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

Her crimson embroidered shoes tipped over the threshold, disappearing in a flash amidst a sea of ​​pink skirts.

Then a bright and pretty figure caught people's eye.

Everyone in the room could not hide their amazement.

The young girl had bright white teeth and starry eyes. Her watery eyes gazed at him affectionately. Her exquisite figure and light steps highlighted her slender waist, which swayed like a willow branch, making her all the more endearing.

She instantly captured everyone's attention, making the elegantly dressed Jiang Ruoxi and Gu Wanru pale in comparison.

Gu Wanru always knew that her half-sister was beautiful, and that she couldn't even come close to her.

But I've never seen her dressed so extravagantly. This style not only makes her look more like a noblewoman than I do, but she's also even more beautiful.

Even the old lady's eyes lit up. Having seen countless beauties, this was the first time she felt she couldn't take her eyes off them.

However, he quickly regained his muddy, goofy grin.

Gu Hua looked straight in the direction of the strongest sense of oppression, and met someone's unreadable gaze.

Mu Junyan frowned slightly. He had told her to dress more formally, but why was she dressed even more glamorously?

Could it be because of... two young boys?

His gaze fell on the magnolia hairpin in her hair, and he was quite pleased with it.

Then, seeing the hint of resentment in her eyes, he thought to himself, "Didn't I make sure she got enough sleep last night?"

Is she feeling wronged?

He remained calm and helped the old lady sit down.

Seeing the room full of people, Gu Hua felt a little uncomfortable and went straight to the smiling old lady who was waving at her, without even having a chance to bow.

Gu Wanru stopped him.

She gritted her teeth, but tried her best to act like the eldest sister, grabbing her and scolding her.

"Why are you so slow, Second Sister? Father sent you to see our distinguished guests, and you're still dawdling. Hurry up and apologize to the County Princess."

Gu Hua glanced at her.

I really don't understand why I died at the hands of such a stupid Gu Wanru in my previous life.

Um, does that mean she's dumber?

Jiang Ruoxi immediately chimed in, saying sarcastically, "So you're my sister-in-law's half-sister from a merchant family. I thought you were some princess or noblewoman, praised by the old lady as a celestial being."

Her words deliberately belittled Gu Hua's status.

No matter how beautiful she is, at worst, after she marries in, we'll just give that little vixen the status of a concubine.

Born of humble origins, how could she possibly be qualified to compete with a county princess for a husband!

Mu Feng blurted out, "Isn't Sister Hua like a fairy? Who says only princesses and noblewomen are like immortals?"

Only after saying it did I realize that it wasn't appropriate to say it in public.

His fair face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple, and he looked at the beauty in a fluster.

Gu Hua was surprised that he would help her in public, and couldn't help but glance at him.

Seeing the beautiful woman's grateful gaze, Mu Feng straightened his back immediately, forgetting his flushed face, and nodded vigorously at her to encourage her.

Mu Junyan's eyes turned cold, he lowered his eyelids, and his fingers, clasped behind his back, slowly rubbed together.

Young boys and girls, just beginning to experience love, are indeed prone to exchanging glances.

Is she trying to find a way out for herself?

Gu Hua wouldn't interact too much with strange men in public, especially with Mu Junyan present.

She then withdrew her gaze and said in a low voice, "Sister, I must first pay my respects to the old lady."

Gu Wanru belatedly looked down at her hand and released it with a grim expression.

Gu Hua walked towards the old lady and gave her a curtsy with a smile: "Old lady, is your name Hua'er?"

"Little fairy, come here quickly."

The old lady waved to her happily.

Gu Hua obediently lifted her skirt and stepped forward, placing her hand in the old lady's palm.

The old lady held her hand with one hand and pointed to the jade Guanyin statue carried by two maids with the other: "Quickly worship the Guanyin who grants children."

Gu Hua almost choked on her saliva.

Should she be made to publicly pray to Guanyin for a child?

She quickly looked at Mu Junyan, casting a pleading glance, but he didn't look at her.

How is she supposed to save face?

Gu Hua's gaze drifted and suddenly met Jiang Ruoxi's resentful eyes, then looked at her left cheek.

Huh, I got hit?

Jiang Ruoxi immediately turned her face away, avoiding her gaze, but couldn't help saying, "Madam, this is a Guanyin statue that Xi'er specially went to Wanfo Temple to pray for your good health. It's not something that just anyone can worship."

The old lady was overjoyed, but her smile froze upon hearing this: "Ah, what's the point of bringing the jade Buddha if no one is allowed to worship it? Move it away, move it away. This old woman will take Hua'er, the little fairy, to the Wanfo Temple to burn incense and pray for a child herself."

