Gu Zhi’s gaze was deep, lips tightly pressed, saying nothing.
The Great Elder of the Gu Family prepared items needed for ancestral recognition according to Gu Yuan’s instructions.
Gu Xing was supported by the younger generation of the Gu Family to rest.
Xia Mian and the others stood up, and Gu Zhi promptly moved to stand beside them.
"Once you’re formally recognized by the Gu Family, we’ll leave this place," Xia Mian smiled gently at Gu Zhi, then took out several talismans, "Keep these talismans on you, just in case."
Gu Zhi accepted the talismans handed over by Xia Mian, feeling deeply moved, "Miss Xia, I remember all your kindness to me."
In the future, once she had established herself in the Gu Family, she intended to repay Xia Mian in her own way.
Nearby, Gu Yuan watched openly as Xia Mian handed the talismans to Gu Zhi, his eyes deepening again. This young lady of the Divine Clan is indeed quite concerned about Gu Zhi!
Gu Yuan’s mind moved slightly as he measured the situation.
Even for Xia Mian’s sake, the Gu Family could not treat Gu Zhi too harshly.
"Ah Zhi, the Great Elder should have everything ready, let’s head over!" Gu Yuan said cheerfully, successfully garnering the attention of Xia Mian and the others.
Gu Zhi responded with a hum, not overly bothered by Gu Yuan’s sudden affection.
Gu Yuan was her biological father, a fact she couldn’t deny, even if she didn’t want to call him dad; he was still her biological parent.
The group headed towards the Gu Family’s Ancestral Hall, and sure enough, the Great Elder had tidied up everything properly.
"Miss Xia, Mr. Lu, please stay where you are!" Gu Yuan stood outside the Gu Family’s Ancestral Hall, smiling slightly at Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan, "Outsiders are not permitted in the Gu Family’s Ancestral Hall."
Xia Mian smiled and paused, indicating her understanding.
Gu Zhi glanced at Xia Mian, "Wait for me!"
Xia Mian nodded, watching Gu Zhi follow Gu Yuan into the Gu Family’s Ancestral Hall.
"Things went quite smoothly this time," Xia Weizhang whispered nearby.
Originally, he had thought that because of what the Gu Family did all those years ago, they would despise, fear, and reject Gu Zhi. However, after the family’s grand competition, Gu Yuan naturally accepted Gu Zhi.
Xia Mian lightly pulled at her lips, "People are bustling for profit, people are bustling for gain."
If Gu Zhi were still the same as before, Xia Mian was sure Gu Yuan wouldn’t spare her a glance!
But now, Gu Zhi had defeated the Gu Family’s most capable young lady!
Xia Weizhang agreed, nodding slightly, lowering his eyes.
While everyone had different thoughts, Gu Xing, supported by attendants, appeared again outside the Ancestral Hall.
She waved the attendants away and then walked slowly towards Xia Mian.
Gu Xing still looked pale, but her gaze was sharp and bright, "Gu Zhi is fortunate to have you as her friend."
Xia Mian met Gu Xing’s gaze and said softly, "With her, I am also fortunate."
Xia Mian never engaged in losing trades.
Helping Gu Zhi return to the Gu Family was also a way to pave the road for her own future.
As long as Gu Zhi performed slightly well, establishing herself in the Gu Family, once Xia Mian encountered trouble, Gu Zhi could assist her.
Having more friends makes the road easier to travel; every friend should have their value.
Gu Xing lightly narrowed her eyes, taking a deep look at Xia Mian, "I hope so!"
After speaking, Gu Xing turned her gaze towards the Ancestral Hall.
The Gu Family’s Ancestral Hall wasn’t as grand as the Divine Clan’s, but it was still quite large, giving a solemn and melancholic impression overall.
The Gu Family’s descendants filled the courtyard outside the Ancestral Hall, and when everyone looked at the Ancestral Hall, their gazes carried some inquiry and curiosity.
The younger generation, who were similar in age to Gu Zhi, still had some impression of her.
The good-for-nothing who was nothing then, returning after years of wandering in the mortal world, had shockingly defeated their young lady!
This reversal was indeed quite fantastical!
While everyone had different thoughts, the door of the Gu Family’s Ancestral Hall finally slowly opened.
Gu Yuan led in front, Gu Zhi behind, the two came out one after the other from the Gu Family’s Ancestral Hall.
Standing on the high steps of the Gu Family’s Ancestral Hall, Gu Yuan took Gu Zhi’s hand and raised it high, "From today, Gu Zhi is a young lady of the Gu Family, with the same treatment as all other young ladies. Everyone should support her more!"
After Gu Yuan spoke, the Gu Family juniors in the courtyard responded not warmly but hesitantly.
Regarding Gu Zhi, they still held some fear in their hearts.
After all, Gu Zhi had crushed their young lady, and such strength meant she was destined to take over as Family Head sooner or later.
However, they hadn’t forgotten how they bullied Gu Zhi when she was young!
Once Gu Zhi occupied that position, would she revisit old grievances? Would she make things difficult for them?
These were all unknowns.
Compared to Gu Zhi taking the position of Family Head, they preferred it to be Gu Xing.
Seeing everyone’s lukewarm enthusiasm for Gu Zhi’s return, Gu Yuan’s face darkened slightly, but knowing the juniors had their thoughts, he couldn’t force them to display fake smiles to welcome Gu Zhi, so he refrained from saying more.
"Gu Lian! Take Gu Zhi around to familiarize her with our Gu Family environment," Gu Yuan instructed the third young lady of the Gu Family’s second branch, Gu Lian.
Gu Lian stepped out from the crowd, scrutinizing Gu Zhi from head to toe, her lively eyes reflecting some delight, "Sister, welcome home!"
Gu Lian was small-statured, with a baby face, conveying harmlessness to others.
It was difficult to foster animosity towards her.
Gu Zhi nodded slightly at her, "Thank you."
"Come on, I’ll take you around. Many changes have been made in our family during the years you’ve been away, it’s different from before." Gu Lian naturally invited Gu Zhi to explore the Gu Family with her.
As she spoke, she was already moving.
Gu Zhi turned to look at Xia Mian, "Miss Xia, join us!"
Xia Mian tugged at Lu Zechuan’s sleeve, "Let’s go, let’s take a walk, then leave later."
Lu Zechuan hummed, holding Xia Mian’s hand, and followed behind Gu Lian.
The Gu Family was large, with dedicated places for family members to cultivate, a library for cultivation techniques, and rest areas.
It should be said that the Gu Family had devoted some effort to cultivating the younger generation.
After a circuit, Gu Zhi finally stopped at her temporary residence.
Her gaze narrowed slightly, landing on the house next to Xia Mian’s temporary room.
"When I moved into the Gu Family, the staff said that room has been unoccupied," Gu Zhi tilted her head slightly to look at Gu Lian, "Why is the room empty? Is something strange inside?"
Gu Zhi casually asked, but Gu Lian’s expression subtly changed, "Sister, it’s one of our Gu Family’s secrets; it cannot be shared."