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

Mu Junyan was summoned to the palace by the Empress Dowager. In less than an hour, he returned to his study with a dark face and saw a stack of ten neatly arranged drafts on his desk.

Did you spend the whole night copying this?

He didn't even care that his hand injury hadn't healed yet; he didn't know how to take care of himself at all!

Just like how she was willing to sacrifice her innocence to get rid of Mu An...

In Mu Junyan's mind, the little girl was not as soft and gentle as she appeared; deep down, she was a stubborn girl with her own ideas.

He picked up a piece of paper and examined it closely. The handwriting was delicate and pretty, just like a little girl when she was quiet.

The image of her panting and writhing beneath me flashed through my mind again; I wondered how many other faces she had.

As Mu Junyan was lost in thought, the pent-up frustration he had brought from the palace dissipated considerably.

Looking at the table again, the rare ancient book that he said he would give her was still there, with a blank copy underneath. He opened it and saw that two pages had been copied.

"My lord." Dongmo entered, holding a visiting card in his hand.

"Miss Gu's cousin wishes to see Miss Gu. Will the lord grant permission?"

Mu Junyan tightened his grip, poking a hole in the Xuan paper.

How dare they come to the Duke's mansion!

"What brings you to see her?"

"They said they had family matters to discuss."

Family matters related to marriage?

Even if he is qualified, it's not a man's place to directly consult with a young girl!

Besides, he's no longer qualified!

"Please invite him to Lan Yue Pavilion."

"Yes."

Dongmo didn't quite understand, and looked at his master cautiously: "Should we invite Miss Gu Er to come?"

Mu Junyan's eyes were cold.

Dongmo shrank his neck and quickly ran away.

Lanyue Pavilion.

The atmosphere was a bit tense.

"Your name is Pei Yi?"

Mu Junyan's strong fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as he looked at the handsome, refined man opposite him.

Pei Yi had been in officialdom for five years, and although he was at the bottom, he had developed an air of officialdom through his daily life.

Moreover, having spent decades in the business world, he had often encountered high-ranking officials and nobles, though none as high as the Duke of Yong.

Despite feeling uneasy, she was able to maintain a calm demeanor.

He thought about it all night, but still mustered up the courage to come and find Gu Hua in person.

There were some things he really wanted to understand.

It concerns Gu Hua's entire life, and also the future of the Pei family.

But to his utter surprise, the Duke of Yong came to see him in person, which filled him with both fear and joy.

Being able to meet the Duke of Yong in person was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but at this moment, his heart was filled with thoughts of Gu Hua.

He was very worried about her.

Pei Yi composed himself, stood respectfully, and bowed, saying, "I am Pei Yi, greetings to the Duke of Yong."

Where will you be employed?

"Your Excellency, I am an official in the Ministry of Revenue."

"A mere eighth-rank official."

Mu Junyan's slow, deliberate words were quite hurtful.

Born into a business family, what kind of attitude haven't I seen?

Pei Yi's expression remained unchanged, and his attitude remained respectful: "It is my incompetence."

Mu Junyan glanced at him, his attitude still acceptable: "Although your official position is not high, it does not prevent the Pei family from becoming extremely wealthy in Bianjing in recent years."

It seems to have an ironic tone.

Pei Yi was now at a loss for words and didn't know how to respond.

"What brings you here?"

Even if Pei Yi was stupid, he could sense the unfriendly look and tone in the Duke of Yong's eyes.

With a gentle nature like Gu Hua living in such a mansion, how would she survive if her son really took her as a concubine?

He hesitated before coming, worried about ruining Gu Hua's reputation, but now he is determined.

Mustering his courage, he said, "I... intend to take my cousin Gu Hua out of the manor."

As soon as Pei Yi finished speaking, he felt the air around him freeze, and a chill came from all directions.

Across from him sat Mu Junyan, his hand caressing his teacup, his eyes gleaming with a chilling light, like a sword being drawn from its sheath.

His voice was calm: "She is currently copying my late wife's manuscripts and cannot leave the mansion."

Pei Yi persisted: "May I search outside the manor?"

Mu Junyan slowly raised his eyelids with his leopard-like eyes: "My deceased wife's belongings cannot be moved."

Pei Yi: "..."

My aunt's attitude yesterday seemed like she was in a hurry to bring my cousin out, even at the cost of making her a mistress. Could it be that my cousin is being controlled and is not living freely?

Pei Yi steeled his resolve: "Could the Duke allow my cousin to make her own decision?"

