As soon as Madame Gu's words landed, the entire courtroom fell into an uneasy silence.
The tension was palpable, almost suffocating, as every head in the room dipped lower, avoiding even the slightest eye contact. It was as if her words had struck a nerve, reminding everyone of something they had all tried to forget.
The explanation Madame Gu demanded wasn't a simple question. It was a reminder of a painful history, one that everyone knew but never dared to bring up.
Years ago, when her son disappeared, it caused a deep rift between the Gu family and the Imperial family. In an effort to make amends, Madame Gu had left for the frontlines of war, spending three grueling years there.
