FBC – Chapter 87 The Lord Is Getting Married

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Mu Junyan carried Gu Hua in his arms, dashed out of the palace, and got into his own carriage.

Chi Yu and the others, who had followed him, were already aware of what had happened. He immediately sent someone back to the residence with the news, while he himself drove the carriage. The ride was swift and steady as they headed straight to the Duke’s Mansion.

Inside the carriage, there were always a couple of clean robes and bedding kept ready for Mu Junyan’s occasional needs.

Mu Junyan unwrapped the blanket wrapped around her and reached out to undress her.

Gu Hua had already regained consciousness. Watching his somewhat rough actions, she could sense that he was trying hard to suppress his anger.

Though shy, she didn’t dare resist—nor did she have the strength to.

She could only let him strip off her wet clothes, dress her in a man’s robe, wrap it tightly around her like a rice dumpling with a belt, and then cocoon her in a warm blanket.

Her hands were bundled up, leaving her immobile. Finally, she was picked up and placed sideways on his lap, held close in his warm embrace.

Her cold body gradually began to warm. She carefully glanced at the furious man, eyes timid.

Mu Junyan’s brows were tightly furrowed as he scolded in a low voice, “Do you have a death wish?”

Gu Hua pressed her lips together, coughed softly twice, and replied in a small voice, “This concubine can swim. Besides, weren’t you there, my lord?”

Mu Junyan’s temper flared further. “Still being stubborn? What if I had been a step too late? What if you hadn’t made it back?”

His angry voice roared beside her ear, making Gu Hua feel groggy again, her body heating up.

She weakly nestled into his arms, rubbing her head against his chest and muttering, “Please don’t scold me, my lord… I just didn’t want you to go into the water. Otherwise, you’d have had to marry her.”

Mu Junyan was stunned and lowered his head to look at her.

She had jumped into the water to stop him from falling into the Empress Dowager’s trap?

How foolish!

Did she really think he’d fall for such a scheme?

Her cheeks were flushed red, lashes trembling, her tiny body trembling incessantly.

His heart tightened.

Gu Hua’s eyes fluttered shut again, and she mumbled in a daze, “My stomach hurts…”

Seeing her looking so pitiful, Mu Junyan’s anger surged even higher. He wanted so badly to give her a good scolding.

But he didn’t even know why he was so furious with her in the first place.

He was the one who had used her first, thrusting her into the spotlight.

She was the one who had shielded him from scandal with her frail body.

Now the girl’s lips were purple from the cold, her cheeks burning red like iron in a forge, and her body limp and lifeless.

And he was completely powerless against her.

Once they returned to the Duke Yong’s Mansion, Mu Junyan carried her straight to Yanyun Pavilion.

Someone had already alerted the household. Dong Hua and Shen Li had everything prepared.

Zhou Zhilian also arrived with two maids to help.

As soon as Gu Hua arrived, they busied themselves with acupuncture, medicine, and hot baths.

Physician Sun also rushed over.

Mu Junyan sat silently under the ginkgo tree in the courtyard.

Soon, the physician came out.

Mu Junyan stood and asked in a calm tone, “How is she?”

“Reporting to My Lord, Miss Gu’s life is no longer in danger. Once her fever subsides, she will slowly recover. However…”

“However what?” Mu Junyan’s voice was low, restrained with an inexplicable emotion.

Physician Sun sighed, “Shen Li had already discovered Miss Gu’s irregular menstrual cycles. Due to the short time available for treatment, her menses came suddenly today. Her constitution is extremely cold, which made the pain unbearable. Before entering the palace, Shen Li gave her medicine and a thick cloak, which should have protected her for a while.

“But after examining her pulse just now, I found no trace of the medicine in her body. She likely vomited it out. She also didn’t take the painkillers she was given. On top of that, falling into the water let cold invade her body, worsening her condition. In the future… she may struggle to conceive.”

Mu Junyan’s expression darkened immediately.

He stared at the wooden lattice window, through which the silhouette of the sleeping girl could be faintly seen behind the curtains.

“Use the best medicine. Make sure her health is restored.”

Physician Sun hesitated.

“Speak freely!” Mu Junyan’s voice was sharp and cold.

