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

"Although I am forced to make Gu Hua my concubine, I will marry her according to the rules for a principal wife."

Mu Junyan's words softened Wang's expression.

After all, the Duke of Yong's family was of such high social standing that the daughter of a concubine from the Gu family could not possibly be his legal wife.

Gu Yuan was overjoyed: "Then our two families will become even closer through marriage."

After Mu Junyan left, the Gu family was in an uproar. No one expected that the most inconspicuous second daughter of the Gu family would suddenly rise to prominence and become a phoenix.

Gu Yuan was overjoyed: "I never expected that both of my daughters would marry into the Duke of Yong's mansion, and I never expected that Hua'er would be so outstanding that she would catch the Duke of Yong's eye!"

Aunt Pei sneered, "She's nothing but a woman who uses her looks to please men. What's there to be happy about?"

"The Pei family!"

Wang, unable to bear it any longer, angrily rebuked, "Are you even her biological mother? How can you speak so rudely and viciously! The Duke of Yongguo said that he would take her as a concubine with the same standards as a principal wife, so she can have dignity!"

Aunt Pei gave a forced smile: "It's precisely because I'm her own mother that I know her true worth. As long as she feels inferior, that's fine, just don't get in the way of the eldest daughter and the young mistress."

When Wang heard her talk about her daughter, she always had a strange feeling.

Aunt Pei was usually arrogant and domineering, never taking her, the head of the household, seriously, but strangely, she always sent her own daughter to be trampled under the feet of the legitimate daughter.

But since it involved her precious daughter, Wang didn't say anything more.

Thinking of the poor child Gu Hua, Madam Wang's heart softened a bit, and she instructed, "Madam Pei, prepare a dowry for Gu Hua according to the customary amount for a legitimate daughter of the household when she gets married."

Aunt Pei cried out, "She is born of a concubine, how can she be entitled to the same dowry as the legitimate daughter?"

Wang couldn't understand why Aunt Pei was so cruel to Gu Hua.

She turned to Gu Yuan and said, "My lord, Gu Hua is marrying the Duke of Yong. You see, the Duke of Yong is giving betrothal gifts as if she were his principal wife. If we don't give a suitable dowry, what if the Duke of Yong misunderstands and thinks we're not giving him face? There's no reason for a son's betrothal gifts to be less than his father's, is there?"

Gu Yuan originally agreed with Aunt Pei's opinion that it was unnecessary to spend too much money to marry off an illegitimate daughter as a concubine.

Hearing Wang's words, he deeply agreed: "Madam is indeed very thoughtful. Pei, when preparing Ru'er's dowry for Hua'er, nothing should be missing."

Aunt Pei rolled her eyes.

She, Ru'er, brought a magnificent dowry of ten miles to marry Mu An, using up almost half of her own dowry.

Wang actually wanted her to give that little slut the same amount; how dare she dream on.

Aunt Pei looked dejected and spread her hands: "My lord, look at the household accounts. We simply can't come up with that much dowry. Why don't you ask Madam to contribute her own dowry to make up the difference? When our eldest daughter got married, most of her dowry was covered by mine."

Aunt Pei was pleased with herself, saying that it was precisely because Lady Wang didn't have much of a dowry that the Marquis married her.

Those without money have no voice.

Wang was so angry that her face turned ashen.

But when it comes to money, she gets short of breath.

"As the legal mother, it is only natural for me to add to the girl's dowry."

Gu Yuan, mindful of his reputation, glared at Aunt Pei and said, "Pei, if you don't provide enough dowry for Hua'er, then give her all the shops in your dowry."

Aunt Pei was so angry she felt like she was going to vomit blood.

Wasn't her dowry shop supporting the Gu family?

Otherwise, how could Lady Wang have remained the wife of the Marquis?

Gu Hua was unaware that the Gu family had been thrown into chaos, and even less aware of what everyone in Yongguo was busy with.

All I could see was that red ribbons and red lanterns were being hung everywhere in the mansion, creating a festive atmosphere.

Judging by this display, isn't it clear that he's marrying a legal wife?

Gu Hua felt somewhat downcast.

In the stillness of the night, Jin Kui quietly arrived.

"Second Miss, the eldest Miss and her husband have arranged to meet tomorrow at the Yichun Courtyard with their godson, who is the Chief of the Inner Palace Attendants Department."

