After my luck was stolen, I led my whole family to defy fate and change our destiny.

Seeing Lin Xiaoxiao leave, the Gu brothers, who had been hiding to the side, also turned around and prepared to go back.

I told you, I would never lie to them.

Ever since Gu Liyao injured his elder brother, he has become even more devoted to medical skills.

Holding a medical book every day, Confucius said... Confucius said...

Gu Yu'an looked at Gu Liyao, who was shaking his head in the yard, and then looked down at his leg where Gu Liyao had pricked him.

Ah...no wonder...

Someone unfamiliar with the subject might mistake it for a work on Confucianism...

For several days in a row, the three brothers had no heart to go to the academy, and Gu Yu'an was waiting for the sixth prince's letter, so he dared not go anywhere.

At this moment, the butler was hurrying towards Gu Yu'an's courtyard.

"What's the rush?"

The butler cupped his hands and said, "Just now, a sharp arrow was shot towards the gate, and there was a letter on it."

After speaking, he respectfully presented it with both hands.

Gu Yu'an quickly got up and tore open the envelope.

"At midnight tonight, at most two people will be in the Ministry of Justice prison."

Gu Yu'an quickly read the letter and went to find Su Xiuran. After discussing it, they decided that the two of them would go.

Both Gu Lao Er and Gu Lao San are somewhat reckless. If they can't control themselves after entering the Ministry of Justice prison, it will be bad if they cause trouble.

Although Gu Linglong has some special qualities, she is still an infant, and Su Xiuran does not want her to go to such a dark environment.

Su Xiuran and Gu Yu'an were both dressed in black night clothes, with black cloaks covering their faces and figures.

The jailer at the entrance of the Ministry of Justice prison saw the two acting suspiciously and drew his sword to stop them.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

Gu Yu'an took out a token from his sleeve. "Thank you for your trouble."

The jailer sheathed his longsword, took the sword, and casually put it into his pocket.

"My esteemed guest, please follow me."

The prison cells in the Ministry of Justice were dark and damp. There were oil lamps every two meters or so on the walls on both sides, but it was still dim, and the air was filled with a musty smell.

Gu Yu'an supported his mother, afraid she would fall.

Su Xiuran gently covered her mouth and nose with her fingers. The further she walked, the more upset she felt. How could her husband, who was so clean that he was spotless, bear it?

The jailer stopped in front of a cell, cupped his hands, and said, "Honorable sir, please speak quickly."

Su Xiuran nodded, and Gu Yu'an handed her a packet of silver, saying, "Please treat the brothers to some tea."

The jailer accepted the money without hesitation, as his salary was low and he relied on these extra earnings.

"Thank you, young master. I'll wait outside for a moment."

Gu Mingtang was the only one in the cell. He was sitting with his back against the wall, his eyes slightly closed. He heard the sound of light, soft footsteps approaching.

He opened his eyes wearily and saw a person wearing a black cloak. The light was too dim for Gu Mingtang to see the face clearly.

But why does this figure look so much like his wife's?

Sigh... I'm dreaming again...

Gu Mingtang closed his eyes again.

"Husband..."

Gu Mingtang suddenly opened his eyes. Yes, it was the voice of the woman he had been longing for day and night.

He leaned against the wall and stood up shakily, taking two steps at a time to walk to the cell door, where he reached out and grabbed the rotten wood.

"Xiu'er, is that you?"

Su Xiuran grasped Gu Mingtang's hand. "Master, it's me."

Su Xiuran looked at Gu Mingtang, whose face was covered in stubble, who looked exhausted, and whose prison clothes were gray, dirty, and wrinkled.

When the master was at home, he would iron out even the smallest wrinkle.

She couldn't hold back any longer and sobbed softly as large tears streamed down her face.

Gu Mingtang's eyes also reddened. "Madam, don't cry. I'm fine. Don't hurt yourself."

Gu Yu'an emerged from the shadows. "Mother, time is of the essence. Let's talk about the important things."

