FBC – Chapter 77 Losing Face

The girl beneath him was nearly suffocating. Just as she was about to cough, Mu Junyan finally let go.

“Tea?”

Her misty eyes fluttered open, dazed and delicate, and she gave a soft, pampered “Mm.”

Mu Junyan rolled off the bed, and in the moonlight, picked up the small teapot warming over the charcoal stove. He poured a cup of tea that was still warm.

He brought it to her lips.

Gu Hua paused, and suddenly remembered that ginseng tea from that night.

Cautiously, she asked, “…What is it?”

“Tea, of course. What did you think it was?”

Mu Junyan sat back down and picked her up, still wrapped in the thin quilt. He let her lean comfortably against the soft cushions, leaving only her small head visible.

Looking at her lips, swollen from his kisses, he felt another surge of desire.

He really wanted another taste—it was like the sweetest nectar.

But he couldn’t bear to bruise those delicate lips again.

Sigh, she was just too fragile.

“It’s very light tea. Won’t keep you up. Be good, take a sip.”

His deep voice was husky, full of indulgence.

Since he said it wouldn’t affect her sleep, then… was he really going to let her sleep?

Obediently, Gu Hua opened her mouth and sipped slowly.

The tea was mild, with a faint floral fragrance. It slid down her throat warm and sweet—it tasted wonderful.

Mu Junyan watched her drink like a little cat and found it amusing. His voice grew even more hoarse. “Better than the ginseng soup?”

The mention of that ginseng soup sparked a tiny flare of temper in Gu Hua.

“You try it too, my lord.”

With that, she took a mouthful of tea, stretched her arm out from under the quilt, and pounced on him. Hooking her arms around his neck, she kissed him before he could react. Their lips met, and the warm fragrant tea passed into his mouth.

Mu Junyan instinctively tightened his hold on her waist, afraid she’d fall off the soft couch.

The teacup in his hand tilted and fell with a clang, the sharp sound of shattering porcelain piercing the air.

Gu Hua was stunned by her own boldness for a moment but quickly gave in and went all in—her tongue delicately slid into his mouth.

Mu Junyan’s thoughts scattered with pleasure, but then—ouch! A sharp pain shot through his tongue. He gasped, the taste of blood mingling with the sweet tea flooding his mouth.

Gu Hua immediately pulled away and rolled back to the corner of the couch, wrapped tightly in the quilt. She blinked, then huffed adorably, “Did it taste good, my lord?”

Her eyes sparkled with spring light, and her star-like gaze held a playful scold. It was utterly enchanting.

Mu Junyan’s gaze deepened. Though his tongue still throbbed, he felt an unprecedented rush of pleasure. He chuckled. “Your temper’s showing, huh?”

“But… that wasn’t enough. I couldn’t taste it properly.”

He murmured darkly.

Before Gu Hua could feel proud, the man lunged like a leopard, hooked the back of her neck, and dragged her close. He forced his way between her lips, pried open her teeth, and seized her tongue with a deep kiss, sucking so hard it felt like he pulled three of her seven souls right out.

At the same time, one hand slipped into the quilt. With an all-out assault, Gu Hua was overwhelmed, unable to breathe, his domineering kiss steeped in blood and desire suffocating her completely.

Her face flushed crimson. She whimpered and pushed at him with both hands in vain.

How could she resist such a powerful man?

Only when she was about to faint did a rush of fresh air finally pour in. The grip on her neck loosened, and she gasped like a fish on the brink of death, struggling for breath.

Mu Junyan looked positively pleased.

“Mhm, very sweet.”

Gu Hua finally caught her breath and glared at him furiously.

Why was he so awful?!

“I’m sleepy.” Gu Hua turned her face away, refusing to look at him.

Mu Junyan chuckled lowly. He yanked the quilt wrapped around her, and Gu Hua rolled over twice, staring at him wide-eyed.

Was he still going to…?

The man’s tall figure loomed over her. Instinctively, Gu Hua curled up into a shrimp-like ball.

A warm force wrapped around her waist, and like scooping up a little shrimp, he pulled her into his embrace.

Her back was pressed tightly against his firm, burning chest. A low, smiling voice whispered by her ear, “Sleep.”

Huh?

Gu Hua’s nerves were stretched to the limit. Was he really going to sleep, or not?

Heaven help her, she just wanted to sleep!

To her horror, the cry in her heart actually came out of her mouth.

Silence.

Only her silly little voice echoed in the air.

Pfft.

A laugh sounded behind her.

Gu Hua furiously kicked—but her foot was caught.

Now she was a shrimp with her tail clamped!

Gu Hua: “…”

What was this man up to?!

She could feel that something was off today—he must be upset about something.

Though her heart raged, she didn’t dare move and let him hold her foot in place like a captive shrimp.

“If you want me to stop being upset, fine. Make me a set of nightclothes.”

“Mm?” Gu Hua didn’t quite catch on.

“What, you don’t want to?”