Gu Hua immediately perked up; the time for their meeting was exactly the same as the previous one.

"Whom did they take to serve?"

"Just me and Biyu."

jasper!

They actually chose jade.

Biyu had served Mu'an since childhood, and was loyal to him wholeheartedly. How could they give her to that pervert as a plaything?

But that's more like them.

Gu Hua was both excited and anxious.

She was excited because Gu Wanru and Mu An had reconciled and started taking action regarding winter supplies. As long as they made a move, she would have a chance to strike at their root.

What worries me is whether Yinzhi will tell the truth and whether she will be able to reunite with her mother.

Gu Hua couldn't see Mu Junyan all day and wanted to find someone to look for Chi Yan, but she didn't dare to make any rash moves for fear of bothering others.

Seeing that he's about to get married, he definitely won't help her like that again.

In the dead of night, Gu Hua tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Suddenly, a dark shadow blocked the moonlight from shining through the wooden window into the room, startling Gu Hua so much that she almost screamed.

As the person approached, they smelled a familiar, crisp scent.

It is Mu Junyan.

He had never set foot in Ya Yun Pavilion before, let alone now that it was late at night.

Gu Hua quickly closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

She hadn't seen him since returning from the palace, and she was feeling uneasy, unsure of her place in his heart.

When the person stood in front of her bed, Gu Hua had a feeling of wanting to test him.

The man stood by the bed for a long time. Gu Hua felt a powerful pressure and involuntarily moved her body slightly.

Mu Junyan was also acting out of some strange twist of fate.

He was so moved that he wanted to take her as a concubine, and in order to give her more dignity, he personally went to the Gu family to propose marriage.

He didn't know if he was doing the right thing.

After finishing his work and returning to the manor, it was already late at night, but he couldn't help but come over to see if she was feeling better.

He ordered that she not to know that he was preparing to hold a wedding banquet to take a concubine because he was somewhat regretful.

What if it's just wishful thinking on his part?

Wouldn't that harm the little girl?

Mu Junyan slowly sat down on the edge of the bed and gently stroked her cheek.

It tickled her, and Gu Hua couldn't help but move slightly, saying softly, "Donghua, I'm thirsty, pour me a glass of water."

Mu Junyan's hand froze in mid-air as he looked at her in surprise.

The girl still squinted, swallowing hard, seemingly genuinely thirsty.

By the moonlight, Mu Junyan saw the teapot warmed by a small charcoal stove on the coffee table, poured a cup, and handed it to her lips.

Gu Hua propped herself up and took small sips of the drink from his hand.

Mu Junyan watched as a stray hair from her temple slipped into the cup, and naturally reached out to lift the earlobe that had been tucked behind her ear.

The touch of her fingertips made her unable to continue pretending any longer. She looked up in surprise: "Lord Duke, what brings you here?"

"Finish it." Mu Junyan said calmly.

Gu Hua reached out to take the teacup, but her hand was too heavy to hold it, so she had no choice but to lower her head and finish drinking the tea in the cup.

Are you still thirsty?

"I'm not thirsty anymore," the girl's voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum.

Mu Junyan put down his teacup, sat down by the bed, and stared at her in the moonlight.

Should we ask her?

If she regains her status as the legitimate daughter, she can marry into a good family and become their principal wife.

But if she became his concubine, probably few families would dare to marry her, even as a concubine.

He somewhat regretted his impulsive decision.

Gu Hua felt a little awkward, unsure whether she should simply lie down and go to sleep or do something else.

To please him?

She couldn't do it in that state of mind.

"you……"

"country……"

They both opened their mouths at the same time, and then closed them at the same time.

They gazed at each other silently for a moment in the darkness.

Mu Junyan spoke up: "What do you want to say?"

Gu Hua swallowed hard, mustered her courage, and asked softly, "Was the marriage bestowed by the Empress Dowager?"

Mu Junyan raised an eyebrow: "Are you scared?"

Scared?

Sort of.

However, after this period of time, Gu Hua has become able to accept any changes.

As long as she dares to try, there are many paths to Bianjing, and there will always be one that she can take.

"Don't worry. The Duke has a legal wife and someone to take care of him, which is fine."

Mu Junyan rubbed his fingertips together, watching the moonlight fall into the girl's clear eyes, and asked cautiously, "What if I were to take you as my concubine? Would you be willing?"

Gu Hua looked astonished.