Chapter 820 - 823: Enduring

Chapter 820: Chapter 823: Enduring

In the past, she could remain emotionally detached from the Emperor, steadily fulfilling her duties as the Empress. She would amuse herself with the concubines and manage palace affairs, simply enduring day after day.

However, ever since the Eldest Prince was named Crown Prince, she felt like every single day was a torment. Not only did she have to double her guard against the schemes within the harem, but she also had to raise her vigilance toward the Emperor to the absolute maximum. She restrained her temper, no longer daring to act as recklessly as before, terrified of causing trouble for the Crown Prince.

She and her brother had long guessed that Hua Shunming would place great trust in Gu Wenheng. Over the years, they had subtly been building a good relationship with him. Coupled with the few nannies she had previously helped dispatch to his household, they had built up a solid foundation of goodwill. If Gu Wenheng could support the Crown Prince, it would be a tremendous asset.

The questions the Holy Emperor asked just now were not merely testing her attitude, but also serving as a warning. No matter how many thoughts swirled in her mind, she had no right to show them now.

"Your Majesty, you must take good care of your health right now. Both the Crown Prince and the Second Prince need you," Nanny Xu said.

Empress Zhou’s brows twitched slightly, her heart still palpitating with lingering fear. "I know. Pass down the order for everyone to keep their mouths firmly shut. Not a single word of what happened today is to be leaked."

"Yes." Nanny Xu knew that countless eyes were watching from outside the palace. By now, people were probably already trying to pry for information.

"Nanny Xu, do this..." Empress Zhou whispered some instructions into Nanny Xu’s ear. The master and servant exchanged a glance, their expressions returning to normal as they went back to the tasks at hand.

On the Crown Prince’s end, it wasn’t until his resting period that he received the message from the Central Palace. A flash of worry crossed his eyes as he sighed silently.

It was true that there was no father-son bond in the Tian Family. Ever since he was conferred the title of Crown Prince, he could no longer see approval in his royal father’s eyes; even the occasional smiles had completely vanished. His mother had been dragged into this because of him, living an exceptionally arduous life in the palace these days. She had to be extremely cautious with every step she took, terrified that a single mistake would send them both plunging into a bottomless abyss. But he had no way out now; he could only live each day with the utmost care.

***

Gu Wenheng remained completely oblivious to these palace affairs. The exhausting and complicated funeral procedures left him with no time to worry about anything else. After selecting a prime burial plot and laying the old man to rest, he was summoned to the ancestral hall by several clan elders before he could even sit down for a moment of respite.

They had held back their anger before simply out of respect for the dead. Now that Gu Dashi was buried and at peace, it was time to bring certain matters out into the open.

Gu Sanbu was particularly furious about the situation. This incident had occurred right during Gu Wenheng’s transfer period, and the potential negative impact was unimaginable. He sat in the seat of honor, leaning on his walking stick, while the newly appointed Clan Leader, Gu Yi, sat just below him.

"I’ve repeatedly ordered you all to strictly discipline the children of the clan, especially Gu Yuanfeng. I had already warned her several times before, yet you brothers still let her run wild!" Gu Sanbu glared at the Gu brothers, tapping his walking stick incessantly against the brick floor.

"For a married-out daughter who damages the family’s interests like this, we unanimously suggest severing all ties," Gu Dafa stood up and said through gritted teeth. If women were included in the clan genealogy, they would have officially expelled her from the clan this time.

Gu Yuanjin and the others remained silent. After all, they still had Li Cuicui above them in the family hierarchy, and ever since the incident with the old man, she had been bedridden. Even if they agreed with the clan’s handling of the matter, they still had to take their mother’s feelings into consideration.

"What? Don’t tell me you’re still shielding her now?" Gu Datian raised his voice when he saw the brothers keeping quiet.

"No," Gu Yuanjin quickly answered on behalf of his brothers. "It’s just that we’ve been so busy with our father’s funeral these past few days. We only know that Gu Yuanfeng brought over alcohol that day, but we haven’t asked what exactly happened at the time.

