He tended to believe that his son had suffered partial mory damage, leading to so kind of fantasy or illusion. After all, at such an age, he was in his rebellious phase, with many strange thoughts every day.
And indeed, a girl did save them, but the part about a bear spirit possessing him was imagined by his son, perhaps unable to bear the blow of his mother’s passing.
This conclusion by his father made Gu Yan disagree, and he was unwilling to see the doctors anymore, locking himself in his room, allowing no one in except for the servant delivering als.
"Father, I see you seem more invigorated today. Spending more ti in the sun would help your recovery. How can your illness improve if you’re always cooped up in your room?"
Seeing his daughter approaching, as elegant as a flower under the scorching sun, Gu Ming felt a deep sense of comfort.
Right, he hadn’t yet seen his daughter find a suitable husband. How could he die? If she were bullied, who would stand up for her?
Thinking of this, he said amiably, "From now on, father will listen to you."
Gu Qingqing brought out a bowl of silvery, thick bird’s nest and white fungus soup from the tray and placed it on the stone table in the center of the yard, beckoning her father, "Co quickly and drink while it’s hot. This is the bird’s nest soup your daughter personally watched over for half a day."
"My dear Qing’er knows how to care for her father, unlike that boy, who has beco unrecognizable and ignores everyone since he returned."
"It’s not all your fault, Father. You’re usually too strict with Ah Yuan. Actually, he’s quite well-behaved; you should be more understanding with him."
Gu Qingqing looked sorrowful and spoke lancholically, "Mother’s death was too much for him. If we continue to reprimand him, it might be even harder for him to co around."
Ah Yuan always believed he had a responsibility for his mother’s death, locking himself in the study all day long and refusing to be disturbed.
All day, he either read, practiced writing, or swordplay, remaining silent, causing everyone around to feel heartache.
"That rascal brought it on himself, serves him right."
"His health has only just improved these past couple of days; I’m really worried he can’t handle it. During Mother’s mourning ceremony, he knelt for two days and two nights until he passed out from exhaustion. It was with great difficulty that he got better, so how can he keep wearing himself out?"
As Gu Qingqing spoke, she couldn’t help but wipe away her tears. Yan’er was still so young, burdened with so much, yet as his elder sister, she couldn’t help him, making her feel utterly useless.
"Alright! Stop worrying about that boy. If a man can’t overco even such setbacks, how can he carry forward Fuxi Castle in the future?"
Gu Ming’s consistent educational belief was to raise his son strictly and his daughter with tenderness.
That’s why he was particularly harsh on Gu Yan, yet now Gu Yan couldn’t live or learn normally.
He was also helpless, only hoping ti would wear away his son’s pain.
In reality, wasn’t it the sa for him?
At that mont, an elderly couple, their hair snow-white, approached under the escort of their servants.
"Grandmother, Grandfather, you’re here," Gu Qingqing called sweetly.
The white-haired old man looked at his granddaughter with a kindly smile, jesting, "Qing’er only cares about her father but not her grandfather. You didn’t even prepare bird’s nest soup for this old man, playing favorites!"
"Grandfather, please don’t tease Qing’er. This bird’s nest soup is too sweet. The doctors have told you to avoid sweets. How about tomorrow I make you ginseng chicken soup instead?"
"Alright, alright, Qing’er is so filial. Grandfather will wait for your ginseng chicken soup tomorrow then."
Ever since Siniang’s passing, the two elders were deeply affected, aging significantly. Smiling faces had been rare.
It was only in the presence of their beloved granddaughter that they felt at ease again.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, please have a seat," Gu Ming invited the two elders.
"Qing’er will leave you to discuss important matters with Grandfather and Grandmother, and I shall take my leave first."
Granny Feng gently patted Gu Qingqing’s hand, smiling, "Good child, try to persuade Yan’er more."
Gu Qingqing nodded, dusted her sleeves, and withdrew, supported by her maid.
Once their granddaughter left, the couple’s expressions turned serious imdiately.
"The people behind the scenes have been identified as Pri Minister Yu and the Ouyang Family, plotting together to bring down Fuxi Castle and your influence in the court."
"I am deeply grateful for all the trouble Father-in-law and Mother-in-law went through during this period." Saying this, Gu Ming stood up and offered the elders a deep bow.
"You’re too polite, my dear son-in-law. You’re like half a son to us now. With Siniang gone, you’re our only reliance, so we’re family; there’s no need for such formality," Mr. Feng sighed.
"Indeed, it looks like they won’t give up easily. If you wish to return to the court, it will be fraught with difficulties," Granny Feng said earnestly.
Although Fuxi Castle was solidly fortified, being an excellent place for convalescence, her son-in-law didn’t belong here; he had a vast sky to soar in.
They couldn’t be of much help now. Both Pri Minister Yu and the Ouyang Family were formidable opponents; vengeance would require careful planning.
Gu Ming knew well that only by returning to court could he contend with Pri Minister Yu, and as for the Ouyang Family, Fuxi Castle would serve as the counterbalance.
"I have also collected so evidence against the Chancellor’s party, but not yet enough to bring him down. This ti, he has acted against soone he shouldn’t have; I vow to make his whole family pay with blood."
The feud between Fuxi Castle and the Ouyang Family traces back to twenty years ago when the Ouyang Family, seeking refuge from vengeful enemies, sought Mr. Feng’s assistance. At that ti, Fuxi Castle lacked the financial and material resources it has now and was constrained by Luoxia Manor. Mr. Feng, considering many factors, did not help, breaking off ties. Despite grievances, the Ouyang Family maintained peace.
Who would have thought that five years later, their young master had eyes for Feng Siniang, assuming the old favor of Mr. Feng’s might lead to a quick agreent to their marriage proposal, as it was the best step to nd relations.
Unexpectedly, Feng Siniang was unwilling to marry a man of unknown character and appearance, leaving a letter for her parents and taking off to see what kind of man Ouyang Li was.
The couple thought it would be good for her to see for herself, after all, it was her life partner they were talking about.
She ended up eting the young and promising Gu Ming, becoming deeply smitten and insisting on marrying only him. The couple couldn’t refuse their daughter’s pleas and went to the Ouyang Family to annul the engagent. As expected, the rage of the Ouyang Family Master was imnse, accusing Fuxi Castle of deceit and treachery.
Combined with past grievances, the Ouyang Family, feeling humiliated, grew to despise Fuxi Castle.
Especially after Ouyang Li ascended as Family Master, his desire for revenge against Gu Ming, who took his woman, was unceasing.
That had been minor scuffles, but the collaboration with Gu Ming’s archfoe, Pri Minister Yu, was ant to utterly ruin them. Were it not for the mysterious girl’s rescue, the outco could have been different.
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