“So what if he’s just a gardener? I like him anyway!”

The third young master’s wife, seeing the situation escalating, decided to drop the pretense. She pulled Arong to her side and declared, “Arong may be uneducated, but he makes me happy. That’s way better than your son, who lasts just one minute in bed!”

“What? One minute?!”

“One minute? That’s barely enough time to take off your pants!”

“Third Brother always brags about how great he is in bed, and this is the truth?”

The siblings from the fourth house began discussing in shock.

Third Madam’s face turned red with embarrassment. She shouted at the third mistress, “Shut up! No matter what, Old Third is your husband. How dare you cheat on him! You two adulterers, I’ll beat you to death!”

She lunged forward, grabbing the third master’s wife, and the two started fighting.

The third master’s wife, who always acted gentle and virtuous, was often praised by Third Madam for being a respectful and obedient daughter-in-law. However, at this moment, the third master’s wife grabbed her mother-in-law’s hair and slapped her several times. There was no trace of respect in her demeanor.

Gu Xicao and Secretary Lin quietly stepped back.

The old master of the Gu family, trembling with anger, struck the ground with his cane. “What are you all standing there for? Go and separate them!”

His words brought everyone back to their senses, and the other members of the Gu family hurried forward to pull apart the fighting pair.

Arong, loyal as ever, shielded the third master’s wife behind him and asked with concern, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. The one who suffered is that old hag!” She adjusted her hair and straightened her silk nightgown. If it weren’t for witnessing her beating her mother-in-law earlier, no one would believe this refined and gentle lady could be so violent.

“You dare insult me! You shameless woman, what did my son ever do to deserve this?”

Third Madam, clutching her face, glared at the third master’s wife with venomous hatred.

The third master’s wife sneered. “What has your son ever done for me? Since our engagement, he’s been fooling around with other women. If he can do it, so can I. At least I only have Arong.”

Gu Yuehua muttered under her breath, “What the third sister-in-law said seems to make some sense.”

Fourth Madam immediately glared at her and whispered sternly, “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Gu Xinhui, the third son, flew into a rage and yelled, “Nonsense! It’s perfectly natural for men to be unfaithful. Since ancient times, men have had multiple wives and concubines. But you’re the one who broke the rules. I’m divorcing you!”

“Fine, divorce then! Who’s afraid?”

A flicker of panic crossed the third Madam’s face, but she quickly composed herself. Over the years, she had gained enough benefits to not be overly concerned.

“Divorce can wait. I need to know one thing first. Whose children are those two boys of yours?”

The old master’s face darkened, and the grip on his cane tightened until his knuckles turned white.

The third master’s wife opened her mouth but hesitated.

Faced with her father-in-law, she couldn’t help feeling intimidated.

“Those boys aren’t mine?!” Gu Xinhui stared at her in disbelief, his nostrils flaring and fists clenched tightly.

The third master’s wife avoided his gaze and turned her head. “Don’t blame me. I consulted a doctor. You’re infertile. You can’t have children. Your mother kept pressuring me, so I had no choice but to seek help elsewhere.”

A buzzing noise filled Gu Xinhui’s ears. His vision blurred, and the world seemed to spin. He stumbled, only to be caught by his mother and sister.

His younger sister, Gu Yueshu, paled and shook her head in denial. “Impossible. My brother even has illegitimate children outside. How could he be infertile?”

Suddenly, Gu Yueshu recalled what Gu Xicao had said earlier, and her whole body froze as if encased in ice.

Unaware that Gu Xicao had already spilled the secret, the third mistress sneered. “I only had children after being with Arong. As for the children those mistresses of his have, I don’t know who fathered them. But if you want to raise them, that’s up to you. Didn’t you always boast about the third house having so many male heirs? Well, now you have boys. What you do with them is your decision.”

Gu Yueluo and her siblings were utterly stunned, their jaws nearly hitting the floor.

This was truly ironic.

Gu Xinhui’s family, always proud of their male heirs, had often looked down on others, especially Gu Xinheng’s family. Yet now, none of their sons turned out to be biological.

Gu Xinhui had been raising another man’s children all these years and had even spent a fortune on his mistresses.

Thinking about it made him want to vomit blood.

He shook his head, still in denial. “No, it’s impossible. They wouldn’t dare do this to me.”

“Enough! Stop talking!”

The old master’s face was as dark as a pot of ink. He turned to Gu Yueluo and said, “I recall Dr. Sun has returned this year. Give him a call and ask him to come over.”

“Yes, Father.” Gu Yueluo quickly went to make the call.

Gu Yuehua whispered, “Mom, which Dr. Sun is that?”

“That famous traditional Chinese medicine doctor, the one known as the ‘Healing Sage,’ left for the U.S. a few years ago to treat a wealthy individual,” the Fourth Madam explained. “He only recently returned. Your father originally planned to invite him over to check everyone’s health and prescribe some restorative treatments, but who could’ve expected this…”

Gu Yuehua suddenly understood.

