Chapter 548 - 550: A Good Talk

Chapter 548: Chapter 550: A Good Talk

Li Cuicui had no feelings left for a man like Gu Dashishi, but she still felt a little embarrassed under her son’s concerned gaze.

They had come all this way as a couple who started with nothing. Now that their lives had just started to get a little better, the man had forgotten where he came from.

’For decades, I’ve given so much to this Gu family,’ she thought. ’Even a stubborn rock like Gu Dashishi should have warmed up a little after all this time.’

But reality had slapped her in the face. It seemed her past forbearance had given him the wrong impression.

’For the sake of him being the children’s father, I let him enjoy a few good years.’

’But who the hell do those bitches outside think they are, trying to live a good life by stepping on my son?’

"What else?" Li Cuicui felt that this couldn’t have been all they found out today.

"We also made inquiries at a few of the town’s taverns. Besides associating with Landlord Duan, Father has also been meeting with several traveling merchants through his introductions."

"They say that after every meeting with these merchants, Father becomes much more lavish with his spending."

As Gu Yuanshui spoke, he couldn’t help but glance at Gu Dashishi, who was still lying on the floor, unable to get up.

He didn’t spell it out, but Li Cuicui knew. He must have been promised some benefits, and he might have even agreed to something he shouldn’t have.

"You boys go on outside. I have something to discuss with your father."

Hearing the fury in her voice, a chill ran down the Gu brothers’ spines.

But they knew their mother was protecting them. It was truly inappropriate for them to be present for what came next.

Seeing his sons retreat, Gu Dashishi grew frantic. "You unfilial whelps, get your father to a doctor! Now!"

"Who told you to leave? Get back here, all of you!"

Gu Yuanmu was still hesitating, wondering if he should stop and say a few words. Before he could even turn around, he felt a sudden impact on his backside. The next thing he knew, he was outside the door.

If his younger brothers hadn’t caught him, he probably would have ended up face-planting on the ground.

BANG! The door slammed shut in front of them. They could even hear their mother sliding the bolt into place.

"What are we going to do? Father will be okay, right?" Gu Yuanmu asked worriedly. "Should we go get Third Grand-uncle?"

"And then what?" Gu Yuanshui asked in a cold voice. "What about Mother?"

Gu Yuanmu was caught in a dilemma. He crouched down, clutching his head. "Everything was fine. Why is all this happening?"

Helping their father meant failing their mother. It was an impossible choice.

The other brothers paid no mind to his fragile heart. Right now, they were pressing their ears against the door.

"What are you trying to do, sending the boys out? I’m telling you, if you dare touch me again, I’ll go to Third Uncle and have him divorce you for me!" Gu Dashishi panicked, seeing that he was alone in the room with Li Cuicui.

Hearing the tremble in his voice, Li Cuicui laughed. "Such a coward, and you still dare to cause me trouble."

"If you’ve got the nerve, then write the divorce papers yourself. You even need an uncle from another branch of the family to back you up just to divorce your wife. Do you think you’re still a baby who hasn’t been weaned?"

"Now, I’m giving you one chance. Tell me honestly, what benefits did you talk about, and what did you promise them?"

Gu Dashishi retorted, "The business we men conduct outside is none of you women’s concern."

"Besides, I’m the father of a fourth-rank official. It’s only right that people treat me to a few drinks."

"Fine, I admit it! I’m the one who arranged for that woman from the Chen Family to live there, but it doesn’t violate our clan’s rules."

"And even if I bought that courtyard, I didn’t take a single copper coin from the family to do it. You have no right to question me here."

Li Cuicui took a few steps toward him, and Gu Dashishi, still unable to stand up straight, scrambled back into a corner in fear.

"Are you going to talk or not?"

"There’s nothing to say! Anyway, I didn’t take your or the boys’ Silver, so you have no right to control me... AHH!"

"It’s true, I don’t have the right to control you. But this old woman has every right to beat you."

"Just for the fact that you’re keeping a woman on the side, I, your officially wedded wife, could beat you until your legs are crippled, and I doubt the clan elders would say a word."

"As for those people trying to get chummy with you, I wonder if they’ll still bother with a bedridden old cripple."

If Gu Dashishi still didn’t understand what Li Cuicui was planning, he’d have to be a true fool.

Clutching his injured area, Gu Dashishi kept backing away. Apparently, he had forgotten that he was already backed into a corner with nowhere left to retreat.

"You can’t do this..." Gu Dashishi couldn’t say any more. Li Cuicui was vicious, landing several harsh kicks on his body.

"You think you’re so high and mighty? Why do you think they’re sucking up to you? Are you fucking clueless?"

"Let me guess. Did you promise to solve a problem for them? Or do you want Seventh to secure some benefits for them?"

"Or maybe it’s neither of those. Are these people trying to drag Seventh down? So they can take over the businesses under Seventh Wife’s control...?"

With each possibility she mentioned, Li Cuicui unconsciously put more force into her kicks.

Gu Dashishi did think about fighting back, but with the heavy blow he had taken to his groin earlier, he felt a tearing pain in his lower body every time he tried to stand up.

"That’s all in your head!" Gu Dashishi immediately retorted, taking advantage of the moment Li Cuicui paused to catch her breath. "No matter what, Seventh is a Magistrate now. It’s only natural for people to flatter me."

"I’m telling you, I didn’t promise them anything! You can’t just falsely accuse me!"

"So what? Even if you haven’t promised anything yet, do you think they’d give you so much Silver for free? Are they idiots?"

"With that pig brain of yours, can’t you see they’re just fattening you up for the slaughter?"

"You think they actually care about you? They’re targeting your son, the very root of this family’s newfound glory."

"I’ve told you before, I can tolerate you throwing your weight around at home on a normal day."

"But now you’ve crossed my line. This old woman has suffered her whole life, and my sons have finally made something of themselves. Anyone who tries to ruin that is my enemy."

As the kicks kept coming, Gu Dashishi couldn’t bear the pain any longer. He struggled to his feet and tried to shove Li Cuicui back.

But it was obvious that his years of comfortable living had made him weaker than Li Cuicui. The moment he touched her, she slapped him back to the ground.

Gu Dashishi clutched his face, feeling utterly humiliated once again. "You old hag, you’re getting more and more arrogant! For beating me like this today, the Gu family will not let you go! Just you wait to be divorced!"

"Hmph. If you’d said that ten years ago, I might have been afraid of you."

"But now, you still don’t understand the situation."

"I, Li Cuicui, may only be a farmer’s wife, but who can deny my good fortune in bearing several capable sons?"

"With Seventh’s current position, even if I were to beat you to death today, your family clansmen wouldn’t dare do a thing to me."