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

Gu Hua returned to the Duke's mansion and went straight to the Brocade Pavilion.

Gu Wanru's eyes lit up when she saw her: "You got it?"

Gu Hua handed her the silver note: "Here you go."

Gu Wanru took the silver note and said happily, "Good, good, that's great."

"Jin Kui, go find the son-in-law and give him the 50,000 taels of silver notes. Ask him to come over and tell him that I have a way to make more money and that you want to talk to him in person."

Jin Kui lowered her head and accepted it, feeling extremely nervous.

Gu Hua made up the 50,000 taels of silver. What if the son-in-law asks for the reason and the lie is exposed?

She didn't dare look at Gu Hua in front of Gu Wanru, lest she give herself away.

Gu Hua patted her shoulder: "Jin Kui, you go out first."

Jin Kui obediently walked out the door and closed it behind her.

Gu Hua lowered her voice: "Sister, after we give these 50,000 taels of silver to the young master, he will definitely believe that you can help him make money. This batch of military supplies was selected and reported by the Chief of the Inner Palace Attendants Department. The young master has a very good relationship with his godson. I went out today and specially inquired for you that this man is lecherous and has some quirks. You should remind the young master to prepare a delicate beauty to send over in advance. Maybe things will work out."

Gu Wanru asked in surprise, "How did you find out?"

Gu Hua remained calm and composed, saying, "When I met Cousin Pei today, I asked him about who should handle this matter, and he mentioned it briefly. Coincidentally, I've heard a little about this person. If you don't believe me, you can inquire about it yourself."

Gu Wanru still had doubts and planned to ask Granny Chen for directions later.

If what Gu Hua said was true, and she reminded Mu An, and the matter was successfully completed, Mu An would definitely think that she had thought things through.

At that time, their marital relationship will surely be repaired.

Gu Hua saw her skeptical expression.

I felt an indescribable sense of joy.

In her past life, she was the one who was sent as a sacrifice.

That beast was a pervert; he tortured her until she was on the verge of death.

However, Gu Wanru and Mu An abandoned her in Jiaochun Garden, leaving her to fend for herself.

The madam, fearing the woman would die while she was there, ordered people to brew medicine for her and apply ointment to her injured body, which saved her life.

Gu Wanru sent Yinzhi to Jiaochun Garden to see if she was dead. Unexpectedly, she was fine, so Gu Wanru took her back to the Duke's Mansion and continued to use and torment her.

Even now, thinking back on it, Gu Hua still trembles with fear.

She was curious.

In this life, she has broken free from Gu Wanru's control, and Yinzhi is 'dead'. Gu Wanru will instigate Mu An to offer someone up.

Gu Hua stood up, glanced at Gu Wanru who was looking for her fancy clothes to dress herself, and said indifferently, "Sister has gone back."

Gu Wanru had no objection and hurriedly dressed up, waiting for Mu An.

Gu Hua quickened her pace to catch up with Jin Kui, who was walking slowly.

The two tacitly quickened their pace and left the Brocade Pavilion. After walking for quite a while, they found that no one was around.

Gu Hua whispered to her that she had already arranged for her mother's medicine and living expenses, so that she no longer needed to worry about Aunt Pei's threats.

"Second girl..."

Jin Kui was so moved she wanted to cry, but she didn't dare. She covered her mouth with her handkerchief and held back her sobs.

Gu Hua gently stroked her arm: "No need to thank me. You've already helped me."

Jin Kui didn't know what to say.

I really regret being so timid before, watching helplessly as the second young lady was bullied without daring to lend a hand.

"In a little while, you don't need to look for your son-in-law. Have Biyu give him the silver notes, saying it's for his emergency. Also, tell her that the young mistress said there's a big deal going on right now, and your son-in-law can make a lot of money. She invites him to Jinxiu Pavilion for a face-to-face meeting. Biyu will definitely report the truth."

Gu Hua was worried that Jin Kui would be nervous and scared when she saw Mu An and say the wrong thing.

Biyu is extremely loyal to Mu An, and she will definitely report anything good about Mu An truthfully.

Gu Hua said something, and Jin Kui silently repeated it in her heart, trying her best to remember every word.

She's not good at lying, so she doesn't usually talk much. Hearing such a long speech made her hands tremble with nervousness.

Jin Kui didn't know why Bi Yu would definitely report the truth, but she trusted Gu Hua.

Watching Jin Kui walk away, Gu Hua's face lit up with a happy smile. She winked at Dong Hua and Dong Qing and said, "Let's go find Sister Zhou."

