FBC – Chapter 79 Has the Second Younger Sister Gotten Engaged?

When Mu Junyan heard this, he glanced at the old madam and said gently, “Mother, Ruoyun’s younger sister has come to offer birthday greetings to you.”

“Ruoyun?”

The old madam squinted slightly, tilting her head as she tried to recall. “I don’t remember. Who’s that?”

Mu Junyan remained silent.

Yi Niang quickly stepped in, “Old Madam, she’s your deceased daughter-in-law.”

“Daughter-in-law?”

The old madam suddenly understood, “Oh, is it that sickly one who the scheming old crone in the palace forced into the family, trying to harm my son? Just because she claimed she was my daughter-in-law doesn’t mean she actually was. This old woman never even met her once.”

The room fell silent.

Mu Junyan’s previously stifled mood instantly brightened. In front of the stunned Mu Yong and Mu Feng, he couldn’t show too much amusement and quickly covered it with a couple of coughs.

He said softly, “Mother, the Empress Dowager meant well. She’s just a younger junior coming to greet you and offer birthday wishes. Shall we go meet her?”

“Hmph, the Empress Dowager? If this old woman wanted to be one, she could be!” the old madam said proudly, lifting her chin.

Hiding off to the side, Gu Hua’s eyes sparkled.

Huh?

Zhou Zhilian widened her eyes, as if she’d just heard something wildly interesting.

Mu Yong hurriedly turned his head to look out the window, pretending to admire the leaves.

Even the lively and innocent Mu Feng sensed something was off. His eyes didn’t know where to land.

From the moment he walked in, Mu An had been captivated by Gu Hua’s radiant smile—something he had never seen before.

His eyes seemed glued to Gu Hua, making Gu Wanru glare at her in anger, her expression souring.

While everyone else stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do, Mu Junyan calmly said, “An’er and your wife, Si-lang, Liu-lang—come with me to greet the guest.”

Hearing this, Gu Hua understood he was signaling her to step back. She quietly took Zhou Zhilian with her and slipped out like an invisible person.

This was a family matter, and she, as an outsider, shouldn’t be involved.

Seeing her leave made Gu Wanru feel a little better. She lightly tugged at Mu An’s sleeve and called out gently, “Husband, let’s go.”

Only then did Mu An tear his gaze away from Gu Hua’s graceful figure. Glancing at his wife beside him, whose heavy perfume was trying to mask the scent of blood after her miscarriage, he couldn’t hide his disgust.

Without a word, he strode off after Mu Junyan and the others.

Left behind, Gu Wanru’s eyes reddened in anger, and tears nearly spilled out.

But this was her chance to win back Mu An and re-establish her image as the young madam. She quickly wiped her tears and chased after them.

The group, who had originally been heading to the banquet for the birthday meal, had no choice but to follow Mu Junyan and the old madam to the front courtyard.

Walking behind Mu Junyan, Mu Feng slowed down when he saw Gu Wanru catching up and called out affectionately, “Sister-in-law.”

Gu Wanru smiled and nodded. He was the only person in the Mu family who smiled at her with genuine warmth.

Mu Feng’s fair cheeks turned a bit red. With some shyness and courage, he asked softly, “Sister-in-law, may I ask… has your second younger sister gotten engaged yet?”

Though he was the eldest son of the third branch, when the family separated, the Duke of Yong’s manor had given him a generous inheritance. He had no burden of family duty—his parents only hoped he’d find a steady government job, marry a good woman, and live a peaceful life.

Today, the moment he saw Gu Hua, he had fallen for her.

Up ahead, Mu Junyan paused slightly and looked back at him.

Mu Feng, absorbed in thoughts of Gu Hua, didn’t notice. He just kept looking at Gu Wanru.

Sensing her father’s gaze, Gu Wanru’s thoughts began to churn.

She smiled and said, “Her concubine mother did consider a few matches for her. At one point, it seemed like a cousin from her mother’s side was quite fond of her. But that cousin’s already married and vowed not to take a concubine, so that won’t happen. That’s why I brought her to stay at the Duke’s manor—to give her a chance to meet suitable young men.”

Mu Junyan suddenly stopped in his tracks, and even the old madam turned to look back.

Mu Feng finally felt the weight of two gazes. When he looked up, he found himself being stared at by a pair of icy, blade-like eyes.

Even the old madam’s usual jovial gaze had taken on a deeper, meaningful tone.

