bookcurios Chapter 423 Bamboo Forest Knot
Chapter 423 Bamboo Forest Knot
Upon hearing Chu Lingling's high praise, everyone turned their curious gazes toward the fragrant hot pot.
In an instant, chopsticks appeared like a forest, as people picked up mushrooms and put them into their mouths.
Seeing everyone eating with beaming smiles and satisfied expressions, Dongfang Jin felt an indescribable sense of joy.
These ingredients, sourced from her space, are like messengers of happiness, bringing joy to everyone. To her, they are more precious than any treasure.
During the banquet, laughter and the clatter of pots and pans mingled together.
Like a harmonious symphony, the air was filled with the fragrance of happiness.
On this warm afternoon, a hot pot feast acted like a magical bond, quietly bringing everyone closer together.
After dinner, everyone moved to the living room and played mahjong with great enthusiasm. Laughter and discussions could be heard from time to time in the living room.
Meanwhile, the bamboo forest of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion is like a tranquil paradise.
The cobblestone path underfoot, like a winding ribbon, meanders through the bamboo forest.
Each step produced a subtle friction sound, as if the earth was softly telling an ancient story.
The afternoon breeze in late autumn, carrying a hint of coolness, is like a nimble sprite, flitting among the bamboo groves.
The rustling of bamboo leaves was like a grand yet secluded private banquet, playing a beautiful natural symphony.
Looking up, the bamboo leaves are no longer the pure emerald green of midsummer; most of the leaves are withered and yellow.
The edges bear scorch marks from the erosion of time, as if telling a story of the vicissitudes of time.
Occasionally, a few frost-touched bamboo leaves, with their stubborn dark red hue, stand out like tiny sparks amidst the decaying yellow.
The sunlight struggled to penetrate the layers of leaves, losing its usual intensity.
Only a faint, warm light remained, like a soft veil, casting various shapes of light and shadow on the ground.
The light and shadow sway gently in the breeze, as if the earth is dancing with the sunlight, adding a touch of dreaminess to this bamboo forest.
The ground was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves, like a soft carpet.
Red, yellow, and half-green leaves intertwine to create a colorful picture.
Amidst the damp, earthy scent, a unique fragrance of decaying leaves wafts forth—the aroma of time's passage.
Suddenly, a bamboo leaf broke free from its grip on the branch and twirled down.
It traced a graceful arc in the air before settling quietly, adding a touch of dynamism to the tranquil scene.
All around, the hustle and bustle of summer insects was gone, leaving only the sound of the wind, the rustling of bamboo leaves, and one's own footsteps, as if the whole world was immersed in tranquility.
In the distance, the call of an unknown bird could be heard, its cry long and ethereal.
The echoes lingered in the silent bamboo forest, further emphasizing its tranquility and seclusion.
In this tranquil bamboo forest, Gu Chenglin stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his face stern, like a resolute mountain peak, facing Gu Jingye.
Not far away, Dongfang Jin stood quietly to the side, with Xiao Jin sitting on her shoulder.
The little golden monkey was holding a peach, eating it with juice dripping from its mouth, its round eyes staring curiously at the father and son standing on the cobblestone path.
On the elbow, Ta Xue sat upright, holding corn kernels in her two front paws, eating with great relish.
Its triangular head bobbed up and down as it chewed, making it look very cute.
Dongfang Jin gazed at the father and son with concern, a hint of worry in her heart.
Gu Jingye's eyes were red, like ripe peaches, and his face was flushed red with anger and grievance, as if it were about to burn.
He stared intently at Gu Chenglin, his voice trembling with tears, and asked, "Father, is it really true that my sister can't be included in the Gu family genealogy?"
As soon as she finished speaking, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, like a flood breaking through a dam.
His body trembled violently from the grievances and repression in his heart, like a leaf swaying in a storm, a sight that broke one's heart.
My mother isn't eligible to be included in the family genealogy, but what about my sister?
My sister can't be listed in the family genealogy. What will happen to her marriage? She'll be looked down upon by her husband's family, even if she's an illegitimate daughter.
Otherwise, her husband's family would have a handle to bully her, and her younger sister would also lose face because of it.
Seeing his son like this, Gu Chenglin felt as if his heart was being torn apart, and his eyes reddened slightly.
He looked up at the sky, trying to hide the pain in his eyes, his voice slightly hoarse: "Stone, actually, your sister isn't Dad's child."
As soon as he spoke, his body swayed slightly, as if all his strength had been drained away, and he lost all support.
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingye's legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground with a thud, sobbing, "Waaah...waaah..."
The cries echoed through the bamboo forest, heart-wrenching.
"Father, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hide it from you."
So Dad knew all along, then what he did just now...
It was his fault; he was the one who buried his head in the sand.
Gu Chenglin was shocked, his pupils contracted sharply, and he quickly squatted down, pressing his hands tightly against Gu Jingye's shoulders.
His eyes were filled with disbelief: "What! Stone, you knew all along?"
His voice trembled slightly with shock, and a wave of self-reproach washed over him. What was this child carrying?
I was such a failure as a father; I had never even noticed my child's pain.
Gu Jingye knelt down and threw himself into Gu Chenglin's arms, sobbing uncontrollably: "Yes, it was Mother who said it."
She had been wronged by that grandmother, so she took it out on her younger sister.
She hit and cursed at the same time…
Dongfang Jinlian moved lightly and silently closer, just in time to hear Gu Jingye sobbing as he recounted the many atrocities his biological mother had committed against Gu Caiwei.
This silly boy, Gu Chenglin probably hasn't told the Gu family about the birthmark yet, otherwise this kid wouldn't be like this.
She said that the boy had been in a daze ever since he came out of the ancestral hall, which is why she asked Gu Chenglin to call him here to find out what was going on.
She didn't want to cause trouble for herself, much less create an enemy.
Xiao Jin's delighted eating came to an abrupt halt, the peach in her hand hanging in mid-air, her round eyes filled with shock.
It quickly turned to look at Dongfang Jin, its shrill voice echoing through the bamboo forest: "Jin-jie, is Little Stone talking about his own mother?"
Dongfang Jin's gaze was sharp and fixed on the embracing father and son. His expression was solemn, and he nodded slightly: "Yes."
Ta Xue also stopped eating, her beady eyes darting around.
The triangular head raised slightly, and a soft voice rang out: "His own mother is so heartless? She's nowhere near as kind as you, his stepmother."
In Ta Xue's understanding, although the females in their family reproduce more frequently than humans, they have never abused their own children.
Dongfang Jin's face was ashen. He reached out and gently tapped Taxue's little head: "Well, what's even more outrageous is that she faked her death and is now a mother to someone else's child."
Xiao Jin scratched her fluffy head, looking completely bewildered: "What's going on with Caiwei? Is she really not your man's child?"
Dongfang Jin nodded again, her tone calm: "Yes, but she and Shi Tou have the same mother."
Ta Xue nodded her little head as if she understood, still holding a corn cob in her paw: "Your human affairs are really complicated."
Dongfang Jin chuckled helplessly, "Indeed."
As soon as she finished speaking, she walked hurriedly to the father and son, holding two bottles of Five Elements Spring Water.
Her voice was soft but tinged with wariness: "Alright, there are too many people and too much talk here."
Gu Jingye looked up at the sound and saw Dongfang Jin, who moved like a swallow returning to the forest.
He suddenly threw himself into her arms, crying out in heart-wrenching sobs, "Mother! Waaah..."
That cry of "Mother" was like a heavy hammer blow, striking Dongfang Jin's heart hard.
A wave of bitterness welled up in her heart, and it felt as if her heart was being pierced by countless steel needles.