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

Mu Junyan dismissed it as youthful impulsiveness and admonished him, "The autumn imperial examinations are approaching, and you are not yet of legal age. You must not be distracted at this time. Marriage is a major event, and it is decided by your parents and the matchmaker. You cannot make your own decisions."

Mu Feng panicked; a girl like Gu Hua must have many suitors.

She used to live a secluded life in her boudoir, but now she lives with her cousin-in-law in the Duke's mansion, just so she can have more opportunities to see outstanding young men.

He had the opportunity to meet her earlier, so of course he wanted to make a decision as soon as possible.

"Second Uncle, don't worry. My mother and father don't care much about a girl's background. They say that as long as she has good character, that's all that matters. If you help me speak up, there won't be any problem."

Mu Feng's tone was pleading.

Mu Junyan felt inexplicably agitated and no longer wanted to talk to him.

He gave a perfunctory "hmm".

When Mu Feng saw that his second uncle, who was usually reluctant to agree to things, had actually agreed, he was so excited that he almost jumped up.

He quickly moved closer and whispered, "I will repay your kindness, Second Uncle. My father wanted to come today, but he was afraid that you would be angry. I'll treat you to a meal sometime and ask you to do me the honor of making up with my father."

Mu Junyan glanced at him and said, "Don't meddle in the affairs of your elders."

Mu Feng chuckled, "Yes, yes, nephew will listen to his second uncle."

He felt good even when he was scolded; he was overjoyed and felt he would soon win the heart of his beloved.

The old lady, who had been listening the whole way, glanced helplessly at her simple-minded son.

The old woman pretended to be crazy in order to protect her son.

She knew perfectly well why her son had separated his second and third wives and why he hadn't married.

It's all because of those greedy and selfish guys in the palace.

But as a mother, how could she not feel sorry for her child?

Everyone has seen how good Gu Hua is. If she doesn't care about status and is willing to stay by her son's side, she will definitely not let the little girl suffer.

But she also understood the awkwardness in her son's heart.

The old lady glanced at her granddaughter-in-law secretly, thinking that things would be much easier if the little girl didn't have such an older sister.

Mu Junyan supported the old lady in silence.

But my heart is very complicated.

Mu Feng had only met her once, and before he had even said a word, he was already obsessed with marrying her.

Pei Yi was the same; he trusted her after only a few meetings and sent her silver notes and a courtyard.

Could it be that Gu Hua was intentionally seducing her?

It was as if she was intentionally seducing him?

Gu Hua knew that Pei Yi had no intention of treating her as a mistress, and she also knew that Pei Yi had a formidable legal wife.

If she knew that this silly boy Mu Feng wanted to marry her as his legal wife, wouldn't she be tempted?

The young man was full of youthful energy, and about the same age as the young woman...

Looking at myself, I realize that not only am I old, but my heart is also old.

After decades of illustrious career, this is the first time he's felt mentally exhausted.

Hearing the boy beside him excitedly chattering about his future plans, he suddenly wondered if it would be better if Gu Hua could marry a passionate young man as her wife.

Gu Wanru, who was following behind, listened to the whole thing, and her gloomy eyes were filled with a few inexplicable thoughts.

Gu Hua, that little vixen, is indeed a menace staying in the Duke's mansion.

With everyone preoccupied with their own thoughts, they unknowingly arrived at the Xuanyun Hall in the front courtyard.

Jiang Ruoxi was dressed like a peacock when she saw Mu Junyan helping the old lady in.

Completely ignoring the old lady, she went straight to him and greeted him warmly, saying in a sweet and coquettish voice, "Brother-in-law, I have been wanting to visit you, but I have been called to the palace by my grandmother to accompany her these days, so I have not been able to come."

Mu Junyan's face darkened.

Mu Silang, Mu Yong, Mu Liulang, and Mu Feng, who followed them in, also frowned slightly.

Regardless of their status, since they have come to offer birthday greetings and are juniors, shouldn't they first pay their respects to the old lady?

Jiang Ruoxi paused in her tracks as Mu Junyan's gloomy eyes swept over her, and she belatedly came to her senses.

She quickly curtsied to the old lady: "Ruoxi greets the old lady. Ruoxi specially selected an exquisite jade Buddha for you to celebrate your birthday. Grandmother also asked me to bring you a birthday gift."

Two servants carrying a large brocade box stepped forward, opened the box, and carefully lifted out a white jade Guanyin statue that was about half a person's height.

