Lady Gu Is Too Weak To Fend For Herself Chapter 1699 Final Decision
Previously on Lady Gu Is Too Weak To Fend For Herself...
With trembling fingers, Situ Mingye gazed at the table and grasped a photograph. The picture captured a young man and a woman standing side by side—the esteemed young master of the Situ family, Situ Yu, and the brilliant Xia Yunqiu, who had astonished the entire capital.
They formed the capital's most perfect pair. In time, one met their end, while the other's fate stayed shrouded in mystery.
In a raspy, aged voice, Situ Mingye passed the photo to Qiao Xi. "Xi… Xi Xi, keep this photo as a memento."
Qiao Xi accepted it respectfully with both hands, her gaze falling on the joyful young man and woman. Uncontrollably, her eyes reddened.
"Over these years, we've dispatched people far and wide searching for Yu'er, yet no traces have surfaced. I suspect he learned of Yunqiu's passing, and thus…" Old Master Situ's tone grew strained.
No one wanted to accept Situ Yu's death, yet after all this time without word, the truth seemed clear.
"Then, do you know how my mother died?" Qiao Xi inquired hoarsely.
Old Master Situ let out a heavy sigh. "From what I've gathered, your mother fled from pursuit by the three major families and perished in Li City. But deeper layers existed—maybe the four great families schemed, or perhaps the Qiao family struck. Ultimately, only she held the real story. If her belongings left no hints for you, she meant to spare you this burden.
"Word spreads that your mother uncovered a secret tied to the four great families, prompting their hunt. Still, knowing Yunqiu as I do, secret or no, she'd never burden you with it."
Shock filled Qiao Xi's eyes as her mother's motives dawned on her. Revealing it would force her to shoulder even more.
Old Master Situ retrieved a document from the table and offered it to Qiao Xi. "Examine it back home. You're grown now and can choose your path. Whatever you decide, the Situ family stands with you."
Still dazed, Qiao Xi returned to the villa clutching the document. Upon entering, she found Gu Zheng on the sofa, his intense gaze fixed on her.
The instant her eyes met Gu Zheng's, tears welled up in Qiao Xi's as she darted into his arms like a fluttering butterfly.
Gu Zheng enveloped her in his embrace, softly stroking her back. "What's wrong?"
Through choked sobs, Qiao Xi recounted the events at the Situ residence. Then, she unveiled the document from Old Master Situ right before Gu Zheng. Bold letters jumped out first: 'Paternity Test Report'. It proved Qiao Xi and Xia Jingan were blood siblings.
No wonder… That strange closeness to Xia Jingan made sense now—they shared blood. He'd likely suspected it long ago but never voiced it, treating her with unwavering sincerity regardless.
"Something more lies further in," Gu Zheng pointed out.
From behind, Qiao Xi pulled another photo—a man in his thirties, exuding gentle elegance and striking handsomeness.
"Doesn't this man seem oddly familiar?" Qiao Xi wondered aloud.
"He resembles Gu Yao," Gu Zheng replied coolly.
Sudden realization struck Qiao Xi. Moments later, she spotted the name on the photo's reverse—Yue Tangqing.
Exchanging glances, they both grasped it. Old Master Situ hadn't handed over the photo idly. He revealed Gu Yao as Yue Tangqing's son, accounting for his innate genius at the piano.
"During the capital's turmoil back then, the Situ family clung to their century-old roots to safeguard their final bloodline. But the Yue family faced near annihilation. Gu Yao could be their sole survivor, yet revealing this would chain him with unseen burdens forever, so…" Gu Zheng's voice dropped, laced with helplessness.
"We won't tell him! Not knowing his birth parents might bless him. He has us and his girlfriend—he'll find true joy ahead." Qiao Xi sighed softly.
"Girlfriend?" Gu Zheng sounded surprised.
Qiao Xi grinned. "Yeah! Haven't you heard Gu Yao's with Li Xing'er? As his brother, how can you ignore him like this?!"
Gu Zheng chuckled. "I focus only on you. No time for him!"
"Oh, and there's one more thing I need to mention. It concerns Meng Fan." Gu Zheng's face suddenly grew grave. "I suspect Meng Fan's father was the young master from the Yan family in the capital. At that time, when your mother faced pursuit from the three major families, Mr. Yan gave his life to protect her. Yet, the severe wounds he sustained led to his death. Following that, the Yan family endured brutal retaliation from those three families, forcing Mr. Yan's wife and children to flee the capital and struggle for survival. That also accounts for Meng Fan's deep-seated hatred toward your mother."
Complicated emotions surged through Qiao Xi. She could comprehend Meng Fan's resentment toward her. To rescue another woman, his father had forsaken his wife and son. Life after departing the capital must have been utterly miserable for him, igniting such overwhelming hatred.