CHAPTER 583: CHAPTER 583: ACKNOWLEDGING ONE’S ANCESTRY

Ancestral hall.

The maid had already prepared the offerings for ancestor worship. As soon as the auspicious time arrives, they could burn incense and recognize their ancestors.

The respected elders of the Gong Family have all taken their seats.

The butler stood under the gallery, raising and lowering his hand, indicating that the auspicious time had arrived.

Gong Yao and Ren Xiya held incense sticks and walked step by step into the ancestral hall.

Lin Zhiyi stared at Ren Xiya, and did not see much joy on her face.

She wanted this identity, not for anything else, just to vent her anger.

But sometimes the Gong Family was like a magnificent cage.

There were too many things beyond one’s control.

Ren Xiya and Gong Yao stood in front of the ancestral tablets, holding incense and bowing.

Just when they were about to kneel, Lin Zhiyi discovered that there were originally three cushions in the ancestral hall.

Only one remained under Gong Yao’s knees.

Ren Xiya had no choice but to kneel on the cold, hard tiles.

She now could either interrupt the ceremony and be seen as a disrespectful descendant in others’ eyes.

Or she could swallow her anger and lower herself before Gong Yao.

This would also affect her future status in the Gong Family.

Everyone thought Ren Xiya would swallow her anger, since recognizing her ancestors was her true aim.

Indeed.

Ren Xiya did just that.

She bent her knees, and Gong Yao revealed a disdainful expression.

However, in the next moment, there was a loud thud.

Ren Xiya kneeled heavily on the tiles, as if wanting to shatter her bones.

Everyone’s gaze involuntarily fell on her.

She turned to look at Gong Yao, raised her eyebrows, "Is this it?"

Then, she knocked her head three times heavily, making her forehead red.

She then leisurely looked at Gong Yao, "Why not bow? Always show respect to the ancestors. If your heart isn’t sincere, your wishes won’t come true. Be careful, the ancestors might not bless you."

Urged by the crowd’s gaze, Gong Yao reluctantly bent down to kowtow.

But he did not perform as genuinely as Ren Xiya, or rather, he simply did not want to act.

Growing up abroad, he did not believe in this outdated and superstitious ancestor worship.

Being willing to kneel was already his greatest concession.

But he forgot that those sitting on either side were respected elders who believed in these practices.

When Gong Yao and Ren Xiya turned around, looking at both their foreheads, the elders shook their heads.

Some elders, relying on their age, snorted and refused to drink Gong Yao’s tea.

"Not even as good as a woman."

Only then did Gong Yao understand Ren Xiya’s intention.

Ren Xiya smiled, leaning towards him to whisper, "I’m truly worshiping these living ancestors."

"..."

Gong Yao’s forehead veins bulged.

Ren Xiya advised, "Don’t be angry, there’s worse yet to come."

"What do you mean?"

"Some things ought to be calculated properly."

Just as Ren Xiya finished speaking, the Gong Family’s security rushed over.

"Old Mr. Gong, Third Young Master, there’s... the police have arrived."

"What?"

Old Mr. Gong almost lost his balance.

In the blink of an eye, plainclothes policemen walked in.

They knew the Gong Family couldn’t be easily offended, so they deliberately came without uniforms.

"Old Mr. Gong, Third Young Master, sorry to disturb you. Just now a criminal confessed to being hired by Mr. Gong Yao to assassinate Miss Ren Xiya."

"Impossible!" Gong Yao loudly objected, "That person clearly..."

"He was indeed released, but he turned himself in voluntarily." the police explained.

"What?"

Gong Yao’s eyes widened.

A killer voluntarily surrendering? It was simply unbelievable.

The police said sternly, "We hope Mr. Gong can cooperate with the investigation. Please."

"No, I..."

Just as Gong Yao wanted to refuse, Old Mr. Gong glanced at him.

He immediately changed his tone, "Okay, I’m willing to cooperate."

