Chapter 801: Return

Gu Jinli shared her suspicions with the family and concluded, "Our family must have been targeted. This Liu Eniang is just a vanguard sent to probe us. The probe was foolish, allowing us to discover their presence."

The family listened, visibly shaken. Gu Dashan hurriedly asked, "Xiao Yu, what should we do?"

Gu Jinli replied, "Naturally, we must first identify who is behind Liu Eniang, then strike hard."

Seeing the fear on Gu Dashan and the others’ faces, she smiled, "Father, Mother, Eldest Sister, there’s no need to be afraid. Our family isn’t the same as when we first fled. Even if someone targets us now, we have the ability to protect ourselves. Plus, the person behind Liu Eniang isn’t smart. If they were clever, they wouldn’t use such crude methods to test our strengths."

Anyone who uses such blatant street tricks is an utter fool. Since they’re fools, what’s there to worry about?

After listening to Gu Dashan, they were somewhat relieved. But they were still worried, after all, they didn’t know who the opponent was, and Good Brother An was almost ready for the exam, and yet the family was facing such troubles.

"Should we tell your big brother?" Gu Dashan asked, his face still red as he spoke.

Gu Jinli nodded, "Of course, we should tell him. Big Brother said before he went to Grandpa Ouyang’s house to prepare for the exam that anything happening at home should be reported to him. If we keep it from him, he won’t be able to concentrate on the exam."

On the 20th of January, the county government issued a notice that the county examination would start on February 15th, with three rounds, one round per day, divided into the initial examination, retest, and second examination. Students wishing to participate in the county examination needed guarantees from three peers plus two Scholars as sponsors.

Gu Jin’an and the others already had guarantees from Scholar Shang and Scholar Qu from the county. They could study with peace of mind, just waiting for the exam on February 15th.

To succeed in one attempt, Gu Jin’an wasn’t at home during this period but was studying hard at Master Ouyang’s Family.

Third Grandma listened and said, "Xiao Yu, should we really tell Good Brother An? Wouldn’t knowing distract him?"

If distracted, he might not study well, and what if he doesn’t pass the exam?

Gu Jinli laughed, "Third Grandma, you know my brother’s temperament, right? Telling him would ease his mind. If he were to find out from elsewhere, he’d only worry more."

After thinking for a moment, she continued, "Besides, telling Big Brother can make him more alert. If our family indeed gets targeted, Big Brother will certainly become their prime target."

Third Grandma was shocked, slapping her thigh, saying, "We must tell Good Brother An so he stays wary! We can’t let him fall into harm’s way."

Third Grandpa said, "Don’t worry, tomorrow Dashan will tell Good Brother An."

Turning to Gu Jinli, he added, "You should go too, properly explain to your big brother, reassure him not to rush, just focus on the county examination for now."

Dashan’s speech isn’t as fluent as Xiao Yu’s. If Dashan goes on his own, he might not explain well, which would make Good Brother An even more anxious.

Gu Jinli nodded, "Yes, Third Grandpa, don’t worry. Tomorrow I’ll go to Grandpa Ouyang’s house to explain this matter to Big Brother."

She added, "We should all be cautious, informing other families to be wary too. If they target our livelihood, and can’t get to Father, they’ll certainly plot against other families."

Third Grandpa nodded, "Xiao Yu is right, tomorrow let’s gather the families and alert them."

Gu Jinxiu had been listening quietly. At this point, she asked, "Xiao Yu, you said there’s someone behind Liu Eniang; how do we investigate them? Any leads?"

Gu Jinli replied, "Of course there are leads. Liu Eniang is the perfect bait. Start investigating her. Eldest Sister, don’t be too worried, Brother Luo Wu and the others must have started investigating."

Among "the others" besides Brother Luo Wu was Qin San Lang. Neither of them were fools. Seeing such a situation arise with their father, they’d certainly look into Liu Eniang.

Gu Jinxiu listened and felt a little relieved, though she still worried about Luo Wu. The escort agency would officially open on February 2nd, and Brother Luo Wu was running between government office and escort agency. Now, investigating Liu Eniang as well was truly exhausting; could his health withstand it?

Seeing Gu Jinxiu’s concern, Gu Jinli laughed, "Eldest Sister, don’t worry too much. If he can’t handle these matters, how will Brother Luo Wu manage to take care of his wife and children after marriage?"

The words "wife and children" directly made Gu Jinxiu’s face flush red.

Gu Jinli found it amusing and refrained from further teasing. Instead, she said to Mrs. Cui, "Mother, please take my father to the dining hall to eat."

Gu Dashan returned late; the family had already eaten dinner.

Mrs. Cui hurriedly nodded and said to Gu Dashan, "Go eat, your food’s been saved."

"Alright." Gu Dashan smiled and went to the dining hall with Mrs. Cui.

Brother Cheng wanted to go along but was pulled back by Gu Jinli, "Why are you going?"

Father and Mother definitely want to have some private conversation, though you are their son, you don’t want to be a third wheel.

Brother Cheng rubbed his belly and honestly said, "I’m a bit hungry."

Gu Jinli’s mouth twitched, "You’ve been eating quite a lot lately. Don’t you still have bean dregs cake in your courtyard? Go eat those."

Then she nudged Brother Cheng, "Hurry back to the courtyard to sleep; you have to wake up early for school tomorrow."

Brother Cheng nodded reluctantly, "Alright, Eldest Sister, Second Sister, let’s return together."

With these words, he held each sister’s hand, bidding farewell to Third Grandma and Third Grandpa, and the three siblings headed back to the courtyard.

On the way, Brother Cheng asked Gu Jinli, "Second Sister, is the person behind Liu Eniang really not a threat?"

Gu Jinxiu, upon hearing this, also glanced at Gu Jinli.

Gu Jinli replied, "From the current standpoint, they’re not a threat. Using Liu Eniang to set traps for Father is too unwise, very petty, and quite beneath notice."

Truly skilled individuals wouldn’t use such female tricks; they would strike the opponent’s vital points right away. Though unable to defeat the opponent in one move, they’d leave them severely weakened.

But Liu Eniang, if not looking down on her, even if successful, wouldn’t significantly harm our family; at most, it would cost a hundred taels of silver.

Gu Jinli said, "There’s no need for you to worry about this; it’ll be handled by someone else. Let’s get some rest first."

What she meant by someone else, was Qin San Lang. He’s been at the Military Office for three years, fully grasping the running of the place and well-informed of the county matters. Knowing the affair about Liu Eniang, he would naturally start to investigate.

Gu Jinli truly understood Qin San Lang, and she guessed correctly. Qin San Lang had already gotten wind of the matter, gathered some people, and beat up Qian Dabiao to extract some information.

...

At dawn, Gu Jinli was sleeping soundly when suddenly she heard the sound of horse hooves.

Someone rode into the village!

Startled, she quickly sat up, hearing the hoofbeats approaching, passing her family’s house, then stopping behind the Qin Mansion, she smiled, it was Qin San Lang who’d returned.

She didn’t go back to sleep; instead, she dressed, freshened up, and took the five eggs Sister Li had kept warm in the stove, then headed out.