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

Mu Junyan slowly released her hand, took a step back, and gave her some breathing space.

Gu Hua's hand, which had been forced to be raised above her head, froze. When she slowly lowered it, her shoulder blades felt like they were about to crack.

His gaze fell on her snow-white, soft hand, where a bruise had been left from his grip.

That night, when his calloused hands gripped her slender waist, a red mark appeared on her waist.

The little girl is really too spoiled.

Mu Junyan felt even more pent-up frustration after bottling up his emotions for most of the day.

The candles on the pair of cranes on the desk were about to burn out, their flames flickering fiercely. The two of them looked at the desk at the same time.

An awkward atmosphere instantly froze.

Gu Hua wished she could dig a hole and crawl into it.

Fortunately, the candle burned out quickly.

The room was plunged into darkness.

The moonlight was also covered by clouds, and Gu Hua breathed a sigh of relief; the darkness could hide her disheveled state and fear.

The only sound inside the room was the sound of breathing, sometimes heavy, sometimes light.

"what are you writing?"

Mu Junyan changed the subject to ease the awkwardness.

Because he is blind, his hearing is particularly sensitive. He changed his self-reference to "I" and his tone softened considerably.

Gu Hua's heart, which had been in her throat, quietly eased a little.

Her voice was soft and gentle: "I... am copying ancient books."

She dared not lie.

"Why?"

Her tone had softened a bit.

"...I like watching it."

"I'll give it to you; you don't need to copy it."

Gu Hua looked up, unable to see the other person's face clearly, but she could sense that what he said was true.

It's an ancient, rare book, and you just give it to her like that?

She mustn't show any greed.

"Thank you, Your Excellency, but this is too kind. I am not worthy of such a generous gift."

He seemed to exhale as he blurted out, "Consider it two nights of hard work."

Gu Hua froze.

Mu Junyan: "..."

How could he say that?

That's too hurtful.

Mu Junyan walked to the desk, placed a new candle on the cloud crane lamp, and lit it again.

I casually flipped through the ancient books she had copied.

It turned out to be a rare copy given to him by the old Grand Tutor. In the eyes of scholars, this book was simply a priceless treasure.

She actually likes such awkward writing?

Oh, right, it seems she's copying books to earn money.

Mu Junyan seemed to understand, and pointed at the book with his finger: "No other meaning, it can only lie on the bookshelf and collect dust here. It's a good thing that someone is making it useful."

Gu Hua couldn't believe it; this was a one-of-a-kind copy!

It's practically a golden rice bowl that can generate wealth.

Even renowned scholars and literary figures across the land would like to collect it.

Did you really give it to her?

However, she would accept it if there were other reasons for giving it to her.

Gu Hua bit her lip, her last remaining shred of pride fueling her anxious mind.

With her straight and stubborn back, she gave him a deep bow.

“My lord, that night… was purely accidental, a drunken act of passion, you need not take it to heart. The second time… it was because I wanted your protection, I owe you. Such a precious reward, I dare not accept, nor can I accept.”

After saying that, he didn't say anything more, turned around and fled towards the door.

Mu Junyan: "..."

Why do I feel a sense of shame for harming a little girl?

"Stop right there, I have something to ask you."

Gu Hua had already stepped out of the threshold, stopped, and didn't look back.

He said softly, "May I ask, Your Excellency?"

Mu Junyan walked up behind her and stared at the top of her black hair: "Twelve years ago, did you give a beggar half a steamed bun?"

Gu Hua was startled and turned around abruptly.

Why would he suddenly ask that?

The injured beggar gave her a jade pendant, telling her never to say she had ever seen him.

She was still young and ignorant; she had exchanged half a steamed bun for someone's jade pendant, so naturally she couldn't say a word.

Later, when she grew up and became more sensible, she discovered that the jade pendant was of excellent quality and guessed that the beggar was no ordinary person, so she dared not reveal it to anyone.

Later, the jade pendant suddenly disappeared, and it could not be found even after a long search.

"Can not remember."

Gu Hua didn't want to lie to him, but she also wanted to keep her promise.

Mu Junyu stared at her, her beautiful eyes darting around.

She is lying.

I don't want to pressure her anymore; the truth will come out eventually.

His gaze fell upon a pale green, translucent phoenix-head jade hairpin nestled in her hair.

