Chapter 1020: Side Story 1 (2)

Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Seeing the horrifying sight, Gu Chengye rushed forward to support Mr. Gu, gently patting his back to ease his discomfort. Gu Chengxi swiftly replaced the servant girl, taking over and attending to their father.

The violent episode eventually subsided, but Mr. Gu was left pale and weak. Even keeping his eyes open seemed like a herculean effort.

Witnessing this decline, Gu Chengye’s heart ached. He couldn’t help but agree with Gu Chengxi’s earlier assessment—they might truly need to start preparing for the funeral.

Gu Chengye poured a glass of pear water sweetened with rock sugar and carefully fed Mr. Gu two sips. However, his father was too weak to swallow effectively, struggling even to keep his eyes open.

Gu Chengye then called his eldest son and instructed him to stay with Gu Chengxi while he began gathering their family members to prepare for the funeral.

Mrs. Liu, supported by a servant girl, approached them, her face filled with worry. She wanted to speak, but hesitation held her back. “Your father, he’s truly…”

Gu Chengye, his voice heavy with emotion, replied, “We’ve reached that stage, unfortunately. Go in and see for yourself. In short, it’s not good.”

Mrs. Liu’s body stiffened upon hearing his words. Leaning on the servant girl for support, she entered the room.

The sight that greeted her was devastating. Mr. Gu’s pale face and labored breathing sent a wave of despair crashing over her. Her body instinctively curled up, a silent expression of her grief.

“Husband! Husband!” She cried out softly, approaching him and gently touching his face. “I’m here!”

Mr. Gu’s eyelids fluttered, but he didn’t manage to open his eyes.

Seeing her distress, Gu Chengxi spoke up. “Auntie, Uncle is tired. You should go back and rest.”

Mrs. Liu, her voice shaky, replied, “Chengxi, I’ll leave your uncle to you.”

“Don’t worry, Auntie,” Gu Chengxi assured her. “I’ll be here for now.”

Mrs. Liu simply nodded repeatedly, unable to form a coherent response. Though she initially intended to return to her own quarters, she found herself drawn to the small bed in the side room, where she collapsed and lay down.

At dawn, Mr. Gu was wracked by another coughing fit. This time, however, it wasn’t just phlegm but a horrifying mixture of pus and blood.

Gu Chengxi’s heart sank. He exchanged a solemn glance with Gu Chengye, silently conveying the gravity of the situation.

Gu Chengye understood. He immediately summoned his children and grandchildren and stationed them outside the door to guard their father.

By the time the coughing subsided, Mr. Gu was gasping for breath. He managed to open his eyes and look at his assembled family. With a weak hand, he beckoned Gu Chengye closer.

“Father, just say what you have to say,” Gu Chengye urged, stepping forward to hear his father’s words clearly.

“I promise you, Father,” Gu Chengye pledged solemnly. “No matter when Chengrui returns, his children and grandchildren will be well provided for. They will have an estate.”

A faint smile touched Mr. Gu’s lips at this reassurance.

Just then, Mrs. Liu shuffled in, her voice trembling with fear. “Husband, you can’t leave us alone,” she pleaded.

As their eyes met, Mr. Gu was suddenly struck by a painful memory—the years of neglect and suffering endured by his third son and his wife at Mrs. Liu’s hands. He remembered how they had refused proper medical care for them. Fueled by this recollection and with a final surge of strength, he straightened his neck and uttered, “Retribution. Retribution.”

These were his final words. He coughed again, expelling another mouthful of blood. His eyes widened, and his hand fell limply at his side.

“Father!” Gu Chengye cried out, devastated by the loss.

The room erupted in wails of grief.

Mrs. Liu, haunted by Mr. Gu’s final words, couldn’t help but recall her past actions. Guilt gnawed at her heart.

Consequently, when Gu Chengye returned with the coffin to their hometown, Mrs. Liu also fell ill, succumbing to a cold. Like Mr. Gu, she didn’t recover.

Gu Chengye mourned for four years, bringing his children and grandchildren back to his hometown.

After his mourning ended, he did not enter officialdom again. Instead, he went to his hometown to teach the next generation.