The red sun was sinking in the west, but it had not yet fully set.
There was still light in the sky, but everything seemed to be shrouded in a layer of gray. Looking out the window, the distant mountains were gradually pulling closer to a heavy black.
The living room was dim. His uncle and aunt were seated at the head of the table, their expressions hidden in shadow, making them difficult to read.
Seeing the two jars of wine that Fang Yuan had brought with him, Uncle Gu Yue Dongtu's brows knotted into a frown. He spoke, "Time flies. You're both fifteen now. Having both manifested talent for becoming Gu Masters, especially you, Fang Zheng—your aunt and I are very proud of you. I am giving each of you six primeval stones. Take them. Refining Gu worms is extremely taxing on one's true essence. You will need these stones."
As he spoke, a servant came over and handed a small pouch to Fang Yuan and Fang Zheng each.
Fang Yuan pocketed his pouch without a word.
Fang Zheng, on the other hand, immediately opened his pouch and looked inside. There were six oval, grayish-white primeval stones. A look of gratitude instantly appeared on his face. He stood up from his seat and bowed to his uncle and aunt, saying, "Thank you, Uncle and Aunt. Your nephew really needs primeval stones to replenish his true essence. You have raised me since I was young. The kindness of raising me is engraved in my heart, and I will never forget it for the rest of my life!"
His uncle smiled and nodded.
His aunt quickly waved her hand and said gently to Fang Zheng, "Sit down, sit down. You two brothers are not our flesh and blood, but we have always raised you as our own sons. We are proud that you have turned out so well. Ah, we don't have any children of our own. Sometimes we wish you could truly be our sons."
There was a deep meaning to her words. Fang Zheng didn't catch it, but Fang Yuan’s brow furrowed slightly.
As expected, his uncle then followed up, "Your aunt and I have discussed it. We want to adopt you both into our family and become a real family. Fang Zheng, what do you think? Are you willing?"
Fang Zheng was stunned for a moment. But soon, a look of joy appeared on his face, and he readily agreed, "To be honest, ever since my parents died, your nephew has longed for a family reunion. To be able to become a family with you, Uncle and Aunt, this is simply wonderful!"
His aunt’s expression relaxed, and she laughed. "Then you are our good son now. Are you still calling us Uncle and Aunt?"
"Father, Mother." Fang Zheng came to his senses and quickly corrected himself.
His uncle and aunt both burst out laughing.
"Good son. It was not in vain that your father and I raised you since you were five. We raised you for ten whole years." His aunt wiped her tears.
His uncle then looked at the silent Fang Yuan and said gently, "Fang Yuan, what is your intention?"
Fang Yuan shook his head without speaking.
"Brother." Gu Yue Fang Zheng wanted to persuade him, but his uncle stopped him.
His uncle’s tone remained unchanged, and he continued, "Since that is the case, Nephew Fang Yuan, we will not force you. But you are already fifteen. It is time for you to establish your own household. This will also make it convenient for you to inherit your Fang family branch. Your uncle has prepared two hundred primeval stones for you as a form of support."
"Two hundred primeval stones!" Fang Zheng’s eyes went wide. He had never seen so many primeval stones before, and he couldn't help but show envy.
Who knew that Fang Yuan would still shake his head?
Fang Zheng was utterly baffled. His uncle’s expression changed slightly, and his aunt’s face darkened.
"Uncle, Aunt, if there is nothing else, your nephew will take his leave." Fang Yuan did not give them a chance to speak further. Leaving these words behind, he picked up his wine jars and strode straight out of the hall.
Fang Zheng stood up. "Father, Mother, my brother just hasn't thought it through. Why don't I go and talk to him?"
His uncle waved his hand and sighed deliberately, "Ah, this matter cannot be forced. I am very gratified that you have such good intentions. Someone, take Young Master Fang Zheng down and house him properly."
"Then your son will take his leave." Fang Zheng retreated, and the living room fell into dead silence.
The sun had completely set, and the living room grew even darker.
After a long while, his uncle’s cold voice came from the darkness. "It seems that little brat Fang Yuan has seen through our scheme."
The Gu Yue clan rules clearly stated: The eldest son who is sixteen years old is eligible to inherit the family property.
Fang Yuan's parents had passed away, leaving behind a considerable inheritance, which had all been "safeguarded" by his uncle and aunt.
The value of this inheritance was not comparable to a meager two hundred primeval stones.
If Fang Yuan was also adopted by his uncle and aunt like Fang Zheng, he would not be qualified to inherit the property. If Fang Yuan established his own household at the age of fifteen, it also wouldn't meet the clan's inheritance requirements.
"Fortunately, we managed to win over Fang Zheng, and Fang Yuan is only of C-grade aptitude." His uncle sighed again, feeling incredibly lucky.
"But, husband, it's blatantly obvious that Fang Yuan plans to establish his own household at sixteen. What should we do?" Thinking of that inheritance, his aunt’s tone became anxious.
"Hmph. Since he has ulterior motives, we can't blame us for being ruthless. As long as we catch him in a major mistake before he establishes his own household and drive him out of the family, we can strip him of his right to inherit the property." His uncle snorted coldly.
"But that little brat Fang Yuan is very clever. How could he make a mistake?" His aunt was puzzled.
His uncle immediately rolled his eyes and scolded in a low voice, "You really are stupid! If he doesn't make a mistake, can't we frame him? Have Shen Cui go and seduce Fang Yuan first, then have her cry out that he's forcing himself on her. We'll catch him red-handed, frame him for drunken lechery and madness. Are you afraid we still can't drive Fang Yuan out?"