while he rests.”

Gu Hua’s body tensed.

They hadn’t even eaten dinner yet!

Stiffly, Gu Hua led Mu An toward the side room, feeling the burning gaze of a hungry wolf on her back, making her skin crawl.

At the doorway, Gu Hua stopped and didn’t enter. She shifted aside cautiously. “Young Master, please… ah!”

Mu An suddenly grabbed her and shoved her inside.

Gu Hua’s face went pale with terror. She gripped the doorframe tightly. “Young Master, please let me go!”

When she refused to release her grip, Mu An spun her around and pinned her tightly to his chest, groping and tearing at her clothes.

“My sweet darling, from today on, you’re mine. Let me spoil you properly.”

Gu Hua screamed in despair. “Young Master, please stop…”

Mu An, eyes burning with lust, saw her struggling fiercely and grew impatient. He lifted her up and stormed inside.

He threw her onto the couch, undressing while lunging toward her. “Be good and serve me well. I’ll treat you right.”

Panicking, Gu Hua pushed him with all her strength and suddenly shouted with all her might: “Young Master! My sister already gave me to the Duke! You can’t touch me—let me go!”

Mu An froze. “What did you say?”

Gu Hua quickly continued, “If you don’t believe me, ask my sister! She brought me to see the Duke this morning. He has his eye on me. You can’t touch me. Don’t you want to be named heir? Have you considered the consequences of touching the Duke’s woman?”

She was prepared—if he still forced himself on her, she’d rather end it all with the silver hairpin in her hair.

Mu An’s expression darkened as he looked out the window.

The main room was just diagonally across. Gu Wanru had been standing by the door, fury in her eyes.

She hadn’t expected Mu An to be so impatient, pawing her sister before even entering the room. He hadn’t spared her any dignity.

Hearing Gu Hua scream, she hurried over with Jin Kui.

“Stop spouting nonsense!” Gu Wanru was livid, unable to keep up her dignified facade.

How dare she sow discord between husband and wife?

Taking advantage of the moment when Mu An loosened his grip, Gu Hua shoved him away, leapt from the couch, and tried to run—only to be blocked at the door by Mu An’s outstretched arm.

Mu An’s face twisted with rage. “Gu Wanru, playing both sides?”

Gu Wanru panicked. “How could I possibly give her to Father? Didn’t I just bring her to serve you?”

She was to be the future Duchess. No one could tarnish her image of virtue and grace.

Turning coldly to Gu Hua, she said, “Sister, if you didn’t want to serve him, you could’ve just said so. Do you think I’d force you? Besides, Father never had any interest in women—how could you slander him?”

Mu An snapped back to reality, glaring at Gu Hua. “You should be grateful I fancy you. Your sister was generous to let me have you. What? You think you’re too good for me and want to climb into my father’s bed?”

Gu Hua knew Mu An resented the Duke deeply for never naming him heir.

She often heard him and Gu Wanru cursing the Duke and the old madam behind closed doors—saying they never treated him like a real son or grandson.

He even said the entire estate would be his once the Duke passed, and he wouldn’t lift a finger in filial piety.

That was also why Gu Wanru never cared for the mentally ill old lady.

Seeing Mu An angry at Gu Hua, Gu Wanru softened her tone.

“Sister, how could I ever harm you? My husband treasures women dearly. Look at the other concubines—don’t they all live in luxury? Once he inherits the dukedom, you’ll enjoy endless wealth and glory.”

“Father is old and has no interest in women. Even if you want to serve him, he won’t accept you. In the end, you’ll get nothing but wasted youth.”

“Let’s say I sent you back home. With your status, wouldn’t our parents just marry you off at will? Could that compare to being favored by the Duke’s only son?”

Her words stabbed Mu An right in the ego. That little tramp dared to reject him to chase after his father?

She clearly looked down on him.

Enraged, he slapped Gu Hua hard across the face. “You dare covet my father! You filthy wench!”

Her face stung like fire, ears ringing.

Mu An’s eyes burned with cruelty. “Men! Tie her up and throw her in the room!”

Two servants rushed in and grabbed Gu Hua.