Chapter 219: Master Gu Arrested
Li Chen and Li Xinjie had just returned home when Sun Lixia rushed over, alarmed at seeing Li Xinjie cradling his arm and both men’s battered faces.
"What on earth happened?" she exclaimed.
Li Xinjie grimaced, downplaying his injury. "It’s nothing, mom. I merely fractured my arm."
But Lixia persisted in her maternal concern. "You call that nothing? And why all the bruising? This requires a hospital visit!"
Li Chen attempted to divert her worry. "We just had an unfortunate accident, Mother. Please don’t fret, the wounds are superficial."
Just then, Zhang Mei tenderly approached her newly betrothed, caressing his marred features. "We can’t have the groom marked up for our upcoming vows!" She playfully scolded Li Chen.
Despite the pain, Li Chen managed a smile at his bride-to-be’s fussing. "Not to worry my darling, I shall heal swiftly and be restored to perfection in no time."
Zhu Fengrui stepped forward decisively then. "Nevertheless, we should get you both properly examined. Come Li Xinjie, let’s have that arm x-rayed."
Li Yanyan insisted on accompanying Zhu Fengrui and Li Xinjie to the hospital. But Sun Lixia frowned at Li Chen. "You should have a doctor examine you as well, just to be safe."
Li Chen waived off her concern gallantly. "I’m perfectly alright, Mother. I’m confident my lovely fiancée can tend me better than any nurse."
At the flattering comparison, Zhang Mei flushed prettily, secretively delighted. With Li Yanyan gone, she gently guided the pliant Li Chen to the sofa and set about gingerly cleaning his cuts and scrapes. He maintained a stoic front but winced slightly at her ministrations.
Zhang Mei clucked her tongue. "I appreciate you downplaying the pain for my sake but you needn’t put on an act. Now sit still and let me patch you up properly."
Li Chen acquiesced with a resigned smile, knowing he couldn’t hide discomfort from her discerning eye. As Zhang Mei carefully applied ointment and dressed the worst abrasions, Li Chen relaxed under her dutiful care. No hospital trip necessary when he had his attentive bride-to-be as dedicated caregiver.
Nearby, Mu Lingling observed Li Chen and Zhang Mei’s tender moment with a weary but content smile. "Well now, I believe I’ll excuse myself and let you young ones carry on. This old woman could use some rest."
Zhang Mei looked up from bandaging Li Chen’s arm, her expression fond. "Of course, Mom. Sleep well - you deserve the respite."
Mu Lingling nodded gratefully before slowly ambling off, her gait still unsteady but posture less strained than in recent days. While the medicinal herbs from Li Chen only granted sporadic relief instead of fully vanquishing the insidious cancer, their restorative properties had at least enabled Mu Lingling to rise from her sickbed and nourish her frail frame more easily.
She may never regain youthful vitality with such advanced disease ravaging her body relentlessly. However, just being able to meaningfully interact with loved ones for this extra span of treasured time was a blessing enough for the weary but resilient Mu Lingling.
As Zhang Mei finished treating the last of Li Chen’s cuts, she met his eyes solemnly. "I wish you could avoid these violent confrontations. I understand you feel compelled to safeguard this family, but I still worry for your safety."
Li Chen clasped her hand gently. "I’m sorry to cause you distress. Please believe I would never seek out danger needlessly. But there are ruthless forces that view us as enemies."
Zhang Mei studied his bruised features, concern furrowing her brow. "Why do I sense some ominous threat looms over even this haven we’ve found?"
With a heavy sigh, Li Chen replied "You perceptive woman. Indeed, malevolent shadows still lurk, eager to smother any light we dare kindle."
He drew Zhang Mei nearer reassuringly. "But I vow you will come to no harm. No matter the cost, our future joy will be preserved."
Zhang Mei laid her head on his steady shoulder. "See that you return whole as well. Promise me, Li Chen?"
Li Chen smiled softly, cradling his beloved fiancée close. "On my life. Together we shall stand until time itself wanes."
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Tension permeated the Gu estate as the once powerful dynasty faced intensifying fallout.
"Our clients are withdrawing left and right," Master Gu fumed as he paced. "At this rate we will be destitute within months!"
