Forced to be a concubine? I turned around and married the scumbag's father.

Gu Hua quickly finished writing the three poems, and Zhou Chunyu had the servant carry the Xuan paper and unfold it.

Mu Junyan nodded slightly: "Good poem, good calligraphy. The Gu family has indeed produced a talented woman."

Gu Wanru said shyly, "Father, you flatter me."

Seeing that his wife had received praise from his father, Mu An's expression brightened, and he patted Gu Wanru's hand affectionately: "The wife that Father asked for for his son is naturally the best."

Gu Wanru smiled shyly.

Looking at her pretentious elder sister, Gu Hua sneered inwardly.

If the world knew that Gu Wanru's reputation as a talented woman was entirely due to Gu Hua's creation, I wonder if her elder sister could bear it.

Mu Junyan kept a close eye on Gu Hua, taking in every subtle expression she made. She had an innocent and gullible face, but her sparkling eyes betrayed her little schemes.

Looking at her face alone, her eyebrows were like willow leaves, her starry eyes were slightly reproachful, and her purity was tinged with delicate beauty.

Judging from her figure, she is curvaceous and looks more mature than her older sister.

Two words popped into his mind: pure desire.

The intense, blissful feeling from last night returned.

Mu Junyan's hand rubbed against the bone china wine glass, the delicate and smooth touch just like his smooth body from last night.

He asked casually, "How old is Second Madam Gu?"

Gu Hua's heart pounded wildly, and she whispered, "My daughter is seventeen years old. She was born on the same day as my elder sister, only an hour later."

Mu Junyan seemed relieved: "She's reached marriageable age... but still not married?"

Gu Hua's face flushed red, and her head almost touched her chest.

How can an unmarried woman answer this question directly in front of a man outside the marriage?

Gu Wanru couldn't figure out her father's meaning and looked at her husband with fear.

Mu An gritted his teeth inwardly, sensing that his father seemed to be interested in Gu Hua as well.

He reached under the table and patted Gu Wanru's leg.

Gu Wanru was startled, and the chopsticks in her hand fell onto the table.

Mu Junyan looked over.

Gu Wanru's mind was in a mess. Stared at by two pairs of sharp eyes, she forced herself to answer, "My aunt dotes on my sister and doesn't want her to marry early. However, my mother has already found a good match for her. Sending her to her daughter-in-law's side is to let her learn how to be a wife properly."

Surely a father wouldn't steal his daughter-in-law's sister who is already engaged?

She planned to stall until her father left for the southern border, and then have her husband take Gu Hua as his wife.

Once the deed is done, even if the father really likes it, he has no choice but to give up.

Mu An nodded in agreement: "I've also met my sister-in-law's future husband's son; he's quite handsome."

Gu Wanru added, "Mother has prepared a generous dowry for my sister, and my daughter-in-law has also prepared a dowry for her, ensuring that the young couple will live a comfortable and happy life."

Zhou Chunyu raised an eyebrow, looked at his master, and then at Miss Gu, who was frowning.

This couple doesn't even blush when they lie.

Is this because they're afraid their lord will take a fancy to someone else?

Mu Junyan gave a soft, emotionless "hmm."

This... um~

What does it mean?

Gu Wanru's heart pounded like a drum.

The young master is determined to have Gu Hua. If she cannot fulfill his wish, he will surely take his anger out on her.

Gu Hua panicked and glared at Mu Junyan quickly.

Even though they knew perfectly well that she was the woman from last night, they still wouldn't say anything about demanding her return.

Old man, if you want her dead, just give me a straight answer!

Mu Junyan raised his eyebrows when the little girl glared at him.

She's got some nerve, daring to glare at him.

That look in her eyes, her starry pupils glistening with tears, was filled with a deep, resentful sorrow.

Mu Junyan couldn't get angry. He suddenly lowered his eyes and chuckled, put down the bone china cup in his hand, and changed the subject.

"Butler, have you found a literate maid to serve me in my study?"

When the lord suddenly unleashed this hammer blow, Zhou Chunyu was stunned for a moment, but then a brilliant idea flashed in his clever mind.

She blinked twice and then put on an expression that said, "This is so difficult for me."

"My lord, please forgive me. The requirements for the maid you are looking for are too high. To be able to transcribe the late Madam's poems and manuscripts, she must have beautiful calligraphy skills. In the whole capital, the only ones who meet your requirements are noble ladies from scholarly families. How can they be allowed to become maids in the Duke's mansion? You have put me in a very difficult position."

In the capital, it was fashionable for noble ladies to write in small, elegant calligraphy, but those from humble families or who worked as maids would never write such things.

