Chapter 652: Whom Are You Trying to Protect?

“This is our family’s affair, Lord Su. We don’t need to trouble you to make a trip to report it,” Gu Sheng gritted his teeth and spoke.

Seeing Gu Sheng’s demeanor, Su Jiu chuckled softly. “Do you think reporting to the authorities is something you can decide on your own? Whether to report or not?”

Gu Sheng understood this principle, but he was well aware that if Su Jiu continued to investigate, he would surely uncover something.

Seeing Gu Sheng’s dilemma, Su Jiu suddenly spoke up, “Master Gu, you’re overthinking. The parties involved in the incident haven’t requested to withdraw your report. Shouldn’t you consult with the elders of your family?”

Upon hearing Su Jiu’s words, Gu Sheng turned and left to find Gu Qing.

The person beside Su Jiu looked at Gu Sheng’s departing figure and said in a puzzled tone, “Boss, what do you think Gu Sheng is trying to do? Shouldn’t the head of the family act differently when there are deaths in the family and he doesn’t want us to investigate thoroughly?”

If only a servant had died, he could understand, but all three deceased were influential elders of the Gu family.

His continuous obstruction of their work made them suspect that the deaths of these three individuals were related to Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng found Gu Qing and asked coldly, “Uncle Qing, isn’t it too much to report our family’s affairs to the authorities?”

“Too much? I don’t think so. Since the family head wants to cover up the matter, I will find someone to investigate on my own,” Gu Qing said coldly, looking at Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng glared at Gu Qing. “You…”

“Why is the family head obstructing this? Could their deaths be related to the family head?” Gu Qing asked coldly, looking at Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng rebuked angrily, “What nonsense! How could their deaths be related to me?”

“In that case, why is the family head so anxious?” Gu Qing looked at Gu Sheng meaningfully.

The anger on Gu Sheng’s face disappeared instantly.

“We are family, Uncle Qing. Why do you have to be so stubborn?” Gu Sheng looked at Gu Qing helplessly.

Gu Qing sneered, “Yes, we are family. Why don’t you investigate properly?”

Previously, Gu Qing had only suspected Gu Sheng’s involvement, but now he was certain that Gu Sheng was connected to the matter.

“If this matter is related to you, I won’t let it go. Take care of yourself, family head,” Gu Qing closed his eyes, unwilling to say more to Gu Sheng.

Seeing Gu Qing’s reaction, Gu Sheng could only turn and leave.

He needed to inform Xiruo about this matter and prepare her for it.

“Sir, do you think this matter is really related to the family head?”

“Do you think it looks like it’s unrelated to him? Even if it’s not directly related to him, he wants to protect the person behind this, and it’s obvious who he wants to protect.”

The leader’s expression changed slightly. “Sir, are you saying that the family head wants to protect Gu Xiruo?”

“Who else could make him so nervous? He doesn’t care about his own son and biological daughter, only about this adopted daughter who has no blood relation to him,” Gu Qing said with a cold smile.

It was likely that Gu Xiruo was behind this matter, and Gu Qing wanted to see how far Gu Sheng would go to protect her.

“What is the family head’s purpose in protecting an adopted daughter? And if it’s really Gu Xiruo who harmed the elders, what is her goal?” What benefit does a young girl like Gu Xiruo gain from doing this?

“It seems there’s no benefit at the moment. But what if she wants to take the position of the family head?” Gu Qing said coldly.

“What? How is that possible? Not to mention that the young master of the Gu family is the rightful heir, even without the young master, it’s not her place as an adopted daughter to become the family head,” Gu Sheng exclaimed.

Gu Qing nodded. “You’re right.”

“Gu Xiruo is well aware that with us around, it’s impossible for her to become the family head. But what if all the elders are gone?” Gu Qing’s insight made it clear what Gu Xiruo was up to.

The onlookers couldn’t believe it. How could this be possible? Could a woman really do such a thing?

“Does she even want the young master’s life?”

Gu Qing nodded, “As long as the young master is alive, even if she becomes the family head in the future, it will always be illegitimate. She can only do so if we are all gone.”

The steward nearby was at a loss for words.

“How can the family head allow Gu Xiruo to do such a thing? This is inviting trouble,” the steward said angrily.

“He only cares about his precious daughter. What does he care about anything else?” No wonder the Prince’s Consort had no interest in the Gu family, not even a glance.

Previously, he had wondered why someone wouldn’t want to be with their biological parents, but now he understood. What was the point of acknowledging biological parents who wished for her death?

“Let Lord Su investigate this matter. I believe he will give us a satisfactory result.”

“The family head will definitely not let anything happen to Gu Xiruo.”

“Then it’s his own business. But now that we know everything, it won’t be easy for them to make a move against us again,” Gu Qing said coldly.

After speaking, he thought of something and looked at the steward beside him. “Go and call the others. Tell them I have something to tell them.”

The steward nodded quickly, “Yes, I will go right away.”

Before long, all the remaining elders of the Gu family had gathered at Gu Qing’s location.

“Big brother, did you call us here for something today?”

“Yes, there is indeed something. I have some information about the deaths of our brothers. I called you here today to inform you about this matter and to warn you to be careful and guard against being manipulated in the future,” Gu Qing said to the group.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the group turned grim. “Big brother, who is responsible for this matter?”

“Gu Xiruo.”

“What?”

Gu Qing explained the situation to them, and after hearing it, the group’s expressions turned even grimmer. “Gu Sheng really has some nerve.”

“Big brother, we must make thorough preparations. We cannot allow this mess to fall into the hands of an adopted daughter, which rightfully belongs to the young master of the Gu family.”

This was something they could not accept under any circumstances.

Gu Qing nodded, “Everyone, make preparations.”

“Yes.”

Gu Xiruo soon learned about Gu Qing’s report to the authorities, and to her surprise, the person investigating the matter was Su Jiu. She knew this person, as he was also Wang Jinhe’s brother. He would surely uncover the truth.

What would she do if the investigation implicated her?

Gu Xiruo knew that Qing Yukong would not be able to keep this matter from her. He found her and reassured her, “Don’t worry, this matter will not implicate you.”

Upon hearing Qing Yukong’s assurance, Gu Xiruo felt completely relieved. “That’s good.”

“Even though it won’t implicate you, it’s best for you to behave and not take any action for the time being. Otherwise, it could still end up involving you. Also, make sure to have a word with your father and advise him not to reveal anything,” Qing Yukong instructed Gu Xiruo.