Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 760 - 596: Weak Spot

Gu Changbai’s forehead was already sweating. Suddenly, inspiration struck him, and he thought of the Magistrate of Yingnan Mansion.

"It was that Lord Prefect who informed us. He caught the child trafficker and told me about it."

He thought this excuse he came up with might deceive others.

"That child trafficker never keeps records of the children he sells to brokers, and he has kidnapped quite a few. How could he possibly remember which broker your granddaughter was sold to? Besides, I’ve already verified, the other families who had their children sold have yet to find them. It’s just too much of a coincidence that you found yours."

As soon as Gu Changbai heard this, he felt things were not looking good. It seemed Gu Chengyu’s investigation was very thorough, with truly meticulous thinking.

The sweat beads on his forehead gathered more and more, and he suddenly didn’t know how to respond.

"I’m afraid you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin! You are my father’s second brother; I hadn’t wanted to resort to private punishment. But if you continue to argue, I will have to make you suffer a bit."

Actually, Gu Chengyu was concerned that Gu Changbai, being older, might not endure if he used private punishment.

Moreover, Gu Changbai might not know who the mastermind was, and he still wanted to keep Gu Changbai around to lure a bigger catch.

If Gu Changbai returned to the Capital with obvious wounds, it might let those people smell a rat.

Gu Chengyu’s remark frightened Gu Changbai greatly.

He had witnessed Gu Chengyu ordering people to take action before. That second son was Gu Chengyu’s nephew, and still, Gu Chengyu dealt blows without hesitation, the slaps resounding.

Even his own nephew, whom he grew up with, received no mercy; let alone himself.

"That day you said Xiao Yao had an acute illness, what kind of acute illness could act so fast? There were no prior signs, and the day before, villagers saw Xiao Yao playing in the village without any unusual behavior. Then the next day, you left the Yingnan Mansion, saying you were going to find your eldest granddaughter. You came with so little Silver and brought the whole family; it truly makes no sense." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Gu Chengyu changed his sitting position and tapped the table with his fingers.

"I’ll ask you, where did Xiao Yao go? Who took him away? What is your real purpose for approaching me? Is it merely to live in the Gu Family?"

Gu Chengyu fired off several questions, leaving Gu Changbai utterly bewildered.

"Xiao Yao really did pass away; no one took him. Meeting you in the Capital was just a coincidence. Xiao Bao, you mustn’t wrong your second uncle!"

Gu Changbai couldn’t admit it; he could only grit his teeth and refuse to say a word, for what about Xiao Yao?

"Second Uncle! Since recognizing you in the Capital, have I not treated you well as your nephew? I’ve given you Silver for living expenses, and found a private school for Fang. I’ve certainly never wronged you, yet you schemed against me without hesitation!"

Gu Chengyu narrowed his eyes slightly, with a cold expression on his face.

As soon as Gu Changbai heard this, he knew there was likely no room for argument. Gu Chengyu clearly didn’t believe him, so saying more was pointless.

All he could do was shut up. Gu Changbai closed his eyes, displaying a look of indifference to anything Gu Chengyu might say, frustrating Ming Mo and Ming Yan who were watching.

Ming Mo moved forward intending to act, but Gu Chengyu waved him back for now.

Gu Changbai wasn’t without vulnerabilities; if others could use Xiao Yao to threaten him, he could certainly use Gu Wanfang, couldn’t he?

"You choosing not to speak means you tacitly agree, right? You won’t speak because you fear Xiao Yao will suffer at their hands? But Second Uncle, have you forgotten Fang is also your grandson, and he is your eldest grandson! Can’t you think of him?"

When Gu Changbai heard Gu Chengyu mention Fang, he immediately opened his eyes.

He remembered Gu Chengyu arranging for Fang to attend a private school.

"Don’t you dare touch my Fang! What are you planning to do with Fang?"

Gu Changbai was incredulous; he couldn’t believe Gu Chengyu would use Fang as leverage, just like those people.

"Fang is your nephew! You, as a Gu family member, how could you even consider it?"

Gu Changbai, visibly agitated, stood up and pointed fearfully at Gu Chengyu.

Gu Chengyu shouted coldly, "Why wouldn’t I consider it? Before you schemed against me, did you ever think I was a Gu family member? Did you remember I was your nephew too? You eat at home and conspire with outsiders to harm the Gu Family men, why shouldn’t I retaliate?"

"You can set a precedent, but no one else can follow? I understand your compassion for Xiao Yao, but using my life in exchange for Xiao Yao’s is out of the question."

Gu Chengyu slapped the table, immediately silencing Gu Changbai.

After a while, he stammered, "Those people didn’t say they were going to kill you; otherwise, I wouldn’t have listened to them."

Once he said this, he didn’t even believe himself.

"Do you take me for a fool? In the bureaucratic world, things can change in an instant. They don’t kill me now because I’m still of use. Can you guarantee they won’t take my life in the future? Also, if something happens implicating the clan, so many of us in the clan, including you and Xiao Yao, wouldn’t escape."

To Gu Chengyu, the most direct impression of this era was that many officials were burdened by their clan, often losing office and armor, making it vital to restrain the clan here.

Committing a crime deserving punishment of the Nine Families meant dragging the clan to death’s door, and even the ancestors’ graves would be unearthed, exposing them to the wild.

Gu Changbai’s conduct, if successful, would at worst cost him his career; but the fear was someone seizing the opportunity to frame and harm him.

How did Wan Xue Nian and Song Shuqing die? Only from being framed!

In this era, if proof of guilt is found, you have no defense.

Gu Changbai also knew this was wrong, but what about his Xiao Yao?

He couldn’t help shedding tears, soon bursting into loud sobs.

"I am old, I’ve lived long enough, but Xiao Yao is still young! They took Xiao Yao; how can I not care? I can only do what they say. I can’t manage so much; I can’t care for others, I just want to protect my grandson."

Watching the tear-strained Gu Changbai stirred something within Gu Chengyu.

He was a selfish person, but Gu Changbai’s choice was likely what most would choose.

Who can manage such distant matters? If your own grandson is taken, you simply can’t stay indifferent.

Gu Changbai’s eldest son died young, leaving two grandsons. Xiao Yao carried the eldest son’s bloodline, now kidnapped, naturally causing anxiety in Gu Changbai’s heart.

Compared to an unrelated nephew, choosing his own grandson was obvious.

But Gu Chengyu also had his stance; who would risk their life for a cousin-nephew they’ve never even met?

Ming Mo and Ming Yan found Gu Changbai’s crying both pitiful and infuriating.

"Let’s not discuss right or wrong for now; there’s no need to hide it any longer. Tell me, maybe I have a way to rescue Xiao Yao."

Gu Chengyu, seeing Gu Changbai had yielded, asked about what had transpired.