Chapter 883: A Green Hat Over His Head

If you ask whether he truly loved Lady Shuang, he really didn’t.

He was a son of the Fu Family, always surrounded by beautiful women. When Lady Shuang became pregnant with a younger sister, he left, only reuniting decades later. Lady Shuang’s once presentable face had turned into a piece of old tree bark. Where would he find the time to discuss feelings with her?

It was merely for the sake of the children.

Lord Lai anxiously feared that gossip might spread, and promptly glared at the storyteller, clarifying, "Don’t speak nonsense, sir. I came because Mrs. Gu Pan is the descendant of a benefactor of mine, and I’m here to see her for their sake."

Upon hearing this, Granny Gu almost spat blood, never expecting Master Zhi to say such a thing. Is he still the same one who defied the family and quarreled with his new wife for her, the one who adored her?

Granny Gu cried, tears flowed like a river, exhibiting a heartbroken demeanor that made Elder Gu feel as if his head was covered in lush green foliage.

"Huff, huff!" Elder Gu panted, recalling the previous ridicule from everyone, saying that Gu Youwen and Gu Youlu were not his sons, and then seeing Granny Gu’s appearance, it felt like they were right.

But, how could it be!

He had never witnessed Lord Lai secretly meeting with Lady Shuang!

Steward Yue saw Granny Gu that way, frowned and said, "Sir, you must quickly go and clarify things with Granny Gu; her appearance will stir public concern."

Lord Lai noticed Granny Gu’s distress, hurriedly had Steward Yue support him, squatted on the ground, looked at Granny Gu, and said, "Sister Pan, I know you have suffered greatly over the years, but since you’ve committed wrongdoings, you must bear all of the responsibilities; it’s not anyone else’s fault... I am an official and cannot bend the law for favor."

With these words, Granny Gu cried more fiercely, calling out, "Zhi, Zhi!"

She didn’t utter the word "Lang" completely, for if she did, they both would be doomed.

Lord Lai feared she might say something inappropriate, hurriedly said, "Sister Pan, at this point you can’t blame others; you can’t let everyone die with you, can you?"

The words carried much implication, making Gu Jin’an frown deeply.

Granny Gu was clever enough to understand that Lord Lai’s words meant for her to give up on herself to protect others. She stopped shouting but tears continued to flow.

Lord Lai breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "I know you can’t let go of Youfu, Youwen, Youlu, Jinzhi, and Yu Ye. Rest assured, your parents saved me with their lives back then; no matter what, I will settle them well. The manor, shop, estate, Yu Ye’s dowry, I will provide them, they won’t live a hard life."

With Lord Lai’s words, even the spectators praised, "Lord Lai is truly a good man; despite Old Gu Family’s ruin, he still wishes to repay kindness by settling them with wealth. Why couldn’t my parents have saved someone who understands gratitude?"

Among the crowd, a storyteller said, "A good man? I feel that Lord Lai’s actions only aid the wicked! If he hadn’t indulged them, would Gu Youlu have caused so much trouble? Not long after arriving at the Prefecture, he dared claim he wanted to buy out Hu Family’s tavern, oh my, that oppressive stance is truly dreadful!"

With those words, the surrounding public began to scold Lord Lai.

Lord Lai’s headache increased, Steward Yue explained on his behalf, "Lord Lai didn’t know of this matter; once informed he scolded Gu Youlu thoroughly. Rest assured, townsfolk, the Old Gu Family won’t trouble you any further. Once Granny Gu’s case is concluded, Lord Lai will send them away, not allowing them to remain in He’an Prefecture."

"Zhi, Zhi!" Granny Gu grew anxious; how could Master Zhi send Youwen and the others away? They should remain by his side, living the life of young masters.

Lord Lai’s gaze became cold, warning Granny Gu sternly with his eyes, causing her to refrain from shouting further.

Granny Gu pleaded tearfully with Lord Lai, "Don’t, send, away!"

She had labored to bring the children back to him; how could he heartlessly send them away again?

Fearing her agitation might spoil things, Lord Lai promised, "In honor of old benefactors, I will never abandon Youfu and the others. During festivals, I will send gifts; when available, I will visit or invite them over for a meal."

Previously, Lord Lai despised Gu Youfu, but now he insists on including him, attempting to create an illusion of care for Gu Youfu, preventing rumors that Youwen and the others are his sons.

Granny Gu was displeased upon hearing this... Master Zhi still refuses to acknowledge them, just for the sake of holding office?

However, are the gossip-loving folks of He’an Prefecture so easily deceived?

The crowd collectively ignored Lord Lai’s words, turning to Elder Gu, curiously asking, "Elder Gu, isn’t this your family’s affair? Why does Lord Lai decide all, yet you say nothing? Who’s truly in charge of your family, you or Lord Lai?"

Elder Gu exploded instantly, rushing over, crashing into Lord Lai, and angrily shouted at him, "Lai Zhi, get out of my sight, this is my Old Gu Family’s matter, what are you to be arranging my sons as you please?"

Originally, Granny Gu was annoyed with Lord Lai for not acknowledging Youwen and the others, but seeing her beloved being knocked down and cursed by Elder Gu, that bumpkin, she was distressed and shrieked, "Liu, get out!"

A curious onlooker translated for her, "Sixth Son Gu, get out you old hag’s way!"

Bam, Magistrate Gu angrily slammed the gavel, pointing at that translating citizen, "Shut up in front of this court, don’t cause troubles, or face charges of disrupting court proceedings."

The person heard it, shrank back, and retreated.

Lord Lai was knocked down but stood up by holding on to Steward Yue’s arm, said, "Brother Gu, don’t misunderstand, I don’t intend to handle your family’s affairs, I just wish for my two old benefactors to rest in peace."

The explanation was reasonable; for old benefactors, he treated Lady Shuang kindly and agreed to take care of Gu Youwen and them.

Elder Gu, like a bull seeing a red cloth, was furious but felt the more he shouted, the more people would believe he was being cuckolded, thus had to suppress his anger.

Magistrate Gu feared that if they continued to quarrel, it would go until dark without concluding the case, hastily asked Granny Gu, "Mrs. Gu Pan, Lord Lai has come to see you, do you have anything else to say?"

If not, the court will conclude the case.

Granny Gu looked at Lord Lai, and he was looking at her, his eyes carrying a hint of pleading... seeing Master Zhi able to beg him, she refrained from stirring trouble. Only if Master Zhi is well, could the children be well.

Granny Gu choked out, "I, plead, guilty!"

Ah, Magistrate Gu nearly jumped up to shout good, good, good!

Granny Gu was indeed exhausting to deal with; if she refused to plead guilty, he would have to spend more time investigating. Old cases are the hardest, time-consuming and labor-intensive, very tiring.