Chapter 28 Consequences

Gu Yingjie was in the Gu family's ancestral hall, kneeling on the ground in front of the spirit tablets. Gu Tingfang asked him to reflect on his fault. During this period, Gu Yingjie was refused food and water until he was punished.

Early in the morning, Gu Tingfuang walked into the room and stood beside Gu Yingjie. He looked down at Gu Yingjie and said, "How dare you leave home, leave your wife to chased after your old guard, and hurt your brother. Your behavior is too shameful, you still want to continue to be my heir?"

Gu Yingjie replied, "Father, you can choose another person to be your heir. I have no ambition to contribute to this family any longer."

Gu Tingfuang, "You know what will happen if you leave your duties and admit your crime."

Gu Yingjie, "Yes."

Gu Tingfuang, "You will be get thirty whips on your back. The guard will pierce your shoulder with a hook. You will be hanged for three days. If you survive three days later, you will be sentenced to life imprisonment. Do you understand it?"

Gu Yingjie, "I completely understand."

Gu Tingfuang, "Tell me if you were framed."

Gu Yingjie, "Father, I have not been framed. I just realized that what I want most out of this life is not some title, what I want is peace. I am no longer seeking and I am at peace."

Gu Tingfuang, "You are not at ease in your heart. I can see it in your eyes, that you are looking to die. You have lost your fighting spirit."

Gu Yingjie looked at his father and said, "Yes, I borrowed your hand to hold that knife to end my life, when I knew I was a product of shame. If you feel guilty or responsible for mother's death. Maybe, you can go visit her grave once a year on her birthday. She has been waiting for you all her life. She didn't have a chance to say goodbye to you before she died."

Gu Tingfuang was taken aback, "You know?"

Gu Yingjie said, "It doesn't matter now. Father, the two months I lived in the temple were even happier than I lived in Gu Manor for ten years."

Gu Tingfuang, "You haven't reflected on your mistakes, get up. I will revoke your title."

Gu Yingjie, "Thank you, father."

Gu Xiaowen walked in and stood beside Gu Tingfang. Gu Tingfang said, "Xiaowen will take over your place."

Gu Yingjie, "Ge, congratulations."

Gu Xiaowen, "Yingjie, hand it over."

Gu Yingjie, "What?"

Gu Xiaowen, "Grandfather, sliver leaf manual."

Gu Yingjie reached inside his sleeve and handed the sliver leaf manual to Gu Xiaowen.

Gu Tingfuang looked at Gu Yingjie, "Follow me to the training ground."

Zhu Mingyang and Yan Zhanjin rushed towards the Gu Household on horseback.

Yang Zhanjin asked, "Why should we go?"

Zhu Mingyang, "Zhanjin, you don't have to go. Please go back."

Yan Zhanjin, "Answer me, why are you chasing him."

Zhu Mingyang, "He return to the Gu Manor to receive his punishment. Those punishment is too cruel, he will not survive."

Yan Zhanjin, "You are no longer his guard. In other words, you are not obligated to fulfill anything."

Zhau Mingyang, "I have no obligation, I am willing."

The two horses stopped in front of the Gu Manor.

Zhu Mingyang jumped off his horse and looked at Yan Zhanjin. He said, "I am going to sneak inside. You can walk through the front door to avoid suspicion."

Yan Zhanjin, "Mingyang, be careful." He dragged his horse to the front entrance of the Gu Manor. He looked back and saw that Zhu Mingyang flew up quickly and climbed over the wall.

Gu Yingjie stood before Gu Tingfuang, Gu Tianjian, and Gu Xunsu. After Gu Xunsu finished reading Gu Yingjie's crimes, Gu Yingjie took off his robe and walked to the penalty pillar. One of the guards handcuffed his hands and he closed his eyes. He is prepared for that leather whip to hit him. He has never been punished since he came to Gu's house, because Zhu Mingyang accepted all the punishments for him. Today, Zhu Mingyang is no longer by his side. This will be the first time he will face his own punishment. He already knew it would be painful because he had taken care of Zhu Mingyang's wound many times in the past. He clung to the chain tightly.

As soon as the guard released the whip, Zu Mingyang flew forward, blocking the whip with his body from hitting Gu Yingjie.

Gu Yingjie heard a faint grunt and he opened his eyes. He looked directly at Zhu Mingyang's face. He murmured, "Mingyang…"

Zhu Mingyang smiled and said, "Since we know each other until now, I have always been the one who received the punishment, not you."

Gu Yingjie, "Mingyang, you are no longer my guard. You don't have to do this."

Zhu Mingyang, "I am willing, not as your guard, but as your equal."

The guard holding the whip looked at Gu Tingfang and said, "Chief, do I continue?"

Gu Tingfang looked at them madly, and said, "If he wants to stand there, then continue."

Zhu Mingyang looked into Gu Yingjie's eyes. He noticed that the spark in Gu Yingjie's eyes has not changed since the first time they meet until now. He knew that if he would to die, he would rather die looking at the person that he loves more than himself. Gu Yingjie smiled at him, he could no longer feel the pain of the whip on his back. He saw Gu Yingjie's tears fall, and the morning sun made Gu Yinjing's tears sparkle like diamonds falling from heaven.

Zhu Mingyang slowly raised his right hand and wiped away tears on Gu Yingjie's face. He chuckled and he said, "Yingjie, don't let anyone see your tears. As the heir of the Gu household, you should know better not to shed tear. If your enemies see your tears, they will not hesitate to end your life."

Gu Yingjie smiled at Zhu Mingyang and said, "After today, I am no longer the heir. You have always been the only one to see my tears."

Zu Mingyang smiled and said, "Yingjie, because of you, I have become the best guard of the Gu Household."

Gu Yingjie, "Mingyang, thank you for staying with me all the time. I am thankful to have you accompanying me in my last hour."

Zu Mingyang smiled and said, "Would you allow me to die alongside you?"

Gu Yingjie smiled at Zhu Mingyang and said, "I am willing."

Zhu Mingyang leaned forward with a smile and kissed Gu Yingjie. Zhu Mingyang didn't care what others said, because this might be the last time he kissed those beautiful, sweet, and soft lips.