Chapter 31: Plotting

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Plotting

"Father, we can’t just agree to this," Gu Yuanshui said, holding back his eldest brother with one arm. He also kept an eye on Gu Yuantu, who was sitting next to him, to make sure he didn’t undermine them.

’As for Seventh, he wasn’t even factoring him in. That kid is sly as a fox; he’s probably just waiting for his older brothers to charge ahead and take all the heat.’

"This is settled then! Are you saying your father can’t even have a little bit of your water?" Gu Dashi glared at the sons before him, wondering why they failed to understand his difficult position.

’This was a huge bargain. A little bit of water in exchange for a daughter-in-law. Did they really want to wait until they had to pay a proper betrothal price in cold, hard silver?’

"This isn’t just a little water. It’s our lifeline! Who knows how much longer this journey will be? We only dare to take small sips each day, never a full gulp." The more Gu Yuanshui thought about it, the more he felt the plan was unworkable.

Gu Yuanmu joined the effort to persuade him. "That’s right, Father. We all agreed before that you and Mother would help all of us brothers find wives, and then we would take care of you together. You must have saved up nearly enough silver coin for the youngest’s marriage by now. We can try to negotiate with them and offer a proper betrothal gift."

"Bullshit! This isn’t about the betrothal gift. They’re adamant about getting some water. This is a godsend! When we get to the next town and find a water source, our youngest will have gotten a wife for free!" Gu Dashi looked at his sons. ’How can they be so thick-headed?’

"Brothers, please, just help me this one time." Gu Yuanlei could no longer afford to be shy and bowed again and again to his brothers. "Worst comes to worst, the next time we find water, I’ll pay you back double!"

"No wonder Mother was sent away. She wouldn’t agree to this, would she!" Gu Yuanmu abruptly changed his tack, bringing up the true head of the household. "Why don’t we wait for Mother to return before we discuss this further? We’ll all listen to her."

"So you won’t listen to your father?" Gu Dashi’s face darkened as he stared at them. ’If that old woman had agreed, I wouldn’t have to be here wasting my breath wrangling with these brats.’

"Is the girl that good-looking?" Wenheng asked, nudging Gu Yuanlei curiously. "You saved her life, yet she’s making this kind of demand. Are you sure she isn’t repaying your kindness with malice?"

"Seventh, that’s an interesting point," Gu Yuanhuo said, clapping his hands. "Leave it to the scholar to hit the nail on the head. Everyone knows a single drop of water can save a life these days, yet she dares to be so greedy. If that isn’t repaying kindness with malice, what is?"

"That’s not it," Gu Yuanlei said, shooting a reproachful look at Wenheng. "She’s just trying to give her family a chance to live. She can’t just survive by joining us and leave her family here to die, can she!"

"I’d say she’s the one not leaving *us* a path to survival," Gu Yuanshui retorted, pursing his lips. "Every one of your brothers has a whole family depending on that water to live. You should think about your own nieces and nephews for a change."

Seeing them talk in circles about the same point, Wenheng turned directly to Gu Dashi. "Mother doesn’t approve of this, does she."

Without giving them a chance to object, Wenheng pressed on, "Didn’t Mother say our family cannot be the one to set this precedent? If we trade water for a wife, won’t the other refugees get ideas?

Won’t the other unmarried villagers follow our example?

And if that happens, won’t everyone start suspecting our group has plenty of water?

Just think about the consequences. Is that something we can handle?"

’Even though he and Qianqian would leave some water in various corners when they went out to distribute it, people are greedy. That water most likely fell into the hands of a small few.’

’What about all the people who are still thirsty? Would they really not resort to desperate measures to survive?’

Gu Dashi’s eyes darted away evasively. ’How could Seventh see things so clearly?’

"Brother Qi, you just don’t want to see me happy! What’s wrong with me starting a family early? This way, I can even save Father and Mother some money for their old age."

Wenheng stared at Gu Yuanlei and suddenly broke into a smile. "Youngest, are you really sure you’re doing this for Father and Mother?"

"How could it not be?" Gu Yuanlei shot back. "It’s just some water. Are my brothers really not willing to help me out with such a small thing?"

Wenheng stood up, patting the dust off his backside. "You know what? I’m not helping. Do whatever you want."

After a moment’s hesitation, the other brothers followed suit.

"Are you all trying to anger me to death?" Gu Dashi roared.

"Father, we should wait for Mother to return before discussing some things. After all, this is a joyous occasion. We can’t just leave her out of it.

It’s getting late. If we don’t get some rest, we’ll fall behind tonight." As Gu Yuanhuo spoke, he shot a mocking glance at Gu Yuanlei. "Mother is getting on in years, and you still have her running around in circles for you. You really are a good son to her."

"This has nothing to do with the Youngest," Gu Dashi said. "I just had your mother go check on your sister. Besides, the trip back and forth doesn’t take that long."

Seeing the old man still defending Gu Yuanlei even now, Gu Yuanhuo shook his head and led the way out.

"Father, what do we do now?" With everyone gone, Gu Yuanlei grew anxious.

"Go talk to the Lan Family again," Gu Dashi said. "Tell them we’ll give them silver. We certainly won’t treat their daughter poorly."

Gu Yuanlei bit his lip and finally told the truth. "They probably won’t agree. Her family doesn’t have a single drop of water right now. Besides... I was the one who suggested it in the first place. I can’t disappoint Yingying."

"How could you be so reckless?" Gu Dashi was incredulous. "If we hadn’t found this water, we wouldn’t even be able to save ourselves! We didn’t have a drop of water before this. How could you possibly make such an offer?"

Gu Yuanlei himself didn’t know why he’d been so hot-headed as to make such a promise. ’But I’ve already given my word. It would be so humiliating if I can’t follow through.’

"Father, please, think of something. Our family has so many brothers. If each household just gives a little, I can have a wife! It’s taken me so long to find a girl I actually like. You have to help me." Gu Yuanlei went over and hugged Gu Dashi’s arm, wheedling like he did when he was a child.

Gu Dashi’s heart instantly softened. "I want to help, I do, but your brothers aren’t willing. Why don’t you go and try to convince your mother? As long as she gives the word, those little rascals wouldn’t dare to object."

’At this thought, Gu Dashi felt another pang of displeasure. It was all Li Cuicui’s fault for being so overbearing. The children were only afraid of her and only listened to her. He was supposed to be the head of the family, yet his words carried the least weight.’

"I already spoke to Mother. Didn’t she say no?"

"..."

Wenheng was just about to lie down and sleep when Gu Yuanhuo, who had followed him at some point, yanked him back up.

Wenheng held back his frustration. "Fourth Brother, let’s just get some sleep. We can talk about whatever it is when we wake up."