Chapter 82

In the Gu family, whether they truly cared about Gu Chengyi or not, they did not dare to show any negligence since the old patriarch was concerned about this case...

In the Criminal Hall of the Dali Temple, as they listened to the lawyer speak eloquently, pointing out the evidence that the constables had overlooked, and then following the evidence to catch the real culprit, the Gu family's men all felt a sense of pride, their faces involuntarily showing a hint of smugness...

When the constables, following the lawyer's instructions, caught the real culprit, the Gu family members were all so excited that their eyes turned red. It wasn't that they cared much about Gu Chengyi, but the sense of involvement gave them a great sense of achievement.

Although the Dali Temple was embarrassed, the case was clear, and even if they were unhappy, they had to announce Gu Chengyi's innocence and release him on the spot.

Xian Qihou knew that the authorities had arrested the wrong person, and before the Dali Temple made the final judgment, he went to apologize to the old patriarch. The old patriarch did not make it difficult for him, but he did not look pleased either. He just grunted and then took the Gu family's men back home.

Gu Chengyi was dazed. When he heard that he was sentenced to twenty years, he felt like he was dead. Now that he was free, he couldn't accept it all at once.

"Father..." Gu Chengyi hugged Uncle Three and cried bitterly.

"Good child, good child..." Uncle Three tightly hugged Gu Chengyi, unable to speak for a long time. He just pushed Chengyi to bow to the old patriarch.

Gu Chengyi was still in a daze. Whatever Uncle Three told him to do, he did. The old patriarch felt a pang of sympathy: "Good child, it's all right now."

"Grandfather..." Gu Chengyi's dull eyes finally showed some life, and he choked out a call, hugging the old patriarch and crying...

He was scared, so scared!

He was only twelve years old, and he thought he would spend the rest of his life in prison. He never imagined that he was innocent and could be free.

Uncle Three tried to take Gu Chengyi away, but the old patriarch stopped him. The old patriarch personally led Gu Chengyi to the carriage: "Good child, don't be afraid. With Grandfather here, Uncle Three, you come too."

"Yes, Father." Uncle Three quickly got into the old patriarch's carriage, leaving the Duke of Gu and Uncle Two and their sons outside, which made them furious...

"Father, Grandfather, I was so scared. I thought I would never be able to go home again." Gu Chengyi's voice was hoarse from crying, his black hands tightly gripping the old patriarch and Uncle Three, afraid that if he let go, he would be back in that dark, dirty prison.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. With Grandfather here." The old patriarch patted Gu Chengyi's greasy hair, not minding the dirt, and held him in his arms.

To be honest, Gu Chengyi was benefiting from Qiancheng. If it weren't for Qiancheng's recent closeness to the old patriarch, the old patriarch would never be so kind to his grandchildren.

The old patriarch comforted Gu Chengyi all the way, and when he saw that Gu Chengyi's mood had calmed down, he said, "Chengyi, you were able to come out safely this time, all thanks to your sister Qiancheng. You should thank her when we get home."

The old patriarch really wanted to do something good for Qiancheng. Girls would rely on their fathers and brothers after they married. Qiancheng couldn't rely on her biological father or her half-brother, so the old patriarch wanted Chengyi to remember Qiancheng's kindness and support her in the future.

"Qiancheng sister?" Chengyi looked at his grandfather and then at his father, confused.

In his memory, Qiancheng sister, who always kept her head down like a little mouse, could save him?

The old patriarch gave Uncle Three a look, and Uncle Three immediately told Gu Chengyi the whole story. Uncle Three also hoped that Chengyi would get closer to Qiancheng and learn from her, of course...

Not the autopsy part.

"Qiancheng sister is so amazing." Gu Chengyi's face showed admiration, and the impact of his imprisonment was greatly reduced.

Seeing that this approach worked, the old patriarch continued to praise Qiancheng's abilities on the way, telling him how she outsmarted him and how many times he had been outwitted by her.

Gu Chengyi became even more admiring of Qiancheng, but he didn't say it out loud. Instead, he flattered the old patriarch: "Although Qiancheng sister is amazing, Grandfather, you are even more amazing. If Grandfather didn't let Qiancheng sister win, she wouldn't have been able to."

"You little rascal." The old patriarch was pleased and spoke even more enthusiastically. However, as soon as they entered the Gu family estate, before they could let Chengyi change his clothes, a servant stopped them, saying that Qiancheng had caused trouble and was hiding in the old patriarch's study, refusing to come out even when the old lady ordered her. The old patriarch was furious...

"The young lady of the Gu family cannot be criticized by you servants. Take him away and beat him." It was the first time the old patriarch had truly shown Qiancheng's status in front of the servants.

"Please spare me, please spare me, I was just following the old lady's orders. I know I was wrong." The servant was dragged away, shouting for mercy, which made the old patriarch even angrier: "Gag him and beat him hard."

The Duke of Gu and Uncle Two wanted to speak up for their mother, but they dared not open their mouths when they saw the old patriarch's stern face.

"Uncle Three, take Chengyi back. His mother must be worried. We won't have a banquet tonight. Let Chengyi rest well. We'll have a family banquet tomorrow to celebrate." The old patriarch originally wanted to have a celebration, but seeing the old lady's behavior, he lost his enthusiasm.

"Yes, Father." Uncle Three was about to leave with Gu Chengyi, but Gu Chengyi hesitated: "Grandfather, can I go see Qiancheng sister after I clean up?" He wanted to thank Qiancheng sister as soon as possible.

He wasn't stupid. From his father's words, he could tell that if it weren't for Qiancheng sister's intervention, he would have been charged with murder, and the Gu family wouldn't have stood up for him.

"You're a good child. Your father will take you. Qiancheng sister will be having dinner with Grandfather tonight, and you can join us." The old patriarch was making it clear that he wanted everyone to see Qiancheng and Chengyi's status in the family, so they wouldn't be underestimated.

"Thank you, Grandfather." Gu Chengyi bowed and left with Uncle Three. The Duke of Gu and Uncle Two, however, hesitated to leave. The old patriarch grunted and was about to leave when he heard Uncle Two's son, Gu Chenghuan, say, "Grandfather, I have a gift for Third Brother. Can I go with them?"

Although the old patriarch was unhappy with his sons, he didn't take it out on his grandson. He smiled at Gu Chenghuan and said, "Chenghuan can come too. You'll have dinner with Grandfather tonight."

"Thank you, Grandfather." Gu Chenghuan was delighted, and Uncle Two was also pleased, leaving only the Duke of Gu and Uncle Two silent.

Gu Chengzhi was still resentful of the old patriarch after being scolded last time. Although he didn't say anything, his eyes kept drifting to the old patriarch, hoping he would invite him to join. But who was the old patriarch?

He had always been the one to be flattered by his grandchildren. Would he lower himself to please a child?

If Gu Chengzhi had spoken up, the old patriarch might have allowed it, but Gu Chengzhi, a child, was acting more haughty than the old patriarch. The old patriarch wouldn't be happy at all. He gave Gu Chengzhi a cold look and walked to his courtyard without a word...

"Father." Gu Chengzhi pulled on the Duke of Gu's hand, feeling wronged. The Duke of Gu, who couldn't bear to scold his legitimate son, said, "Don't mind those lowly people. The future of the Gu family will be in your hands."

Gu Chengzhi finally cheered up...

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