"Come back so soon?"

Zhou Zhilan was calculating on an abacus when she looked up with a smile. Her gaze fell on Gu Hua's slightly swollen face, and she stood up abruptly.

He strode forward, cupped her face in his hands, and asked coldly, "Who hit you?"

Gu Hua was surprised that she could tell: "No...no..."

Zhou Zhilan turned to look at Donghua and shouted sternly, "Tell me, who hit her? Didn't we tell you to protect Hua-mei properly? How did you protect her?"

Donghua was so frightened that her legs went weak and she knelt on the ground with a thud: "Donghua deserves to die. It was Miss Hua who was beaten by Princess Jiang for protecting me."

Dongqing quickly knelt down as well: "It's all because we servants are incompetent."

Zhou Zhilan held a high position in the household and was known for her decisive and efficient work style, which made the servants somewhat afraid of her.

Gu Hua quickly pulled her face back and stepped forward to help Donghua and Dongqing up.

"Princess Jiang only took action because of me, so it's not their fault."

Donghua looked at her with red eyes.

Miss Gu Hua is so delicate and frail, yet she actually protected her. From now on, she will be her true master!

"Jiang Ruoxi?"

Zhou Zhilan snorted coldly, "Don't worry, I'll help you fight back."

Gu Hua grabbed her arm and said sweetly, "Good sister, what's past is past. I need your help."

Zhou Zhilan felt uneasy at her soft, sweet voice and glared at her: "Speak if you have something to say. Don't leave this look for the master."

Gu Hua blushed, quickly let go of his hand and stood up straight, saying honestly, "I want to embroider a headband for the old lady and make a set of nightgowns as a birthday gift, but... I don't have any money. I was thinking of asking if I could use the fabric from the manor."

After finally finishing speaking, Gu Hua's ears turned red.

Zhou Zhilan was speechless: "If you want to choose good fabrics and embroidery threads, just say so. What are you being shy about?"

Gu Hua immediately shook off her timid look, her eyes crinkling into a smile: "Mm."

Zhou Zhilan crossed her arms and glanced at her sideways: "I want one too."

"Yes, yes, that's exactly what my sister thinks," Gu Hua said with a flattering expression.

Zhou Zhilan grabbed Gu Hua's arm and took her arm, saying, "That's more like it. Let's put some ice on your face first, then we'll go to the storeroom to pick something out. We need to focus on the old lady's gift first; I'm fine."

Gu Hua felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

……

Gu Hua looked at the crimson and silver brocade with delight.

It is said that every inch of brocade is worth its weight in gold, with its bright and beautiful colors, as beautiful as the clouds in the sky. Seeing the real thing, it is indeed magnificent.

Paired with pomegranate petals made of pigeon blood rubies, it is both unique and luxurious.

I also took a piece of fine white satin and a piece of lake-green satin, both smooth and delicate, perfect for making nightgowns.

The white one is for the old lady, and the lake green one is for Sister Zhou.

"Girl, there are only two days left. Do you think you can make it in time?"

Donghua was a little worried.

"It's alright, my needlework is quite good. Besides, Yun brocade is already gorgeous, so there's no need to embroider overly complicated patterns. I plan to just embroider pomegranate leaves."

Gu Hua smiled confidently.

Dongqing dragged a embroidered stool to sit at Gu Hua's feet: "This servant will help you; my needlework is passable."

"Sister Dongqing is very good at needlework."

Donghua smiled and said, "This servant will go and bring you lunch."

Gu Hua and Dong Qing were busy with lunch until the city lights came on.

Donghua lit the candlesticks in the room.

Gu Hua looked up through the lattice window.

A group of maids, laughing and whispering, carried candlesticks and moved about under the eaves and along the corridors, lighting lanterns one by one. The warm light shone through the oiled paper, making people feel the beauty of life.

Gu Hua smiled and lowered her head to continue embroidering the headband in her hands; it was almost finished.

Donghua came in carrying dinner, looking a little anxious: "Miss, the master has returned. I met Dongmo at the door, and he said the master wants you to go to the study at Hai Zheng."

Gu Hua's hand froze, and she exclaimed softly, "Oh dear."

The embroidery needle pricked my finger, and a drop of blood oozed out.

Gu Hua angrily put her finger in her mouth.

I originally planned to fix the flowers on the cuffs and collar of my shirt tonight, so that the sewing could be completed tomorrow.

Is he going to sleep with her again tonight?

Donghua and Dongqing didn't dare to say much and silently served dinner.