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

Gu Hua then revealed the matter of the spies in the southern border region to the old lady.

Since it concerned the safety of Mu Junyan and the Mu family army, she knew she was not capable of doing something so important, so she asked the old lady to discuss it with her.

The old lady wasn't too surprised after hearing this.

"Actually, there have always been spies. Three years ago, when Ziyuan was still serving as the Vice Minister of War in Bianjing, he discovered that people called Yifengtang had appeared in Bianjing. This organization is from the Southern Frontier, which means they are targeting our Mu Family Army. But they are extremely cunning and often change their identities and locations. However, the Yongguo Duke's Mansion has always been heavily guarded, so they did nothing in the past two years and could not harm us."

"Just a year ago, a young master emerged from the Yifeng Hall. He was ruthless and cruel. He was especially familiar with our Great Liang and secretly used business opportunities to befriend ministers."

"Little Lord?"

The image of the man wearing the silver mask appeared in Gu Hua's mind.

"Yes, I've met this young master before, and he's definitely not a good person. He is indeed from Juzhou in Daliang."

The old lady asked in a low voice, "Do you suspect Yaoyao?"

Gu Hua nodded and lowered her voice, "I'll have Chi Yan check Yao Yao's records. We'll be able to find out the whole story about her."

The old lady smiled slightly and encouraged her, "You did very well."

Gu Hua leaned close to the old lady's ear: "How about we lure the snake out of its hole?"

The old lady smiled and reached out to pinch her cheek: "Okay, whatever you say."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted for a long time.

During this period, Mu Junyan's letters gradually decreased.

Chi Yan said that the battle at the front was too intense for his lord to attend to.

Five days later, as night fell, Pei Yi suddenly came to visit.

Gu Hua met him at Lan Yue Pavilion.

Pei Yi, holding a wooden box about half his height, looked radiant and smiled at Gu Hua.

He also brought four servants who carried two large trunks.

“These are all things that my father instructed me to bring to Sister Hua and the old lady.”

One box was full of silver, and the other box was full of valuable ornaments.

Pei Yi opened the wooden box in his hand, and there was a red coral that was half a person tall.

Gu Hua exclaimed in surprise, "This is a rare item; you can't buy it even if you have money!"

"This red coral was specially made as a tribute to the old lady."

Gu Hua smiled and asked, "Brother Pei, did you return from Jiangling?"

"Yes, I wanted to come back earlier, but my father was appointed Left Assistant Minister, and he was so happy that we held a banquet in Jiangling and made a ruckus for three whole days."

Gu Hua knew this, of course, and personally poured him tea: "Brother Pei has been promoted, and the Pei family has become a first-class imperial merchant. The Pei family has a bright future."

Pei Yi looked at the girl with a face as bright as the moon.

"It's all thanks to you. If it weren't for your planning, our Pei family would have been doomed."

Gu Hua looked up and smiled: "Have some tea."

Pei Yi took a sip of tea: "Actually, I really want to ask you how you know so much? Moreover, all three of you knew about this in advance. If it weren't for them, I would definitely have been crushed by them."

Gu Hua took a sip of tea and said, "I don't have that ability. It was all arranged by the Duke of Yong."

Pei Yi was taken aback: "You mean the Duke of Yong had already guessed that they would do this?"

"This isn't the first time military supplies have been replaced. It just so happens that southern Xinjiang is experiencing a harsh winter this year."

Pei Yi's smile vanished, his face darkening: "Stealing winter clothes and transporting them to the northern frontier, I'm afraid you're not just after money, are you?"

Gu Hua didn't reply.

She was only concerned with the imperial court; it was not appropriate for a woman from a humble family to give such an answer.

Seeing that she was not going to say anything more, Pei Yi did not press her further.

He took out a red envelope and handed it over with both hands: "This is the agreed-upon payment."

Gu Hua accepted the gift without hesitation, but did not open it.

The amount is not important; the Pei family's surrender is more important.

"Has she been buried?"

Pei Yi knew who she was asking about.

Pei Yi said calmly, "Yes. On this joyous day for the Pei family, it's not appropriate to let such a thing disturb our good fortune, nor is it appropriate to let anyone know. Let's just bury it quietly."

Gu Hua didn't want to say anything more.

Although Aunt Pei died just like that, which was too easy for her, she should look forward.

Besides revenge, she has many other things to do.

Pei Yi gave her a deep look. The woman in front of him was no longer the little girl she used to be; her face had gained a touch of maturity.

As a foreigner, he felt it inappropriate to stay any longer, so he rose, bowed, and took his leave.

Gu Hua quickly curtsied: "Brother Pei is an official, I cannot accept your courtesy. Dongqing, please see him off for me."

Dongqing agreed and led Pei Yi away.

Gu Hua then opened the envelope and glanced inside. There was a 200,000 tael silver note and another note of unknown origin.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a deed for a cosmetics shop.

What a big deal.

People who are good at business are smart.

Gu Hua was very satisfied.

