FBC – Chapter 74 The Patron Wants to Sleep With Her Again

Gu Hua returned to the Duke Estate and headed straight for Jinxiu Pavilion.

As soon as Gu Wanru saw her, her eyes lit up. “You got it?”

Gu Hua handed her the banknotes. “Yes, I got them.”

Gu Wanru received the silver notes, her voice brimming with excitement. “Good, good—wonderful.”

“Jinkui, go find my husband and deliver the fifty-thousand tael banknote to him. Tell him I’ve found a new way to earn even more money and that I must speak to him in person.”

Jinkui accepted the note with her head lowered, extremely anxious.

That fifty-thousand tael note was something Gu Hua had fabricated. What if the young master asked questions and exposed the lie?

In front of Gu Wanru, she didn’t dare look at Gu Hua for fear of giving herself away.

Gu Hua patted her shoulder. “Jinkui, you can go now.”

Jinkui obediently left, gently closing the door behind her.

Gu Hua lowered her voice. “Sister, once the banknote is delivered, he’ll surely believe that you can help him make money. This batch of military supplies is selected and submitted by the Head Eunuch of the Inner Court. Your husband and his godson have a close relationship. I specifically inquired about it today: that person is not only lecherous but has a very particular fetish. Remind your husband to prepare a delicate beauty in advance to send over. That might just seal the deal.”

Gu Wanru was surprised. “How did you find that out?”

Gu Hua replied calmly without blinking, “When I saw Cousin Pei today, I asked him which person this matter needed to go through. He happened to mention it. Coincidentally, I had already heard a little gossip about that man. If you don’t believe me, you can investigate yourself.”

Gu Wanru still seemed doubtful and made a mental note to have Granny Chen go inquire about it later.

If what Gu Hua said was true, and she reminded Mu An and helped him succeed in this matter, he’d surely think more highly of her.

That would definitely help repair their relationship as husband and wife.

Gu Hua could see the suspicion lingering on Gu Wanru’s face.

She felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

In her past life, she was the one sacrificed.

That beast of a man had been a complete pervert and tortured her until she was on the verge of death.

And Gu Wanru and Mu An had thrown her into Jiaochun Courtyard, leaving her to fend for herself.

It was only because the brothel madam was afraid she would die there that she had someone give her medicine and ointment to keep her barely alive.

Later, Gu Wanru sent Yinzhi to check if she was dead. When she found she wasn’t, she brought her back to the Duke Estate just to continue using and tormenting her.

Even now, when Gu Hua thought back to it, she still shivered with fear.

She was curious—

In this life, she had broken free from Gu Wanru’s control, and Yinzhi was already “dead”. Who would Gu Wanru now manipulate Mu An into sacrificing?

Gu Hua stood up, glancing coldly at Gu Wanru, who was busily dressing up.

“I’m leaving now,” she said lightly.

Gu Wanru had no objection, entirely focused on getting ready to meet Mu An.

Gu Hua quickened her pace to catch up with Jinkui, who was walking slowly.

The two silently quickened their steps to leave Jinxiu Pavilion, and only when they were far enough away and alone did Gu Hua quietly tell her that the medicine and living expenses for her mother had been arranged. She no longer needed to fear Concubine Pei’s threats.

“Second Miss…”

Jinkui was moved to tears, but she didn’t dare cry. She bit her handkerchief to stifle her sobs.

Gu Hua gently patted her arm. “No need to thank me. You’ve already helped me.”

Jinkui was speechless with emotion.

She deeply regretted her cowardice in the past—just standing by and watching as Second Miss was bullied, unable to do a thing to help.

“In a bit, you don’t need to deliver the note yourself. Give it to Biyu instead. Tell her it’s for an urgent matter for the young master, and that the young lady says there’s a major business deal he could profit greatly from. Ask him to go to Jinxiu Pavilion for a face-to-face discussion. Biyu will definitely report it truthfully.”

Gu Hua was worried Jinkui would be too nervous and mess up in front of Mu An.

But Biyu was fiercely loyal to Mu An. Anything that benefited him—she would certainly report it exactly.

Gu Hua spoke, and Jinkui silently repeated every word in her heart, carefully memorizing them.

She wasn’t good at lying and didn’t speak much normally. Now, with so many lines to say, her hands were trembling with nerves.

Jinkui didn’t know why Biyu would report it honestly, but she trusted Gu Hua.

