I was a stepmother in ancient times, and I led my whole family to wealth.

Chapter 410 Learning the Truth of What Happened Back Then

Duke Rong glared at him fiercely, his tone full of disappointment: "Hmph! Do you really think there's so much unconditional kindness in this world?"

My men found out immediately that Hua Yutang had hidden this brat at Gu Qingshan's house in Lingwu Village.

"If I hadn't secretly instructed my men to give silver to the Gu clan chief, do you think he would have stepped in to help?"

Gu Chenglin looked bewildered, staring straight at his father, his voice trembling slightly: "So..."

So, the old clan chief's grandmother would make me new clothes from time to time and secretly slip me copper coins...

"It's all... all because of your arrangements?"

"if not?"

Duke Rong sneered: "You think that old woman's eldest son is just an ordinary peasant?"

How did they manage to move to Jing'an Town and even buy a house and a shop?

His gaze was sharp as he scanned the group: "And, do you still have any doubts in your heart?"

Why would the elderly people living alone in Lingwu Village go to such lengths to help you?

The Duke of Rong's words were like a heavy hammer, waking the group up.

This startled Gu Chenglin so much that he took a step back.

Dongfang Jin also turned her gaze to Gu Chenglin, and the fog in her heart instantly dissipated.

She thought to herself that the elderly people living alone in Lingwu Village usually had trouble even feeding themselves.

It was impossible for them to survive on the meager relief provided by the village and forest officials alone.

How could they possibly spare the energy and food to help Gu Chenglin, who was also starving?

And then there's Granny Gu, who's always been unreasonable and domineering. If she's even slightly dissatisfied, she'll stand at the door and yell and curse.

Logically speaking, others should avoid him like the plague, so why would anyone take the initiative to help Gu Chenglin?

Thinking of this, Dongfang Jin suddenly realized that it was all Rongguo Gong who was behind it all.

Duke Rong let out a long sigh, his expression solemn, his voice low and tinged with worry: "Your uncle is very ambitious."

"As long as this problem remains, Chenglin will never have peace."

Dongfang Jin...

Well, it seems Gu Chenglin's biological father knows everything.

Then she should just wait and see.

Upon closer inspection, his gaze deepened, and he slowly analyzed, "Firstly, his feelings towards your mother..."

At this point, the Duke of Rong glanced at Dongfang Jin, and then said to Gu Yunxiao, Gu Chenglin and Gu Yunxi: "He has an almost pathological obsessive possessiveness toward your mother."

Secondly, he heard Master Fakong's prophecy from somewhere.

The prophecy says that the descendants of the Gu, Hua, and Jun families who have purple birthmarks are said to be children of destiny.

They had heard from who-knows-where that those who received the help of the chosen ones could conquer the world.

But he was utterly foolish; he only heard the first half of the sentence and knew nothing about the second half.

Dongfang Jin instantly understood the meaning behind the look that Rongguo Gong had given him.

The brother-in-law is coveting his wife. He should only talk about this with his children, not with her.

This can be considered a family scandal.

But he still said it, which shows he didn't consider her an outsider.

Dongfang Jin looked at Gu Yunxiao and Gu Yunxi and saw that they had no other expression.

It seems they already knew all along.

Duke Rong paused slightly, then shifted his gaze to Dongfang Jin, his eyes revealing a complex meaning: "Master Fakong's true prophecy is that the son of destiny must unite with the daughter of destiny through yin-yang union."

For the prophetic power to be effective, the person they help must be the master of destiny in the world.

And you, Dongfang Jin, are that woman of destiny, right?

Just as Dongfang Jin was about to retort, the Duke of Rong raised his hand to stop him: "Don't be so quick to deny it. The secrets I know far exceed your imagination."

Then, the Duke of Rong turned his attention to his eldest son, Gu Yunxiao, and daughter, Gu Yunxi.

He said seriously, "You two siblings must protect Chenglin well from now on."

"If we don't get rid of Hua Yutang, we'll probably never have a peaceful day again."

Gu Yunxiao and Gu Yunxi exchanged a glance, nodded in unison, their expressions resolute: "Yes!"

