Chapter 742: Why Are You Coming Back Now?

Editor: Henyee Translations

Upon hearing Gu Shuxue’s explanation, Ye Qingzi couldn’t suppress a derisive snort. “No wonder they remained in exile from the capital for two decades. Committing such a disgraceful act, they still have the audacity to return?”

Gu Shuxue responded diplomatically, “Grandpa is advancing in years. His greatest desire is to be surrounded by family and witness their happiness.”

Ye Qingzi’s tone grew brusque. “I suspect your grandpa’s faculties are waning. Could he possibly still entertain the idea of Gu Zhaoming inheriting the family legacy?”

A flicker of discomfort crossed Gu Shuxue’s features.

Uncertain of her grandfather’s intentions, she pondered the possibility. Despite her father’s considerable contributions to the family, her grandfather had consistently denied him the opportunity to assume leadership.

Compared to her unreliable Third Uncle, her father undoubtedly possessed superior qualities. Yet, her brother, Gu Shuda, proved a disappointment—a frivolous playboy preoccupied with trivial pursuits. In contrast, her cousin, Gu Shuzhi, exhibited far more promise.

Her only hope lay in the forthcoming birthday banquet, where she aimed to overshadow Gu Shuzhi and demonstrate to her grandfather that the second branch was not lacking in capable successors. Only then might her father stand a chance at inheriting the family legacy.

In the modern era, gender equality prevailed, granting women the opportunity to ascend to leadership roles within the family.

In the esteemed circle of the Eight Great Clans, Tong Rao, the matriarch of the Tong Family, held sway as an emblem of feminine strength—an admirable figure whom Gu Shuxue revered deeply.

As Gu Shuxue gently coaxed Ye Qingzi with tales of yore, she discreetly dispatched a message to her father, apprising him of her encounter with Gu Zhaoming.

Meanwhile, within the opulent confines of the Gu family’s banquet hall, festivities abounded with guests mingling and toasts resounding.

Seated at the forefront of the main table, a venerable figure with snow-white hair commanded attention—a testament to the enduring authority of the Gu family’s patriarch, Old Master Gu Hongwei.

Beside him, gathered the most distinguished guests, each holding sway in the capital or bearing close ties to the Gu family—among them, esteemed elders and direct descendants.

Old Madam Gu and Old Master Gu occupied prominent positions, their presence anchoring the event.

Suddenly, a waiter approached Old Madam Gu discreetly, murmuring a few words into her ear. A ripple of unease flickered across her countenance, causing her wine glass to slip from her grasp and clatter onto the table.

Old Master Gu, initially lost in his solitary reverie of pouring and imbibing wine, stirred from his drowsy state, his brows furrowing in annoyance as he surveyed the disturbance.

Swiftly composing herself, Old Madam Gu excused herself, her demeanor masking any hint of agitation. “I need to change attire.”

With a purposeful stride, she made a swift exit from the banquet hall, trailed discreetly by Gu Zhao’an, the Second Master of the Gu family—the very person who had dispatched the messenger to convey the urgent message to Old Madam Gu moments ago.

Gu Zhaoming’s family encountered a halt on their way to the banquet hall, intercepted by the venerable figure of Old Madam Gu.

With due deference, Butler Liu addressed her, “Old Madam.”

Old Madam Gu’s gaze fell upon Gu Zhaoming, her eldest son whom she had not laid eyes upon in two decades, stirring a tumult of emotions within her.

“Old Liu, the principals of Capital University and Hua University have yet to arrive. Attend to them at the entrance,” she instructed Butler Liu before turning her attention back to Gu Zhaoming.

Her voice quivered with a mixture of apprehension and longing. “Why have you stayed away for so long?”

Gu Zhaoming regarded the elderly woman before him with a cold sneer. “Isn’t it obvious why I stayed away? You’re barring my entry because you don’t want me at Father’s birthday celebration?”

Old Madam Gu recoiled, wounded by his accusation. “Zhaoming, how could you harbor such thoughts? Are you no longer willing to acknowledge your own mother? It’s been two decades since that incident. Must you still cling to the past?”

Gu Zhaoming observed her emotional display impassively. “Was it Second Brother or Third Brother who put you up to this?”

As he beheld the frostiness in Gu Zhaoming’s demeanor, Old Madam Gu’s own countenance hardened.

Indeed, their relationship had been strained in the past, and with the passage of time, his aloofness had only intensified.

“You’ve been absent for twenty years. Why return now?”

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