Mu Feng’s smile froze.

He didn’t know how to react. Had he said something wrong?

“Grandmother, Second Uncle, what’s the matter?” he asked timidly.

Mu Junyan motioned for him to keep up.

Mu Feng scurried forward and walked in step with them.

“Is your mother pressuring you to marry?” Mu Junyan asked.

Mu Feng scratched his head, “Not exactly. I’m still young. My mother just mentioned a few families she thought I could meet.”

His face turned red again as he lowered his voice, “Second Uncle, you know me—I’m not that clever. I don’t want to marry some highborn lady. I just want someone with a gentle temperament, someone who understands warmth and cold, someone to live an ordinary life with. My mother doesn’t mind either. She just hopes I find a well-mannered and sensible wife.”

The young man’s ears were completely red. Choosing his own wife took all the courage he had.

His words made it all too clear—he was smitten with Gu Hua.

Mu Junyan glanced at the excited youth indifferently. “Hmm. So you’ve taken a liking to someone? Should I play matchmaker for you?”

The old madam couldn’t help but roll her eyes quickly.

Her youngest son was clearly jealous.

Mu Feng’s eyes lit up. A flame seemed to burst forth from within him. He rubbed his hands excitedly, “Do you think sister-in-law’s second younger sister would be willing?”

Mu Junyan walked steadily, his voice calm. “You just met her today, didn’t you?”

The young man didn’t sense the subtle displeasure in his uncle’s tone. Too caught up in his own joy, he hurried to explain—knowing Mu Junyan cared about propriety.

Fearing his uncle might question Gu Hua’s virtue, he quickly added, “Yes, I only just saw her today. I haven’t even spoken a word to her. I was very proper when I looked at her—my gaze didn’t wander. I just couldn’t help myself and rashly asked Sister-in-law. Please don’t blame her, Second Uncle.”

His face was flushed, and he kept glancing back at Gu Wanru, afraid she might think he’d been disrespectful to her sister.

In Mu Junyan’s mind, the girl’s jade-like face and radiant smile beside his mother appeared again.

She truly was eye-catching.

No wonder even a single glimpse could stir someone’s heart.

Not just Pei Yi and Mu Feng—even he, after all these years, hadn’t been able to remain unaffected.

Once touched, you didn’t want to let go. That night, even at the dead of night, he hadn’t wanted to release her.

“How could I blame her… she’s just a junior. Since she’s staying in the Duke’s manor, as the head of the family, I naturally must keep an eye on her affairs.”

Mu Feng finally let out a breath of relief.

But then Mu Junyan added, “If you were to marry her, would it be as a wife or as a concubine?”

Mu Feng answered without hesitation, “Of course, as a wife.”

“You’ve only seen her once, and that’s enough for you to decide she’s fit to be your wife?”

“Once is enough.”

Mu Feng blurted out, then quickly felt embarrassed and added, “I’ve seen a number of noble girls of marrying age, but I don’t like their pretentious ways. Second Sister is beautiful and pure-hearted, without all the affectations of highborn ladies.”

Mu Junyan’s eyes darkened a little.

The young man was completely unaware and continued, “My mother wouldn’t mind if she’s illegitimate. My parents were both born of concubines, and they’re doing fine now. It’s just that Second Sister seems a little frail.”

Mu Feng recalled her porcelain-like skin, that pale face with a blush, though she looked a bit weak.

Still, he soon smiled brightly, “She’s young. With proper care, she’ll recover quickly.”

Mu Junyan said blandly, “She’s about your age.”

Mu Feng blushed, “But I’m a man. Even though we’re the same age, I’ve learned to ride and shoot—I’m very strong.”

Strong?

Mu Junyan instantly pictured that delicate, fragile little waist…

“Yan’er, you’re hurting your mother’s hand.”

The old madam gave him a reproachful glare.

Mu Junyan twitched his mouth and quickly relaxed his grip, realizing he’d unconsciously used too much force.

Meanwhile, Mu Feng was growing more and more excited—he already felt like he was about to marry the second sister.

He was even planning how to ask his mother to bring a matchmaker and arrange the wedding.

Mu Junyan glanced at the love-struck youth and raised an eyebrow.

If he ever found out that the “Second Sister” he was calling so tenderly had already been seen thoroughly in bed, and who her first man was—who knew how he would react?

Young men are always so easily blinded by beauty.

Just one glance, and they think they understand the true face of the person before them.

Naïve.