Chapter 192: Even Elder Gu Feels Sorry for Xiang Minghou
Old Madam Xiang and Xiang Mingli sniffled, not daring to speak.
"So you won’t talk? Fine. Men, go search. If you can’t find it, I’ll report this to the Emperor." Xiang Minghou was truly enraged.
Xiang Mingli grabbed his mother’s arm, panicking. "Cough, cough..."
"I’ll talk, I’ll talk..." Seeing she could no longer hide it, Old Madam Xiang wiped her eyes. "I did eat some of the tonics, but your sister-in-law took the rest back to her family..."
Old Man Gu couldn’t bear to listen. It was too humiliating.
’The tonics gifted to the little girl were all taken by his daughter-in-law back to her maiden home. Truly unbelievable.’
Xiang Minghou felt as if a stone were crushing his chest. He was so angry he could kill. In a suppressed voice, he asked, "And the jade, jewelry, gold, and silver?"
"Those..." Old Madam Xiang subconsciously glanced at Xiang Mingli.
Xiang Mingli frantically gestured with his eyes. ’If Big Brother finds out, I’m a dead man.’
"Speak," Xiang Minghou snapped.
Old Madam Xiang shuddered in fright and said, steeling herself, "I put a portion away, and the Second Brother took the rest."
"Get it back. Every single item listed in the ledger. If even one thing is missing, you won’t have to wait for Pangtuan to chop off your hands. I’ll do it myself." Xiang Minghou had never been this furious with his family.
This time, he was truly incensed. He could give them all the rewards he’d earned through his own life-or-death battles and achievements.
But these were rewards from the Emperor for Pangtuan, earned with her yin-yang harmony technique and at the risk of her own life. How could they have the audacity to take them?
He already felt he had failed Pangtuan over the years; how could he tolerate his family taking her things?
"Eldest Son, we’re all family. She’s just a child; she has no use for so many things when she’s already well-fed and cared for..."
"Bring them out. I don’t want to say it a third time," Xiang Minghou interrupted her excuses.
Seeing that he would yield to neither pleading nor pressure, Old Madam Xiang was out of options. She secretly nudged Xiang Mingli.
"Big Brother, Big Brother... cough, cough... Big Brother, it’s all my fault! Hit me! Kick me a few more times! I definitely won’t cry out." Seeing that the truth was out, Xiang Mingli dropped to his knees and begged for mercy.
Xiang Minghou’s brow furrowed. He knew his brother all too well. He raised his foot and kicked him for real. "Where did the rewards go?"
Xiang Mingli couldn’t hold back a yelp as he was kicked to the ground.
"Stop hitting him! I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you everything! Second Brother’s wife and I divided the jewelry. The antiques, gold, and silver... Second Brother took them to a gambling den to pay off his debts." Old Madam Xiang once again pulled Xiang Mingli into her arms, shielding him, terrified Xiang Minghou would strike again.
’Pay off gambling debts?’
Xiang Minghou trembled with rage, his eyes turning red.
Old Man Gu just kept shaking his head. At this moment, he actually felt sorry for Xiang Minghou. To be saddled with such a mother and brother was truly awful.
"Du Yi, bring me a sword," he said, his voice as cold as the abyss.
"Yes, sir." Du Yi departed.
Hearing this, Old Madam Xiang was scared out of her wits. "Eldest Son, what are you planning to do? Don’t be reckless! I’m your mother!"
"Minghou, calm down." Old Man Gu was also stunned. Seeing Xiang Minghou’s murderous expression, he knew something terrible was about to happen.
"This is a private matter of my General’s residence. Old Man Gu, it’s best you don’t get involved. Many things require my attention today, so I’m afraid I cannot entertain you. Please, return to your own estate for now." Xiang Minghou’s words were cold enough to make one shiver.
If it had been a moment earlier, Old Man Gu might have left. But now, how could he dare? If no one stopped him and Xiang Minghou really did something impulsive, he would be destroying his own future.
’Those two from the Xiang family aren’t worth mourning, but no matter how they die, it cannot be by Xiang Minghou’s hand.’
’They are his own mother and brother. If he lays a hand on them, Xiang Minghou will be condemned by the world, cursed for being utterly unfilial.’
Old Man Gu looked at the cold, impassive man. He knew he didn’t have the courage to stop him if he truly made a move. ’If anyone can calm him down, it’s the little girl.’ With this thought, he quietly left the front courtyard.