Madame Gu wrung her hands anxiously. "There must be a way to salvage our situation. We cannot lose everything over one scandal!"
But Gu Hua only shook his head morosely. "No one wants ties with our name anymore, Mother. This cement corruption disgrace made us pariahs. We’re drowning in bad publicity and debt already."
In past days since the allegations erupted, endless media hounding had driven the family into seclusion. Even Madame Gu’s refined social circles turned against her.
As Master Gu collapsed into his chair, the strain was etched on his haggard face. His formerly distinguished locks were now thinning and gray, wrinkles lining his brow. The wife and scion he once lorded over seemed equally devoid of solutions.
"Everything I built..." Master Gu muttered bitterly, "...falling to ashes because of one foolish misstep." Desperation clouded the room as the forlorn clan contemplated their increasingly precarious fate.
After an anxious period of fruitless deliberation, Master Gu’s expression turned hopeful. "What if we appeal to Gu Liang? Her engagement to the wealthy Shan family could be our lifeline from bankruptcy!"
Gu Hua brightened. "Yes Father, excellent idea! Her ties could help clear our substantial debts at least."
But Madame Gu frowned, murmuring under her breath, "I’m uncertain that’s prudent given the circumstances..."
Master Gu wheeled on her sharply. "Oh? Have you a better proposal then, while our empire teeters on oblivion?"
Seeing mounting tension, Gu Hua interjected "Mother raises a valid concern, but contacting Gu Liang may be our lone viable option now."
Just then the family butler entered, causing startled looks between the embroiled relations. "Pardon the intrusion sir, but the authorities are here requesting to speak with you most urgently."
Exchanging uneasy glances as foreboding gripped the room, Master Gu hastily straightened his disheveled suit. What fresh crisis could this unannounced visit signify? The haggard patriarch steeled himself as the butler showed the officials in, the Gu family’s fate hanging ever more precariously in the balance...
As Master Gu braced himself, two uniformed policemen were shown into the anxious family’s large but faded sitting room. The stoic officers’ attire conveyed the gravity of the occasion.
Before Master Gu could offer any polite greeting, the severe chief officer cut straight to the point. "Are you Master Gu, owner of DreamScape Properties?" At Gu’s tense nod, the officer continued. "I have orders to detain you formally for questioning regarding the inferior cement supply scandal that resulted in severe worker injuries and exposure of corrupt practices. Please comply peacefully."
Shocked protests erupted from Madame Gu and Gu Hua, but the stone-faced policemen remained unmoved by their indignation. As his family watched in alarm, Master Gu had no choice but allow himself to be handcuffed. His haggard face reflected tormented self-reproach and ruination. All the dynastic power and wealth he had sacrificed everything for - now yanked brutally away after one slip of control.
As Master Gu was led quietly towards the door, he turned one final time to glimpse his wife and scion’s pale, terrified faces. Then the shoji screen slid shut, closing firmly on that Chapter as the disgraced titan now faced inescapable, harsh reckoning for his unprecedented ambition...
Madame Gu hurried to the screen door after her husband was led away by police, calling in vain, "I’ll summon our lawyer - say nothing!" As his father disappeared for indefinite detainment, Gu Hua buried his face wearily into trembling hands.
"Mother, what will we do?" he asked hollowly. His voice trembled as the last pillar of perceived strength and guidance was brutally stripped from his youthful confidence.
Madame Gu’s steps echoed frantically across the room’s empty luxury. This had not been part of her vision when she married lofty Gu - this bleak, anxious uncertainty after so many years enjoying pampered, soaring status.
But they had few allies now after the scandal brought their world imploding down. Even the pretense of justice being blind to their influence had been ripped away, leaving two confused, frightened heirs behind to navigate the ruins.
Pressing her frail frame against the screen, Madame Gu forced down hysteria, mind racing over assets and favors that might still be called in. They needed Master Gu to evade all charges. His conviction would mean seizure of their decimated finances and the Gu name’s total dissolution along with any lingering hope of restoration...
Pivoting abruptly, the ashen matriarch summoned her last reserves of steely resolve. She would not submit meekly to this downfall! There had to be a way back from the shadows...there was always a way for those bold enough to claim it...
