FBC – Chapter 9 The Reputation of a Talented Lady

The couple took their seats, while Gu Hua and Jin Kui stood behind Gu Wanru.

Servants entered in a line, carrying exquisite dishes.

Zhou Chunyu personally poured wine for the three.

“I heard your second younger sister has arrived at the estate? Where is she?” Mu Junyan asked casually.

Gu Wanru was secretly pleased—Father didn’t even remember what Gu Hua looked like. That meant he hadn’t taken a liking to her.

She smiled apologetically. “Forgive me, Father. My younger sister is the daughter of a concubine and lacks proper upbringing.”

She turned to Gu Hua. “Why are you just standing there? Hurry and greet the Duke, don’t disgrace the Gu family.”

Mu Junyan slightly raised his gaze and looked at Gu Hua, whose head was lowered. He could only see her jet-black hair, not her face.

Gu Hua steadied her emotions, stepped forward, and knelt with her head bowed.

In a cautious and clear voice, she said, “Gu Hua greets the Duke.”

Her voice was completely different from the soft, seductive moans of the night before.

Mu Junyan began to doubt himself—was it really the same person?

“Rise,” he said.

His gaze fell on her hands wrapped in a handkerchief.

“Have you used the medicine?”

Gu Hua hadn’t expected him to ask. Instinctively, she looked up and met his dark, profound eyes—they pierced her heart like blades.

Startled, she quickly lowered her head and stammered, “I—I did. Thank you, my lord, for the medicine.”

There was no emotion on his face, none of the lingering intimacy from the night before.

His eyes were detached and indifferent, as if a god were looking down on mere mortals.

Gu Hua felt anxious and unsettled.

Gu Wanru’s smile stiffened.

Her father had just admitted to giving her sister medicine?

Mu An’s gaze toward Gu Wanru grew darker.

“We’re all family. Sit,” Mu Junyan said, still looking at Gu Hua.

Gu Hua glanced timidly at Gu Wanru.

Since childhood, she’d never had the right to eat at the table with her elder sister.

Gu Wanru was furious at her submissive, pitiful act. Wasn’t this clearly making their father think she was bullying her?

“Jin Kui, bring over a square stool.”

Swallowing her anger, Gu Wanru gave Gu Hua a warning glance. “Come sit already. Always acting like you don’t belong.”

Gu Hua obediently stepped forward and curtsied. “Thank you, Lord Duke, for the seat. Thank you, Sister and Brother-in-law, for your kindness.”

The square stool was low, and Gu Hua, being petite, immediately looked half a head shorter than Gu Wanru when she sat down.

She didn’t mind at all, perching lightly on the edge of the stool, sitting upright with her head still lowered, facing the bowl before her.

Yet in her heart, she sneered.

A blood sister publicly belittling her sibling in front of her husband’s family—did she think she was gaining face?

Foolish.

No wonder she couldn’t control her husband and only knew to use beautiful women to try to win his heart.

Men like Mu An, with hearts as black as pitch—how many beauties could satisfy him?

He’d play with them for a few months, then toss them aside for something new and exciting.

Her dear sister’s husband was quite the playboy. She wondered if Gu Wanru even knew.

Mu Junyan ignored the little games between women. He lifted his wine cup and said to Mu An, “I left for the battlefield on your second day of marriage. Let this belated toast serve as my congratulations—may you enjoy a long and happy marriage.”

With that, he drained his cup.

Mu An and Gu Wanru hurried to raise their cups, offered well wishes, and drank.

Gu Hua hesitantly picked up her wine, unsure whether she should drink too—after all, the toast was for the couple.

As she hesitated, she heard Mu Junyan and the couple begin chatting casually.

No one paid her any attention. Her tense heart relaxed slightly, and she slowly set the cup down.

Since Mu Junyan hadn’t picked up his chopsticks, she dared not move either. She sat quietly with her head lowered, thoughts swirling in her mind.

Mu Junyan was twenty-eight this year, Mu An eighteen—just a ten-year difference. So why was Mu An registered as his legitimate son?

In her past life, she’d never cared to ask about the details of their family.

Now, if she wanted to win Mu Junyan’s favor, she had to understand the relationships within the Duke’s residence and learn his preferences.

Mu Junyan’s peripheral vision landed on Gu Hua.

