FBC – Chapter 83 Hm?

Mu Junyan didn’t allow her to brush things off so easily. The strands of hair in his hand were twirled around the back of her head.

Gu Hua let out a pained hum, her head forced upward, and her little temper flared.

She glared at him with bright, beautiful eyes, and let out a coquettish cry of pain.

Mu Junyan’s calloused fingertips stroked her delicate cheek as he calmly pressed the question again, “Do you think he’s a good match?”

Anyone familiar with him would know—he was already displeased.

Though Gu Hua had accompanied him to bed a few times, her time by his side was still short. If the man chose to suppress his emotions, she wouldn’t be able to sense them at all.

When the wealthy patron asks a question, she must answer it properly.

Gu Hua replied timidly in a small voice, “If my lord thinks he is, then he is.”

Quite the smooth answer.

Mu Junyan let out a cold laugh. “A handsome man and a beautiful woman, close in age—of course they make a good match.”

Now Gu Hua was finally sure something was off.

In a hurry, she buttered him up even more, offering her body as a peace offering. “This concubine likes my lord the most. Those pretty-boy types… I find them dreadfully dull.”

That did please Mu Junyan.

So, she didn’t like Mu An, and had tried so hard to seduce him instead?

Her hair was finally released, but her waist was tightly held, her entire body almost embedded in his embrace.

She heard a whisper close to her ear: “Good girl.”

The warm breath brushing against her earlobe made Gu Hua blush and her heart race. There was a strange pleasure in being overpowered and soothed by this man.

But she didn’t want to seem so easily swayed, so she gave a small huff through her nose.

It sounded just like a kitten’s mewl when it’s scared but still wants to scratch.

Mu Junyan felt as if a faint claw had raked across his heart.

This little thing… so damn infuriatingly enticing!

It was an early autumn night. The wind rustled the fallen leaves in waves, whispering through the darkness.

Gu Hua felt completely different tonight.

When she heard the sounds she made herself, she bit her lip in fright. But then her lips were caught in a kiss, and in the midst of her whimpering, a hoarse male voice whispered into her ear: “Cry out.”

At that moment, Gu Hua really wanted to curse: Mu An, you useless piece of trash!

That scumbag probably indulged too much and often couldn’t perform.

Whenever things got to this point, he would resort to pinching, biting, or even slapping.

But Mu Junyan—he was like a war god, brave and unyielding.

She finally understood what those steamy little romance books described.

And those descriptions? Absolutely accurate…

All those sweet words and vows exchanged in bed were fake.

The pleasures of the body could cloud the mind. When the heat ebbed away and reality returned, she knew she had to stay clear-headed.

In order to burn those intoxicating illusions deeper into the man’s mind, Gu Hua did her best to cooperate.

But sadly, her stamina was no match for Mu Junyan’s.

It wasn’t until the third watch of the night that they finally came to rest. Mu Junyan, unusually, fell into a deep sleep almost instantly.

Gu Hua, reduced to a pile of exhausted mush, lay clear-headed.

Her eyes opened slightly, gazing at the man beside her.

His usual sharp, sword-like eyes, now closed, had lost their cold intensity and instead made him look like a peacefully sleeping big cat.

A tall, defined nose, lips thin like a blade, eyebrows like drawn swords—his features were as if carved by a master craftsman.

Cold and aloof, yet exuding strength.

Gu Hua suddenly felt a flicker of pride.

Perhaps she was the only one in the world who had seen this side of the Duke Yong.

Beneath his decisive and imposing exterior was a beast with an insatiable appetite.

He was domineering and controlling. Whether she wanted it or not, he would shove his help and affection onto her.

Gu Hua couldn’t resist reaching out with a slender finger, gently tracing the contours of his nose.

She actually possessed the man that countless noblewomen desperately yearned for.

She boldly wondered—

Could it be that… he actually liked her a little?

But then, thinking more deeply…

Today, he had deliberately made her appear in front of Jiang Ruoxi, even giving her a jade hairpin in public. That didn’t seem like affection.