Everyone loves money.

From then on, Pei's support for the Wenchang Marquis's mansion was cut off. She wanted to see how her father, who only cared about face and disregarded family ties, would get through this.

"lady."

Dongqing rushed back after seeing Pei Yi off.

"What made you so excited that you forgot yourself?" Gu Hua asked with a smile.

Holly is introverted and walks very steadily.

"The lord has sent a letter. It concerns military intelligence and needs to be presented to His Majesty in the palace tomorrow. He wants you to go to the study to see it."

Gu Hua glared at her and said, "Keep your voice down."

Holly kept silent.

Donghua quickly looked around and saw a figure flash by behind the artificial hill before disappearing.

"It's okay, nobody's here."

Gu Hua lifted her skirt and quickly walked to the study.

Crimson Flame was already waiting there.

"Why is military intelligence being delivered to our home?" Gu Hua asked, standing at the door.

"My lord instructed me to send the letter home first, so that my wife and the old lady would not worry."

Gu Hua nodded, took the letter, and looked around: "The military report needs to be kept safe. It would be troublesome if someone saw it."

"Yes."

Gu Hua thought for a moment and said, "Give me the military report. I'll leave it with you, and you can pick it up tomorrow. I'm worried about leaving the study unattended."

Upon hearing this, Chi Yan went into the study, took the military newspaper booklet, and handed it to Gu Hua with both hands.

"Madam, you must keep this safe and never let anyone know that there is military news."

"Okay." Gu Hua held the military newspaper booklet in both hands and walked towards Ya Yun Pavilion.

He walked along cautiously, looking around, and instructed Donghua and Dongqing to keep an eye on the surroundings as well.

Donghua smiled: "Madam is too nervous. The manor is heavily guarded; how could anyone dare to steal military intelligence so easily?"

"Shh. Better safe than sorry, we can't be careless." Gu Hua's face was pale as she clutched the booklet tightly.

Perhaps because it was my first time handling military newspapers, I was a little nervous.

General Gu Hua placed the report under her pillow, and Dong Hua specially asked two maids with good martial arts skills to keep watch with her at night.

"Is Madam here?"

Gu Hua was reading a book when she heard Yao Yao's voice outside.

She put down her book and peeked out: "Aunt Yao, why are you here so late? You're still in your postpartum period."

Yao Yao smiled and shook her head: "I'm thick-skinned, I'm not afraid."

A maid followed behind her, carrying a food box.

“My sister just got some top-quality snow fungus, so I personally stewed some bird’s nest, thinking I’d share it with you.”

Gu Hua was surprised: "Aunt Yao has never brought me any food."

Yao Yao walked into the room and said with a smile, "Madam never thought of cooperating with me before, did she? Everything can change. It's all about reciprocity."

Gu Hua smiled and said, "That's true. You want to thank me for letting you out for a stroll, right?"

“Yes.” Yao Yao smiled alluringly.

Mu An and his women were confined to their quarters, but Gu Hua instructed Yao Yao that she could come out and move around.

Yao Yao didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly, instructing the maid to bring out two bowls of snow swallow sweet soup.

The two of them each had a bowl and chatted as they drank.

"Are you satisfied with the big gift I gave you last time?"

Gu Hua smiled helplessly: "I really didn't expect you to not want children."

“You know very well what kind of person Mu An is. Why would I have a child for him? I got pregnant just to spite Gu Wanru. Does she think that by allying with me, she can regain Mu An's favor? Dream on.”

Gu Hua ate without saying a word.

Yao Yao ate as well, but her eyes secretly darted around.

Suddenly, my gaze fell on a red corner peeking out from under the pillow.

She smiled slightly: "If there is anything else you need from me, please don't hesitate to ask. Although I come from a brothel, I can't stand those who bully the weak and fear the strong."

Why isn't the musician Wuyuan coming into the manor?

Gu Hua's sudden attack made Yao Yao pause in her hand as she was putting the sweet soup into her mouth.

Then he held the spoon in his mouth and slowly swallowed.

She smiled and said, "My cousin is a bit busy and won't be coming to the mansion for the time being."

"cousin?"

"Yes. He is my cousin." Yao Yao smiled at her.

We've already sent people to investigate their background, so what are you pretending for?

Unfortunately, she couldn't find anything.

Especially the young master, how could he be so easily exposed?

After finishing her meal, Yao Yao stood up and wandered around the room, saying, "This place is so exquisite. It's clear that the Duke put a lot of thought into arranging it for you."

She reached out to touch the quilt: "Even the quilt cover is made of the finest brocade."

When Gu Hua saw her reach the bedside, she quickly put down the bowl, rushed forward, and used her body to push her aside and block the pillow.

"It's late, I'm going to rest. Dongqing, see Aunt Pei out."

Yao Yao raised an eyebrow, smiled, and swayed her slender waist as she walked away.

Gu Hua nervously turned around and flipped open the pillow; the military newspaper booklet was intact.