Chapter 823 - 826: Notification

Chapter 823: Chapter 826: Notification

Although he voiced his disgust, Shi Laiyun knew that the only reason he had been flattered and sought after by outsiders all these years was because of his maternal relatives, the Gu family.

Now that his eldest uncle had publicly severed ties on behalf of their mother, it meant the Shi family was finished.

Shi Dayong glared viciously at the mother and son. "You’re both useless! You can’t achieve anything, but you ruin everything. I told you to persuade the old man, and this is how you go about it?

"Now look at us! Our family has become the biggest joke in all the surrounding villages. Anyone who was considering a marriage alliance with us has run off!

"I told you a long time ago not to be too reckless. Look at what you’ve done!"

Shi Dayong roaring so fiercely at her was a first since Gu Yuanfeng had married into the Shi family, and she found it hard to accept.

Enduring the pain, she propped up her upper body. "Husband, you were right there when Laiyun and I discussed this. You didn’t say a word against it back then."

Shi Dayong drove the carriage straight over a pothole without slowing down. "Does not saying anything mean I agreed?"

The violent jolt elicited a miserable scream from the mother and son. However, Shi Dayong seemed energized by this; he deliberately drove into every pothole he saw. By the time they arrived at the Shi family home, the mother and son couldn’t even make a sound.

Little did they know, their true suffering had only just begun.

Gu Wenheng sat with his brothers, discussing who should be the one to tell the old lady about what had happened.

Gu Wenheng felt it was impossible to hide and saw no need to keep it a secret. "The old lady has probably guessed it by now anyway. Just because we don’t say anything doesn’t mean it didn’t happen."

"I think Old Seventh makes a good point," Gu Yuanshui said. "Better to rip the bandage off. Besides, Gu Yuanfeng brought this entirely upon herself. If it weren’t for the fact that we share the same mother, I would have sent her to the authorities."

Gu Yuanmu hesitated. "But Mother is still sick. Why don’t we hold off for a few days?"

"Hold off for a few days?" Gu Yuanhuo retorted. "And let Mother suffer another blow later? Or will you be the one to tell her then?"

Gu Yuanjin stepped forward, standing in the center of the brothers. "Enough, there’s nothing to argue about. I’ll go and beg Mother for forgiveness myself in a moment."

He was the one who signed the document, so it was best he came forward.

Gu Wenheng stood beside him. "I’ll go with Eldest Brother."

The others chimed in, "Then let’s all go together." So, they had argued for nothing.

When they all stood before Li Cuicui, no one dared to speak first.

Even Gu Yuanjin, who had always been the responsible one, opened his mouth several times but couldn’t bring himself to say a word.

Li Cuicui smiled bitterly. "You don’t need to hide it anymore. Tell me, how did the clan handle it?"

Seeing that the others had no intention of speaking, Gu Yuanjin somberly relayed the outcome.

"This is already quite good. At least they spared her life," Li Cuicui said. Whenever she thought about the matter these past few days, she had considered the worst-case scenarios.

Severing ties and enduring a beating might not even be enough to make Gu Yuanfeng realize her mistakes.

"You don’t need to look at me like that. I may be old, but I’ve seen my fair share of things.

"The clan has already shown mercy. This is for the best."

At this moment, Gu Wenheng spoke up. "Mother, handling it this way was my idea. It actually could have been a lighter punishment."

The other Gu Family Brothers were rendered speechless.

Li Cuicui fell silent for a moment before continuing, "I understand. This is already very good. If it were any lighter, she wouldn’t learn her lesson and would just cause another disaster sooner or later."

Gu Wenheng remained silent.

"I’m not being sarcastic," Li Cuicui said, looking at her sons. "I’ve seen everything Yuanfeng has done over the years. Out of respect for me and your father, you brothers have tolerated far too much. This outcome is fine.

"You’ve all been tired these past few days. Go back and rest. I don’t need anyone watching over me."

"Then I’ll have Granny Song come in and keep you company," Gu Yuanjin said. "If you need anything, just have them tell us."

Li Cuicui agreed with a smile. It wasn’t until everyone left that she pulled the blanket up, covered her face, and cried silently.

"Are you sure we don’t need to stay and keep her company?" Gu Yuantu asked worriedly as they stood in the courtyard.

Gu Wenheng led the way out. "Give Mother some time."

Gu Yuanjin sighed and followed him.

Gu Yuanshui followed silently behind, and Gu Yuanhuo followed closely as well.

Gu Yuanmu and Gu Yuantu, who had remained where they were, glanced back at the side room. Granny Song had already gone in, and two maids were guarding the door. Only then did they leave with worried expressions.

Jin Qianqian was somewhat confused. "Why did you take the blame for this? The initial decision to handle it this way was the clan’s idea anyway.

"You just went with the flow. Why tell the old lady and upset her?"

"Gu Yuanfeng’s thought process isn’t like normal people’s," Gu Wenheng explained. "If we don’t resolve this decisively once and for all, she’ll just keep pestering us in the future.

"We’ll be spending less time at home from now on, and I don’t want to be left cleaning up her messes later.

"Isn’t this better? We cut ties completely in one fell swoop.

"As for mentioning it to the old lady, I did that on purpose.

"It was to put her mind at ease. After all, Gu Yuanfeng has caused trouble for us time and time again, and the disaster she stirred up this time practically tarnished my reputation.

"When I visited her the past few times, she always looked at me with guilt. By being the one to suggest punishing Gu Yuanfeng, Mother can feel a bit more at ease and hopefully lessen her guilt."

Jin Qianqian fell silent.

"Well, the family matters are settled, but I wonder when the response to your Ding You memorial will be approved and sent down."

Gu Wenheng was also wondering the same thing. Given the distance between the two places, it should have reasonably arrived by now.

If they didn’t receive word today, it would be time to send someone to Shangjing to ask around.

In Qingzheng Hall.

Hua Shunming summoned the Crown Prince and had Le San pile a stack of memorials on the desk before him. This was a daily task the Crown Prince had to face ever since he was officially invested.

Following his usual routine, the Crown Prince personally sorted all the memorials by region.

"Crown Prince, don’t busy yourself with reviewing those memorials just yet," Hua Shunming suddenly beckoned with his hand. "I have a memorial here that you should read first."

Crown Prince Hua Zhang walked over and respectfully received it. "Yes, Imperial Father."

When he opened the memorial, he froze.

"Do you find it strange?"

"Your subject is simply a little surprised," Hua Zhang replied.

"This isn’t the first time your uncle has submitted this memorial. By all rights, he hasn’t reached the age of retirement yet. Doing this repeatedly—is he dissatisfied with me?"

Hua Zhang quickly knelt to beg forgiveness. "Please calm your anger, Imperial Father. Uncle surely has no such intention.

"I heard Imperial Mother mention in the past that Uncle has fought on the battlefield for many years and suffers from many hidden ailments. His body truly must be unable to hold up anymore."

"Is the Crown Prince complaining about me, thinking that I’ve mistreated your uncle’s family?"

Cold sweat broke out on Hua Zhang’s forehead. "I would never dare. This is simply what I understand to be true.

"The Imperial Hospital has records of his pulse diagnoses. I would not dare speak recklessly."

Hua Shunming stared at the top of his head for a long while before finally saying, "Rise!"