Watching Jinkui walk away, Gu Hua’s small face lit up with a smile. She winked at Dong Hua and Dong Qing. “Let’s go find Sister Zhou.”

“So soon?”

Zhou Zhilian was busy doing her accounting when she looked up with a smile—then her eyes landed on Gu Hua’s slightly swollen cheek. She instantly stood up.

Striding over, she cupped Gu Hua’s face in both hands, her expression turning icy. “Who hit you?”

Gu Hua hadn’t expected her to notice. “It’s… it’s nothing…”

Zhou Zhilian turned to glare at Dong Hua. “Speak. Who hit her? Didn’t I tell you to protect her properly? What were you doing?”

Dong Hua’s knees buckled, and she knelt on the spot. “It’s this maid’s fault. It was to protect me that Miss Gu was struck by the county princess.”

Dong Qing quickly knelt as well. “It’s our incompetence.”

Zhou Zhilian held a high position in the household and was known for her decisiveness. The servants all feared her.

Gu Hua quickly withdrew her face from Zhou Zhilian’s hands and helped the maids up.

“County Princess Jiang only acted because of me. It wasn’t their fault.”

Dong Hua’s eyes were red as she looked at her.

Miss Gu was delicate and frail, and yet she protected her. From now on, she would be her true mistress.

“Jiang Ruoxi?”

Zhou Zhilian sneered. “Don’t worry, I’ll hit her back for you.”

Gu Hua grabbed her arm and clung to it sweetly. “Good sister, just let it go. I actually came to ask you a favor.”

Zhou Zhilian got goosebumps from her soft voice and glared. “If you want something, just say it. Save that tone for your man.”

Gu Hua blushed, let go, and stood straight. “I want to embroider a headband and make a set of nightwear for Old Madam’s birthday. But… I don’t have the money. So, I was wondering if I could use some of the estate’s fabric.”

By the time she finished, even her ears were red.

Zhou Zhilian rolled her eyes. “If you want the good stuff, just say so. What’s with the shyness?”

Gu Hua immediately dropped her bashful act and beamed. “Mm!”

Zhou Zhilian crossed her arms and eyed her. “Then I want a set too.”

“Mhm, I was thinking that too,” Gu Hua said with a fawning smile.

Zhou Zhilian pulled her close by the arm. “Now that’s more like it. Let’s ice your face first, then head to the storeroom to pick the fabric. Prioritize Old Madam’s gift—I can wait.”

Gu Hua’s heart felt warm.

Gu Hua joyfully admired the crimson cloud brocade laced with silver threads before her.

They say brocade is worth its weight in gold. The colors were dazzling, as splendid as clouds in the sky—truly magnificent when seen in person.

She planned to pair it with ruby-red garnets shaped into pomegranate petals. Exquisite and luxurious.

She also picked out a fine white satin and a lake-green satin—both smooth and soft, perfect for nightwear.

The white one would be for Old Madam. The green one—for Sister Zhou.

“Miss, only two days left. Can you finish in time?”

Dong Hua looked worried.

“No problem. My needlework is decent. Besides, this brocade is already ornate. I don’t need to embroider anything complicated—just a few pomegranate leaves.”

Gu Hua smiled with confidence.

Dong Qing dragged a small embroidery stool over and sat at Gu Hua’s feet. “Let me help. My stitching is passable.”

“Dong Qing’s embroidery is great,” Dong Hua chimed in. “I’ll go prepare lunch for you both.”

After lunch, Gu Hua and Dong Qing worked until the lanterns were lit.

Dong Hua lit the candles in the room.

Gu Hua looked up through the window.

A group of maids walked through the corridors and under the eaves, carrying lanterns and whispering with smiles as they lit them one by one. The warm light glowed through the oiled paper, painting a scene of peaceful domestic beauty.

Gu Hua smiled and lowered her head again, continuing to embroider the headband—it was nearly finished.

Dong Hua came in with dinner, a worried look on her face. “Miss, the lord is back. I ran into Dong Mo at the gate—he said the lord asked for you to come to the study at hai-shi (9–11 p.m.).”

Gu Hua’s hand froze, and she murmured, “Oh no.”

The needle had pricked her finger, and a drop of blood oozed out.

Annoyed, she put the finger in her mouth.

She had hoped to finish the sleeves and collar of the nightwear tonight so she could sew it all together tomorrow.

But tonight… he wanted to sleep with her again?

Dong Hua and Dong Qing dared not speak, silently setting the food out.