Gu Hua's almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise.

This excuse...

Who believes?

Gu Wanru's heart started pounding again when Mu An glared at her.

Mu Junyan sighed: "I rarely get to be home, can't I even have this little wish fulfilled?"

Gu Hua: "...!"

me!

A living person who can write in the delicate small regular script is right in front of you.

Why don't you just ask for them back?

Is the older man trying to force her to beg him?

But would she dare?

If she volunteered, wouldn't that be like trying to hide something obvious?

She dared to scheme against Mu An and his wife; once Mu Junyan leaves, her elder sister and son-in-law will definitely do everything in their power to kill her.

Zhou Chunyu looked troubled, but his gaze inadvertently fell on Gu Hua, and his eyes lit up.

"How long does Madam Gu plan to stay at the manor?"

Gu Hua's heart skipped a beat.

Suppressing her excitement and looking timid, she looked at Gu Wanru and said weakly, "I will follow my elder sister's arrangements."

Just as Gu Wanru was about to speak, Zhou Chunyu immediately chimed in.

"The master has not been in the manor for long. If you have nothing to do, would you be willing to share his burdens? The young mistress will certainly grant your request. It would also be an act of filial piety on behalf of the young master and the young mistress."

Gu Wanru choked.

These words left her speechless.

Mu An said anxiously, "Father, isn't this inappropriate? After all, Gu Hua is a young lady of the Gu family. How can she be used as a servant?"

Mu Junyan looked at him calmly: "I only borrowed Miss Gu's books to copy your mother's books, I didn't treat her as a servant. Can't your sister-in-law be bothered with your mother's affairs?"

Mu An is the son of Deputy General Mu Junyan. He was eight years old when his father died in battle.

When Mu Junyan brought him back to the Duke's mansion, his first wife had already passed away. Mu Junyan registered him under his stepmother's name and included him in the Mu family genealogy, thus giving him the status of a legitimate son.

His father brought up his stepmother, so how could he dare to say no?

Mu An panicked: "That's not what I meant... Does Madam think it's appropriate?"

The ball was passed to Gu Wanru.

Feeling like she was being roasted over a fire, Gu Wanru forced a nod: "If Father needs it, of course it's possible. But... it's not convenient for Gu Hua to stay at Wenhanxuan, is it? If word gets out, it will tarnish Father's reputation."

“Yes, yes. Women are never allowed to enter Father’s Wenhan Pavilion.” Mu An gave his wife an approving look.

As long as Gu Hua stays in Jinxiu Pavilion, he will have the opportunity to have her.

When Mu Junyan's first wife married into the family, she fell seriously ill and was kept in the inner courtyard. She never stepped into Wenhanxuan until her death.

"I just want to hire someone who can write in the finest regular script to transcribe my deceased wife's manuscripts and poems; she doesn't need to live in Wenhanxuan."

Gu Wanru breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, and looked at her husband nervously, afraid that he would be angry.

Mu An was helpless.

Mu Junyan spoke again: "Of course we can't let Second Madam Gu help us for nothing."

Gu Hua blinked her almond-shaped eyes.

Reward her with silver?

Okay, running away requires money.

"Steward Zhou, send a generous gift to the Gu family in my name as a dowry for Second Madam Gu's wedding."

"Yes, I'll take care of it right away."

Zhou Chunyu smiled and gave Miss Gu a meaningful look.

Gu Hua was taken aback and quickly glanced at Mu Junyan.

Is he standing up for her?

But wouldn't it be better to just give it to her directly?

Giving it to the Marquis's mansion would be like throwing good money after bad.

Gu Wanru's eyes widened, and anger surged within her.

Aside from the betrothal gifts, the Duke's mansion never sent her any extra gifts when she returned to her parents' home.

Even the gifts she brought back for her homecoming were just ordinary ones; there were quite a few in number, but nothing too precious.

Now that she is pregnant, she has not received any different treatment.

Everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts during the meal, and no one could eat. Of the many dishes on the table, only the stir-fried lily bulbs, lotus seeds, and lotus root slices in front of Gu Hua were completely empty; the rest were barely touched.

Gu Wanru and Mu An got up to say goodbye, and Gu Hua had no choice but to follow suit.

Mu Junyan suddenly spoke up: "Second Madam Gu, please stay a moment. I need to explain the matter of copying the manuscript."

Gu Hua looked up and met Gu Wanru's warning gaze, and lowered her head in fear.

My heart can finally relax a little; at least this man has some conscience.

But after what happened between the two of them, facing him alone, Gu Hua felt a sense of shame and fear that made her somewhat panicked.