Indeed, their marriages were actually orchestrated by their uncle.

Although they were not very willing to get married at the time, their ultimate goal was to help their younger brother gain influence.

Ultimately, the goal is good.

But now it seems...

Gu Chenglin felt a mix of emotions. He had always thought that his father had never cared about him.

I never imagined that my father had been silently protecting me all these years.

He stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a choked voice, "Father, I was ignorant before and misunderstood you."

From now on, I will serve you with the same filial piety as my elder brother and sister, and protect the Rongguo Duke's Mansion.

Duke Rong looked at Gu Chenglin before him, a hint of barely perceptible satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

That gaze was like the warm spring sun, gentle and full of expectation.

He slowly reached out and gently helped Gu Chenglin up, his voice carrying the vicissitudes of time.

But it revealed an undeniable firmness: "Get up, our Gu family, from now on we'll rely on you young people."

Seeing this, Dongfang Jin took a graceful step and curtsied elegantly, her voice gentle yet resolute: "Father, rest assured, your daughter-in-law will do her best to serve you alongside Chenglin."

There's another piece of news: that Duke Ningguo probably won't live much longer, so we don't need to worry too much about him."

After saying that, she recounted everything she had overheard in the Ningguo Duke's mansion in a clear, detailed and organized manner.

Duke Rong nodded slightly, his gaze sharp as he swept over them one by one, then sighed softly.

He seemed to be lamenting the passage of time and the rise and fall of his family: "Well, since he's not going to live much longer, let him go."

"Yunxiao, take Chenglin to Huayutang and take over your mother's influence."

His tone was full of expectation, as if he could see the future prosperity of his family.

Gu Yunxiao immediately agreed, his voice loud and firm, as if he were making a sacred vow to his family.

When the Duke of Rongguo saw that his eldest son had no objections and even agreed to his request, he was very pleased: "As long as you brothers work together, you will surely make Rongguo stable and prosperous, and continue its glory for a hundred years."

Dongfang Jin...

This father-in-law is really something, is that all he asks for?

century?

The layout is small.

With her around, as long as the descendants of the Gu family don't do anything reckless, continuing the family line for a thousand years won't be a problem.

The Duke of Rong looked at them and was secretly delighted. His long-awaited dream was finally about to come true.

Gu Yunxiao was also very happy. He was finally able to properly integrate the power left by his mother and make it a powerful force for the rise of the family.

Gu Chenglin was both nervous and expectant, his heart pounding in his chest.

He knew that this was his father's trust in him, a trust that weighed heavily on his mind and made him feel a great sense of responsibility.

However, he remembered the vow he had made to his cousin, the emperor, that he would not attend court.

He secretly thought to himself that he would hand over his mother's influence to his older brother, believing that his brother would be able to carry it forward.

Perfect timing! My elder brother will be in charge of negotiations with the Southern Qiang Kingdom in the future, and his wife also wants to open a Lingyun Pavilion business association on the border.

For trade between the two countries, negotiations can be conducted on the spot at the Lingyun Pavilion Chamber of Commerce on the border.

Thinking of this, Gu Chenglin took a deep breath and slowly took out the token that Feng had given him from his pocket.

He handed it to Gu Yunxiao, his eyes full of sincerity and determination: "Brother, this is for you."

Although my uncle harbors some ulterior motives towards me, he has already handed over all those hidden forces to me…

Upon hearing this, Gu Yunxiao took the token, which felt heavy in his hand. He looked at the token in his hand.

A flood of doubts arose in his mind, and he couldn't help but look up at his father, his eyes full of inquiry.

Duke Rongguo also looked puzzled, his brows furrowed slightly, and his gaze fell on his youngest son, trying to find the answer on his face.

Seeing their expressions, Gu Chenglin subconsciously glanced at his wife, Dongfang Jin, with a hint of pleading in his eyes.

Seeing his gaze, Dongfang Jin felt both annoyed and amused, wishing she could kick him on the spot.

He thought to himself: Why are you looking at me? Explain your own affairs!