Old Madam Gu could not stand Gu Siya's demeanor, always acting as if others were wrong, but she didn't blame them.
Thinking of how much Gu Sinian had suffered because of his behavior, Old Madam Gu became furious. "If you want it, I won't give it to you."
Gu Siya's cultivated elegance almost faltered.
Gu Sinian, however, couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Nian'er, I'll sort through it later and give it all to you," Old Madam Gu said.
"Grandmother, keep it for yourself for protection. I have plenty. Do you not know your grandson's capabilities? I can earn these things easily," Gu Sinian replied. "Back then, my spoils of war were more than what you have."
There was an unwritten rule in Da Feng that military generals only had to symbolically submit some of their war spoils, with the rest belonging to them personally. Half of Gu Sinian's fortune was accumulated during that time. The rest, naturally, was thanks to his friend Qian Yuanbao, whom he usually brought along when he undertook any endeavor.
Therefore, Gu Sinian was extremely wealthy.
Going to battle and acquiring spoils were things Gu Siya envied.
He had chosen the path of a scholar, not because he wanted to be a civil official, but because he lacked a strong physique and was utterly incapable of practicing martial arts.
He put on an air of scholarly aloofness, but in his heart, he was immensely envious of Gu Sinian.
Thus, the words "spoils of war" were a painful spot in his heart.
Gu Sinian said that deliberately. How could he not know Gu Siya's true inner thoughts?
This was also a mockery of Gu Siya's lack of ability.
Gu Siya, having finally managed to compose his expression, forced a smile. "Nian'er was always very capable from a young age."
The hint of melancholy in his eyes was perfectly calibrated, causing Gu Changwei, who had been watching him, to feel a pang of guilt. Anya was his son with Ning Wan, and he should have inherited his father's prowess in battle. However, during Ning Wan's pregnancy, she had been deeply unhappy and her health had suffered due to his impending marriage to Qin Tingxue. This led to her untimely death and the child being born frail.
It was all the fault of Gu Sinian's mother. And he, the son, not only failed to atone for his mother's sins but was also smug about it.
So cruel, so excessive!
"Aya, rest assured, I will leave everything in this Duke's mansion to you. In the future, you will have much, much more," Gu Changwei said. "Father will definitely compensate you for all the grievances you've suffered over the years! Your life will only get better and better from now on."
Gu Siya's face showed gratitude. "Father, your son asks for nothing, only wishing for your good health."
Filial piety.
Gu Sinian disdained watching their display of father-son affection and sneered, "Farewell."
"I'll say it again, if you leave today, I will sever our father-son relationship!" Gu Changwei said coldly.
"Don't just say it, write the document. I'll sign, stamp, and put my fingerprints on it immediately," Gu Sinian retorted.
Who was afraid of whom?
He was not afraid, anyway.
He cared about Qi Zhenzhen, he cared about his mother, and now that his child was born, he cared about the child.
The most important people were by his side, so what could this nominal father do or want to do, and what did it matter to him?
Some people court death; if they cannot be stopped, they can only be left to their fate.
Some people will not turn back until they hit a brick wall.
Gu Changwei, in a fit of rage, ordered the butler to bring brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. He not only wrote the document severing their relationship on the spot but also expelled Gu Sinian from the Gu clan.
Gu Sinian put away the two documents, not even glancing at Gu Changwei. He merely reminded Old Madam Gu of a few things again and then turned to leave with a flourish.
He was not feigning composure; he truly no longer cared.