When Gu Mingtang saw that his eldest son had also arrived, he turned around, wiped away his tears, and pretended that nothing had happened.

"Yu An has also arrived."

"Father, your unfilial son has only come to see you now."

Gu Mingtang waved his hand, puzzled, and asked, "The Ministry of Justice prison is heavily guarded, how did you get here?"

Gu Yu'an briefly explained how he and the Sixth Prince had helped rescue Linglong.

"Father, do you think the Sixth Prince might have ulterior motives?"

Gu Mingtang pondered for a moment: "What can our family possibly gain now?"

"What should we do now? Is it really like what my little sister said... the whole family... the whole family?"

Seeing his father's appearance, Gu Yu'an found it difficult to continue speaking.

Gu Mingtang patted Gu Yu'an's hand. "Your eyes are fine, aren't they? Everything will turn around."

but……

"but what?"

Gu Mingtang's expression was somewhat gloomy.

"This is a tricky matter. After all, the seal is genuine. Even if it's proven that Chen stole it, and the family has already separated, she is still nominally my mother."

"Daqing governs the country based on filial piety, and I can't escape the connection; it's just a matter of weighing the pros and cons."

Gu Yu'an frowned. "Shouldn't presenting the matter of Chen persecuting her own grandmother be enough to avoid suspicion?"

Gu Mingtang chuckled softly: "Silly son."

He glanced around warily, then lowered his voice even further.

"Would His Majesty believe me if I said at this time that my biological mother was someone else?"

"These old stories went unnoticed for so many years, and now that they've surfaced, anyone would be suspicious. Even I wouldn't believe it myself if it weren't for Linglong."

Even if Chen himself admits his guilt, His Majesty would probably consider it a ploy to exonerate him.

Gu Yu'an's hopeful eyes immediately lost their light.

"So what should we do now? How far has the case progressed?"

Gu Mingtang shook his head. "I don't know either. I had already handed over my pardon before the Emperor questioned me, and we transferred the funds in advance. I'm afraid that's why the Emperor didn't immediately sentence me."

"Now that we know Gu Minghai is the one trying to harm our family, let's find a breakthrough by targeting their family."

Gu Mingtang pulled Gu Yu'an's hand and wrote the words "Little Sister" on it.

Gu Yu'an nodded emphatically.

He understood his father's meaning: to see if he could still find out Linglong's prophecy about Gu Minghai's family.

"If the Sixth Prince intends to provide assistance, he must be careful not to arouse suspicion."

"Yes, Father."

"Also, protect Linglong well, and make sure he doesn't discover anything."

"Yes, Father."

Seeing that the father and son had finished speaking, Su Xiuran took out a food box. "Have something to eat. I made some hibiscus cake myself."

"Hey……"

If his son hadn't been there, Gu Mingtang might have burst into tears again, but he tried his best to hold them back.

How can a father lose face in front of his son?

"An'er, you are the eldest son in the family. Your mother, younger brother, and younger sister are all entrusted to you."

"Don't worry, Dad, we'll work together to find a way to get you out of here."

"Saving Dad is a minor matter; your safety is the most important thing."

Tears welled up in Su Xiuran's eyes. "We're doing well outside, but you're inside, not getting enough to eat or wear."

I will take good care of myself.

"dong dong dong"

It was the sound of a jailer banging his knife on the wooden door.

The intention was to remind them that their time had come.

Gu Yu'an supported Su Xiuran's shoulder. "Mother, let's go, it's almost time."

"Father, don't worry, I'll take care of everything outside."

Gu Mingtang nodded emphatically, his gaze unconsciously shifting back to Su Xiuran.

Their hands were still tightly clasped together.

"Madam, please go back quickly."

"master…"

"dong dong dong"

The jailer knocked a few more times.

Gu Yu'an stepped forward and forcibly pulled their hands apart.

The two held hands from a distance, their eyes filled with tears...

"Alright, Mom, this isn't a sketchbook performance."

Su Xiuran: "..."