Gu Yingjie was alone in the Gu family's ancestral hall, kneeling on the cold floor in front of the silent array of spirit tablets. Gu Tingfang had ordered him to reflect on his "fault," and during this period, he was strictly denied all food and water until his public punishment began.
Though starving, Gu Yingjie couldn't care less, having no appetite to lose. Instead of reflecting on a "fault" he couldn't choose—his very birth—he used the time to intensely analyze the people who would have wanted his mother killed. He narrowed the motive to two: Gu Tingfang and Gu Jian.
He looked up, catching his own reflection bouncing back from the large, polished incense burner. For the first time in his life, he felt a wave of profound self-disgust.
"The product of shame," he murmured at his reflection. "No wonder everyone hated you so much..."
Early in the morning, Gu Tingfang walked into the ancestral hall and stood beside Gu Yingjie. He looked down at his kneeling son and said, "How dare you leave home, leave your wife to chase after your old guard, and hurt your brother. Your behavior is too shameful. You still want to continue to be my heir?"
Gu Yingjie replied, his voice devoid of ambition, "Father, you can choose another person to be your heir. I have no ambition to contribute to this family any longer."
Gu Tingfang challenged him. "You know what will happen if you leave your duties and admit your crime."
"Yes," Gu Yingjie said simply.
Gu Tingfang detailed the horrifying penalty. "You will get thirty whips on your back. The guard will pierce your shoulder with a hook. You will be hanged for three days. If you survive three days later, you will be sentenced to life imprisonment. Do you understand it?"
"I completely understand," Gu Yingjie replied.
Gu Tingfang, unable to accept his son's passive acceptance, offered an escape. "Tell me if you were framed."
Gu Yingjie chose to protect the family secret and hasten his fate. "Father, I have not been framed. I just realized that what I want most out of this life is not some title; what I want is peace. I am no longer seeking, and I am at peace."
Gu Tingfang saw through the lie immediately. "You are not at ease in your heart. I can see it in your eyes that you are looking to die. You have lost your fighting spirit."
Gu Yingjie looked up at his father, revealing his ultimate desperation and the family's deep shame. "Yes, I borrowed your hand to hold that knife to end my life, when I knew I was a product of shame. If you feel guilty or responsible for mother's death. Maybe, you can go visit her grave once a year on her birthday. She has been waiting for you all her life. She didn't have a chance to say goodbye to you before she died."
Gu Tingfang was visibly taken aback. "You know?"
Gu Yingjie concluded, dismissing his pain. "It doesn't matter now. Father, the three months I lived in the temple were even happier than I lived in Gu Manor for ten years."
Gu Tingfang's decision was final. "You haven't reflected on your mistakes. Get up. I will revoke your title."
Gu Yingjie replied, his heart heavy with relief and despair. "Thank you, Father."
Gu Xiaowen walked in and stood triumphantly beside Gu Tingfang. Gu Tingfang announced the new order. "Xiaowen will take over your place."
Gu Yingjie showed no emotion, offering his replacement a calm farewell. "Ge, congratulations."
Gu Xiaowen pressed his advantage. "Yingjie, hand it over."
Gu Yingjie asked, feigning confusion, "What?"
Gu Xiaowen clarified the true prize he craved. "Grandfather, silver leaf manual."
Gu Yingjie reached inside his sleeve and, without hesitation, handed the silver leaf manual to Gu Xiaowen.
Gu Tingfang looked at his former heir, his expression unreadable, and commanded, "Follow me to the training ground."
With the wind rushing past them, Zhu Mingyang and Yan Zhanjin rushed toward the Gu Household on horseback, leaving dust flying behind them.
Yan Zhanjin, struggling to understand Zhu Mingyang's self-destructive resolve, shouted over the wind, "Why should we go?"
"Zhanjin, you don't have to go. Please go back," Zhu Mingyang urged, unwilling to drag his friend into certain danger.
"Answer me, why are you chasing him?" Yan Zhanjin demanded.
Zhu Mingyang explained the deadly urgency. "He returned to the Gu Manor to receive his punishment. Those punishments are too cruel; he will not survive."
Yan Zhanjin threw the logic back at him. "You're no longer his guard. In other words, you are not obligated to fulfill anything."
Zhu Mingyang cut through the argument with pure emotion. "I have no obligation; I am willing."
The two horses skidded to a stop in front of the imposing Gu Manor walls.
Zhu Mingyang jumped off his horse and looked at Yan Zhanjin. He said, "I'm going to sneak inside. You can walk through the front door to avoid suspicion."
Yan Zhanjin, accepting his friend's unshakable decision, warned him, "Mingyang, be careful." He then dragged his horse toward the front entrance of the Gu Manor. He looked back just in time to see that Zhu Mingyang had already flown up quickly and climbed over the high wall, disappearing into the fortress.
Gu Yingjie stood before Gu Tingfang, Gu Tianjian, and Gu Xunsu. After Gu Xunsu finished reading the long list of Gu Yingjie's crimes, Gu Yingjie calmly took off his robe and walked to the penalty pillar. A guard handcuffed his wrists to the chain, and he closed his eyes, bracing himself. He had never faced punishment since coming to the Gu house, for Zhu Mingyang had always stepped in and accepted the blows. Now, alone, he knew the pain was coming, having nursed Zhu Mingyang's wounds countless times. He clung tightly to the cold chain.
As soon as the guard released the whip, Zhu Mingyang flew forward, blocking the massive leather lash with his own body before it could touch Gu Yingjie.
Gu Yingjie heard a faint grunt, and his eyes snapped open. He looked directly into Zhu Mingyang's face. He murmured, heartbroken, "Mingyang..."
Zhu Mingyang smiled through the initial sting. "Since we knew each other until now, I have always been the one who received the punishment, not you."
"Mingyang, you are no longer my guard. You don't have to do this," Gu Yingjie insisted, horrified.
Zhu Mingyang stood firm. "I am willing, not as your guard, but as your equal."
The guard holding the whip looked hesitantly at Gu Tingfang. "Chief, do I continue?"
Gu Tingfang looked at them, his face mad with fury and helplessness. "If he wants to stand there, then continue."
Zhu Mingyang looked deep into Gu Yingjie's eyes, noting that the faint, stubborn spark in them had not changed since the day they met. He knew that if he were to die, he would rather die looking at the person he loved more than himself.
Gu Yingjie smiled back, and Zhu Mingyang could no longer feel the pain of the whip on his back. He saw Gu Yingjie's tears fall, and the morning sun made the clear drops sparkle like diamonds falling from heaven.
Zhu Mingyang slowly raised his right hand and tenderly wiped away the tears on Gu Yingjie's cheek. He chuckled softly and said, "Yingjie, don't let anyone see your tears. As the heir of the Gu household, you should know better than to shed a tear. If your enemies see your tears, they will not hesitate to end your life."
Gu Yingjie smiled, accepting his fate. "After today, I am no longer the heir. You have always been the only one to see my tears."
Zhu Mingyang smiled, embracing his identity. "Yingjie, because of you, I have become the best guard of the Gu Household."
Gu Yingjie's voice was filled with gratitude and finality. "Mingyang, thank you for staying with me all this time. I am thankful to have you accompanying me in my last hour."
Zhu Mingyang's eyes shone with unwavering love. "Would you allow me to die alongside you?"
Gu Yingjie smiled, his heart soaring despite his imminent demise. "I am willing."
Zhu Mingyang leaned forward with a gentle smile and kissed Gu Yingjie. He didn't care what the silent, shocked crowd thought; this might be the last time he kissed those beautiful, sweet, and soft lips.