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

Mu Junyan's brow was so thick it could trap a mosquito.

"Got it, let's go."

Gu Hua curtsied, then turned and slowly walked away.

Mu Junyan stared at her unsteady figure.

Last night... he really messed with me.

He reached up and pressed his temples, rubbing them vigorously.

Before meeting her today, I thought she dared to scheme against him because she wanted to climb the social ladder.

But when I saw her again, I felt she was a timid little cat.

She always kept her eyes hidden, cautiously curling herself up to the side, as if she didn't want to be noticed at all.

Zhou Chunyu watched Gu Hua's figure disappear into the night and quickly approached Mu Junyan.

Mu Junyan looked up: "Keep a close eye on Mu An. Don't give him too much money, lest he squander it and ruin his temper."

"Yes."

Zhou Chunyu, who had been holding back for a long time, couldn't help but say, "My lord, the young master's harem is really outrageous. He even redeemed a courtesan, who is now pregnant. It's all over the place, and the rumors are very unpleasant."

Mu Junyan sighed softly, "It's my fault. Having a son like this made some people lower their guard. I never expected it would harm him in the end."

He followed his grandfather and father into battle from the age of ten, and witnessed firsthand the downfall of many high-ranking generals who had overshadowed their lords.

His father also warned him before he died.

He knew very well that he could only be loyal to the emperor, protect his country, and had no weaknesses, no women he loved, and certainly no children of his own.

Otherwise, His Majesty will not be at ease.

But now, something unusual has happened... Gu Hua.

Zhou Chunyu was very sad: "My lord, you are only twenty-eight years old. You should keep one of your own children. Otherwise, how will the Gu family line continue?"

"If I had a son, he would surely follow me to the battlefield, risking his life for me. What difference would it make whether I had him or not? If I had a daughter, it would definitely affect her marriage prospects. Whether the family line continues or not is not important. After all, everyone is born and dies. Why should my child suffer in this world?"

Zhou Chunyu sniffed hard and changed the subject: "What are your instructions regarding the gift that the young lady of the Gu family sent to the Gu family?"

"You should consider how to handle this. At the same time, give the Gu couple a warning so they won't use her as a stepping stone and think about other things."

Mu Junyan narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Chiyu, have someone investigate Gu Hua's situation in the manor. Also, investigate her biological mother to find out why she treats her own daughter so badly."

"Yes."

I have to do something for her as compensation.

……

Gu Hua pushed open her bedroom door, and a dark figure suddenly appeared, startling her so much that she retreated several steps.

Mu An reached out and grabbed her arm, trying to pull her into the house.

Gu Hua grabbed his wrist in desperation and bit it hard.

"what!"

Mu An was in pain and shook her off. Gu Hua hurriedly ran into the yard and shouted towards Gu Wanru's house.

“Young master, if you want me, why rush things? It’s not too late to let me finish copying the scrolls for the master. Angering the master will not do you any good.”

Gu Wanru strained her ears through the window to listen: "My lord hasn't left? Is he hiding in Gu Hua's room?"

Yinzhi gritted her teeth in hatred: "You slut! All you know is how to seduce the son-in-law."

Gu Hua's screams came from outside. Gu Wanru hurriedly put on her shoes, got out of bed, and rushed out.

Seeing Mu An grab Gu Hua's hair and about to slap her, Gu Wanru rushed over and stopped him.

"My lord, you mustn't slap him in the face. It wouldn't be good if Father saw it."

Gu Wanru was startled to see his wrist covered in blood. She turned around and angrily shouted, "You wretch! How dare you bite my husband! If it weren't for my father, I would have beaten you to death right now!"

Gu Hua was determined. She straightened her back and glared angrily: "Just kill me now!"

Gu Wanru was stunned. How dare she talk back!

"She should be killed right now! Kill her immediately! You slut!" Mu An said angrily as he reached out to grab Gu Hua.

Gu Wanru quickly grabbed his arm and gently advised, "My lord, there's no need for my lowly servant to cause my father to misunderstand. Don't worry, I will punish her properly."

Turning to Jin Kui, who had run out wearing only an overcoat, she instructed, "Quickly help my husband inside to apply medicine."

Mu An's wrist was bitten until it bled. He pointed at Gu Hua's nose and cursed, "You bitch, don't even think about escaping my grasp! Even if Father really takes you in, he can't protect you! He's a man who's risking his life, destined to die young. After he dies, you'll be begging to climb into my bed!"

