FBC – Chapter 78 Uninvited Guest

As soon as Gu Hua stepped out, she saw Zhou Zhilian approaching. She quickly handed the gift box to Dong Hua, linked arms with Zhou Zhilian, and started walking out together.

Zhou Zhilian chuckled, “Since the guests haven’t arrived yet, let’s go greet the Old Madam first. We’ll get red envelopes!”

Gu Hua was surprised. “Wasn’t this just a family dinner? Why are there guests?”

“You didn’t know? You can ignore the others, but the second and third branches of the old Duke’ family will still be given a bit of face. After all, their heads both address the Old Madam as their legitimate mother.”

“Huh? So the Duke has other paternal cousins?”

She had always assumed Mu Junyan was the only son.

Seeing Gu Hua’s curiosity, Zhou Zhilian didn’t hide anything and briefly explained the Mu family situation.

Gu Hua then learned that the second and third branches of the Mu family were born of concubines and that neither branch had military talent—their descendants pursued scholarly paths instead.

The title of Duke had originally been inherited by Mu Junyan’s older brother, but later, both of his elder brothers and several nephews died in battle.

After inheriting his eldest brother’s title, Mu Junyan and the Old Madam agreed to separate the second and third branches from the main household.

This caused quite a stir in Bianjing. Rumors claimed that Mu Junyan was cold and ungrateful—that once he rose to power, he kicked out the other sons of the old Duke and their families from the residence.

But within two years, Mu Junyan’s wife passed away, and he remained childless. The capital started gossiping again, claiming the heavens were punishing him by denying him heirs.

Initially, the second and third branches severed all contact with the Duke’s household, but Mu Junyan’s military achievements soon far surpassed those of the old Duke. He led the Mu army to repeated victories in the southern regions, rapidly expanding their forces, and his status rose higher than the old Duke had ever achieved.

With lackluster official careers and little standing, the two branches began inching their way back, occasionally sending people to visit the Old Madam to try to curry favor.

The two chatted as they made their way to Xiangrui Hall.

The Old Madam looked especially spirited today—her eyes were bright and she appeared quite lucid.

The moment she saw Gu Hua and Zhou Zhilian enter, she beckoned enthusiastically.

“You two girls, come here quickly!”

Gu Hua and Zhou Zhilian smiled and offered deep bows, loudly wishing the Old Madam a long life like the southern mountains and endless blessings.

The Old Madam was overjoyed. “Yiniang, red envelopes—give the children red envelopes!”

Yiniang laughed and handed each of them a large red envelope, then pulled them up. “Go keep the Old Madam company. She’s been fussing about wanting sweets.”

The Old Madam’s eyes sparkled as she glared at Yiniang, then grinned mischievously. “It’s my birthday. I’m the boss today. I want candy—is that a problem?”

“All right, all right. Old Madam can have candy.”

Zhou Zhilian laughed and picked a candied fruit from the tea table tray, popping it into the Old Madam’s mouth.

Gu Hua stood to the side, smiling as she watched.

Suddenly, the Old Madam grabbed Gu Hua’s hand, pushed up her sleeve, and her smile vanished.

“Daughter-in-law, where’s the bracelet?”

Gu Hua froze.

Zhou Zhilian teased, “Yeah, where’s the bracelet?”

Gu Hua’s face flushed crimson, and she looked helplessly at Yiniang for rescue.

“What bracelet?”

A crisp male voice rang out as Mu Junyan strode in wearing a cobalt-blue brocade robe.

The Old Madam pouted like a child caught tattling. “I gave her a bracelet as a wedding gift and she’s not wearing it.”

Gu Hua was mortified and turned pleading eyes to Mu Junyan.

He glanced at her. “Hmph. Daring not to wear a gift from my mother? That deserves punishment.”

“No, no punishment. This delicate little girl—what if you break her? Then you won’t have a wife anymore.” The Old Madam quickly pulled Gu Hua to her side and shot her son a warning glare.

Mu Junyan: “…”

Mother, you’re laying it on a bit thick.

“Mother, she forgot the bracelet. But I also brought her a gift—it’s just as good.”

The Old Madam beamed and pushed Gu Hua toward him. “Come on, show the old lady!”

Gu Hua was confused until she saw the black box appear in his hand out of nowhere.

He opened it, took out a jade hairpin, and stepped forward to pin up her hair in front of everyone.

Gu Hua froze—it’d be hard to remove it now without embarrassment.

The Old Madam clapped her hands in delight. “My son has finally matured!”

Gu Hua’s ears turned bright red as the whole room smiled at her. She didn’t know what to do with her hands.

Mu Junyan reminded her, “Didn’t you bring a birthday gift for the Old Madam?”

“Oh, right!”

Gu Hua quickly motioned for Dong Hua and Dong Qing to open the box.

“Wow, how beautiful,” came a chorus of admiration from the room.

Gu Hua carefully held out a decorative forehead band and said shyly, “Old Madam, I made this forehead band and a set of nightclothes for you. I hope you’ll like them.”

“I love them, I love them.” The Old Madam touched the band and examined the nightclothes, reluctant to let go.

Yiniang’s eyes reddened. “It’s been so long since someone made something just for the Old Madam—especially something this unique.”

“Girl, put it on me!”

