After striking them each with a rod, Gu Qinghan still felt unsatisfied and loudly ordered the guards to tie them up.
“Beat them hard on my command! If I find even a single spot untouched later, you will be held accountable!”
“Keep them alive—make sure they stay conscious to feel every bit of it!”
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Qinghan threw the bamboo rod in her hand forcefully at their faces, causing both of them such pain that they nearly passed out.
Upon hearing Gu Qinghan’s orders, the guards dared not spare the two and unleashed all the ruthless techniques they had learned in the military.
The two from the second branch were both furious and terrified. They never expected Gu Qinghan to disregard all norms of propriety and etiquette, publicly assaulting her elders in front of so many people.
The pain on their bodies left them speechless. Each time they were on the verge of passing out from agony, a bucket of scalding water would be poured over them, jolting them back to consciousness.
Another bucket of water was splashed on them. By now, they were delirious, unable to stop moaning.
At that moment, Gu Xu rushed in. Seeing her parents in such a miserable state, a surge of rage robbed her of all reason.
“Stop this at once! Who gave you permission to do this? Get out of my way! Release my parents!”
The guards paid no heed. It had been a long time since they had seen Miss Han so enraged.
Moreover, having heard that the second branch had dared to curse the general defending the border, it was only natural for them to show no mercy. They even felt grateful to Gu Qinghan for giving them this chance to vent their anger. Anyone who dared to curse the general and his wife deserved nothing less!
Gu Xu knew these guards only obeyed Gu Qinghan’s orders, so she pointed at Gu Qinghan and demanded she command her parents’ release.
Before Gu Qinghan could fully vent her anger, she heard Gu Xu ordering her around with such arrogance. She curled her lips into a sneer.
“Seize Gu Xu and beat her! Today, everyone from the second branch who walked in here standing will be dragged out lying down!”
“Gu Qinghan, how dare you!” Gu Xu couldn’t believe she would be so audacious, even flouting the law.
“The laws of this dynasty forbid privately assaulting one’s own clan members or using power to oppress them! Gu Qinghan, aren’t you afraid I’ll report you to the Kaifeng Prefecture?”
Even as the guards tied her up, Gu Xu glared fiercely at Gu Qinghan and questioned her venomously.
She refused to believe Gu Qinghan could defy the law to such an extent!
In response, Gu Qinghan merely scoffed and signaled the guards with her eyes to speed up.
The guards obeyed in unison, treating Gu Xu with the same methods.
During the struggle, a hairpin, some jewelry, and a letter fell out from Gu Xu’s embrace.
Seeing these items, she froze in shock and began trembling all over.
“Ah! Don’t touch them, don’t touch them… give them back to me!”
A guard in the courtyard swiftly picked up the letter and respectfully presented it with both hands.
Gu Qinghan felt the envelope in her hand—the paper was of high quality, unlike ordinary rice paper.
Upon closer inspection, she could even detect a faint scent reminiscent of the rouge and powder used in brothels.
Was Gu Xu involved with someone from a brothel?
Just as she was about to open the envelope, an elderly voice rang out from the courtyard entrance.
“Stop this at once!”
Gu Qinghan looked up and saw the elders of the Gu clan gathered at the entrance, their furious gazes nearly suffocating her.
So they’ve finally shown themselves. No wonder the second branch didn’t fight back—they were waiting for this moment.
From an angle hidden from others, she handed the letter to Chun Tao, instructing her to hide it securely and wait for her return to discuss their next move.
Main Hall of the Gu Residence.
The physician tended to the three from the second branch, with occasional groans and moans echoing in the room.
As for Gu Xu, she might as well have mistaken the Gu residence for a brothel, moaning in pain with such melodious affectation.
“Ouch, be gentle!” The three members of the second branch were all bruised and swollen, yet even in this state, they still couldn’t resist ordering the physician around.
Gu Qinghan couldn’t help but laugh at the scene.
“Gu Qinghan, how dare you laugh? As a junior, you show no respect for your elders and even privately used soldiers to assault them!”
