Kidnapped and Murdered (continued)

Shitou seems to be a well-behaved Er Ya.

From now on, he won't have to worry about Er Ya's attitude when he has something to say to Gu Wanning.

Thinking about it this way, Xu Weibei actually thought it was a good idea.

"That's good. I'll talk to him about it later. I don't know why, but I feel especially soft-hearted when I look at this child."

Perhaps there's still a bit of fate involved in relationships between people.

Jiaoniang was also very well-behaved, but Gu Wanning seemed unable or rarely able to feel maternal instincts towards her.

But it's different for Shitou.

It's strange, really.

Xu Weibei scoffed lightly, "No matter how the Gu family treats you, you always extend that love to their children."

That sounds sarcastic and completely nonsensical.

"What does the Shitou have to do with the Gu family?" Gu Wanning rolled her eyes at him.

They're all grown up now; aside from fighting ability, can't they grow in other areas as well?

"You like him, isn't it just because he has the eyes of the Gu family?" Xu Weibei sneered.

"The eyes of the Gu family?"

"Your father, your older brother, and Shitou, aren't they all exactly the same?"

He disliked this father and son the most in the Gu family.

The second brother is hardly noticeable, and the third brother might be a perfect match for Zhou Yaya —a chaotic matchmaking arrangement from Xu Weibei.

"Really?" Gu Wanning thought about it. "It seems that it really is. Shitou is an orphan, and maybe his biological parents are actually relatives of our family!"

"The Gu family home was thousands of miles away. They were so poor that they starved to death before they could beg in the Capital."

Gu Wanning: "..."

This person always speaks so rudely.

"Why don't you say that he's your kidnapped nephew?" Xu Weibei said.

Gu Wanning: "That's not it, I know."

Xu Weibei was just joking; what coincidence could there possibly be in the world?

Besides, if someone kidnaps someone out of spite, wouldn't they sell them far away? Would they leave them in the Capital, waiting for the Gu family to find them?

Back then, when Gu Yuanshi lost his grandson, Gu Anqi knelt down and begged him to ask the Emperor for help in finding him.

Gu Yuanshi refused to go, saying that he couldn't use public office for private gain.

Finally, it was Gu Anqi who went to plead with the Emperor himself.

Of course, the Emperor also did so out of respect for Gu Yuanshi, and searched the entire city for more than ten days.

In the end, nothing was gained.

The more Xu Weibei thought about it, the more he felt that Gu Yuanshi really had some problems.

It seems he treats all his children the same way when it comes to the issue of wronging them?

"It can't be..." Gu Wanning murmured, "Actually, the truth of this matter is only kept from the women in the family."

"What truth?"

"Zhi Nu was already killed back then." Gu Wanning lowered her eyes, her expression somber.

Even those who are not directly involved would find it hard not to feel grief upon hearing that a Xiaoxiao child has been dismembered.

"Kill the ticket?"

Gu Wanning briefly recounted the events of that year, "... When the body was found, it had already been dismembered. My eldest brother was so devastated that he lost twenty pounds in a month and didn't attend court. My father also fell ill for three days, and then they decided to keep the matter a secret from the women of the household."

"What, you consider yourself a man?"

"I overheard my older brother and dad arguing by accident, and they brought this up. Actually, you see, my older brother is like my dad's shadow; he obeys everything my dad says. But behind the scenes, he also suffers a lot."

My eldest brother is like a mountain; he must not fall.

"Your father is a real scoundrel," Xu Weibei commented.

Gu Wanning didn't say anything, only saying, "Actually, if it weren't for the fact that time has passed and everyone has forgotten about this, I would hope that Shitou could offer them some solace."

That heart-wrenching pain has been buried in the past, so there's no need to bring it up again.

After a while, Jiaoniang returned, holding three butterflies in her Xiaoxiao hands, her face full of excitement.

Shitou stood beside her, grinning sheepishly.

The First Concubine gently nudged Jiaoniang: "Go and see Madam. What did you say just now? Were you going to give the butterfly to Madam?"

Jiaoniang was still a little shy around Gu Wanning, so she nodded and stepped forward to show her the butterfly.

Gu Wanning laughed and said, "You can keep it for yourself. Did Shitou help you catch any butterflies?"

"It was all Brother Shitou who caught them," Jiaoniang blurted out, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration and joy.

Gu Wanning smiled, told Shitou her thoughts, and then asked him, "Would you like to come back to the manor with me?"

She looked closely and saw that Shitou's eyes were also long and narrow, with bright black pupils and slightly upturned corners—beautiful peach blossom eyes.

No, she has almond-shaped eyes, just like her mother.

Shitou looked at Gu Wanning in disbelief, completely stunned.

After a long pause, he hurriedly waved his hand, "No, no, Madam, I... I don't know anything, I can't help you with anything. I'll stay on the Estate and watch over the crops for you."

He felt unworthy of Gu Wanning's favor and was even more afraid that he wouldn't be able to help her after entering the household, which made him feel guilty and uneasy.

"There are people guarding the crops on the Estate." Seeing him like this, Gu Wanning felt even more pity and smiled gently, "Come back with me and run errands for me. Shitou is a reliable kid; I need him by my side."

Shitou's eyes were filled with tears, but he didn't want Gu Wanning to see them. He lowered his head, wept, and knelt on the ground to kowtow to Gu Wanning, unable to utter a single word.

Gu Wanning's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

This child is so sensible, it breaks my heart.

How heartbroken his parents must be to lose such a child.

Gu Wanning pulled him up and had Er Ya lead him to sit in the back carriage.

On their way back to the Marquis's Residence's residence, they encountered Gu Yuanshi, who had rushed over.

It turned out that Gu Yuanshi was so excited after receiving the report of his son's achievements that he immediately put everything else aside.

Gu Wanning was about to get off the car, but Xu Weibei wouldn't let her.

Xu Weibei had his carriage moved aside as a gesture of respect to Gu Yuanshi, and didn't exchange many pleasantries.

--What's with the small talk? It's good enough that he managed to control himself and not hit anyone.