FBC – Chapter 76 The Lord Is Angry

“What did you go out of the residence for today?” Mu Junyan’s voice was low and heavy.

Gu Hua’s heart skipped a beat—did he already know?

On second thought, of course he did.

The maids by her side were his people, and he had those ghost-like guards lurking in the shadows. Naturally, every move she made was under his watch.

She carefully looked into his eyes—deep, unreadable, impossible to discern his mood.

Based on what she knew of domineering men like him, hiding things was the worst offense.

Gu Hua lowered her eyes so he couldn’t see the emotions within, her voice timid like a child who had done something wrong.

“This concubine recklessly did something today. But I wasn’t confident it would succeed. I feared I might ruin things and tarnish the noble reputation of the Lord Duke, so I didn’t dare trouble you…”

Just listen to that sweet mouth!

Her chin was suddenly lifted by thick fingers, her waist gripped harshly, her whole body tensed instantly.

“Look at me when you speak.”

Forced to meet his gaze, Gu Hua trembled under the oppressive stare, her lashes fluttering.

Frightened, she no longer dared to talk back and quickly confessed everything.

“Aunt sent word into the residence, hoping to help Brother-in-law secure the military winter supply contract. Eldest Sister knew Brother-in-law needed fifty thousand taels of silver but couldn’t leave the residence, so she asked me to see if Aunt could help. Aunt didn’t have the money, so she took me to… the eldest son of the Pei family. Since Aunt asked personally, he agreed to help.”

She didn’t dare refer to him as “Cousin Pei” because in Mu Junyan’s eyes, she wasn’t truly Pei Yi’s blood cousin.

That one meeting last time had earned her a night of “discipline” upon returning—she didn’t dare imagine a repeat, unsure if she’d survive the next three days.

What she said was half true. Everything visible was real; what was hidden was the knowledge from her past life.

As for how she knew about the fifty thousand taels—it was unlikely anyone would dig into that. Mu An loved silver; once she had the banknotes, she wouldn’t return them, so the lie wouldn’t unravel.

The coldness in Mu Junyan’s gaze softened slightly.

She was telling the truth.

His grip on her chin loosened, and his tone eased as well.

“And who slapped your face?”

Gu Hua’s eyes froze.

Huh?

Her face still wasn’t healed?

That can’t be—she’d checked while putting on makeup earlier, everything looked fine!

“No one… slapped me.”

“Dare to lie to me?” His tone turned icy.

The girl squeaked in fright: “U-um… County Princess Jiang said Dong Hua offended her and wanted her beaten to death with a rod. I couldn’t let someone from the Duke’s residence be beaten to death…”

Mu Junyan sneered coldly.

Gu Hua didn’t dare say another word.

“You should’ve just slapped her back. Using your own face to shield someone—it’s an embarrassment to me.”

Mu Junyan looked at her with clear disdain.

So she’d encountered trouble and still hadn’t told him. Didn’t she ever think to rely on him?

Gu Hua: “……”

Easy for you to say. You think she dared to hit back?

That was a county princess! She only had one little life!

If she really did retaliate and got killed on the spot, her ghost wouldn’t even have a place to wander.

She pouted, face full of grievance, too angry to speak—like a kitten that had done something wrong but was unwilling to admit it. It was truly too adorable.

Mu Junyan couldn’t help but pull her into his arms.

A soft gasp escaped her lips as her forehead bumped into his scorching chest, her cool, delicate face brushing against his burning skin.

They both froze.

For a long moment…

“Tonight, I’ll rest in the study.”

His low, hoarse voice was exactly the same as last time—before it all started.

Gu Hua quietly sighed. What was meant to happen would happen.

“You’re not bathing tonight, my lord?”

She asked hopefully. The calming incense hadn’t been lit yet.

She was planning to give him a massage. There might still be a chance to save herself.

“Didn’t you see I’ve already bathed?”