The Grand Elder of the Gu family saw Gu Qinghan’s indifferent expression, as if she didn’t take them seriously at all.
The concubines of the second branch gathered around Gu Jun, their faces looking increasingly distressed, as if they were the ones who had been beaten.
“Master~ does it hurt~”
“Master, even like this, you look so dashing and handsome~”
“Oh dear, Master is in so much pain, why don’t you all step back~ Let me apply the medicine for Master~”
While Gu Jun was still enjoying the attention of his concubines, Gu Xu could no longer hold back.
She had never felt so humiliated, having a father who, at a time like this, was still joking around with his concubines.
The elders cleared their throats a few times, finding the scene somewhat unbearable.
Only then did Gu Jun stand up, trying to appear serious, but with his face swollen like a pig’s head, it was impossible to look dignified—even his features were barely recognizable.
“Esteemed elders, you have all seen it. This Gu Qinghan has no regard for rules, shows no respect for us elders, and even ordered people to beat us up after just a few disagreements! How arrogant!” Gu Jun gritted his teeth in anger and continued, “How can someone like Gu Qinghan manage the vast Gu estate?”
“Yes, General Gu and his wife are often away fighting battles, and no one can discipline Gu Qinghan. She has been spoiled into this state…” Yu Ling chimed in.
The elders exchanged glances before one of them spoke up, “Gu Qinghan, do you admit your wrongdoing? Your actions today were utterly unacceptable. We have decided to let the second branch take charge of the Gu estate.”
Another elder added, “If you sincerely repent, the Gu estate can be returned to you in six months.”
Gu Qinghan sneered and asked, “Are you done? How fair of you, elders. You came in without asking a single question, listened only to the second branch’s one-sided account, ignored their embezzlement of a junior’s property, and didn’t even inquire about their insults toward the general. And now you presume to decide who should manage the Gu estate.”
“You’re not young anymore, and indeed, your thick skin is something we juniors can only look up to.”
“The Gu estate was established by my parents, and all your expenses come from their salaries.”
“Since we’re on the topic today, from now on, the second branch and all the elders will have no financial support from the main branch!”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present showed expressions of shock and fear.
They hadn’t expected Gu Qinghan to act so decisively and without mercy.
Without the support of the main branch, how would the second branch establish themselves in the capital in the future?
“Since when does the Gu family listen to you alone?” Gu Xu shouted angrily.
Gu Qinghan smiled with a cruel yet innocent expression, “It has always been this way. Sister, you didn’t think that just because you attached yourself to me, you’d have a say in the Gu estate, did you?”
“You!”
“If you don’t want to listen to me, you can get out. I will also publicly declare that you have no ties to the main branch.” The delicate face of Gu Qinghan no longer showed the weakness of the past.
Her cold yet stunning appearance left everyone in the Gu estate both fearful and captivated.
“Gu Qinghan, don’t celebrate too soon. I have already invited officials from the Dali Temple to seek justice for us. They should be here any moment! Just wait for your imprisonment. As for the Gu estate, I will guard it for you!”
Gu Jun spoke up to this point, laughing even more unrestrainedly, feeling that victory was within his grasp.
No matter how capable Gu Qinghan might be, would there be any good outcome for violating the law?
From then on, the Gu residence would be under his sole command. After letting her suffer in prison for a while, he would arrange for someone to release her. How could Gu Qinghan ever regain her authority afterward? In the capital, who would dare look down on the second branch of the Gu family!
As soon as his words fell, guards from the Dali Temple stormed into the Gu residence, led by none other than the Chief of the Dali Temple himself!
Gu Jun widened his eyes in shock. Wasn’t the person he had arranged supposed to be the deputy of the Dali Temple? How could such a high-ranking figure have come?
He quickly knelt to welcome them, preparing to lament his grievances.
The Chief of the Dali Temple said coldly, “Gu Jun, Yu Ling, and Gu Xu have bullied their junior, cursed General Gu, and embezzled others’ property. They are hereby arrested.”