Chapter 25: The Wrath of Ning Caiyong

Ding Xingfeng’s hearty laughter echoed through the hall, snapping the stunned others back to reality. But their return to consciousness felt more like a curse than a blessing.

The Gu family members wore bewildered expressions, overwhelmed by an immense sense of absurdity and unreality.

This outcome... was simply astonishing, utterly ridiculous!

If Gu Fangchen truly shared Gu Yuye’s bloodline, then what had that entire day and night before meant?

Were they merely being theatrical?

Moreover, if Gu Fangchen was indeed Gu Yuye’s biological son, then the latter’s previous aggressive stance—once thought to be anger—now appeared profoundly foolish.

Foolish is putting it mildly; in truth, it was pure stupidity!

Gu Yuye had first acknowledged Gu Yuandao, then openly clarified his relationship with Gu Fangchen, effectively exposing his own scandal without reservation.

It was madness!

Ning Caiyong finally came to her senses, her delicate frame trembling as she looked at Gu Yuye as if seeing her husband for the first time.

Their marriage was a union between two powerful factions, lacking deep affection and marked by long separations.

Yet after all these years, having borne a son and two daughters, there remained at least a glimmer of genuine feeling in her heart.

Ning Caiyong was an exceedingly traditional woman. The lady of Jiange had passed away early, and since childhood, she had managed the household alone, with only four men holding significant places in her life: her father, her brother, her son, and her husband.

Her two daughters, due to their connection with Gu Fangchen, were not especially close to her.

In essence, Gu Yuye constituted a quarter of her life.

She had believed that her feelings for Gu Yuye were reciprocated.

Husband and wife are one flesh—even if disputes arose because of Gu Fangchen, and Gu Yuye had uttered such cruel words, Ning Caiyong had only felt disappointment, thinking she had idealized him from her sheltered world.

Compared to the role of "husband," Gu Yuye was better summarized as a "Military Saint."

In the matter of Gu Fangchen, his unwillingness to compromise naturally meant resorting to his own methods.

Once she understood this, Ning Caiyong quickly adjusted her perspective.

Although she was heartbroken and embarrassed that Gu Yuye had used such tactics against her, decades of feelings could not simply vanish overnight.

Partly, this was because she knew it was a deliberate act by Gu Yuye, not genuine suspicion.

With Gu Yuye’s spies everywhere in the mansion, how could he not know what was happening within?

This suspicion was baseless, a drifting weed without root.

It was merely a weapon he wielded to shake Ning Caiyong.

To her, this was just the first real quarrel after becoming husband and wife; once resolved, all would return to normal.

Yet now, her face drained of color, a burning fire seemed to consume her chest and mind, leaving her whispering almost inaudibly.

She had only just accepted that Chen’er was not her child, and in the blink of an eye, he was declared Gu Yuye’s bloodline?

If Gu Yuandao was the child she and Gu Yuye had borne nineteen years ago, then who was Gu Fangchen’s mother?

Clearly, there was a woman between them who had never been revealed.

-----

"Absurd! Utterly absurd! This is nonsense! Under the emperor’s nose, someone has the audacity to alter fate? Investigate! Investigate immediately!"

Gu Yuye’s face darkened as he reached out and gripped the vivid red thread of fate suspended in the air, snapping orders to the nearby soldier, his fury barely contained.

He was nearly foaming with rage.

The usually stoic Military Saint no longer cared about decorum; he lifted his head and cast a cold, suspicious gaze at his eldest daughter.

Gu Youren’s brow twitched, a chill piercing her spine as if sensing murderous intent.

But in the next moment, the chill vanished, like a figment of her imagination.

Dazed, she looked again—Gu Yuye’s eyes held only deep anger and disappointment.

The Northern Prince took a deep breath and sternly reproached:

"Youren, what have I taught you? Think thrice before you act. Before you reveal such a result, did you not consider the possibility of being manipulated by villains?"