It felt more like… using her, pushing her into the spotlight.

Recalling how brutal he had been earlier, it almost seemed like he was doing it on purpose to torment her.

As her thoughts circled, a wave of anger rose in her heart again.

She itched to bite him.

Preferably on the neck, where everyone could see.

Let the world know that he wasn’t some cold, celibate figure. Let them see how outrageous he could be when he lost control.

Gu Hua pouted.

Jiang Ruoyun’s sickly body probably couldn’t handle his intensity, so they had never consummated.

Since he was using her to vent his desires, she figured she might as well collect some interest.

Her fingertip accidentally brushed his nose, and she immediately retracted it in alarm.

But after a while, seeing that he didn’t react, she carefully extended her finger again and mimicked the move he liked most—slowly gliding it across his cheek.

Still no reaction?

Gu Hua gently placed her soft little hand on his shoulder and quietly leaned closer, baring her sharp little canine teeth.

Mu Junyan suddenly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was her face, with that gleaming row of teeth.

“What are you trying to do?”

Gu Hua’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest.

She quickly retracted her fangs and held her breath, squeezing out a tiny voice: “Nothing…”

Her small hands tried to retreat sneakily, but he caught them in one swift motion and raised them above her head.

His other hand reached around her back and pulled her into his embrace.

His handsome face came close, dangerous and intense, his deep eyes fixed on her.

Gu Hua averted her gaze, unable to look straight at him.

After a long pause, his low, raspy voice whispered into her ears, “You want it?”

“N-No,” Gu Hua shook her head in fright.

The coldness in Mu Junyan’s gaze faded, a trace of amusement appearing at the corners of his eyes. In a hoarse voice, he said, “We’ve done it so many times—you don’t have to be shy. If you want it, just tell me. I’ve got plenty of strength to satisfy you.”

Gu Hua was so ashamed and regretful she wanted to cry.

It was already past midnight. If she provoked him again, she wouldn’t get a wink of sleep all night.

Sure, she was just an idle person—but she still had to learn how to manage the household from Sister Zhou. She couldn’t just show up groggy and half-asleep!

That’d be too humiliating.

She quickly pleaded softly, “No, no. This concubine just couldn’t fall asleep…”

“Then why did you open your mouth and lean in? Wanted to kiss me? Hm?”

That teasing tone made Gu Hua burn with embarrassment.

Did he really think she was that desperate?

She never imagined that the usually stoic and reserved Mu Junyan would say something like this.

Gu Hua almost cried: “Really… no… My lord, let’s just go to sleep…”

She hadn’t even finished saying he had important things to do tomorrow when he interrupted her.

“Mm. If you want to sleep, just say so.”

Mu Junyan tilted her chin back up as she tried to look away. “You said before that you’d get used to it after a few visits to the study. Are you used to it now?”

Gu Hua was racking her brain for a way to decline when the hand on her back began to move again.

His other hand released hers and trailed along her lips.

Gu Hua was so frightened she almost burst into tears, her voice trembling, “My lord… I… I can’t move anymore…”

Mu Junyan suddenly chuckled, pulling her tightly into his arms, and gave her a hard slap on the bottom.

Like scolding a naughty kitten: “Then sleep properly.”

Gu Hua grimaced in pain, but didn’t dare protest. She curled obediently in the warmth of his embrace, not daring to move an inch.

The next day, sunlight stabbed into her eyes the moment she opened them.

Startled, Gu Hua jerked awake and scrambled to sit up.

She was done for. It was already so late.

At the sound of movement inside, a shadow flickered outside the door.

Dong Hua whispered, “Miss, you’re awake? The Guard has been waiting for a while.”

Gu Hua’s mind went blank with panic.

She had no face to meet anyone like this.

Wait—Chiyan?

Could it be that Yinzhi had woken up?

All shame forgotten, Gu Hua shouted, “Quick, help me get dressed!”