"Tomorrow, you go find a matchmaker to arrange a marriage for Fu Niang. Donât keep competing with the ones from the Chang family. Just find a groom from a decent family whoâs simple and honest," Squad Leader Yang instructed as he realized he couldnât let his daughter continue like this, instructing his wife to quickly find someone for Yang Funiang.
Miss Yang stopped crying upon hearing this, and looked at Squad Leader Yang in disbelief: "Father, are you casting me aside and trying to drive me out?"
Squad Leader Yang scoffed: "Considering what you did today, why wouldnât I cast you aside? Do you realize how awful your actions look today? Youâre offering yourself to others and they still donât want you."
"Old man!" Squad Leader Yangâs wife quickly scolded him: "Are you crazy? How could you say such things to your daughter?"
What kind of talk is that.
Squad Leader Yang was indeed furious, hence why he spoke harshly.
Miss Yang was hurt by Squad Leader Yangâs words, covering her face and wailing: "I know you all think Iâm too old to find a good match and canât bring any help to the family. But do I wish for this? Itâs the Chang familyâs lack of sincerity, preferring wealth over us, delaying my marriage and making me a laughingstock in the county!"
Miss Yang actually wasnât as indifferent as she claimed; she cared too much. After the marriage with the Chang family fell through, she vowed to find a husband richer and more accomplished than Scholar Chang.
But Tianfu County is only so large, and her family is just that of a squad leader, not like the Luo or Gu families who also have other businesses. They rely only on the support of the Jiang familyâhow could they reach a family with a higher status than Scholar Chang?
She searched tirelessly for two years, finally finding Squad Leader Luo as a suitable match, yet the Luo family...
Miss Yang collapsed into her motherâs embrace, crying so hard she almost fainted: "Mother, is my fate so bitter? Must I truly marry an ordinary man and live a lifetime like this? Is it impossible for me to marry an accomplished man?"
Squad Leader Yangâs wife comforted Miss Yang: "My child, donât cry, donât talk like that. Your mother will surely find a groom with good family, character, and skill for you."
Yet Squad Leader Yang scolded his wife: "Stop spoiling her. If you hadnât coddled her after the failure with the Chang family, would she have done what she did today?"
He pointed at Miss Yang: "Moreover, frankly speaking, our Fu Niang only has a pleasant look, yet her age is advanced. If we delay further, sheâll end up marrying a widower! If you truly care for her well-being, quickly find her a match, or regret later when itâs too late."
Squad Leader Yang gave Miss Yang a thorough scolding, but afterward felt sympathetic, speaking earnestly to her: "Fu Niang, your father knows you harbor resentment, but you canât let it ruin you. Consider: if youâd heard of anyone else doing what you did today, wouldnât you have criticized that shameless girl mercilessly?"
"Fu Niang, I donât need you to marry exceptionally wellâI just wish for you to be upright and generous like before. Donât let the Chang family issues ruin your life."
Yang Funiang listened to Squad Leader Yangâs words, feeling disoriented, recalling the days before the engagement with the Chang family was broken... back then she truly was praised as a valiant girl from a military family, but now...
"Father, Mother, Iâm sorry, your daughter lost her mind and brought shame upon you." Yang Funiang wailed bitterly, kneeling and apologizing to her parents.
Squad Leader Yang and his wife, seeing she hadnât completely lost her way, felt relieved, lifting her up and saying: "Acknowledging your mistake is goodâLuo Family has been generous, and they covered up what you did today well, it wonât be spread around for others to laugh at."
"Furthermore, donât approach Brother Luo Wu anymore. He only has eyes for the eldest daughter of the Gu family, everyone in the government office knows he wonât marry another woman in his lifetime."
...
While the Yang family was counseling Miss Yang, Luo Wu, after hearing from Luo Huiniang about Gu Jinxiu striking Miss Yang, immediately returned to the inner residence to find Gu Jinxiu.
"Sister Xiu, Iâm sorry for the grievance you suffered." Luo Wu wished for Gu Jinxiu to suffer no grievance, yet today, Miss Yang spoke such words to herâhe failed to protect her well.
Gu Jinxiu smiled: "Iâm fine. In life, itâs impossible to avoid encountering any misfortunes. Besides, Miss Yangâs already been struck by meâher arrogance is high, I estimate sheâll never appear before me again."
Luo Wu, listening, still felt guilty: "I wonât go to the Yang family anymore..."
Gu Jinxiu replied: "You shouldnât act like thatâyou still serve in the county government, you canât fall out with Squad Leader Yang. Squad Leader Yang holds integrity, he will handle Miss Yangâs matters properly. Continue to get along well with Squad Leader Yang, avoid gossip."
Luo Wu felt a stab of pain, realizing Sister Xiu was willing to endure grievance for his sake.
He held Gu Jinxiuâs hand and said: "I will listen to you, but I will speak plainly with Squad Leader Yangâif Miss Yang repeats this, I wonât spare her."
Considering what Miss Yang did today, if he spread the news, Miss Yangâs reputation would be ruined.
Gu Jinxiu smiled and nodded: "Yes, Brother Luo Wu, thatâs a good approach."
...
The Yang family matters didnât drag on for long. That afternoon, at the time between three and five, Squad Leader Yang brought generous gifts to the Luo Family Escort Agency, to apologize to both the Luo and Gu families, declaring he would promptly find a match for Miss Yang, and that Miss Yang acknowledged her mistakes and would no longer visit the Luo Family Escort Agency or interact with the Luo Family People or Gu Family People.
Father Luo and Ms. Chu left this matter to Brother Luo Wu to handle, and Brother Luo Wu also conveyed his boundaries to Squad Leader Yang. Once the matter was aired between them, it was considered settled.
Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui breathed a sigh of relief, seeing the matter resolved, they settled into the mule cart to head back to the village.
Qin San Lang was busy today and did not come to the Luo Family Escort Agency, so Gu Jinli was a bit disappointed not seeing him.
But she wasnât disappointed for long, because on the evening of February fourth, he returned on horseback, bringing her shocking news.
"What did you say? Liu Bin knew about my familyâs affairs because of Gu Youfu?" Gu Jinli, upon hearing the name Gu Youfu, was momentarily confused, remembering that Gu Youfu was Granny Guâs son, then laughed aloud: "Ha, thereâs a path to heaven you didnât take, but you barged into the gate of hell."
To think the Old Gu Family People came back, now she wouldnât need to keep the poison hidden in the warehouse, it would be put to use.
Qin San Lang, hearing her laughter, was somewhat startled, hastily saying: "Xiao Yu, donât be angry, I will have You An deal with them, to avenge your family."
Qin San Lang had heard how the Old Gu Family People tormented Xiao Yuâs family, aware that Xiao Yuâs family suffered greatly under their handsânot only were they poorly fed but were also frequently beaten and scolded, Brother Chengâs quietness as a child was due to being beaten by the Old Gu Family People.
Even worse, the Old Gu Family People wanted to sell Xiao Yuâs family.
Qin San Lang was incensed at the thought of Xiao Yu nearly being sold, wanting to charge to the Prefecture and drag the Old Gu Family People out for punishment!