Another maid was holding a brocade box, which contained a century-old ginseng root.

This gift is hardly appropriate for the Empress Dowager.

Mu Junyan didn't care; whether he gave her a gift or not made no difference.

Mu Silang and Mu Yong's eyes flickered slightly.

When he arrived, his father instructed him to observe who else would come to offer birthday greetings, as this would represent the attitude of the royal family and other prominent families towards the Duke of Yong.

The old lady seemed not to have noticed the Empress Dowager's gesture, pointed to the jade Guanyin, and clapped her hands happily.

"Wow, Guanyin! Guanyin, I'm praying for a child! My son is going to have a son! I'm going to have a grandson!"

Jiang Ruoxi blushed shyly, walked to the other side of the old lady, and reached out to take her arm.

He said, "The old lady wants a grandson, and she will surely get her wish soon."

Before her hand could even touch the old lady's sleeve, the old lady suddenly turned around, her gesturing hand following suit.

Snapped!

A sharp slap landed directly on Jiang Ruoxi's face.

This immediately startled everyone.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

"Madam, why did you hit me?"

Jiang Ruoxi covered her exquisitely made-up face, feeling both ashamed and angry, yet unable to vent her anger.

"Where is my little fairy? Quickly call her to come and pray, so that she may have a child soon."

The old lady seemed unaware that she had hit someone, and pulled Mu Junyan around in circles looking for the person.

Mu Junyan's usually cold face broke into a smile as he played along with the old lady.

"Mother, be careful, slow down, who are you looking for?"

The old lady, like a child throwing a tantrum, stomped her feet and shouted, "Quickly call the fairy to come and pray, or it won't work!"

No one in the entire house cared about the county princess who had been beaten.

Those in the know understand that it refers to Gu Hua, while those who are unaware are curious about which fairy-like girl it is.

Jiang Ruoxi's face flushed with anger, but she couldn't suppress her curiosity and jealousy, and asked through gritted teeth, "Brother-in-law, who is the little fairy that the old lady was talking about?"

Mu Junyan glanced at her: "She must be Mu An's wife's younger sister. She's been spending a lot of time with the old lady lately."

Gu Wanru was taken aback.

Does Gu Hua often accompany the old lady?

Does she really want to become the proper mistress of the Yongguo Duke's mansion?

Jiang Ruoxi's eyes widened: "That little vixen!"

Mu Junyan's face immediately darkened: "Watch your words."

Jiang Ruoxi was truly furious now. That little vixen had actually seduced her brother-in-law!

"Brother-in-law, she's Mu An's sister-in-law, how could you possibly be interested in her..."

"Princess, be careful what you say!" Mu Junyan's sinister voice sent a chill down her spine for no apparent reason.

"I...I'm doing this for my brother-in-law's own good," she stammered.

Mu Feng looked at his second uncle with a puzzled expression.

How could such an innocent and naive second sister possibly get involved with her second uncle?

impossible?

Zhou Zhilan went to the kitchen to handle the birthday banquet matters. Gu Hua had just returned to her room and hadn't even had a chance to sit down when a maid came to call her, saying that the master wanted her to dress more formally to meet the guests.

Gu Hua was stunned.

Should she dress up formally to see Jiang Ruoxi?

What does it mean?

Upon hearing that it was their lord's order, Donghua and Dongqing busied themselves.

Gu Hua was unaware of what had happened in the front hall, but as a tool for men, she had no reason to refuse.

She obediently let the two maids do her hair and makeup.

She already had exquisite makeup on, so she just changed into a more dignified and gorgeous ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), added jewelry, and changed her earrings. She was busy for only fifteen minutes before heading out.

The people in the room had different expressions as they waited for the little fairy the old lady had mentioned to arrive.

Mu Feng looked uneasy, nervously watching the doorway.

Gu Wanru sensed danger.

She guessed that Gu Hua had successfully slept with Mu Junyan, but she didn't expect that Gu Hua would not only gain Mu Junyan's favor and protection, but also win over the old lady.

The old lady would slap any girl she saw. She had been slapped before, and the county princess had also been slapped by her, but she treated Gu Hua differently.

Mu An, in particular, made no attempt to hide his lust for Gu Hua, even though he knew his father had slept with that slut.

She was filled with anger and glared at the doorway.

As everyone was lost in thought, three figures slowly passed through the carved wooden window.