Mu Junyan tugged at the front of his robe, which was still untied, fanning himself. His toned chest and sculpted abs were revealed.

Gu Hua quickly stole a glance and then forced her eyes away, ears turning red.

Too tempting.

That tingling, comfortable sensation crept over her again!

She squirmed unconsciously.

In the next second, she was scooped up into his arms. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest in embarrassment.

Her shy reaction filled him with delight.

The candlelight was snuffed out.

In the darkness, he gently laid her down on the soft couch in the inner chamber. Gu Hua immediately noticed something was different—it felt much softer than usual.

But before she could figure out what, a large shadow loomed over her.

She quickly did her part, obediently undoing her robe, revealing a crimson nightdress.

His eyes darkened.

Without a word, he yanked the brocade pouch containing the calming incense from her waist and tossed it aside. He pulled the thin quilt over her and, like kneading dough, wrapped her up completely and shoved her further in, then lay down beside her.

Now cocooned in the quilt like a silkworm, Gu Hua was stunned. What position was this?

She nervously waited for his next move.

But nothing happened for a long time.

She couldn’t help turning her head slightly to peek.

He had closed his eyes and was lying flat on his back, chest rising and falling steadily. He looked genuinely asleep.

He… just fell asleep?

Could it be… she was more effective than the calming incense?

Still, Gu Hua didn’t dare move, her mind churning with complicated emotions.

No, something’s off.

He called her over at this hour but didn’t touch her—it made no sense.

He must be angry, trying to get her to take the initiative to please him.

After a long wait, she tentatively extended a hand from under the quilt and lightly poked his hard arm with her finger.

In a soft voice, she asked, “My lord… are you asleep?”

After a while, a low, raspy voice finally came from the darkness.

“I was asleep.”

Gu Hua yanked her hand back in a panic.

Crap, she was being stupid again.

He’d been asleep, and she woke him.

She quickly retracted her arm under the quilt, pulling her head in too, and said quietly, “Then please go back to sleep.”

Tonight, Mu Junyan had been a bit miffed with her.

She had something to deal with but didn’t come to him. She dared meddle in court affairs, helping the old madam here and there, but never thought to sew him even a single nightrobe.

But seeing that she got slapped today because of him, he decided to let her off this time and even planned to secretly help her.

Consider it making up for the grievance she suffered because of him.

But this little girl just had to push his buttons.

Mu Junyan slowly opened his eyes, staring at the dark canopy above.

Once awake, it was much harder to fall back asleep.

He turned on his side—face to face with her—and said, “You dare disturb my sleep? Quite bold of you.”

Gu Hua had most of her head tucked under the quilt, only her eyes darting around nervously.

She was annoyed too.

She disturbed his sleep?

If he wanted to sleep, why not go back to his own bedroom? Why call her to the study?

She wasn’t a sleeping incense sachet, or a warmer, or a pillow…

Before her thoughts finished, he pulled her into his arms like a pillow.

Gu Hua: “……”

He was unbelievable.

His firm, straight nose nudged hers. “You play dumb when you should be smart, and act tough when you shouldn’t.”

Gu Hua grew angry, sulking. “This concubine is stupid.”

She was stupid, yes—but more importantly, she was powerless, okay?

If she had power, she wouldn’t fear anyone. She’d just pick up a knife and slash her way through.

Mu Junyan pushed the quilt down and traced her soft lips with his fingers.

“Still angry? Your courage is growing.”

Gu Hua turned her head away, dodging his touch, refusing to respond.

Always bullying her.

But the more she sulked, the cuter she looked.

Even his iron heart softened into a puddle. He chuckled, pulled her little head out of the quilt, and quickly pressed his lips to hers.

Gu Hua initially resisted, clenching her teeth, letting him rub against her lips.

Noticing her temper, Mu Junyan grew even more delighted.

He kissed her gently and patiently. As her breathing grew soft and shallow, her pearly teeth parted ever so slightly—and he seized the moment to invade.