FBC – Chapter 213 Severing Ties

Wang Linyi turned toward Gu Hua and bowed deeply.

Gu Hua immediately stood up and quickly helped her mother, who was about to kneel.

After all, she was her birth mother—basic respect as an elder must be shown.

If she stood on the principle of propriety, no one could find fault, and only then could she fight back properly.

Tears streamed down Wang Linyi’s face. “Madam, I beg you to help me cut ties with the Wang clan of Langya and help me divorce!”

Gu Hua said gently, “According to the laws of Great Liang, you could have divorced long ago. Since the Wang clan of Langya harmed my maternal grandparents and uncle, of course, you may cut ties as well. If either family refuses, I will go with you to Kaifeng Prefecture to file suit.”

Wang Linyi froze.

“You called them…”

Gu Hua smiled. “Your parents and younger brother are my grandparents and uncle, are they not? I will help you establish a new household.”

At these words, the Gu and Wang clan members’ faces all changed drastically.

Gu Yuan roared angrily: “Unfilial daughter! If you wish to destroy the Gu family, that is your business, but must you drag your mother into becoming an unfaithful, unfilial woman too?”

Gu Hua’s gaze turned icy. “As for severing ties, I already spoke of it before leaving for Juzhou. My ties with the Gu family were long since cut. I only delayed the paperwork because state affairs outweighed family matters. Now that I am back, naturally, it must be done. So, I am not your daughter.”

Her face darkened, her tone turning cold. “I’ll only ask you—will you resolve this privately, or shall we go to Kaifeng Prefecture?”

Seeing the Gu clan elders whispering among themselves, brows tightly furrowed, Gu Yuan grew anxious.

He seized the clan head and muttered in a low voice, “Clan head, I cannot divorce Wang. If I do, it is the same as admitting I poisoned my wife.”

The clan head pried his hand away. “Marquis Gu, can’t you see that Gu Hua is no longer who she used to be? Last time, she already demanded severance fiercely. Now she relies on her military merits and her current status—we dare not offend her. If this truly reaches Kaifeng Prefecture, do you think the Prefecture—or even the Palace—would side with you?”

Another elder advised, “Gu Hua now has the Empress supporting her, plus the glorious merits of her late husband. His Majesty will surely give her face. If it comes to Kaifeng Prefecture, we will lose both dignity and advantage.”

Gu Yuan’s expression darkened; he glared viciously and raised his voice: “If I lose my marquisate, what good does that do the Gu clan?”

Gu Hua chuckled. “The marquisate isn’t yours alone. The Gu marquisate was earned by the ancestors’ merits. The Gu clan still has outstanding descendants—my own younger brother, Gu Ruiwen, for example.”

Gu Yuan’s eyes blazed with malice. “If your mother divorces me, what right will her son have to inherit the title?”

Gu Hua said leisurely, “Ruiwen can earn his own honors. But as for your marquisate—you won’t be able to keep it.”

“You unfilial wretch! You want His Majesty to strip me of my title!”

Gu Yuan went mad, snatching up a chair to hurl at her.

But Chi Yu easily caught the chair by its leg, gave it a fling, and sent both chair and man tumbling.

Gu Yuan rolled twice with the chair before servants rushed to help him up.

The clan head walked over and said quietly, “Marquis, Ruiwen and Jinwen both bear the Gu surname. They cannot sever ties. Gu Hua is deeply attached to her two brothers. Let her have her way today, and later we can seek a chance to mend relations.”

Gu Yuan clutched his aching waist, drenched in sweat, unable to utter a word.

Gu Hua no longer wasted breath on them. “Sister Zhilan, bring the divorce and severance papers drafted by Kaifeng Prefecture and let them affix their seals.”

Wang Heng’s face darkened.

The Wang and Gu elders, however, dared not object further.

Everyone understood—Gu Hua was determined that Wang Linyi divorce, that she and Wang Linyi sever ties. Even the documents had already been prepared by Kaifeng Prefecture.

Who could fight her, given her current position and influence?

Wang Heng frowned, still holding the airs of an elder, making one last attempt. “Gu Hua, you are widowed and alone now. If your mother divorces and severs ties, you will have no natal family to support you. Do not be rash—consider the consequences.”

Gu Hua sneered. “As if the Wang and Gu families have ever supported me. Isn’t it enough that you didn’t swallow me whole?”

Her smile vanished; her voice turned cold. “I hold the third-rank title of Lady of Virtue, personally bestowed by His Majesty as Lady of Yong. I am my own backing.”

With that, she rose sharply. “Sign quickly—or do not blame me for withholding the chance!”