After saying that, he followed the police out.

Passing by Ren Xiya, she whispered, "I told you, insincere hearts make it easy to offend the ancestors. Congratulations, just after recognizing your ancestors, you became the first in the Gong Family to be taken away by the police."

"You did it deliberately." Gong Yao gritted his teeth.

"Yes."

Ren Xiya admitted directly.

The killer who was released from the police station was indeed hired by Gong Yao.

But for a killer to walk out of the police station unscathed, his peers would naturally suspect he had betrayed someone.

The taste of being hunted by peers right after leaving the police station was not pleasant.

It would be more comfortable to be in the cell.

Gong Yao was taken away.

Ren Xiya became the only person on site recognizing their ancestors. She picked up the tea and offered it one by one, finally handing it to Old Mr. Gong.

"Dad, you must live a long life, things will be even more interesting in the future."

"You..."

"Drink the tea."

Ren Xiya urged with a smile.

For the sake of face, Old Mr. Gong had no choice but to drink the tea, though he was already fuming inside.

After worshiping the ancestors, it was considered officially recognizing them.

But Old Mr. Gong did not mention the matter of changing Ren Xiya’s surname.

Ren Xiya seemed indifferent.

Old Mr. Gong got up and announced the end, and everyone scattered.

Suddenly, Liu He’s scream erupted from the crowd.

"Ah!"

Lin Zhiyi only loosened her grip a little, and Liu He fell down the steps.

"Mom!"

She rushed forward, trying to hold Liu He.

Liu He was sweating heavily, holding her stomach, "It hurts, Zhiyi, help me quickly."

"Okay, okay."

Lin Zhiyi tried to help Liu He up, but Liu He couldn’t move, her body too heavy.

One person simply couldn’t lift her up quickly.

At this moment, Gong Shiyan rushed over to carry Liu He.

"Xiao He! Don’t be afraid, I’ll take you to the hospital right away."

"I..."

Liu He could barely speak due to the pain.

Gong Chen and Ren Xiya ran over.

"I’ve already asked Chen Jin to drive the car."

Lin Zhiyi couldn’t spare time to talk, nodded forcefully, and accompanied Liu He to the hospital.

Behind them, a gaze hidden among the crowd watched them.

...

Hospital.

Watching Liu He being pushed in, Lin Zhiyi finally came to her senses, her body weakly falling backward.

Gong Chen reached out to catch her, whispering, "It’ll be alright."

Lin Zhiyi blamed herself, "I should have held her steady, I just let go for a tiny bit, I clearly saw her standing firm, how did she fall?"

Gong Chen pulled her into his arms, gently asking, "Are you sure?"

She raised her head, trying to discern something from his eyes.

But he was inscrutable, something she couldn’t learn or understand.

"Why do you ask that?"

"You both treasure this child dearly. If subconsciously you’re unsure of safety, neither you nor she would let go so easily." Gong Chen speculated.

"You mean..."

Before Lin Zhiyi finished speaking, Gong Shiyan was already storming.

He was furious, about to rush out, but thankfully Gong Chen quickly stopped him.

"Second Brother, don’t be impulsive."

"It must be him! Now that his favored son returned, he naturally wants to eliminate all obstacles!"

Gong Shiyan’s fists were clenched tightly.

Gong Chen advised, "He’s not foolish enough to act at home. Furthermore, were it not for Ren Xiya’s interference, today should have been Gong Yao’s big day, he wouldn’t make a single mistake."

Ren Xiya also stepped forward.

"If he truly wanted to act, he should’ve done so within three months, that way it’d be easier to cause a miscarriage. This procrastination doesn’t seem like his style. I feel Second Madam’s accident is more like a spur of the moment."

"A spur of the moment?" Gong Shiyan frowned, really unable to think of anyone who would do such a thing.

Lin Zhiyi pondered secretly, a face flashed in her mind.

"Could it be..."