Jin Kui rushed over to help, but Mu An pushed her away fiercely: "Get out of here, you useless thing!"

Watching her husband storm off, Gu Wanru could no longer maintain her gentle and virtuous demeanor and coldly gave her orders.

"Silver Branch, bring me the needle."

Yinzhi ran into the house with a smug look on her face and quickly came out carrying a silk cloth package.

Jin Kui frowned slightly, glanced at Gu Hua, and remained silent.

Gu Hua felt a chill run through her body, and she trembled.

Pricking her fingers and toes with needles, or sticking needles into her body, was the method that Aunt Pei and Gu Wanru liked to use to punish her.

They really are mother and daughter; their vicious methods are exactly the same.

Yinzhi stepped forward, grabbed Gu Hua by the collar, and dragged her into the room.

Gu Hua fought back fiercely, pinching Yinzhi's injured hand hard. Yinzhi screamed in pain and let go.

Gu Hua grabbed Gu Wanru's wrist and said in a trembling voice, "I helped the late Madam copy the scrolls to please the Lord. If the Lord finds out that my elder sister is punishing me at this time, he will misunderstand that my elder sister is unhappy that the Lord made me copy the late Madam's manuscripts. You have been married into the family for half a year, so you should know that the Duke's Mansion has never abused torture against its servants."

Gu Wanru had never seen Gu Hua so bold before, and was taken aback by her, not able to react in time.

Gu Hua continued, "Elder sister, even if I gain the young master's favor, it's just another woman sharing your affection. What good will that do you? The young master is only interested in me for a short time. Before long, he will lose interest in me. Are you going to send the other half-sisters of the Gu family to the young master's bed? Sending beauties to the young master is painful for you, isn't it?"

Gu Wanru looked at her in disbelief.

I never expected Gu Hua to be so quick-witted.

After a moment, Gu Wanru realized what was happening and snorted coldly, "Giving you one is enough. Once I have a legitimate son, why would I be afraid of those vile women?"

"Then we must not offend the Duke. Those concubines are already so arrogant now, what will they do when my elder sister gets old and loses her beauty? Even if my elder sister has children, don't the other concubines have children too? It's not uncommon for wealthy families to favor concubines over wives."

Gu Wanru's expression changed drastically.

Gu Hua's words hit a nerve.

Seeing that her expression changed, Gu Hua knew that her words had worked, so she immediately added fuel to the fire.

Her expression changed instantly, and tears fell from her eyes.

"Elder sister, don't worry. I am a slave. Even if the Duke really takes a liking to me, at most I will be a concubine. I can't surpass you. You are intelligent and virtuous. You must understand that it would be the most cost-effective for you to be someone's concubine."

"If I truly gain the Duke's favor, I will definitely whisper in her ear and help her seize control of the household. With control of the household, who can take away your position as the heir's wife? You can control all the women in your son-in-law's courtyard. You and your eldest son will have someone to rely on."

Taking control of the household is what Gu Wanru wants most.

Gu Hua knelt down with a thud: "Elder sister, I don't want to be a thorn in your heart, nor do I want to share your husband's affection. I am willing to be a knife in your hand, at your beck and call."

She's becoming more and more eloquent, but something just doesn't feel right.

Gu Wanru said with a stern face: "You planned all of this, didn't you? Today you volunteered to write a poem for me so that Father could see your talent."

Gu Hua grabbed her sleeve and started crying.

"Elder sister, you've been wronged! My status as a slave is in your hands, how could I dare to overstep your bounds? The lord asked, wouldn't you write it down? You are known as the talented woman of the capital, you can't let people find out it's all a lie. If I write well, it means you write even better. Someone as talented as you will naturally be the head of the household in the future."

Gu Wanru seemed to be getting to know Gu Hua all over again, scrutinizing her intently.

He watched her quietly for a while, his anger gradually subsided, his tone softened, and he reached out to help her up.

"You're a talker."

Gu Hua said humbly, "It's all thanks to my aunt and elder sister for their excellent upbringing."

Gu Wanru raised an eyebrow.

Her mother, who came from a humble background, was indeed skilled at training people; no wonder she came from a merchant family.

One word: despicable!

She doesn't deserve to be your own mother at all.