Zhou Zhilan and Dong Mo spread the papers across the table, setting out the red ink.

The clan heads of Gu and Wang, utterly helpless, could only stamp their seals and press their handprints.

Wang Linyi held the papers, her hands trembling with excitement.

Her parents embraced her, weeping.

Gu Hua glanced at the pale, anxious Gu Ruiwen and Gu Jinwen, then beckoned to them.

The two boys dashed over, eyes brimming with tears.

“Elder Sister.”

Gu Hua stroked their heads and then said, “Though you bear the Gu name, the Marquisate of Wenchang is already rotten, with no women to properly care for you. To prevent you from being led astray, I will take you to Duke Yong Manor. I will pay the tuition for your entrance into the Imperial Academy.”

“Dong Mo, they will be in your care from now on.”

Dong Mo smiled, taking one in each hand.

Before anyone could react, Gu Hua had already left with Wang Linyi’s family and the two boys.

Gu Yuan’s eyes bulged with rage. “You just let her walk away? Taking my two sons with her?”

The Gu clan head sighed helplessly. “Take care of your household first. Without a mother’s love, the boys are wasted anyway. At least in the Duke Manor, they may secure a fine future.”

Gu Yuan went mad. “Nonsense! She wants to use Gu Ruiwen to steal my title!”

The clan head’s expression hardened. “Gu Yuan, the Marquisate of Wenchang is not yours alone. You inherited because our grandfather was the eldest legitimate son. Do not forget—I too am of the legitimate line. My son also has the right to inherit.”

Gu Yuan froze, then pointed a trembling finger at him. “Don’t you dare!”

Seeing his stubbornness, the clan head also grew furious, leading the others away in a huff.

The Wang clan head looked livid.

The once-glorious Wang clan of Langya had barely begun to recover, only to be disgraced utterly by Gu Yuan.

Wang Heng said coldly, “Let’s go. From today on, our two families have nothing more to do with each other.”

Gu Yuan looked at the wrecked hall, at Concubine Huang fainted on the ground. His vision went black, and he collapsed.

Servants cried out in panic, chaos erupting.

Outside the Gu gates, Gu Ruiwen hurriedly bowed to Gu Hua.

She stopped and looked at him.

“Elder Sister… how will Mother be settled?”

With Gu Wanru removed from the family register, Gu Hua was now the legitimate eldest daughter.

Gu Hua did not answer directly but asked, “Will you come with me, or with Mother?”

Ruiwen hesitated, turning to look at his mother and grandparents, who leaned on one another as they walked.

Gu Hua simply wanted to test his heart.

Suddenly, Ruiwen knelt, eyes brimming with tears. “Elder Sister, I wish to go with you to Duke Manor. I want to study at the Imperial Academy, earn a title one day, and honor Mother and you. But I beg you—please help Mother.”

Not bad—he had a kind heart, yet not so foolish as to follow Wang Linyi.

Gu Hua said firmly, “A man’s knees are as precious as gold. Get up.”

Wang Linyi hurried over to lift him. “Listen well to your elder sister. I’ll visit when I can.”

Gu Hua glanced at Zhou Zhilan.

Zhilan retrieved a bundle from Gu Hua’s carriage and handed it to Wang Linyi. “Here is one hundred taels of silver, plus some ingots—enough for some time. Inside is also a land deed, part of Madam’s private estate. You may live there for now. Daily necessities will be sent later.”

Wang Linyi’s eyes reddened as she accepted it, glancing at Gu Hua.

She now had nothing—sickly parents, and a malnourished brother to care for.

Gu Hua nodded. “Everything will get better.”

She then turned her gaze to Madam Zhou, who had followed them out. “Madam Zhou belongs to the Wang family matriarch. Mother, it is not fitting for you to take her.”

Madam Zhou suddenly fell to her knees, weeping. “Madam, please don’t cast me away!”

Wang Linyi sighed. “I cannot afford to keep you. Besides, you belong to Lady Wang. I am but a commoner now, no longer a Madam.”

She was clear now. Madam Zhou had seemed loyal all these years, but if not for her constant ‘guidance,’ would Wang Linyi have endured humiliation so long?

Her heart had always been with the Wang matriarch, only propping Wang Linyi up as marchioness for the Wang clan’s sake.

“Madam…”

Madam Zhou sobbed helplessly as she watched Wang Linyi’s family board the carriage arranged by Gu Hua and depart.

Wang Heng emerged, his face darkening at the sight of Madam Zhou’s wailing.

“Useless thing. Take her back and hand her over to Mother for punishment!”