coobybook Chapter 419 Gu Caiwei's identity prevents her from being included in the family genealogy.
Chapter 419 Gu Caiwei's identity prevents her from being included in the family genealogy.
Cang Nanxi smiled, his eyes crinkling, and casually raised his teacup, his tone slightly teasing: "Old General, you are indeed late, haha..."
As he spoke, a mischievous smile flashed in his eyes.
The Duke of Fuguo slowly stood up, a gentle smile on his face, his teacup swaying slightly in his hand, his eyes full of concern: "Uncle, it's been a long time."
Gu Qiguo's hair and beard were snow-white, as pure as the first snow of winter.
Her hair was neatly tied back, secured with a black ribbon, with a few strands of silver hair fluttering in the wind, adding to her boldness and unruliness.
His beard was neatly trimmed, with three long strands swaying gently with his steps, exuding an air of composure.
The military uniform he wore was a deep color, and although it had no complicated decorations, it was clean and neat, and every fold seemed to contain power.
A jade belt adorned his waist, its smooth texture complementing his military uniform and further highlighting his noble and extraordinary status.
He wore a pair of black boots, the spurs on the boots gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
Each step produced a crisp sound, like a war drum on a battlefield, awe-inspiring and powerful.
His family followed behind him.
His wife was supported by her two daughters-in-law, one on each side.
Behind them were three granddaughters-in-law, one of whom was Lu Yunqing's older sister, Lu Yunyan.
Gu Chenglin hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully bowed deeply: "Grandpa, I am Gu Chenglin, and I am deeply honored to meet you today."
His every gesture exudes humility and composure.
It seems that Ruyi's elixir is effective for Grandpa's old ailment.
Gu Qiguo's eyes were sharp as he looked Gu Chenglin up and down, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
He reached out and helped him up: "Good lad, it's been so many years, you've grown so much, a handsome young man!"
He had already heard from Yunxiang's wife that the medicine he was taking was given to him by this kid.
Gu Chenglin looked puzzled by his question: "Has Grandpa seen me before?"
Gu Qiguo stroked his beard and chuckled, "I met you once, when you were thirteen or fourteen..."
As he spoke, he recounted how, when he was on his way to his ancestral home that year, he passed through Ling'an County and secretly went to Lingwu Village to catch a glimpse of him from afar.
Gu Chenglin and Gu Yunxiao exchanged a glance, then looked at their father. It seemed that their father had been hiding a lot from them.
Just then, the two daughters of the Duke of Rong's second wife, Gu Yunshan and Gu Yunhu, also entered the mansion with their families.
In an instant, the spacious courtyard was filled with people exchanging pleasantries and greetings, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
……
Shuimotang Study Room.
Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices of the Shuimo Hall, casting dappled shadows on the nanmu wood floor.
Duke Rongguo, Gu Haozhen, dressed in a black robe with cloud patterns, sat upright on a carved armchair.
His expression was solemn, and on the rosewood table beside him, a cup of tea was steaming.
Gu Chenglin's great-uncle, Gu Qiguo, stroked his goatee and looked at the people present with a complicated expression.
Prince Dun, Cang Nanxi, wore a brocade robe with python patterns; his posture was languid yet could not conceal his majesty.
Duke Dongfang Shuo gently touched the jade pendant at his waist, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
All four eyes were focused on Gu Chenglin, who was standing with his back bent.
Gu Chenglin was dressed in a moon-white long robe, the hem of which trembled gently in the breeze.
The Duke of Rong frowned deeply, his voice booming: "Chenglin, tell me, what exactly happened to your daughter?"
Gu Chenglin raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the elders one by one. He took a deep breath and calmly began to recount Gu Caiwei's background.
As he spoke, the atmosphere in the room grew increasingly heavy, broken only by the occasional chirping of birds outside the window.
After listening, Duke Rong turned to look at Cang Nanxi, his gaze sharp: "You were also aware of this matter?"
Cang Nanxi nodded slightly, his tone calm: "When we first arrived at Lingwu Village, Yuan'er was bathing the child and discovered that the child did not have the birthmark that Gu family members have."