She appeared timid and cautious, awkward as if unfamiliar with the world—completely unlike the woman who had seduced him so ardently the night before.

If not for recognizing her face, he wouldn’t believe they were the same person.

Pretending!

Suddenly, Gu Hua’s stomach growled audibly. Embarrassed, she clutched her belly.

Her sister hadn’t let her eat lunch, and after tussling with the Lord earlier, she was starving.

Mu Junyan lifted his chopsticks and said coolly, “Eat.”

Mu An and Gu Wanru attentively served Mu Junyan food and toasted him, offering affectionate conversation.

Mu Junyan’s tone remained calm and distant, answering briefly but politely.

He reminded Gu Wanru to take care of herself during her pregnancy. Gu Wanru was both delighted and smug—she was carrying the future heir of the Duke’s household.

The three of them shared a warm family moment.

Only Gu Hua remained like an outsider, quietly picking at a dish of stir-fried lily bulbs and lotus root slices.

“I heard Wanru is known as a talented lady in the capital,” Mu Junyan suddenly remarked.

Gu Wanru’s eyes flashed with panic. “I’m foolish and unworthy of such a title.”

“Elder sister’s poetry is excellent; she fully deserves the reputation. Especially the three poems she composed at the Empress’s flower-viewing banquet—they amazed the nobles present. The Empress even rewarded her, and she’s been praised as a gifted woman ever since.”

The normally quiet Gu Hua suddenly spoke up.

Her soft and delicate voice caught both men’s attention.

Gu Hua kept her head down as she picked at the snowy white lotus seeds, chewing slowly.

As if she hadn’t just spoken.

Mu Junyan’s gaze drifted to her unpainted lips, gently moving as she ate—naturally pink.

He suddenly pictured the crimson lips he’d kissed and bitten last night…

A wave of heat surged through him.

He quickly looked away and took a sip of wine.

Mu Junyan was a little annoyed at himself.

How could he feel such inappropriate, instinctive, and uncontrollable desire?

Gu Wanru shot Gu Hua a sharp glare. “Sister, don’t spout nonsense. Don’t make Father laugh.”

Mu An, hoping to make his wife look better in front of his father, smiled and said, “I know Wanru is talented. Why don’t we have her write those three poems for Father’s review?”

Gu Wanru’s face turned pale.

She picked up a handkerchief to hide her expression and coyly replied, “Husband, I dare not show off in front of Father. Besides, we’re dining right now. Perhaps later…”

“Zhou Chunyu, prepare brush and ink,” Mu Junyan said lazily.

Soon, a small writing table was set up with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Gu Wanru glared daggers at Gu Hua.

Gu Hua set down her chopsticks and said helpfully, “Since elder sister is drinking with the Lord, why don’t I write for her? I’ve memorized all of her poems.”

Gu Wanru was furious, but there was no better solution. “Fine.”

“You can write?” Mu Junyan looked at her.

Gu Wanru quickly replied, “My sister studied with me at the academy for two years. She knows how to write, but her writing isn’t very good. Please don’t laugh.”

Mu Junyan raised an eyebrow. “Then let’s see what Miss Gu Hua can do.”

“Yes.”

Gu Hua silently encouraged herself, stepped up to the table, dipped the brush in ink, and began to write calmly.

Gu Wanru stared at her, eyes full of venom, as if wishing to poke holes through her.

The desk was right beside Mu Junyan. Tilting his head slightly, he could clearly see her writing.

Her posture was correct, her strokes smooth and fluid, the characters graceful and delicate.

Who would’ve thought the daughter of a concubine could write such elegant calligraphy?

Mu Junyan’s gaze fell on her fair, exposed wrist.

That same little hand had been quite bold yesterday.

His eyes darkened. “Miss Gu Hua’s calligraphy is quite fine.”

Even his voice dropped a few tones.

Zhou Chunyu’s eyes sparkled. He’d followed his lord for twenty years and had never heard him praise a woman.

This little girl had truly caught his attention!

He added with a smile, “The Gu family is a family of scholars. The old master was a Grand Academician, and the current head of the family was a top scorer in the imperial exams. Naturally, the daughters of the Gu family are all talented.”

Mu An’s face darkened.

Gu Wanru’s hand clenched her chopsticks so hard her veins bulged, nearly snapping them.

That wretched little thing was stealing her thunder!