Jiang Ruoxi was furious, but she couldn't retaliate. Her face turned red, and the slap marks became even clearer.

Seeing this, Gu Wanru quickly smoothed things over: "Grandmother, the county princess is Mother's own sister. How can you refuse her birthday gift to you?"

The old lady frowned and glared at her: "Who are you?"

Gu Wanru froze, unable to lash out in front of so many people.

She could only force a smile and say, "Grandmother, I am your granddaughter-in-law."

As she spoke, she reached out to the old lady's arm, trying to show affection, but she was terrified, afraid of being beaten again.

That appearance was really embarrassing to look at.

To everyone's surprise, the old lady waved her hand dismissively, as if shooing away flies: "My son is not yet married, so where would a granddaughter-in-law come from?"

Mu An and Gu Wanru's expressions changed drastically at the same time.

Mu Yong and Mu Feng exchanged a glance.

The room was completely silent; no one dared to utter a sound.

cough cough.

Mu Junyan coughed twice: "Second Miss Gu, you and Yi Niang take the old lady inside, she must be hungry."

"Yes."

Gu Hua and Yi Niang, supporting the old lady on either side, led a large group of servants away in a grand procession.

"You four should go and keep them company too."

Mu Silang and Mu Liulang quickly followed.

With red eyes, Gu Wanru bowed to Mu An and then left.

Mu Junyan turned to Jiang Ruoxi, who looked aggrieved and on the verge of tears, and said in a calm but emotionless voice, "Princess, my mother has been suffering from dementia for a long time. She doesn't even know what she's saying. If this has made you uncomfortable, please forgive me."

Jiang Ruoxi couldn't hold back her tears and softly called out, "Brother-in-law, of course Ruoxi wouldn't dare to blame the old lady. Ruoxi loves you, and the old lady will be Ruoxi's mother-in-law in the future..."

"I will naturally accept the county princess's gift, but I must dine with my mother, so I will not keep the county princess company. Dongmo, accept this gift properly. Zhou Chunyu, see the county princess off."

Mu Junyan seemed not to hear her, turned his head and gave instructions to Zhou Chunyu, who was standing not far away. After speaking, he was too lazy to be perfunctory and turned to leave.

The large hall was empty except for Jiang Ruoxi and the few people she brought; the hosts had all left.

Enraged, she burst into tears, stomped her foot, and ran away crying.

Zhou Chunyu hurriedly chased after her out the door, calling out, "Princess, slow down, be careful not to trip!"

Watching her rush out with her people, Zhou Chunyu instantly lost his concerned expression and spat at her retreating figure.

"You don't even know your own worth, yet you dare to covet my lord."

At the family dinner, everyone had a different expression.

Mu Feng and Mu Yong dared not speak carelessly, racking their brains to tell jokes and interesting stories from the capital.

Gu Hua and Zhou Zhilan sat on either side of the old lady, smiling broadly as they tried to make her happy.

The old lady laughed heartily.

Gu Wanru and Mu An sat stiffly at the table, completely unable to join in.

When Mu Junyan walked in, he saw his mother laughing so hard she was doubled over, and his heart warmed.

Over the years, my mother has had the hardest time.

While she was stationed in Bianjing, managing information from the rear for him, she also acted as a hostage under the very noses of the emperor and his mother, feigning madness to deceive those with ulterior motives.

He knew very well that his mother's attitude towards Jiang Ruoxi today was actually meant to impress someone in the palace.

As a mother, I hate it most when people use my son's marriage as a tool for power struggles.

Although Zhou Zhilan and the others did their best, they were still servants, and Mother was wary of everyone.

He would feel more at ease if she had a caring and considerate person by her side.

Mu Junyan's gaze fell on the smiling girl's face; it was rare to see her smile so happily.

Mu Feng, who was sitting right in front of her, stared at her intently, making no attempt to hide his youthful excitement.

“Father.” Mu An suddenly stood up, his face very unpleasant.

Mu Junyan glanced at him: "Let's eat first, we can talk about it after we finish eating."

When Gu Hua saw him arrive, she quickly stood up to offer him her seat, but he waved her hand, indicating that she should sit down.

He walked straight to the empty chair next to Gu Hua and sat down.

Gu Hua tensed up instantly, her smile vanished, and she sat up straight.

The Mu brothers quickly stopped laughing and obediently waited for their master to speak.

Mu Junyan had come back specifically to celebrate his mother's 50th birthday, hoping to make her happy, but he was disturbed by unrelated people, which made him unhappy.

The air pressure around us was extremely low.

Gu Hua's palms were sweating with nervousness.