Chapter 389: Severe Punishment (1)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“…” The patriarch was about to go crazy. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead like rain, and his white hair was already drenched.
His second grandson had been talented since he was young. At the age of 12, he was studying at the famous Wan Song Academy. Several teachers in the academy said that his second grandson could try in two years.
Their family relied on him, their second grandson, to pass the Imperial Examination. In the future, he would be able to shine.
However, the Emperor blocked his grandson’s path by saying that he wouldn’t be able to take the Imperial Examination for three generations. He was already so old, could he still wait for his great-grandson to come up with something?!
The more the patriarch thought about it, the more anxious he became. He couldn’t care less about others and solemnly kowtowed to the Emperor, making a thud.
He told her everything he knew. “”Your Majesty, it is true that Gu Ce is a legitimate son. The old Marquis had a legitimate wife, Lady Daqi, who passed away due to illness over thirty years ago. Gu Xuan then married Lady Daqi’s younger sister, Lady Xiaoqi, who is now the current Grand Madam.”
“The old Marquis remarried to Lady Xiaoqi when he was stationed in the western province at that time. As Gu Ce was still young then and Lady Xiaoqi was his biological aunt, it would have been difficult for her to be his stepmother. The old Marquis also feared that there would be conflicts between the mother and son, so he kept it a secret.”
“Gu Ce is the legitimate son. When he was three years old, the Old Marquis invited him to be conferred the title of Marquis. The imperial decree that Emperor Taizu issued to confer the title of Marquis is now enshrined in the Gu family’s ancestral hall.”
“The Emperor knows that the Gu family didn’t replace the son of the first wife with a concubine’s son.”
The patriarch spoke as if he was walking on thin ice. Then, he bent down and kowtowed heavily again until his forehead was red and swollen. He was in a sorry state and in a panic. He only hoped that the Emperor would punish the Gu family gently.
The Old Marquis, Gu Xuan, married Lady Daqi 38 years ago. At that time, the patriarch had also traveled far to the west region to attend a wedding. He had also seen Lady Daqi once, just this once.
Five years later, when Gu Xuan returned to the capital from the western province with his wife and children, the patriarch realized that his wife had become a different person. Gu Xuan explained that she was his second wife and was the sister of Lady Daqi. He begged the patriarch not to tell anyone. Although the patriarch felt that it was inappropriate, Gu Xuan had already brought his wife to meet the Emperor at that time. It had already been done, so he could only agree.
Thinking of these past events, the patriarch’s heart was in a mess. He composed himself and said firmly, “Now that this has happened in the Gu family, when I go back, I’ll immediately reopen the ancestral hall and recognize both legitimate and illegitimate children.”
His voice was tense as he humbly pressed his forehead to the ground. He maintained his prostrate posture and didn’t dare to move as he waited anxiously for the Emperor’s verdict.
Madam Gu’s body trembled even more violently. Her old face was pale, and her chest hurt so much that she couldn’t breathe.
The patriarch’s words seemed to have given her a fatal blow in front of everyone.
Her eldest sister had become Gu Xuan’s first wife, while she had been reduced to a second wife. She was an illegitimate second wife who didn’t even have an official title. She would always have to be known as a concubine.
Her elder sister was clearly her substitute, but now, she was going to be suppressed by her elder sister forever.
She was unwilling!
Madam Gu, who was kneeling on the ground, was furious and helpless. She was in a daze and was on the verge of collapse.
The bejeweled crown swayed and attracted the parrot’s attention. The parrot flapped its wings and chirped twice.
A glimmer of hope appeared in Gu Jian’s dark eyes as he stared at the Emperor without blinking.
Using a concubine as a legitimate wife was a huge crime. The Marquis Household definitely couldn’t bear this crime.
As for whether his mother was a stepmother or not, it was a small matter. Be it the first wife or a stepmother, it was just an empty title.
There were priorities. At this moment, he could only make his mother endure her status as the second wife and get through this obstacle first.
The Emperor didn’t speak. He neither agreed nor disagreed. He held the chess piece in the chess box with one hand, as if he was thinking.
Chu Yi took two sips of tea and slowly put down the teacup in his hand. He smiled slightly and suddenly asked, “Gu Yuan, why did you enter the palace this time?”
As soon as he spoke, it was like a spring breeze that melted the ice and snow.
Gu Yuan was about to answer when Gu Jian rushed to say, “Your Highness, 1 think my mother’s actions are inappropriate. Brother Yuan is my nephew. The Emperor will decide Feng He’s matter. I’ll bring Brother Yuan along to persuade my mother to go back.”
Gu Jian tried his best to smile and push all the responsibility of this memorial to Madam Gu. He only hoped that the Emperor would be lenient and gently let it go.
“Your Highness, we’re splitting up the family.” Gu Yuan cupped his fists and replied Chu Yi calmly..