There was not a trace of hesitation in Gu Yuye’s tone.

Of course, this time, he truly had been set up—

He knew very well whether he and Gu Fangchen shared blood ties.

But that knowledge nearly cost him his composure.

The matter had reached the stage of final judgment, and suddenly the table was overturned—who could endure such a blow?

Gu Youren was momentarily stunned, then overwhelmed with shame.

Indeed, the situation was so extraordinary that she had spoken out without full consideration.

But if fate could be concealed, it could also be altered; what if this was another scheme, and she had been used?

Yet, with her mastery of fate and destiny divination, she could tell if the thread of fate had been tampered with.

Still, unwilling to believe her father capable of such deceit, she hesitated and lowered her head, biting her lip:

"Sorry, Father... I was thoughtless."

Gu Yuandao and Gu Lianqian, shaken but relieved, felt as if a great danger had been averted.

Yes, fate could be altered.

Surely someone had laid a poisonous trap to ruin their father’s reputation!

Ding Xingfeng chuckled darkly:

"Is it really a villain’s plot? I’m not so sure."

Gu Yuye’s expression remained impassive:

"Did the elder back then also think being framed was 'not so sure'?"

So ruthless!

Gu Fangchen gasped; Gu Yuye truly knew how to strike where it hurt, hitting Ding Xingfeng’s sore spot directly.

In the past, Ding Xingfeng would have fallen silent.

But Gu Fangchen’s presence brought hope for vindication, so now he was less bitter about the matter.

-----

Ding Xingfeng sneered:

"I had no proof back then; when the emperor blamed me, I accepted it outright. The Northern Prince, however, was arrogant—no proof needed, he could twist truth and falsehood with a single word and clear himself completely."

The old man extended his gaunt finger to tap the thread of fate.

"If you say this fate is false, then prove it to everyone."

"Gu Yuye..."

After a long silence, Ning Caiyong stepped forward, lifting her head to meet her husband’s gaze with stubborn resolve:

"Like the elder said, prove it to me."

"Weren’t you determined to prove Chen’er isn’t your son? Now’s your chance!"

Gu Yuye drew a deep breath and exhaled slowly:

"Caiyong, this is false..."

Ning Caiyong’s beautiful eyes brimmed with anger; unable to contain herself, she spoke with measured determination:

"Prove it to me! Or I will pack my things, sign the divorce papers, and take Chen’er back to Jiange!"

This matter had crossed her bottom line for the first time; no gentleness could tolerate the possibility that her husband had a child by another woman.

Moreover, he might have deliberately let her raise Chen’er...

This was utter humiliation!

Gu Yuye narrowed his eyes, casting a cold glance at the composed Gu Fangchen, who watched the spectacle with interest.

"Yuandao, Youren, come with me."

With a wave of his hand, the shattered remains of the boxes before the hall turned to dust, and he turned to leave.

Those left behind exchanged glances, knowing that although Gu Yuye said nothing, the trial of Gu Fangchen today was suspended, left unresolved...

Gu Fangchen curled his lips slightly, steadied Ning Caiyong, and comforted her:

"Mother, don’t be angry. No matter what, I will always be your son."

"Chen’er..."

Ning Caiyong placed her hand on her chest, which heaved with emotion. Gripping Gu Fangchen’s hand, her frail body, having endured such emotional upheaval, suddenly relaxed and her vision darkened.

The disheartened beauty felt her strength give way, and she collapsed.

"Mother!"

Gu Fangchen instinctively called out and quickly caught her limp form.

The fragrant scent enveloped him. Ning Caiyong’s head tilted, her cheek pressed against his neck, tears streaming down.

Gu Fangchen hesitated, then raised his hand to wipe away the remaining tears on her face.

——

P.S.: Only one update tonight; another will come during the day. Please forgive me as I adjust my schedule. If it gets too difficult, _(:з」∠)_