Chapter 47

After finishing the last character, Gu Qiancheng rubbed her sore wrist and walked to the window to look at the scenery outside the courtyard...

When Mama Sun was around, she would certainly come in at this time to remind her to stop writing, so as not to strain her eyes. But now, who would do that?

Although Lady Third had replaced her with a new batch of capable maids after taking over the household, Gu Qiancheng felt that no matter how well-trained the maids were, none of them could compare to Mama Sun. Apart from Mama Sun, there was no one in the manor she could trust, not even Old Lady Zhao, whom she had asked to manage the courtyard.

At this moment, Gu Qiancheng finally understood why Lin Daiyu, the fairy from the outside world in "Dream of the Red Chamber," would lament, "Three hundred and sixty days a year, the wind and frost are harsh and relentless."

If it weren't for Lady Gu being under house arrest, with Second Lady and Third Lady in power, without Mama Sun's care, she probably wouldn't even get a warm meal in Lady Gu's controlled back courtyard.

Gu Qiancheng sighed softly, and while the maids helped her wash her hands and serve her meal, she thought about what to do if Uncle Three's line of influence couldn't help her leave the Gu family.

She was no longer young, and given the Duke of Gu and Lady Gu's disgust with her, if the old master didn't protect her, she would soon be married off.

Of course, with her current reputation and Lady Gu's disgust, she would certainly not be married into a good family. Most likely, she would be sent to a remote place, never to return, and die far from home.

While Gu Qiancheng was worried about her future, Uncle Three was also worried about his son...

Gu Third's only son, Gu Chengyi, was twelve years old this year and attended the prestigious Donglin Academy in the capital. Although he wasn't exceptionally talented, he was diligent and studious, and it was certain that he would pass the imperial examinations one day.

Gu Chengyi was the most promising child among the grandchildren of the Gu family, and he had always been Uncle Three's pride. But this morning, he was told that his son, whom he had placed great hopes on, had committed murder, killing his classmate in an extremely cruel manner. He was now in jail and would soon be sentenced.

When he heard this news, Gu Third was completely stunned. He couldn't accept this fact—how could his son possibly commit murder?

After regaining his composure, Gu Third stumbled out to find out the details of the case from the authorities and to visit his son in jail.

The evidence against Chengyi was extremely unfavorable. The crime scene had only Chengyi's and the victim's traces. When he was discovered, Chengyi was still holding the murder weapon, which was embedded in the victim's heart.

All the evidence pointed to Chengyi, and the most terrifying part was that Chengyi himself didn't know if he had committed the murder, as he was drunk.

For Third Lord and Third Lady, this was like a bolt from the blue. When Third Lady heard the news, she fainted, and when she woke up, her tears never stopped: "Lord, Chengyi... How could Chengyi commit murder? It must be a mistake by the authorities. I don't believe it, I don't believe Chengyi would commit murder."

"I don't believe Chengyi would commit murder either, but the evidence is clear," Uncle Three said, looking as if he had aged decades in an instant, with white hair sprouting at his temples. "Even Chengyi doesn't know if he committed the murder."

Tears welled up in Uncle Three's eyes: "The victim is the second son of Lord Xianqi, and Lord Xianqi has vowed not to let the murderer off easily."

"Lord... Save Chengyi. He's only twelve, he's still a child. How could he commit murder? Lord, you work in the Ministry of Justice, please ask them to investigate again. Our Chengyi wouldn't commit murder." Third Lady wept uncontrollably, crying as if she were dying: "Lord, let's go to the old master and ask him to intervene and save Chengyi. Chengyi wouldn't commit murder."

Even with the clear evidence, Third Lady refused to believe that her son could commit murder.

"It's no use," Uncle Three shook his head heavily. "The evidence is very unfavorable for Chengyi. If we can't prove that Chengyi didn't commit the murder, no one's intervention will help. The eldest son of the Feng family and Lord Jing were both present, and the Donglin Academy won't let the murderer go unpunished for the sake of its reputation."

"Ah..." Third Lady cried out in pain, "How could this happen, how could this happen? How could Chengyi commit murder? I don't believe it, I don't believe it. This must be a slander. I will sue them, I will sue them."

As she spoke, Third Lady rushed out...

Her son was her life, and at this moment, she couldn't care about her image or dignity.

"Lady..." Gu Third was shocked and quickly followed her out, but after a day of running around and with his only son involved in a murder case, he was exhausted, both physically and mentally, and couldn't keep up with Third Lady.

"Lady, stop the lady."

Gu Third was afraid that Third Lady would get into trouble and tried his best to catch up. In the outer courtyard, he saw Third Lady being held back by the servants and the Duke of Gu with a grim face.

As soon as the Duke of Gu saw Gu Third, he scolded him: "Third, you are becoming more and more out of line. Not only did your son commit murder, but your wife is also causing a disturbance. Do you think the Gu family has lost enough face?"

The Duke of Gu, feeling humiliated by the previous incident, seized this opportunity to get even.

"Brother, be careful with your words," Gu Third respected his elder brother, but when it came to his only son, he couldn't tolerate his brother's slander. Third Lady was even more furious, shouting, "My son did not commit murder."

"Hmph... Whether he committed murder or not, the authorities will decide. How can you, a woman, speak so recklessly?" The Duke of Gu looked at Gu Third with disdain. "Third, control your wife. Don't let her go around spreading rumors and disgracing the Gu family."

"Brother, Chengyi wouldn't commit murder. I beg you..." Gu Third's veins bulged with anger, but thinking that his son needed the Duke's influence to be saved, he suppressed his anger and humbly begged the Duke. However, before he could finish, the Duke interrupted him.

"Third, the innocent will be cleared, and the guilty will be punished. The authorities won't let a criminal go free, nor will they wrong an innocent person. You work in the Ministry of Justice, don't you know this?" The Duke of Gu looked righteous, scolding Gu Third sternly. "Third, the law applies to everyone, including the emperor. Don't be foolish and do something that will make the empress and the Fifth Prince difficult."

The Duke of Gu made it clear that he would not intervene to save Gu Chengyi.

Gu Third looked at the Duke of Gu in disbelief: "Brother, Chengyi is your nephew."

"If my nephew committed murder, I won't cover for him. Murder must be punished," the Duke of Gu said lightly, but his words were deeply hurtful.

Gu Third and Third Lady, like wounded beasts, stared fiercely at the Duke of Gu and roared, "My son did not commit murder."

"Third, what are you doing? Don't be rash," the Duke of Gu was frightened by Gu Third's fierce appearance and tried to scare him by mentioning the old master.

"Third, let me tell you, this is the old master's word. The old master said that Chengyi's case is too big, and the victim is the second son of Lord Xianqi. If the Gu family uses its power to suppress the case, the empress and the Fifth Prince will be in a difficult position. But don't worry, the old master promised to have someone secretly take care of Chengyi after the verdict is handed down..."