Xiao Fuguang spoke word by word, her voice choked with sobs yet ringing with unmistakable clarity in the ears of everyone present.
Zhuang Linan’s face turned pale. Although she had indeed exchanged some letters with Gu Chuan, the contents could never have been what was described.
“This is impossible, absolutely impossible. This is slander, sister-in-law. You must have been deceived.”
Seeing this, Gu Chuan looked at Xiao Fuguang with eyes full of coldness.
“Xiao Fuguang, have you gone mad? I have never written such a letter. Come here and give me that letter.”
Xiao Fuguang clutched the letter tightly, her entire body trembling faintly from crying too hard.
“Gu Chuan, at this point, do you still want to deny it? How could I possibly mistake this handwriting, this tone? I once believed that although we spent little time together, our feelings were sincere and pure. I never imagined you harbored such filthy thoughts in your heart.”
The surrounding crowd began to point and whisper, murmurs rising and falling one after another. For a moment, the Gu family became the target of public criticism.
Gu Xiu’s face turned ashen. He had lived an honorable and upright life, never expecting to suffer such humiliation in his later years.
Madam Gu’s face was even paler. Could it be that her eldest son was truly killed by her second son and daughter-in-law conspiring together?
“Enough!” Gu Chuan roared angrily, attempting to command the situation with his authority. “Xiao Fuguang, you have lost your mind!”
Perhaps driven by rage and desperation, Gu Chuan charged toward Xiao Fuguang, trying to snatch the letter from her hand.
Xiao Fuguang dodged to the side and moved directly into the crowd.
“Gu Chuan, is it me who has lost my mind, or you who are worse than a beast? You know the answer in your heart. Didn’t you insist you never wrote such a letter? Then let everyone present see it. So many officials have come to pay their respects; surely some are familiar with your handwriting.”
At that moment, an elderly man dressed in civil official robes slowly stepped out from the crowd. Holding a cane, his face stern and dignified, it was none other than the current Censor-in-Chief, Lord Zhao, renowned for his integrity and impartiality.
“Young General Gu, although I am old, my eyes are still clear. This matter concerns the reputation of the General of Martial Virtue and even the dignity of the court. I believe it would be best to let all the officials present examine the letter together to determine its authenticity.”
“I have also seen Young General Gu’s handwriting before. The Censorate oversees all officials; allow me to take a look.”
Before Gu Chuan could react, Xiao Fuguang had already handed the letter to Lord Zhao.
“My lord, since you have seen my husband’s handwriting, please examine this. See if it is indeed his, lest I wrong my own husband.”
Lord Zhao took the letter and scrutinized it carefully, his brow furrowed. The air around them seemed to freeze, everyone holding their breath in anticipation.
After a long while, Lord Zhao slowly raised his head and fixed his piercing gaze on Gu Chuan.
“Young General Gu, I can confirm that the handwriting on this letter is undoubtedly your own.”
These words fell like a massive stone into a lake, stirring up waves upon waves.
The murmurs in the crowd instantly erupted into an uproar, with accusations, gasps of shock, and sighs of pity intertwining.
Gu Chuan’s face turned exceptionally grim. “It’s simply impossible. I could not have written such a letter.”
Zhuang Linan also cried out from the side, “This is forged, absolutely forged. My relationship with Chuan is pure and innocent.”
Lord Zhao handed the letter in his hand to the official beside him.
“Lord Zhou, please take a look as well. When the victory report was delivered earlier, you also saw Young General Gu’s handwriting.”
Lord Zhou examined it and said, “This is indeed Young General Gu’s handwriting.”
He then passed it to another official, “Lord Li, you should also take a look.”
As more and more people present examined the letter, all confirmed it was written by Gu Chuan.
Everyone’s expressions toward Gu Chuan and Zhuang Linan changed—filled with mockery, sarcasm, and accusation.
“What a despicable man.”
“Exactly, with so many women in the world, he actually covets his own sister-in-law.”
“The Gu family is ruined, raising such a beast.”
“Poor General of Martial Virtue, to have died in a scheme plotted by his own wife and brother.”
In an instant, the Gu family’s reputation, built over many years, was utterly destroyed, becoming the laughingstock of the entire imperial city.
Gu Chuan recalled every letter he had ever written in his life—he was certain he had never written this one.
At that moment, Xiao Fuguang’s gaze sharpened as she looked at Gu Chuan.
For some reason, Gu Chuan suddenly heard Xiao Fuguang’s voice.
Gu Chuan, how does it feel to be utterly disgraced?
Do you like this gift?
Amid the crowd’s murmurs, Gu Chuan lunged at Xiao Fuguang, raising his hand to strike her.
“You vile woman, it was all your scheme, wasn’t it?”
The moment Gu Chuan’s hand touched Xiao Fuguang, she was sent flying backward.
“Ah—” Xiao Fuguang fell heavily to the ground, letting out a pained groan.
“Pfft…”
She spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, her face growing even paler as she looked at Gu Chuan with utter despair in her eyes.
“Gu Chuan, after all our years as husband and wife, you actually tried to kill me. What have I done wrong? All these years, while you were entangled with your sister-in-law at the border, I stayed in the imperial city, caring for your mother and managing the Gu family’s affairs. Now that your scandal has been exposed, instead of comforting me, you try to kill me. Do you even have a heart?”
This scene left everyone present utterly shocked.
They looked at Gu Chuan, unable to help but frown.
“Gu Chuan, how dare you strike someone in public!” Lord Zhao roared angrily, never expecting Gu Chuan to act so recklessly.
Gu Chuan frowned and looked at his hand. He hadn’t even had time to exert force—how could she have been thrown so far and even spat blood?
Xiao Fuguang’s eyes were bloodshot. Facing Gu Chuan’s bewildered gaze, her expression turned cold, even carrying a fleeting hint of triumph.
Gu Chuan, how does it feel to be condemned by everyone?
Indeed, he had heard Xiao Fuguang’s voice again. Seeing her provocative gaze, Gu Chuan completely lost his composure.
“You vile woman, it’s all your fault! I’ll kill you!”
With that, he charged toward Xiao Fuguang. She rolled on the ground to avoid his attack, crying helplessly.
“Ah, help! Someone help!”
As Gu Chuan completely lost control, the scene descended into chaos. Several officials hurried forward to restrain him, fearing the farce would escalate into an uncontrollable violent incident.
Lord Zhao was especially furious.
“Gu Chuan, you actually dare to assault your lawful wife in public. Your wife is also the descendant of a loyal family—the legitimate daughter of General Xiao.”
Supported by an official, Xiao Fuguang stood up, appearing so weak she might collapse at any moment, weeping with heart-wrenching sobs.
“Gu Chuan, I know that with my father and brothers fallen in battle, the Xiao family now lacks men to uphold its standing. In your eyes, we are no longer worthy of the Gu family. If you truly resent me for hindering your affection with your sister-in-law, you could simply write a Divorce Agreement. What you should never have done is slander my father, claiming he arrived too late to save your elder brother.”
“It was you and Zhuang Linan who, through your illicit affair and scheming, caused your brother’s death. My father and brothers also gave their lives in battle, yet upon your return, you repeatedly accuse and blame the Xiao family for your brother’s demise, making me feel guilty. Gu Chuan, how can you so shamelessly distort the truth?”