Chapter 24: Removing the Fire from Under the Cauldron

Before his eldest daughter even turned to look at him, Gu Yuye had already sensed that something was wrong with her reaction.

Gu Youren’s expression was clearly not one of having obtained the expected result; rather, it was one of profound astonishment.

Gu Yuye initially assumed that perhaps even Gu Youren had been interfered with by the Karmic Fate Arts, preventing her from arriving at the correct conclusion. What he never anticipated was that, in the next moment, his eldest daughter would look at him with a face full of horror.

The shock in Gu Youren’s gaze contained complex emotions, yet it was unmistakably clear. It was the look of someone who, having suddenly discovered that a person they deeply trusted and admired had become a hopeless, irredeemable scoundrel, realized with shock and absurdity that they had been kept in the dark and had been acting as an accomplice all along.

In short, her idol had fallen.

Gu Youren had never imagined in her life that she would one day bear witness to such a scandal unfolding within her own home. What was even more terrifying was that she could not fathom why her father would do this. It was essentially digging his own grave.

If such a matter were to spread, the reputation of the Prince of Zhenbei would be virtually destroyed overnight. Yet, Gu Yuye had made such a grand spectacle of the affair, even bringing his own daughter to publicly confirm the results. To be so devoid of benevolence, righteousness, loyalty, and wisdom—it was the complete antithesis of the persona Gu Yuye had projected throughout his life as the Prince of Zhenbei. It was simply inconceivable!

However, Gu Youren’s trembling fingertips still held that glaring red thread of karma. One end of the thread was connected to Gu Fangchen, and the other end was right on Gu Yuye’s body. Karma could indeed be faked, but Gu Youren had already stripped away the superficial illusion; this layer of karma ought to be real.

Her prolonged silence naturally aroused the suspicions of the others. Ding Xingfeng, who had been watching the spectacle from the sidelines, looked skeptically from Gu Yuye to Gu Youren. He took a leisurely sip of tea and remarked with amusement:

"Little girl, with your level of cultivation, is it really that much trouble to check a thread of karma?"

He had followed along only because he had promised Gu Fangchen to ensure his safety. He had been itching for action, just waiting for Gu Yuye to make a move. Having lived in seclusion for so many years, Ding Xingfeng had been filled with pent-up frustration after Gu Fangchen’s provocations. He had agreed to help Gu Fangchen partly because he wanted to test his own skills. Now that the critical moment was upon them, he was naturally displeased by the sudden halt. He even began to urge her on.

Gu Youren turned her head stiffly, took a deep breath to steady her mind, and said in a low voice:

"I... I am somewhat uncertain. Please, senior, wait a moment longer."

When Ding Xingfeng heard this, he gave a faint "oh," but in reality, he was instantly jolted into a state of high alertness. Was there actually a problem here?

Gu Fangchen glanced to the side and saw the old man, Ding, spinning his teacup like a walnut, his movements so fast they left afterimages. Gu Fangchen smirked inwardly; as a gossip enthusiast, Ding Xingfeng was like a mouse in a grain bin. The more explosive the news, the higher Gu Fangchen’s favorability rating in his eyes.

Gu Youren’s hesitant and ambiguous attitude was far too obviously wrong. Ning Caiyong asked with concern:

"Youren, is something the matter? You shouldn't force yourself."

Gu Youren barely dared to look at her mother. She turned away, bit her lip, and spoke in a stiff tone:

"Mother, it is nothing. I just want to verify it once more."

Gu Lianxian, however, could wait no longer. She glared at Gu Fangchen and stamped her foot:

"Sister, why don't you just say it quickly? Breathing the same air as such a vile, festering scoundrel under the same roof is unbearable!"

Gu Fangchen nodded in agreement, appearing deeply moved:

"Indeed, living under the same roof as such a vile, festering scoundrel is truly physically uncomfortable. It would be better to leave sooner rather than later."

Gu Lianxian froze, looking at him as if he were an idiot. In this day and age, who curses themselves so viciously? It seemed this incident had hit him too hard, driving the fellow half-mad.

Gu Yuye’s brows furrowed deeply. He had a vague, ominous premonition, yet in the current situation, he could not calculate what other unfavorable outcome could possibly arise. Therefore, Gu Yuye scolded:

"Youren, how have I taught you since you were young? If you hesitate to act when a decision is needed, you will suffer the consequences. Whatever the result is, just say it."

Little did he know, the more he spoke like this, the more Gu Youren’s heart collapsed. She steadied her mind, discarded all distracting thoughts, and projected her spirit once more to capture the manifested karmic thread.

However, the final result remained unchanged. Gu Youren opened her eyes, stared blankly at the karmic thread in her hand, and closed her eyes in near despair. She lifted her head, let out a long breath, and raised her palm.

With a flick of her will, the entire illusory red thread manifested before everyone.

On the left, it was connected to Gu Fangchen. On the right, it was connected to Gu Yuye.

The eldest princess said in a strained, eerie voice:

"The examination is complete... Gu Fangchen is indeed your bloodline."

"He is your biological son."

Gu Lianxian said with dissatisfaction:

"Sister, why aren't you mentioning the point? Isn't this already known—"

Halfway through her sentence, she suddenly froze, overcome with shock:

"Y-you, what did you say?!"

In an instant, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

Ning Caiyong looked dazedly from Gu Fangchen to Gu Yuye, her gaze landing on the karmic thread between them. She clutched her handkerchief in confusion, her eyes, as gentle as mist over water, widening in disbelief. What was Youren saying? Chen'er... was Gu Yuye’s biological son? But she had only given birth to one child back then! That meant...

"Absurd! A load of nonsense!"

Gu Yuye’s face turned ghastly, and he let out a sharp roar. With a violent flick of his sleeve, he shattered the floor of the hall, creating a gaping crater. Dust billowed, and the empty crates instantly burst into pieces.

He finally realized that he had stepped into a bottomless trap specifically crafted for him! This dead end he had created for others had been dismantled by Gu Fangchen, who had pulled the rug right out from under him.

All the predicaments Gu Fangchen had been facing stemmed from a single source: that he was not the biological son of Gu Yuye and Ning Caiyong. But please note, at this moment, the evidence for this was not direct. It was only because Gu Yuandao had been confirmed as Gu Yuye’s biological son that it was inferred by reverse logic that Gu Fangchen was not.

Gu Yuye, in order to seal the deal once and for all, had chosen to confirm Gu Yuandao’s identity in the imperial court. But because he had completely disregarded Gu Fangchen, he chose to return to his manor to conduct further investigations and examinations. To him, dealing with Gu Fangchen was just an afterthought, so he had not prioritized confirming Gu Fangchen’s identity.

But for Gu Fangchen, this was precisely the greatest breakthrough point. If, at this very moment, Gu Fangchen was proven to be his son, all the circumstances would be reversed!

For a moment, everyone present cast stunned, shocked gazes toward Gu Yuye.

Old man Ding was first dumbfounded, then burst into unrestrained laughter:

"So, the real vile scoundrel is someone else entirely! Marvelous! Simply marvelous!"

He had truly seen it all now! Although he didn't know how this kid had managed it, seeing the so-called "Military Sage"—who claimed to have a plan for every contingency—dig a pit and bury himself in it was worth the show! Even if Gu Yuye went mad later, he would protect this kid!