“This concubine… is willing.”

“Good. Sleep, then. Finish the old madam’s sleepwear tomorrow and make mine right after. I’m taking it with me.”

Gu Hua blinked.

Taking it with him?

So… he was leaving?

After the tense nerves came exhaustion. Her body relaxed, and with the thought of the nightwear he wanted, she drifted into a hazy sleep.

The next day, she awoke to daylight.

Gu Hua opened her eyes and saw that the couch was already empty.

She sat up slowly, feeling refreshed and alert.

Hearing movement, a head peeked out from behind the screen.

Seeing Gu Hua’s bright, lively eyes and radiant face, Dong Hua smiled. “Miss is awake.”

Gu Hua’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she was getting used to the awkwardness of waking up in the study.

She nodded. “Mm.”

Dong Hua ducked behind the screen and called softly for Dong Qing. Soon, the two maids came in carrying a brass basin with toiletries and a fresh set of clothes.

After she washed and dressed, Gu Hua returned to the Yayun Pavilion and found the old madam’s nightwear already stitched.

“You made this?” Gu Hua examined it carefully. The stitching was excellent.

“Mm. I was afraid you’d be too tired, so I took the liberty,” Dong Qing said with a smile.

“I should thank you. I’ll just embroider a few clusters of pomegranate blossoms on the cuffs and it’ll be done.”

“I’ve sorted the embroidery threads for you. You can start after breakfast.” Dong Qing handed over the prepared embroidery frame.

Gu Hua put down the nightwear and suddenly remembered Mu Junyan’s request from last night. Her ears turned red.

“Dong Qing, go find Sister Zhou and ask for a bolt of the fabric the duke prefers for undergarments.”

Dong Qing nodded with a grin. “Yes, I’ll go now.”

She had no idea what Mu An and Gu Wanru had discussed.

But from what Dong Hua overheard, she could calm down.

Mu An had stayed at Jinxiu Pavilion last night, and this morning, Gu Wanru was full of energy, calling all the backyard concubines to set rules.

Gu Hua smiled faintly.

Let them carry on with the same tricks from the previous life.

Gu Wanru didn’t want to set rules—she wanted to pick someone to offer up to that twisted eunuch godson again, didn’t she?

Linlang Pavilion had also kept their word. The ruby pomegranate petals had been delivered, exquisitely carved and vivid. Gu Hua couldn’t put them down.

She layered the petals in three tiers, and a delicate, gorgeous pomegranate blossom bloomed across the headband.

Dong Hua was amazed. “Oh my, it’s beautiful! I’ve never seen anything like this before. The old madam will surely love it.”

Dong Qing nodded continuously. “I didn’t know you could make the gem flowers on a headband three-dimensional. It’s so unique. And with this background color, it doesn’t clash at all—it actually adds elegance and richness.”

“You both have good taste.” Gu Hua laughed happily.

No one had ever doted on her since she was young, let alone an elder’s affection.

The old madam might be senile, but the kindness she gave was real. Gu Hua wanted to return that love by giving her a beautiful, dignified headband that would show her the care of a cherished junior.

On the day of the birthday banquet.

Though the Duke Yong’s household hadn’t sent out public invitations, the atmosphere inside the manor was festive.

The second and third branches of the Mu family even sent in their own invitations to celebrate the old madam’s birthday.

Everyone in the manor was busy. Red lanterns were hung everywhere, and the kitchen bustled as they prepared a lavish feast.

Gu Hua had already prepared her gift, packing it neatly in a red brocade box.

She changed into a festive peach-pink ruqun.

While dressing up in front of the mirror, Dong Mo entered with a long, slim black box. After murmuring something with Dong Hua behind the screen, Dong Hua came in, beaming, holding the box.

“Miss, a gift from the duke.”

Gu Hua looked puzzled as Dong Hua opened the box.

Inside lay a white magnolia hairpin.

She picked it up—it was warm and smooth to the touch, clearly made of rare warm jade.

The magnolia carving was lifelike.

Dong Hua gasped. “This one is even prettier than the one County Princess Jiang broke.”

Gu Hua’s heart stirred.

So that day when he asked what her favorite flower was—it was for this.

But… such a precious gift—she couldn’t accept it.

“Send it back. It’s too valuable.”

Dong Hua froze, holding the box helplessly. Gu Hua had already stood up, cradling the old madam’s gift, ready to go.

Hurriedly, Dong Hua closed the box and rushed outside, shoving it back into Dong Mo’s hands.

He had been waiting for Miss Hua’s gratitude.

“She’s not accepting it?”

Dong Mo clenched his buttocks. The master’s going to kill me for this…

Sure enough, Mu Junyan’s expression darkened when he saw the returned gift.

She was so happy when Pei Yi gave her something. She even let him put flowers in her hair in front of everyone.

But when it came to him—she sent it right back?

What blatant favoritism!

Dong Mo braced himself and quietly slipped out of the room.