Volume 1, Chapter 14: To Outshine Gu Changning

The whip struck Gu Xingchen again and again, the pain causing him to cry out loudly.

Mrs. He wanted to step forward to plead, but Gu Jingyu stopped her with a firm hand. “Big Brother is still angry and now this involves the Du family. If you plead now, it will only make things worse.”

“Then are we just going to watch Xingchen suffer?” Mrs. He said, heartbroken.

“If you don’t want to drag our second branch down, you’d better keep quiet,” Gu Jingyu said coldly. The triumphant look on Third Brother Gu Jinghuai’s face was already enough to irritate him.

Mrs. He had no choice but to fall silent.

“Uncle, I painted…” Gu Xingchen, battered and bruised, struggled to explain. Suddenly, a small stone thrown by Bizhu hit his ticklish spot, and he burst into uncontrollable laughter.

His laughter only enraged Gu Jinghe further. “Ungrateful child! Being used as a pawn and you can still laugh? Hit him harder!”

The whip’s force intensified.

Once Gu Xingchen had received the punishment he deserved, Gu Jingzhi finally spoke slowly, “Big Brother, it is my failure for not disciplining Xingchen properly. Please don’t let this anger harm your health. I will be more strict with him from now on.”

Gu Jinghe knew that if the beating continued, this rebellious child would either die or be crippled.

So he ordered the men to stop, his anger still boiling. “You ungrateful child, if you’re this reckless again, I’ll beat you to death.”

With that, Gu Jinghe tore the painting to shreds and stormed off.

Seeing her son beaten, Mrs. He pleaded desperately with Li Nanzhi to allow her to take Gu Xingchen to Hanmei Residence to recover.

Gu Jingzhi felt the beating would teach Gu Xingchen a lesson. If he returned to Hanmei Residence, he would surely be spoiled by Second Sister-in-law again, rendering the punishment pointless.

So he refused outright.

Gu Jingyu could not understand Gu Jingzhi’s good intentions and thought he was deliberately targeting Gu Xingchen.

Li Nanzhi, amused to see the rift between the second and fourth branches, spoke reluctantly, “Since Gu Xingchen has been adopted by the fourth branch, he must follow their arrangements. But as his birth mother, Mrs. He may visit and care for him anytime.”

Given Mrs. He’s fiery and unreasonable nature, it was better for her to spend more time around Qingzhu Residence.

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This time, Gu Jingyu and his wife utterly despised Gu Jingzhi and Gu Changning.

Back at Haitang Garden, Bizhu looked at Gu Changning with admiration. “Miss, you’re truly amazing. With just a few words, you cursed the Gu family on behalf of Gu Xingchen. But I don’t understand why the Marquis reacted so strongly over just a painting.”

“The Marquis naturally cares about the Gu family’s rise and fall,” Gu Changning pouted, speaking as if it were nothing. She couldn’t say that in her previous life, General Du had oppressed Gu Jinghe for decades, which was a lifelong burden on his heart.

Gu Xingchen constantly angered his father, worsening his illness. This was just a small punishment.

At Qingzhu Residence, Tingyu Pavilion.

“Ouch, it hurts so much! You watched me get beaten and didn’t even care. When I inherit the property, don’t expect anything from you.” Despite being cared for by his biological mother who didn’t even bother to button his clothes properly, Gu Xingchen had no kind words.

Mrs. He scolded him, “Even if you’re mischievous, you shouldn’t have mocked your uncle. If your father and I had pleaded, you’d have been beaten even worse.”

“I clearly painted Gu Jingzhi and that jinx!” Gu Xingchen defended stubbornly.

Only then did Mrs. He realize she had fallen right into Gu Changning’s trap. After reporting this to Gu Jingyu, he was furious.

“Gu Changning, that jinx—I underestimated her. She actually played a ‘kill with a borrowed knife’ trick. It seems our innocent Xingchen is no match for her. He might be harmed before Gu Jingzhi meets an untimely end.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s tell Big Brother and Second Sister-in-law. Big Brother must give Xingchen an explanation,” Mrs. He said indignantly.

“Uncle, it’s already a miracle that Big Uncle hasn’t blamed our second branch. Bringing this up now would only bring trouble,” Gu Xingyu, eldest son of the second branch, said calmly.

“So you mean we just have to silently suffer this injustice?” Gu Jingyu felt uneasy thinking about how Gu Changning, that unwanted jinx, had tricked them.

Gu Xingyu sneered, “Gu Changning loves playing little tricks. Let’s show the entire Gu family how clever she really is.”

“If we let her show off, won’t your brother be even more at a disadvantage?” Mrs. He was puzzled.

Gu Xingyu frowned disdainfully.

Gu Jingyu scolded harshly, “You fool, can’t you tell he’s being sarcastic?”

After berating Mrs. He, Gu Jingyu asked, “Xingyu, do you have a good plan?”

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“Ten days from now is the Gu family academy’s assessment day. According to tradition, all Gu descendants must participate. It’s time to let Gu Changning show her face.”

A gleam shone in Gu Xingyu’s eyes. This assessment would not only embarrass Gu Changning, but also win him the highest honors.

Gu Jingyu patted Gu Xingyu’s shoulder approvingly. “That’s why you’re so clever. Gu Jingzhi’s pride is his talent. Let’s show everyone how crude and unworthy his treasured daughter really is.”

The idea to have Gu Changning participate was brilliant, but the second branch couldn’t bring this up. Without much thought, Gu Jingyu went to find Third Brother Gu Jinghuai.

“Second brother, what a surprise. What wind blew you here?” Since the adoption ceremony, their contact had lessened.

“Third brother, it’s a blind man’s luck that Old Fourth didn’t choose the clever and lively Changle. Don’t think our second branch has gained much. Look at Xingchen—since joining the fourth branch, all he gets is beatings and punishments. I never would have imagined that little Gu Changning has such power.”

Gu Jingyu’s self-pity made Gu Jinghuai feel better. Like the second brother, he disliked Gu Changning. Without her, it would be his family’s Changle being pampered.

“The assessment is soon. Make sure your Changle prepares well, so everyone knows who the real Miss Gu is.”

With that, Gu Jingyu swaggered away, leaving Gu Jinghuai confused in the wind.

“Wife, what exactly does second brother mean?” Gu Jinghuai was baffled.

“What he means isn’t important. This assessment can’t be taken lightly. From today, besides studying with the tutor, I must give Changle extra lessons. With our status, only by excelling can she stand out.

You should tell Big Brother that Gu Xingchen and Gu Changning, now both children of the fourth branch, must also participate in the assessment to avoid gossip.”

Gu Jinghuai’s eyes brightened. “You are truly clever, wife. With Gu Changning as the foil, Changle will shine even brighter and show Gu Jingzhi how foolish it was not to choose her.”

Song’s eyes flickered; she desired far more than just that.