“Miss Gu’s condition is due to long-term use of certain medicines. When she was very young, she was forced to take maturing tonics and contraceptive drugs. These two types of medicine counteract each other and have left her body severely weakened. If she continues taking contraceptives in the future…”

“She won’t be taking them again. Just do your best to heal her.” Mu Junyan cut him off decisively.

The girl had already suffered so much. If she couldn’t have children for the rest of her life, he wasn’t sure she could bear such a blow.

Physician Sun bowed and left to prepare the medicine.

Mu Junyan stood with his hands behind his back, staring straight at the house. His thick brows were drawn together, rage suppressed in his eyes.

Zhou Chunyu came over and stood silently beside him, sensing the heavy mood.

After a while, Mu Junyan finally spoke coolly, “How is it going?”

Zhou Chunyu quickly stepped forward and lowered his voice. “Third Master and Third Madam were overjoyed to find out she’s the legitimate third daughter of the Qu family. This morning, they sent a matchmaker to propose. The Qu family agreed, and the six rites will soon follow.”

“Good. Prepare eight carts of betrothal gifts and send them over.”

“Yes, sir.”

Seeing there were no further orders, Zhou Chunyu was about to leave when Mu Junyan spoke again.

“Prepare for a wedding.”

“For Third Master’s household?” Zhou Chunyu was momentarily confused.

Mu Junyan gave him a frosty look. “I’m getting married.”

Zhou Chunyu: “…!”

It took him a while to process the words before nodding joyfully, “Ah… Ah! Good, good!”

“What are you so happy about? It’s not your wedding.”

Mu Junyan’s sharp gaze held natural authority.

Zhou Chunyu quickly restrained his smile, but he still couldn’t help grinning, unfazed by the scolding. “I’m just happy for My Lord. You’re finally willing to marry…”

Mu Junyan frowned. “It’s just taking a concubine.”

Still, he patiently explained, “It’s not that I want to marry. But in front of so many people, I pulled her out of the water. We’ve already shared skin-to-skin contact. As a man, I cannot let her be disgraced. Besides, Mother likes her very much. Having someone to keep her company gives me peace of mind.”

Excuses are just a form of cover.

Zhou Chunyu really wanted to laugh.

What had happened in the palace today—those of them serving closely were well aware.

In the past, many women had deliberately “fallen” into water, hoping to create such a situation and force a marriage. But this woman-averse Lord had always ignored them.

Today, though, he’d gone soft. He ignored the county princess and publicly saved Gu Hua. And he dared say he hadn’t fallen for her?

Of course, given Gu Hua’s current identity, she couldn’t become the main wife. But now that she had a title, it was legitimate.

And it would block off some of those messy romantic entanglements.

Once the Lord had a favored concubine, what respectable noblewoman would still think about marrying in?

Let alone the Jiang family.

Gu Hua slept for three full days.

When she finally woke, everything around her seemed different.

“You’re awake, Miss!”

Dong Hua sat beside the bed, chin propped up, staring unblinkingly at the girl. When she saw Gu Hua’s lashes tremble, she let out a delighted shout.

A group of people came in from outside.

Gu Hua looked blankly at the few unfamiliar faces.

Dong Qing brought in some new maids to help her get up, while Dong Hua ran out to find Shen Li.

Soon, Zhou Zhilian and Shen Li both arrived.

With medicine, medicinal baths, and lots of fussing, Gu Hua was finally cleaned up and dressed, then tucked back into bed.

Before she could speak, delicious, easily digestible dishes were brought in.

Zhou Zhilian simply climbed onto the bed, sat cross-legged beside her, and watched Dong Qing feed her.

Gu Hua felt uneasy under Zhou Zhilian’s cheerful gaze.

“Did something happen?”

“Yes, something big,” Zhou Zhilian nodded seriously.

Gu Hua swallowed a spoonful of bird’s nest soup fed by Dong Qing. “What is it?”

“The Duke Yong’s Mansion is preparing for a wedding.”

Gu Hua froze, grabbing her hand. “What? The Empress Dowager still issued the marriage decree?”

“Yes, she did,” Zhou Zhilian nodded solemnly.

Gu Hua’s heart sank.

Even risking her life hadn’t stopped Mu Junyan from being entangled in court schemes?

So this life really wasn’t like the last. Jiang Ruoxi was really going to become Mu Junyan’s main wife?

Then… what was she supposed to do?