Chapter 251: The Final Conclusion
Chapter 251
Gu Sang responded coldly, "I'm helping Pei Weiqi solely because of who she is as a person, not because she's from the Pei Family."
"Who rules this country doesn't matter to me, as long as they benefit the people."
"Besides, even though Pei Weiqi's child isn't a Pei descendant, it's still her child, and that's enough."
"As for your Pei Family, you've had your time in the spotlight for generations. It's time for you to exit the stage of history."
"What makes you think you can reap the benefits without putting in any effort? Is it because you have no shame?"
Every word Gu Sang uttered made the middle-aged man want to kill her, but he couldn't. He needed Gu Sang to help persuade Pei Weiqi.
Only Gu Sang could convince Pei Weiqi.
"Pei Weiqi is a Pei Family descendant, so she should serve the family," the man argued.
"All children born into the Pei Family can't selfishly think only of themselves."
"A family's enduring prosperity comes from the united efforts of all its members."
"If everyone acted independently, the Pei Family would have fallen into obscurity like other clans long ago."
"Without the Pei Family's support, how could the imperial throne remain stable?"
"You're reluctant to help me because I didn't intervene when Pei Changying and Pei Weiqi were fighting for power."
"For me, that was an internal Pei Family matter. As the family leader, I couldn't take sides."
"Besides, whichever of them became emperor, the country would still belong to the Pei Family."
"But Pei Weiqi betrayed my trust. She disregarded the family's honor. She doesn't even consider that her father's faction could only claim the throne thanks to our indispensable support. Without us, there would be no Pei Weiqi!"
Gu Sang was both amused and angered by the man's shamelessness. They had done nothing, yet they believed their kindness was as vast as the sea.
If Pei Weiqi had died in the palace struggle, they would have said it was her fate. But since she won, they claimed it was the family's achievement.
A family that stands idly by in times of crisis but demands to share the fruits of victory would be better off cut loose.
Gu Sang refrained from cursing at the middle-aged man only because Madam Li was in their custody.
Suppressing her anger, Gu Sang couldn't help but show contempt on her face.
"I came here for Madam Li. I refuse to discuss any conditions until you release her."
"Besides, you have your people everywhere. Do you really think I could escape without Madam Li as leverage?"
The middle-aged man exchanged a glance with Mr. Li. Seeing Gu Sang's resolute expression, they had no choice but to compromise.
After being released, Madam Li refused to leave, wanting to wait for Gu Sang.
Gu Sang calmly smiled at Madam Li and instructed her:
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"Don't report this to the authorities. Go home and get some sleep. Tomorrow is a new day."
Gu Sang's calm composure always gave people a sense of security, making them trust her implicitly.
Madam Li knew that staying wouldn't help Gu Sang at all and might even become a burden.
So, she resolutely left.
After Madam Li's departure, the middle-aged man said to Gu Sang:
"It seems we need to change our location for this discussion."
Gu Sang remained composed, "That's fine by me."
The middle-aged man grew wary of Gu Sang's cooperation, but he couldn't fathom what she might have planned.
They suspected Gu Sang had already sent a message to Pei Weiqi before coming, but her willingness to leave with them voluntarily didn't make sense.
Looking at the imposing Pei Mansion at the entrance, Gu Sang realized she had entered the tiger's den. Yet she remained unfazed, leisurely observing her surroundings.
Standing at the Pei Mansion and looking southeast, one could see the Imperial Palace.
"So this is the Pei Family's territory? It's quite close to the palace."
"I'm curious, can you tell me why your Pei Family has so many assassins?"
"Actually, you, as the family leader, have long harbored ambitions for the throne, haven't you?"
Seeing Gu Sang on Pei Family grounds, the middle-aged man's wariness decreased dramatically. Perhaps he thought Gu Sang had no escape and would be forced to join his rebellion.
So, he answered Gu Sang's questions readily.
"Since we're in this together now, I'll be honest with you."
"We're all Pei Family descendants, so why can't I be emperor?"
"Pei Changying is useless. Without your help, how could he have held onto the throne?"
"And Pei Weiqi, she only became empress with your assistance."
"So why not me?"
Gu Sang nodded in understanding, subtly extracting more information through her questions.
The middle-aged man grew impatient and suspicious:
"Why are you asking so many questions? Are you planning to inform Pei Weiqi?"
Gu Sang cheerfully snapped her fingers.
In a flash, before anyone could react, Gu Sang pulled out a high-powered flashlight and pointed it skyward.
Instantly, the sky lit up for miles around the Pei Mansion.
This phenomenon naturally caught the attention of Zhou Qichen, who was leading troops in searching Li Mansion.
"Gu Sang is there!!!"
Zhou Qichen hurriedly led his troops towards the source of the light.
"What... what is that thing?!"
The assassins sent by Mr. Li, who had all perished at the Southern Altar, were unaware that Gu Sang possessed a weapon that could illuminate the night.
By the time they realized what was happening, it was too late.
The middle-aged man, enraged, rushed forward to kill Gu Sang. As he approached her, Gu Sang suddenly shone the flashlight directly into his eyes.
"Ahh!!! My eyes!"
Such a high-powered flashlight should never be shone directly into someone's eyes, as it could cause severe damage.
But Gu Sang showed no mercy to her enemies.
"Quick, kill her!"
The middle-aged man crouched on the ground, clutching his eyes and screaming in agony.
Gu Sang swept the flashlight around, its blinding light preventing the assassins from approaching. No one could withstand such intense light. Even closing or covering their eyes wasn't enough; they had to turn their backs to the light for any relief.
Gu Sang quickly stepped in front of the middle-aged man, aiming the flashlight at his eyes again.
"Ahh!!! Kill her, stop her, my eyes!"
The middle-aged man ordered through gritted teeth. At this moment, he cared nothing for the throne; he just wanted Gu Sang dead.
Hearing their leader's command, all the Pei Family assassins converged from all directions. Even with her flashlight, Gu Sang could only illuminate one direction at a time.
In this critical moment, Gu Sang made a move no one expected.
She pointed the flashlight straight up into the sky.
Yes, instead of aiming at any particular direction, she aimed it skyward.
The assassins rejoiced inwardly, thinking this was their chance to strike.
"System, take me back!"