No wonder she had caused such havoc at the Gu residence that day, yet today she appeared dressed in mourning attire. I had originally thought she realized her mistake and was using her elder brother’s funeral to apologize by wearing mourning clothes. Little did I expect her schemes to be so ruthless.
Today, the Gu family’s reputation, built over many years, was utterly destroyed by her hands. That mourning attire she wore was likely intended solely to bid farewell to her father and brother.
After piecing everything together, Gu Chuan wished he could tear Xiao Fuguang to pieces. He struggled desperately, trying to break free from his restraints, but could only lie helplessly on the ground, enduring the excruciating pain and humiliation of each strike from the rod.
The murmurs and jeers from the surrounding crowd were like sharp blades, slicing away at his dignity and pride, piece by piece.
With Gu Chuan being beaten like this, he likely wouldn’t be able to see Gu Shan off. Seeing that much time had already been wasted, Gu Xiu spoke coldly.
“Escort General of Martial Virtue up the mountain.”
Zhuang Linan glanced at Gu Chuan, who was still being beaten, gritted her teeth, and finally followed Gu Shan’s coffin. If she didn’t see Gu Shan off now, the gossip in the imperial city would surely drown her.
What a mess this was. Madam Gu also wiped her tears and followed Gu Shan’s coffin.
The Gu family’s funeral procession finally set off.
Meanwhile.
On the second floor of a tavern, the Fifth Prince, Xuanyuan Su, stood by the window, teacup in hand, watching everything unfold.
“Xiao Fuguang… quite interesting…”
Zhou Mingyu, standing beside him, spoke up.
“Indeed, quite interesting. Just moments ago, she was so weak she could only lean on her maid, yet now she can keep up with the funeral procession.”
“Moreover, she feigned weakness with every word, but her maid’s words were sharp and incisive, each sentence exposing the Gu family’s lack of benevolence and righteousness.”
“Today, the Gu family has likely become the laughingstock of the imperial city.”
Upon hearing this, the Fifth Prince looked at Gu Chuan, who was being beaten, and slowly remarked.
“That’s what the Gu family deserves. A man who lays hands on a woman and even commits fratricide—such behavior is utterly contemptible. However, this Xiao Fuguang seems quite different from the rumors.”
Zhou Mingyu nodded in agreement.
“Indeed. Her every move has been meticulously calculated, showcasing the Xiao family’s unyielding spirit while skillfully pushing the Gu family into a corner. However, this means the Xiao and Gu families are now sworn enemies. I fear there will be no peaceful resolution in the future.”
Xuanyuan Su set down his teacup, his gaze profound.
“What does it matter if they become enemies? The Xiao family has always been loyal and heroic. Though they have now declined, their prestige remains. Moreover, with the Prince Regent backing them, what can the Gu family do? Still, I am curious. My royal uncle has always been rumored to be a cold-faced, ruthless god of death. Why would he intervene in the Xiao family’s affairs?”
With the Prince Regent accompanying them, many officials who had originally come to the Gu residence for the funeral now followed behind the Xiao family’s funeral procession. The scene was extraordinarily grand, with countless commoners trailing at the back, reminiscing about the heroic deeds of General Xiao and Young General Xiao.
Xuanyuan Jing walked alongside the Xiao family’s funeral procession, his expression solemn and dignified. His presence undoubtedly bolstered the Xiao family’s confidence and made everyone present realize that the Xiao family was not without support.
After General Xiao and Young General Xiao were laid to rest, Madam Xiao knelt before their graves, weeping bitterly.
Xuanyuan Jing glanced at Xiao Fuguang, who was kneeling beside Madam Xiao.
“Leave a few people to escort the Xiao family back to the city.”
Then, he quietly departed.
Gu Residence.
After Gu Chuan was beaten with the board, the servant called the house physician to apply medicine. The men under the Prince Regent’s command had acted personally, showing no mercy at all. Gu Chuan lay on the bed, gritting his teeth in pain, his hatred for Xiao Fuguang deepening even further.
The house physician carefully treated his wounds, each touch making him gasp sharply.
“Young General, your injuries are quite severe. You must rest well and avoid moving around for some time.”
The physician bandaged him while offering advice.
Gu Chuan gnashed his teeth and cursed.
“It’s all because of that wretched Xiao Fuguang! I won’t let her off!”
“Today, she has dragged the Gu family’s reputation through the mud. She won’t escape unscathed.”
In the palace.
The Emperor looked at the Prince Regent and spoke grimly.
“Is such a thing truly possible?”
Xuanyuan Jing spoke slowly.
“All the ministers who went to the Gu residence to offer condolences today witnessed and heard it with their own ears. Gu Chuan indeed murdered his elder brother and attempted to kill his wife. It was only out of pity that the ministers present saved Miss Xiao. I happened to be there and, after confirming the details with the Imperial Censor, granted Madam Xiao’s request for a mutual divorce. I ask Your Majesty to issue an Imperial Decree of Divorce.”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor nodded solemnly and said.
“The Prince Regent speaks wisely. Such wicked deeds must not be tolerated. I shall draft an edict immediately, granting Xiao Fuguang and Gu Chuan a mutual divorce and announcing it to the world. From this day forward, Xiao Fuguang and Gu Chuan shall have no further ties.”
With that, the Emperor picked up his brush and swiftly wrote the Imperial Decree of Divorce, stamping it with the imperial seal.
“Su Ping, deliver this to the Xiao and Gu families tomorrow for proclamation.”
Xuanyuan Jing, however, reached out and took the decree.
“Your Majesty, today I personally promised Madam Xiao that I would seek an Imperial Decree of Divorce for Miss Xiao. Allow me to proclaim the decree to the Xiao family on Your Majesty’s behalf, as a gesture of honoring your grace and keeping my word.”
The Emperor glanced at him.
“Since when has the Prince Regent become so concerned about others?”
Xuanyuan Jing replied slowly.
“The Xiao family’s sons have died in battle, leaving only widows and orphans. If the court does not support them, there will surely be those who flatter the powerful and bully the weak, seeking to bring misfortune upon the Xiao family.”
Well, since the Xiao family is now merely an empty shell, and the Prince Regent has nothing to gain from them, Emperor Xuanyuan nodded.
“The Prince Regent is indeed thoughtful. In that case, I shall trouble you to make the trip.”
At the Gu residence.
Zhuang Linan returned and immediately went to see Gu Chuan, as did Madam Gu, who rushed over anxiously.
“Chuan’er, how are you?”
Gu Chuan endured the pain and spoke.
“Mother, do not worry. Your son is fine.”
“It’s only superficial injuries. I’ve suffered worse on the battlefield and pulled through.”
“But today’s beating was truly humiliating.”
Madam Gu looked at Gu Chuan’s back with heartache, her eyes filled with hatred.
“It’s all because of that Xiao Fuguang, a woman with a heart of snakes and scorpions! How could our Gu family have married such a person!”
Hearing this, a flash of ruthlessness crossed Gu Chuan’s eyes.
“Mother, rest assured. I will never let her off. In this lifetime, Gu Chuan and she are locked in a fight to the death.”
Zhuang Linan spoke up from the side.
“Sister-in-law must now hate the Gu family to the bone. With her first move today, she plunged the Gu family into peril. Who knows what schemes she has in store for us next.”
Suddenly, a voice rang out.
“Today, Xiao Fuguang indeed caused the Gu family to lose face, but wasn’t this leverage something you yourselves handed over?”
“Gu Chuan, Zhuang Linan, shouldn’t you properly explain what happened with that letter?”