Gu Hua personally tied the forehead band on her.

Yiniang brought over a bronze mirror. “Take a look, Old Madam. Do you like it?”

The Old Madam turned her head this way and that in the mirror, increasingly delighted, her fingers gently stroking the pomegranate blossom ornament.

“My goodness, such skillful hands. How did you come up with the idea to use rubies to shape pomegranate flowers?”

Seeing how pleased she was, Gu Hua was also full of joy and said with a smile, “Pomegranate flowers symbolize wealth, their posture is elegant, and the color is rich—they represent fortune and good luck.”

Zhou Zhilian grinned and added, “Mhm, and they also mean many children and abundant blessings.”

Gu Hua froze—her face instantly turned beet red.

Mu Junyan shot her a meaningful glance.

Gu Hua immediately felt a wave of pressure.

Oh no… she hadn’t considered that implication.

Would the Duke misunderstand and think she was ambitious and trying to get pregnant?

Although… she had considered it.

But she’d been made to drink contraceptive decoctions all this time, so she had dropped the idea.

The Old Madam clapped and laughed, “Zhilian is right! Many children and blessings—what a wonderful thing. Junyan, you better work hard!”

Gu Hua’s face flushed scarlet—she lowered her head, utterly flustered.

Mu Junyan cleared his throat, subtly trying to signal his mother to dial it back.

The Old Madam ignored his look and held Gu Hua’s hand again. “Next time you come, you must wear the bracelet I gave you. No, wait—you have to wear it every day. Take it everywhere. Or this old woman will be angry.”

Gu Hua could only nod. “Yes, Old Madam. I promise I will.”

Laughter and joy filled the room. The Old Madam beamed like a happy child.

“So lively in here,”

came a new voice—Mu An’s.

The laughter in the room died instantly.

Behind him stood Gu Wanru in a bright red dress.

Their gazes landed on the Old Madam holding Gu Hua’s hand, and their expressions shifted slightly.

Two elegantly dressed young men entered behind them, and only then did Mu An and Gu Wanru look away. The group bowed deeply to the Old Madam, offering birthday greetings.

The Old Madam released Gu Hua’s hand and smiled like a child. “Where are the gifts?”

Mu An looked at Gu Wanru with a smile. “Grandmother, your granddaughter-in-law prepared something special.”

Gu Wanru stood still while Jin Kui stepped forward holding a large box.

“Grandmother, this is a snow lotus I had specially picked from the snowy regions. It’s excellent for health when used in medicine.”

The box was opened—inside, surrounded by ice, a pristine snow lotus bloomed.

“So beautiful,” the Old Madam nodded, then touched the pomegranate flower on her forehead. “But I still like my red pomegranate flower best.”

Gu Wanru’s smile stiffened as she looked at the ruby-crafted blossom, her face showing disdain.

Just a bunch of cheap broken stones—hardly worth anything.

This snow lotus had taken great effort from the Pei family to acquire.

Stupid old hag. No taste.

The young men stepped forward with their gifts, and the Old Madam received them with cheerful thanks.

Zhou Zhilian whispered in Gu Hua’s ear, “The one on the left is Mu Si-lang, Mu Yong, eldest son of the second branch. The one on the right is Mu Liu-lang, Mu Feng, eldest of the third branch.”

Gu Hua nodded. So only juniors from those branches had come?

That was… a bit telling.

She glanced at Mu Junyan, but he was busy chatting with the Old Madam and didn’t even spare the two boys a look.

Mu Yong and Mu Feng had run into Mu An and Gu Wanru at the entrance, and now they respectfully offered their greetings.

“Sister-in-law,” they called warmly.

Gu Wanru had been living in misery recently—everyone in the Duke’ household was cold to her, polite on the surface but distant.

Today was a rare chance to play the role of the Duke’ Young Madam, so she composed herself and returned the greeting with a smile.

Mu Feng, only seventeen, was more lively. As soon as he entered, his eyes landed on the bright-eyed, white-toothed girl standing by the Old Madam.

While talking to Mu An, he kept sneaking glances at her.

Mu Junyan noticed the look and swept his gaze over coldly.

In a calm tone, he asked, “Si-lang, Liu-lang—what brings you here?”

The brothers were thrilled to finally be acknowledged by Mu Junyan and stepped forward excitedly.

Mu Feng quickly said, “Uncle, the autumn imperial exams are near. Our academy gave us time off to rest. Father and mother told me to come wish Grandmother a happy birthday.”

Mu Yong added, “I took the day off specifically to attend Grandmother’s birthday.”

Mu Junyan nodded and glanced at Mu Feng. “Feeling confident for this year’s exams?”

Mu Feng grinned. “Absolutely. My tutor says it won’t be a problem for me to pass.”

Mu Feng, a beloved late-born son of the third branch, had a lively and straightforward nature—his parents doted on him greatly. Meeting the esteemed second uncle and getting asked about the exams, he couldn’t stop talking.

For once, the family began chatting casually.

Just then, Yiniang came in to report, “The banquet is ready. Please move to the Lotus Pavilion.”

Suddenly, a maid rushed in. “My lord, Old Madam, Princess Jiang is here with a birthday gift and seeks an audience.”

Gu Hua froze.

Jiang Ruoxi—this was an uninvited guest.