Out of caution, he asked Chenglin…” After that, he recounted how he had looked for Gu Chenglin and his daughter.
Upon hearing this, Duke Rong withdrew his gaze and looked at Gu Chenglin again, sighing heavily: "Chenglin, according to the Gu family rules, this child does not have Gu family blood and cannot be included in the Gu family genealogy."
Gu Chenglin clasped his hands together, bowed slightly, and after a moment of silence, replied in a low voice, "Your son understands."
His voice carried an undisguised sense of loneliness. He stood with his eyes lowered, and the hall fell into a deathly silence.
Only the teacups on the table were gradually losing their heat.
Ruyi listened to their conversation and reported what had happened to Dongfang Jin.
Dongfang Jin paused, holding the teacup; this was something she had already guessed.
When her father learned about Gu Caiwei's background, he told her and Gu Chenglin about it.
Actually, no one can be blamed for this. In a large family like the Gu family, blood ties cannot be ignored.
They should not be confused, especially families like theirs that still have birthmarks.
I heard that in the early days of the Gu family, when the Cang Sheng Kingdom still existed, there was an empress and a prime minister among the women of their family.
Later, the ancestors of the Gu family followed the first emperor of the Eastern Lin Kingdom and conquered the world.
He was granted the title of Duke of Rong.
After that, it was passed down through generations.
She glanced at Gu Caiwei, who was playing with several children, and smiled. She would protect this child.
So what if I can't be included in the family genealogy? As long as I have money, it doesn't matter if I can't be included in the genealogy.
My older brother told me that his wife wrote to say that the child's biological mother was poisoned to death by her stepson and stepsister.
His biological father and his family were also exiled to a mining area thousands of miles away, and they probably will never come out in this lifetime.
After the little prince was born, her cousin granted a general amnesty, and she specifically asked about it.
My cousin said that a general amnesty would not include those who take lives.
This made her feel relieved.
……
Once everyone had arrived, Duke Rongguo, Gu Haozhen, led his entourage in a grand procession toward the Gu Family Ancestral Hall.
The ancestral hall of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion is located in the southeast of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion.
The east is the direction where yang energy arises and all things begin to grow, symbolizing the continuous life and prosperity of a family.
In the Five Elements theory, the South belongs to Fire, which represents light, warmth, and prosperity, symbolizing the flourishing of the family line and the continuous inheritance of its heritage.
The group passed through the hanging flower gate and around the screen wall engraved with the character "福" (fortune).
A scent of sandalwood mingled with the aroma of smoke wafted over, and the ancestral hall of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion came into view.
Upon entering, the ancestral hall faces south and is constructed of bluestone.
Solemn and ancient, between the eaves and brackets, several copper bells sway gently in the breeze, making a crisp yet somewhat melodious sound.
The vermilion gate is heavy and solemn, and the taotie pattern on the door knocker seems to constantly remind future generations to remember the family's glory and responsibility.
Gu Chenglin stood with his hands at his sides on the bluestone slab, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the dark blue collar of his robe—this was the first time he had stepped into the ancestral home as a descendant of the Gu family.
Pushing open the door, the dim light, carrying a strong sandalwood scent, instantly enveloped one.
All the women stayed at the door, watching the men of the house step through the gate.
Just as Dongfang Jin hesitated, the Duke of Rongguo's voice came: "Little Jin, come in."
Dongfang Jin looked up in the direction of his mother and saw her nod slightly before he calmed himself down.
With upright steps, we stepped into this ancestral hall that carries the rich history of the Gu family.
In the strict feudal society of ancient times, ancestral halls, as the spiritual symbol and power center of the family, were dominated by men.
For women, the opportunity to step into the ancestral hall is extremely rare in their lifetime.
Each step forward carries a specific meaning and profoundly influences their destiny.
When they first entered the ancestral hall, it was a mark of their status as married into their husband's family.
Before marriage, a woman belongs to her maternal family clan, and within the ancestral hall system, she is on the margins.
After marriage, the clan elders will register the woman's name, place of origin, date of birth, and other information in the clan genealogy.
This means that the woman has been formally accepted by her husband's family, become a member of the family, gained a foothold in her husband's family, and integrated into the new family order.