Whether Gu Xicao’s predictions were accurate or if the Third sister-in-law’s words were true, all would become clear once Dr. Sun checked the Third brother’s pulse.

Dr. Sun had some acquaintance with Old Master Gu. When he heard it was an urgent matter for him, he immediately brought his medical kit over, accompanied by his grandson.

“Mr. Gu, long time no see. Who is the patient?”

Dr. Sun, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, looked energetic and amiable as he smiled warmly.

His grandson, a boy two to three years older than Gu Xicao, had refined and delicate features. Wearing a school uniform suit, he greeted the Gu family politely. Upon noticing Gu Xicao, who seemed out of place, he looked slightly puzzled but still nodded in acknowledgment.

“It’s my third son. Please examine his health,” Old Master Gu said.

The Gu family members had come downstairs. Regardless of how tense or awkward things had been earlier, they now presented a united front, showing no trace of the previous conflicts.

“Oh,” Dr. Sun nodded, his gaze falling on Gu Xinhui.

When he saw Gu Xinhui, a fleeting expression of surprise crossed his face. He gestured for the Third Young Master to stick out his tongue for examination and then proceeded to take his pulse.

The Third Madam’s family held their breath, hearts pounding in suspense.

If Dr. Sun diagnosed that Gu Xinhui truly could not have children, the Third Madam’s family would become the laughingstock of the Gu household.

Moreover, Gu Xinhui would lose all chances of inheriting the family fortune. If Old Master Gu didn’t strip him of his rights to manage the casino, it would already be considered a favor.

Dr. Sun’s expression grew increasingly serious.

He checked the left hand and then said, “Please extend your right hand.”

Gu Xinhui, whose palms were clammy with cold sweat, reluctantly extended his right hand, awkwardly adding, “Uncle Sun, honestly, there’s nothing wrong with me. My dad is just overly worried.”

By now, Gu Xinhui had calmed down from his earlier anger.

He understood clearly that whether the child was truly his or not, under no circumstances could he let it be known that he was infertile. Otherwise, given his father’s temperament, there was no way the family business would be passed on to a son incapable of continuing the lineage.

Sun Shiping, Dr. Sun’s grandson, looked increasingly curious.

Glancing at the other members of the Gu family, he wondered what major event could have prompted Old Master Gu to summon his grandfather at such a late hour.

Dr. Sun completed the examination, shook his head, and said, “Xinhui, did you start indulging in intimate relationships at the age of twelve or thirteen?”

Gu Xinhui’s face turned red. “That’s normal, isn’t it? Everyone does it.”

For people of their wealth, satisfying such desires was far too easy. With money, many were willing to do as they pleased.

“Ah, intimacy is a natural progression that should align with maturity, occurring after adulthood. However, your excessive indulgence, compounded by substance misuse, has already…”

Dr. Sun withdrew his hand, shook his head, and sighed. “Mr. Gu, we’ve been friends for many years, so I’ll be frank. Xinhui’s condition is likely beyond treatment.”

The Third Madam’s family turned pale instantly.

Unable to hold back, the Third Madam asked, “Does this mean Xinhui can’t have children?”

Dr. Sun froze momentarily, then chuckled bitterly, “He can barely perform, so how could he have children? Don’t bother trying dubious remedies—they won’t work. His condition is like a once-healthy tree that’s been repeatedly uprooted. At first, it seems fine, but over time, the roots are destroyed, and the tree can no longer survive!”

Everyone: “…”

Dr. Sun’s analogy, though blunt, was painfully accurate.

“See? I wasn’t lying! None of those illegitimate children are his!” The Third master’s wife declared smugly.

Illegitimate children?!

Dr. Sun and his grandson were stunned.

Dr. Sun blinked. “Xinhui has children?!”

“Yes, Dr. Sun. The Third Young Master has two sons at home and three illegitimate children elsewhere,” Gu Xicao said, struggling to suppress her laughter.

What?!

Dr. Sun realized he might have misspoken. Embarrassed, he recalled how definitive his earlier statement had been, only to now learn the man supposedly had children.

What did this mean? It meant someone else was responsible for those children.

“This is impossible! My grandfather wouldn’t misdiagnose this! In Uncle Hui’s condition, it shouldn’t…”

Before Sun Shiping could finish, Gu Xicao cleared her throat loudly, interrupting him. Sun Shiping bit his tongue and closed his mouth quietly.

“Thank you, old friend,” Old Master Gu said with a smile. “We’d prefer tonight’s events to remain private. Could I trouble you to keep this matter confidential?”

“Of course, of course. Confidentiality is a doctor’s duty,” Dr. Sun replied hastily.

He quickly got up to leave, and Gu Yueluo saw the grandfather-grandson duo out. Upon returning, she witnessed Old Master Gu raise his hand and slap Gu Xinhui across the face.