Chapter 104: 104: Real or Fake?

Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Real or Fake?

At night, after settling Gu Kun in, Uncle Gu sat in front of Gu Qingfeng’s sickbed.

Gu Qingfeng’s hand still held the Jade Pendant, staring blankly in a trance.

His complexion was different from usual, somewhat gloomy.

Seeing the Old Patriarch’s expression, Uncle Gu spoke bluntly, “Old Patriarch, don’t you think this matter is too abrupt and too coincidental?”

Most of the residents of Sanwan Village were workers at the Gu Family Jade Mine; Uncle Gu had visited many times over the years, including a few visits by the Old Patriarch in the past years.

But he never heard of anyone named Gu Kun.

...

Yet, the household registry clearly listed him.

Name, age, place of origin, all matched up.

Moreover, this Gu Kun’s son was a locally renowned sculptor.

The most important thing was that in his hands he held the First Lady’s Jade Pendant.

And the First Lady had been dead for over forty years…

Gu Qingfeng looked at the Jade Pendant, his face as still as water, and after a long while, murmured softly, “This Jade Pendant belonged to Lady Yu, she never left it behind…”

Uncle Gu looked at the Jade Pendant in the hands of the Old Patriarch and didn’t know what to say.

After a moment, Gu Qingfeng suddenly spoke again, “This matter is very strange, if there was no Jade Pendant, I might have believed seven parts of it, but now…”

If it was true, why didn’t Gu Kun know about the Mysterious Dragon Box, and if it was false, why would he have the First Lady’s Jade Pendant in his possession?

This matter, upon careful contemplation, was terrifying.

Furthermore, although Gu Kun was overwhelmed with tears, when asked about his youthful days, he said he had forgotten a lot…

Uncle Gu’s eyes lit up, “It’s said that paternity tests can be done abroad, Old Patriarch, whether it’s true or not, just a test will reveal the truth.”

Gu Qingfeng, however, shook his head, “For now, we won’t do the test.”

“Why?” asked Uncle Gu, puzzled.

“Just as you were starting to investigate Stone Town, that person was found, and moreover, the timing of the photo studio fire was too coincidental…”

“Then I’ll go to Stone Town again tomorrow, and ask directly. That will bring out the truth…” Uncle Gu said.

Gu Qingfeng thought for an instant and asked Uncle Gu, “If this person is an impostor, then this is a conspiracy, but you’ve checked the household registration and it’s not fake. Who could have such capability to make arrangements in advance?”

Uncle Gu’s gaze flickered, looking at Gu Qingfeng, he said, “You know what’s in your heart.”

“Indeed, I’ve pandered to their appetites…” A fierce look suddenly flashed through Gu Qingfeng’s eyes, “I was wrong before, I knew Ning Wanru and the others were following the investigation as well, but I hadn’t expected, both groups had their people in them…”

Uncle Gu’s complexion turned red, he gritted his teeth, and said with shame, “I personally selected these people, yet I didn’t expect…”

“In the face of interests, some people just can’t hold their ground.”

“Old Patriarch, what do we do now?”

“Bring all of Gu Kun’s family to Imperial Capital, after arranging everything well, assign trustworthy people to serve by their side, then you send someone abroad to get a test done. If he really is my son, I can’t hurt his feelings anymore, if not, then use him to unearth the people behind him, and spare none of them…” Gu Qingfeng said in a deep voice.

Uncle Gu nodded solemnly, “I will arrange everything properly, it’s just that it might take longer to do the paternity test abroad.”

“Hmm, I know, but to do this test domestically requires special approval from the Public Security, it’s simpler to go abroad.”

Uncle Gu thought for a moment, then said directly, “If it’s fake, the ones behind this are Second Lady and Gu Cheng. What will you do then?”

Gu Qingfeng was momentarily stunned.

It took a while before he spoke, his voice bleak and heavy, “When Ning Wanru and her son first came to the Gu Family, they had nothing. The debt of gratitude for saving their lives has long been repaid. Other than that, I have nothing to do with them. Plus, if they dare scheme against me, I will take back what doesn’t belong to them. If I really can’t find my son before I die, I will make arrangements for all of you, and then I will donate all my property to the state. I won’t leave them a single penny.”

When Uncle Gu heard Gu Qingfeng talk about his final affairs, he couldn’t help the heat in his eyes, and his tears almost fell.

He also knew that the reason the Old Patriarch turned a blind eye was because Ning Wanru and Gu Cheng had always been obedient, at least they seemed well-behaved on the surface.

But if they really tampered with anything this time, that would cross the Old Patriarch’s line. The Old Patriarch was naturally obstinate and self-righteous, so in the end, Ning Wanru and Gu Cheng would end up with nothing.

However, Ning Wanru was so clever. Could someone really catch her in the act?

Even if they questioned Gu Kun, Uncle Gu thought, could there be any truth in the face of such overwhelming wealth?

This matter really needed careful planning.

Uncle Gu then asked, “What about the Gu Family in Stone Town?”

“After I’m discharged from the hospital, I’ll investigate it myself,” Gu Qingfeng said, already somewhat out of breath. After all, he was a man in his eighties, but he still pressed on, “And about the Jade Pendant, let’s keep it quiet for now. Once we determine if it’s real or fake, I will deal with it myself.”

Uncle Gu nodded solemnly, helped Gu Qingfeng lie down, and then left the hospital room.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the beginning of April.

In the south, the willow trees had tender green leaves in March, while in the north, around mid-April, they would sprout a type of bud locals called “Mao Mao.”

They were fluffy and quite amusing.

Kids would pluck the Mao Mao and place them on the table, tapping the surface to watch the buds roll around, which was a source of fun for rural children of that era.

Right now, Qiaoqiao was looking at the willow branches with Mao Mao buds in the vase on the living room’s Eight Immortals table, next to which several azalea flowers had bloomed, and her hand touched the Mao Mao.

It was her sister who had picked them from outside and then put them in a glass bottle full of water, and unexpectedly, due to the warm room temperature, they had bloomed early.

Especially those Mao Mao, which Qiaoqiao hadn’t seen in many years.

At that moment, they felt particularly familiar.

Qiaoqiao’s lips curled into a smile; she didn’t expect her sister Qianqian to have such an interest in leisure.

That little girl liked a lot of things.

She also loved life very much.

Qiaoqiao thought that in this lifetime, she would fulfill all of her sister’s wishes.

At this moment, the sunlight was just right, and Yuhong was preparing lunch.

After flexing her fingers, Qiaoqiao prepared to continue back to her room to carve when the phone rang…

Qiaoqiao answered the phone as usual, naturally starting with, “Hello…”

“It’s me…”

A low and indescribably enticing voice came through Qiaoqiao’s ear, as if a feather were gently stirring her heartstrings.

At that instant, Qiaoqiao’s body stiffened.

It was Qin Yize.