flstandardbreds Chapter 174 Young Master Gu, be careful what you say.
Chapter 174 Young Master Gu, be careful what you say.
Gu Junze did not reach out to take the wine cup offered by the King of Zheng. Instead, he leaned back slightly and calmly rested himself in his wheelchair.
He raised his eyes, his gaze calmly meeting Zheng Lin's, and his thin lips parted slightly: "Since he acknowledges me as his father, then this young master..."
He paused deliberately, the drawn-out tone like an invisible hook, instantly piquing the curiosity of those around him.
Upon hearing this, Zheng Lin's eyes, which had been smiling, narrowed instantly, becoming as sharp and dangerous as a cheetah eyeing its prey.
Gu Junze is deliberately taking advantage of me.
If he recognizes Yun-ge as his son, wouldn't he be a generation younger for no reason?
A surge of anger welled up in Zheng Lin's heart, but he still maintained a faint smile on his face. However, the smile no longer had the previous friendliness and had become cold.
“Young Master Gu, be careful what you say,” Zheng Lin said, his voice low and carrying a subtle warning.
Gu Junze's lips curled into a faint smile. "Taking care of him is my duty. The Emperor of Zheng's politeness makes this young master somewhat apprehensive."
The tone, seemingly humble, was actually full of mockery and provocation.
It's astonishing how formidable the Gu family father and son are. First, there was the Marquis of Anyang who defied the Great General Wang, and now the Heir Apparent Gu has taken on the King of Zheng...
Chu Ruohan sat to the side, taking in the subtle exchange between the two.
She naturally guessed who they were talking about; no wonder the little one had been keeping it a secret. She couldn't help but frown...
After the palace banquet, Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze rode in a carriage and slowly drove back, the carriage filled with a tranquil atmosphere.
Chu Ruohan asked, "When did you find out?"
Gu Junze sighed softly, raised his hand to gently rub his temples, and looked slightly tired. "The Shadow Guard just sent back a message."
"The state of Zheng is in turmoil, with various forces constantly fighting each other. Yun-ge'er, the youngest son of the old king, is the legitimate heir... During the siege, he escaped with the protection of his attendants."
"Those assassinations against him before were all perpetrated by people with ulterior motives, who wanted to capture him and use him as leverage to control the situation in Zheng."
Gu Junze continued, "The King of Zheng came here in person this time specifically to bring him back."
"Then Yun-ge'er..." Chu Ruohan was extremely anxious, but the words were choked up by her inner unease as soon as they left her mouth.
Gu Junze gently squeezed her hand back and said softly, "Don't worry, the current king is Yun'er's own brother. Although there are many disputes in the royal family, blood is thicker than water, and he would never easily harm Yun'er."
From the people secretly protecting Yun-ge outside the Marquis of Anyang's residence, it was clear that he would not harm Yun-ge.
Chu Ruohan nodded slightly, but her brows remained furrowed. She recalled Yun-ge'er's innocent and carefree smile, his unguarded demeanor, which she could never reconcile with the power struggles and intrigues of the palace.
"But in the palace, people's hearts are unpredictable. Yun-ge is still young, innocent and kind. How can he fight against those with ulterior motives?" she said worriedly.
Gu Junze sighed softly and gently pulled Chu Ruohan into his arms. "Since he has come to pick up people, he must have cleaned up all the traitors and rebels. When Yun-ge'er returns to Zheng, I will also arrange for reliable people to keep an eye on his situation."
Chu Ruohan leaned on Gu Junze's shoulder, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
The night was as dark as ink, with countless stars scattered throughout.
The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the vermilion gate of the Marquis of Anyang's residence.
For some reason, Gu Cheng'an found himself here.
He stood to one side, looking somewhat disheveled, his hair a little messy, and his clothes covered in dust, as if he had been traveling for a long time.
After the carriage stopped, he subconsciously looked up and bumped into the Marquis of Anyang, who was getting off the carriage.
"father……"
Gu Cheng'an murmured, his voice tinged with caution and a hint of unspeakable weariness.
Marquis Anyang raised his eyes and coldly swept his gaze over Gu Cheng'an, as if he were looking at a stranger.
His lips moved slightly, but in the end he only snorted coldly, said nothing, and turned to stride into the mansion.
That cold snort was like a sharp knife, piercing straight into Gu Cheng'an's heart, causing his body to tremble involuntarily.
At this moment, Chu Ruohan pushed her wheelchair past Gu Cheng'an, her mind preoccupied with Yun Ge'er's affairs, and she didn't notice him at all.
Gu Cheng'an watched their retreating figures, gave a self-deprecating laugh, a laugh filled with bitterness.
I feel like an outsider in this family now.
So he turned around and prepared to leave.
"What? You couldn't survive out there and want to come back?"
A mocking voice came from behind. Gu Cheng'an paused, knowing without turning around that it was Gu Chengyan.
Gu Cheng'an slowly turned around, looked at Gu Chengyan, and a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes: "Chengyan, I..."
He was about to explain when Gu Chengyan interrupted him without hesitation.
"What are you?"
Gu Chengyan took a few steps forward, stood in front of Gu Chengan, crossed his arms, and wore a disdainful sneer on his face.
"You left so carefree back then, why are you back here all slinking away? The outside world must be tough for you."
His tone was sharp, each word like salt sprinkled on Gu Cheng'an's wounds.
Gu Cheng'an clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and tried to stay calm.
"Chengyan, I know you have grievances against me. It was wrong of me to leave back then."
"That sounds nice!" Gu Chengyan sneered. "He abandoned everything for a woman, and now he wants to come back. He's so selfish and greedy."
"When you were having sex with that Du guy, did you ever think about what kind of life your mother was living in the mental hospital?"
"Mother, who is she...?"
Gu Chengyan interrupted him directly, "Are you saying that Mother deserved her fate?"
"Anyone can say that, but not you. Your mother has done so much so that you could inherit the title."
Gu Cheng'an's face turned deathly pale instantly, his eyes filled with pain and struggle.
He bit his lower lip tightly, as if trying to suppress the surging emotions in his heart. After a long while, he finally spoke with difficulty: "This title should have been inherited by my elder brother."
His voice was hoarse, with a hint of sobs, “My elder brother… is more suitable than me. He has been more outstanding than you and me since childhood. I have never thought of competing with him for this title.”
"Why should I? That cripple doesn't deserve it," Gu Chengyan approached and lowered his voice, "Since you don't want this title, then I'll take it!"
His eyes gleamed with resentment and ambition: "If you don't want it now, then never come back to fight for it."
After saying that, he turned and walked into the mansion, leaving Gu Cheng'an standing there alone, watching his back.
As the night wind blew by, the two brothers ultimately embarked on completely different paths.