Chapter 375: Bring the Wife

Whether she moves into the Gu household is not that important to the old master, but he will not agree to her keeping the registration unchanged and not changing the Gu surname.

Jiang Lai: "My registration has just been completed, the house is at Number Ten Courtyard, Yanping Road, A City; you should understand."

Number Ten Courtyard on Yanping Road is not a wealthy district, yet it is a non‑sale property, situated in a golden, tranquil spot amid the bustle, and it belongs to a state unit.

It's a place that even the rich scramble to get into; who would even consider moving out of Number Ten Courtyard?

A City and B City registrations are equally valuable, but Jiang Lai moved her registration to the Gu family, under Gu Sen's household record, living in a villa rather than in a centrally guarded area like the Nian Family's.

The Gu old master always thinks of the Gu family's reputation, and Jiang Lai's registration being at Number Ten Courtyard, A City, conveniently silences him.

That is why the first thing Jiang Lai did after returning was to transfer the registration, even if Shen Xun proposed meeting at a café first, she could still agree.

The Gu old master, surprised that Jiang Lai had planned well, took a deep breath and could not concede on one point: "You must change your surname to Gu; you may keep your given name."

Gu Jiang Lai?

Does her future still need the Gu family to look after?

She's already twenty‑eight; it's unnecessary.

Jiang Lai suddenly invoked the law: "The Civil Code explicitly states that anyone over eighteen has full autonomy over their name; you have no right to force me to change my surname."

"Jiang Lai." the Gu old master clenched his teeth, "Don't you want to know what happened back then? Don't you want me to consider this relationship between you and Ke Zhongyu?"

"I do." Jiang Lai openly admitted, and told him, "I'm only refusing to change the surname, not denying the blood tie; how you present it externally is your matter, but I will only be surnamed Jiang."

"I return to the Gu family merely to shorten the front of investigating my abandonment and to shorten the practical issues between me and Ke Zhongyu. I'm very busy, Ke Zhongyu is even busier; I don't want us to waste excessive effort on these matters. Please be aware."

This time the Gu old master not only didn't get angry, but couldn't help showing a hint of admiration: with such daring, how could she not be a boy?

Yet the more Jiang Lai behaves this way, the more he is resolved to accept her back.

"Fine, but how to announce your return; there must be no objections."

"Isn't it just a mistaken embrace?" Jiang Lai's single sentence peeled away the Gu family's human façade, then she hung up.

The Gu old master was stunned for a moment.

Knowing is also good, to prevent another conflict.

Gu Sen's concern was precisely this, and clearly Jiang Lai didn't care.

Jiang Lai's side is already settled; he must go inform Gu Sen's family.

Since Gu Yinxue overheard at the Shufang doorway that Jiang Lai was actually the Gu family's daughter who had suffered a heart attack, the Gu family has been in a low‑pressure state, outwardly the family speaks, eats, works normally, each keeping silent, yet the servants have sensed that something is amiss.

Gu Sen does not mention it, as the Gu old master explicitly forbade it.

Song Shiwei cannot even listen, let alone utter a single phrase.

Gu Zhiyan is in a chaotic state.

Gu Yinxue cannot be mentioned, after all she had secretly done two parentage tests: the first confirmed Jiang Lai and her mother share blood, the second confirmed she and her mother have no blood relation.

She is an outsider.

No one brings it up, and she doesn't either; for now they can maintain the family's odd harmony.

This harmony is shattered after the Gu old master appears.

The old master sat in the main seat of Gu Sen's reception hall, his gaze sweeping over Gu Sen and his spouse and Gu Zhiyan siblings, he said slowly: "Everyone's here, don't stand, sit down; I have something to explain to you."

The word "explain" made Gu Sen uneasy at his core.

Song Shiwei couldn't help asking, "Second Uncle, what is it?"

The Gu old master's gaze fell on Gu Yinxue: "You should know, right? Yinxue."

Gu Yinxue strained to stay calm, nodded: "I heard dad and brother say it."

"Then I won't take the preventive shot," the Gu old master said bluntly. "Back then, Shiwei, while pregnant, had to go to G Province to accompany Gu Sen; that dedication was truly rare. Yet over twenty years ago G Province wasn't as developed as now, the conditions were poor, causing Shiwei to give birth early without any precaution. Everything was rushed, and we can also blame the hospital nurse for carelessly swapping the two babies…"

Gu Sen's pupils suddenly contracted.

The Gu old master, unconcerned, continued his pre‑planned speech: "Now that we know the babies were swapped, the Gu family's child cannot continue to be left out. We must bring the person back, openly and honorably. For the past twenty‑eight years Jiang Lai has been wronged; the Gu family will hold a welcome‑home cleansing banquet, and everyone who should be invited must be properly invited."

Gu Yinxue's already sallow complexion turned completely pale.

Is this Jiang Lai's welcome‑home cleansing banquet or Gu Yinxue's fake‑princess proclamation banquet?

Both.

Gu Yinxue's breathing suddenly quickened, Gu Zhiyan rushed to pat her back, frowned and said, "Yinxue, don't get agitated, stay calm, stay calm…"

Song Shiwei kept her gaze lowered, her two hands tangled, her fingers about to tear.

Anxiety‑induced physical symptoms resurfaced, yet she still suppressed the terrible emotions and bodily reactions to comfort her daughter, holding her and saying "don't be afraid, don't be afraid," like soothing a baby.

Gu Yinxue strained to steady her mind; she could not actually have an accident—if she died, everything would be baseless.

"Will I never be able to call you all again…" Gu Yinxue's voice was extremely weak.

Gu Sen, headache pounding, wiped his face, stood and said, "Second Uncle, you went to look for Jiang Lai?"

The Gu old master nodded.

Gu Sen, worried, said, "You didn't get her consent; how could you make a decision on your own, Second Uncle?" His voice sank toward the end.

The Gu old master: "Who says I didn't get her consent? She agreed."

Gu Sen was stunned.

The others all turned to the old master, their expressions an indescribably complex mix.

"This is her home; she should come back. Her return is a matter for the entire Gu family, and after returning she must not endure any grievance. As for other matters, they are your family affairs; decide for yourselves." At the end, the Gu old master glanced at Gu Yinxue, the meaning obvious.

The adopted daughter's stay or departure is for your family to decide.

But whatever you do must be based on not wronging Jiang Lai.

"The welcome‑home cleansing banquet will be held at the old residence; all Gu family members must return."

After finishing his instructions, the old master left.

As soon as he left, Song Shiwei went wild, speaking without restraint: "Why did she agree to come back? Wasn't being alone for the past twenty‑eight years fine enough?"

"Song Shiwei!" Gu Sen pressed both hands on her shoulders, angry, "Calm down. She is our daughter; don't say that, don't let her feel hurt! You are her mother, her biological mother."

Song Shiwei's body kept trembling, tears falling uncontrollably.

Gu Sen looked at the servant: "Bring the madam's medicine."

The servant paused for a moment before responding, then immediately ran to fetch the medicine. After she took it, Gu Sen had the servant help the madam to her room to rest.

In the spacious living room, only Gu Sen and his two children remained.

Gu Zhiyan spoke up: "How are you certain Jiang Lai is my biological younger sister? Just because she looks like you? Did you do a paternity test? I won't acknowledge it until the paternity test results come out."