His brows furrowed slightly as he pondered for a moment: "What kind of flower do you like?"

Why are you suddenly asking this?

Gu Hua casually said, "Magnolia."

"Ah."

Looking at the faint curve of Mu Junyan's lips, a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown, a chill ran down her spine.

Her heart was pounding, and she didn't know what he meant. Her trembling legs quietly moved backward.

Mu Junyan finally took a step, stepped out of the door, and said, "Don't copy too late."

Gu Hua keenly sensed that the smile on his face vanished the moment he turned around.

Even after the tall figure left, the oppressive aura emanating from him lingered for a long time.

Gu Hua suddenly remembered and quickly took two steps forward: "Lord Duke, which volume of the late Madam's manuscripts would you like to copy?"

"Just pick one or two books."

Gu Hua stared blankly at the tall figure that had disappeared.

She just randomly picked one or two books?

Perhaps, any of his late wife's manuscripts would have been a source of comfort for him.

Gu Hua thought for a moment, then turned back to her desk, looked at the rare book, resolutely closed it, and took out Jiang's poetry collection to open.

Mu Junyan's time to leave is running out. She must at least finish copying two collections of poems so that Mu Junyan can take them with him on his journey to the southern border, where they can offer some comfort on lonely nights.

Before I knew it, the midnight watchman's drum had sounded.

Donghua came looking for her with a lantern: "My dear aunt, why are you still copying? We all thought you had just gone to sleep here."

Gu Hua swung her wrist, looking at the manuscript she had copied halfway through with great pleasure.

"I can finish copying one book tomorrow."

Donghua urged, "Go back and rest quickly."

Gu Hua neatly put away the copied manuscript, tidied up her desk, and went back with Dong Hua.

Dongqing brought over a bowl of calming soup that was simmering on the charcoal stove: "This was made for you by Miss Shen. She told you to drink it before bed."

Gu Hua took the drink and finished it in one gulp. A warm feeling flowed through her, and she immediately felt comfortable.

I had a good night's sleep, and when I woke up, the sun was high in the sky.

She quickly got up: "Why didn't you wake me up?"

"You didn't ask for anything. You stayed up so late last night copying, no one will say anything if you stay up a little later."

Winter flowers smiled and rolled up the curtain.

Dongqing brought in a copper basin filled with hot water, and the two men helped her wash up.

While eating breakfast, Gu Hua said, "I want to make some snacks and personally deliver them to the old lady. I should pay my respects to her."

She had been under Mu Junyan's protection and lived a life of comfort and ease, so she felt she had to do something to repay him.

Everyone knows that Mu Junyan doesn't marry, but he is a very filial son. If she can win the old lady's favor, she will have a better chance of staying in the Duke's mansion.

"Huh?" Donghua's eyes widened.

Gu Hua turned to look at her: "Can't I go?"

"No, it's just that the old lady has dementia and doesn't recognize people very well. Sometimes she even hits people."

Gu Hua was surprised: "Hitting someone?"

Dongqing combed her hair and comforted her, "They usually don't hit you. It was only when the young mistress and young master first came to pay their respects that he slapped the young mistress."

"Huh?" Gu Hua was surprised.

Was the eldest sister beaten?

"Perhaps that's why the young mistress never paid her respects to the old lady again, and the servants in the mansion all thought she was unfilial..."

Donghua was quite dissatisfied, but remembering that the young mistress was Miss Hua's older sister, she quickly stopped talking.

"Why was my elder sister beaten?" Gu Hua asked quickly.

To avoid getting beaten up myself.

Donghua tilted her head and thought for a moment: "It seems that the young mistress's bow was not proper."

Gu Hua breathed a sigh of relief.

She is very skilled at the proper way to bow and will never make a mistake.

"I've made some pastries for the old lady twice, but I don't know if she liked them." Gu Hua was still a little uneasy.

The Dowager was the first female general of the Great Liang Dynasty in her youth and was personally appointed Dowager by the late emperor. Even with her dementia, her authority was undeniable, so she still had to be cautious.

I don't know if I can win her favor.

"Yi Niang said that the old lady likes it. The old lady likes to eat sweets, especially osmanthus-filled ones."

"That's good. Come on, let's go to the kitchen and make some desserts."

Gu Hua perked up and led Donghua and Dongqing straight to the kitchen.