"Do you think we should call her over and clarify the details?"

Being born of the same parents, Gu Yuanjin still wanted to fight for a chance for Gu Yuanfeng. She had indeed been quite unreasonable over the years, but it shouldn’t have been to the extent of taking Gu Dashi’s life.

"Let me explain this matter," Gu Yi stood up at this moment. As the Clan Leader, he had already sent people to investigate. "That day, Gu Yuanfeng wanted Brother Dashi to step forward and ask Mr. Gu to take Shi Laiyun under his wing so the boy could secure a good future.

"She had Shi Laiyun go to the town to buy alcohol and food, and she personally cooked several meat dishes. Shi Laiyun figured out a way to distract everyone around Brother Dashi, and she took the opportunity to bring the food and drink inside.

"According to her, because Brother Dashi hadn’t had a drink in a long time, he would ask her for alcohol every time she visited her maiden home. Besides wanting to ask Brother Dashi for a favor, she claimed she also wanted to show some filial piety."

"Bullshit!" Gu Dafa cursed at the top of his lungs. "As if she’d have that kind of filial piety!

"Brother Dashi had been lying on that heated brick bed for so many years; I don’t believe for a second that she didn’t know why the family banned those things.

"She’s a selfish and self-serving person, yet she still tries to put herself on a pedestal.

"Anyway, a menace like her has already married into the Shi family, so it’s better to cut ties with her as soon as possible."

"Dafa, this matter can’t be brushed aside so easily. Don’t forget that it wasn’t just Gu Yuanfeng involved in this; the shadows of the Shi family father and son are also lingering here," Gu Le Gao spoke up to remind him. "If the Shi family father and son hadn’t been fanning the flames from behind, I doubt Gu Yuanfeng would have dared to act so recklessly."

"Regardless of whether she was instigated by someone else, she can’t escape her share of the blame for this." Gu Sanbu shot a displeased look at Gu Le Gao. It was fine to be protective of their own, but they had to consider the circumstances.

"We can no longer keep Gu Yuanfeng around. From now on, the Gu family has no such daughter," Gu Sanbu announced the decision he had made long ago. "Gu Yi, notify all of Fu County. The unfilial daughter Gu Yuanfeng has severed all ties with the Gu family. She is no longer permitted to act under the name of a married-out daughter of the Gu family."

Gu Yuanshui stood up at this moment and gave everyone a deep bow. "Grandpa Sanbu, please quell your anger. Gu Yuanfeng deserves this punishment, but the nature of this charge..."

The Gu family had more than just Gu Yuanfeng as a married-out daughter. His own daughter, as well as the fifth brother’s Lebao, would also have their reputations dragged down.

Gu Yuantu realized this as well and quickly stood up. "This..."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Gu Sanbu asked. "This matter absolutely cannot be easily swept under the rug."

"That makes things difficult." Gu Shulin looked at Gu Wenheng with a troubled expression, wanting to know if he had any brilliant ideas, but the latter just kept his head down, staring at the tops of his shoes.

Gu Wenheng thought about how he had walked a bit too much these past few days. These new shoes had already worn down not long after putting them on. What a waste... As for reputation, given his current situation, it made no difference whether it was a little better or a little worse.

"Wenheng," Gu Sanbu called his name, his voice exceptionally gentle. "How do you think this should be handled?"

Gu Yuanshui and Gu Yuantu both fixed their gazes on him.

"This is a family matter," Gu Wenheng replied. "It is still up to you elders to make the decision."

Gu Sanbu knew clearly that he had already sent his Ding You petition to Shangjing. Gu Dashi’s passing this time probably caused the most damage to him. Even if Gu Sanbu was angry inside, he had to endure it in front of Gu Wenheng to prevent him from feeling even more disgruntled.

Little did he know, what Gu Wenheng hoped for was the exact opposite. He was even praying in his heart that Shangjing would quickly approve his Ding You petition, allowing him to stay home in peace and be a filial son.