Surely the Duke of Yongguo couldn't openly imprison an unmarried girl in his mansion?

Gu Hua had just finished making the three kinds of pastries and was preparing to personally deliver them to Xiangruitang when Dong Mo came to call her.

Hearing that Pei Yi had arrived and was stopped by Mu Junyan, she immediately felt uneasy.

The oppressive aura from last night returned.

I had no choice but to bite the bullet and go along.

……

Xiangrui Hall.

Yi Niang came in with her maid carrying several plates of snacks.

She smiled and said, "Madam, please have some snacks."

The old lady, who had been basking in the sun in her armchair with her eyes closed, slowly opened them. Her gaze was cloudy and her eyes were dull, but she still exuded the imposing aura of a former female general.

The old lady pouted and shook her head: "I want to eat candy."

Yi Niang coaxed with a smile, "This is sweeter than candy. It was made by the young lady from the Gu family next door. Didn't you eat it last time and say it was good?"

The old lady's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously: "Delicious, delicious, I want to eat it."

Yi Niang picked out a hibiscus flower-shaped tea cake and handed it to the old lady: "Look, it's both beautiful and delicious."

"It's so beautiful, so beautiful, I can't bear to eat it." The old lady held it carefully, looking at it from left to right, as happy as a child.

"There'll be more after you eat it," Yi Niang coaxed with a smile.

"The young lady originally intended to deliver this to you personally and pay her respects, but the lord summoned her to the front courtyard to receive guests."

The old lady seemed not to hear, took a small bite, and excitedly held up the tea cake: "Wow, it's osmanthus-filled, so sweet."

"Yes, the old lady loves osmanthus-filled dumplings the most." Yi Niang smiled.

The young lady of the Gu family was also thoughtful; every time she sent over some pastries, she would have Dongqing inquire which one the old lady preferred.

"I want to see the young lady," the old lady said coquettishly.

Yi Niang wiped the sugar stains from the corner of her mouth: "Alright, let her come when the master tells her to."

The old lady grinned happily.

Yi Niang looked at her with heartache.

Only when the lord returns to the manor does the old lady show such a happy smile.

……

Gu Hua nervously entered Lan Yue Pavilion.

Upon entering, I saw Pei Yi standing there awkwardly, and the atmosphere seemed off, which startled me.

Mu Junyan was asking her about her fiancé and hairpins last night, and here he is today.

How can this be explained?

She quickly and discreetly glanced at Mu Junyan's face; he was expressionless, revealing no emotion.

She had no choice but to calm herself down, and under the two sharp gazes above her, she bowed respectfully: "Gu Hua greets the Duke."

Mu Junyan lowered his head without looking at her, and simply hummed in response.

Gu Hua had no choice but to turn to Pei Yi, her voice immediately softening: "Cousin, what brings you here?"

Haha, he's so cold when you talk to him.

She speaks so gently to her cousin!

Mu Junyan lowered his eyes and looked at the fingers rubbing the porcelain cup. He exerted so much force that he wished he could rub off a layer of the porcelain cup.

It's as if I'm pinching someone's slender waist.

Pei Yi carefully examined her, checking if she was injured.

Gu Hua tilted her head slightly and blinked.

Cousin, say something!

The two stood facing each other, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, truly a perfect match.

Mu Junyan couldn't help but look up and saw this scene.

How dare you flirt with him in front of him?

When he's dead?

bang.

The teacup was slammed heavily onto the coffee table.

The two were so shocked that they both looked over, their faces turning pale.

Mu Junyan said ominously, "Second Miss Gu, although you are my daughter-in-law's sister, the Duke's Mansion cannot restrict your freedom. You have to make a decision about whether to stay or leave."

Gu Hua's skin tightened, and she hurriedly looked at Pei Yi: "Since I have agreed to the Duke's request to copy the late Madam's manuscripts, of course I must stay at the Duke's mansion to complete the task."

Ignoring Mu Junyan's piercing gaze, Pei Yi said urgently, "Cousin, as an unmarried woman, it is inconvenient for you to stay in the Duke's mansion. If you want to confiscate, you can come to the mansion every day to do so."

"Does Lord Pei think the Duke's mansion is a den of wolves and tigers? My daughter-in-law's sister can't live here?"

"...don't dare."

He was certain that what his cousin said yesterday was true; she was really having a hard time.

This is even more terrifying than a den of tigers and wolves.

The young master is a womanizer, and the old man is domineering.

My cousin, this little lamb, is completely at the mercy of others, while I am the fish on the chopping block.

Pei Yi was deeply distressed.