Gu Jinâan had survived a famine and was very alert. He had long noticed the murderous intent in Lord Laiâs eyes towards them.
He wasnât afraid. They had prepared a great gift for Lord Lai, and the Lai Family wouldnât be able to dance for much longer.
Gu Jinâan no longer paid attention to Lord Lai but instead walked towards Elder Gu.
Elder Gu loathed Gu Jinâanâs family. Seeing him approach, he glared angrily, muttering incoherently.
Gu Jinâan leaned in close to Elder Gu and whispered, "Do you remember what I told you earlier? If you want glory and wealth, if you want silver to absolve your sins, you must seize the Zhan Family."
Elder Gu finally stopped muttering after hearing this.
Thatâs right, with the two gold mountains of the Zhan uncle and nephew still there, if he wanted to live a prosperous life, he could only rely on Gu Rong and Gu Ya to attach themselves to the Zhan Family.
But those two marriage certificates?
Gu Jinâan noticed his concern and kindly said, "They have been replaced. Wishing your family glory and wealth, with blessings that last forever."
As if!
His "kindness" was merely to use the Old Gu Family to wear down the Zhan Family. The Zhan uncle and nephew were too excessive, so they couldnât blame his family for being ruthless.
Elder Gu was overjoyed. He finally had the silver to atone for his sins and immediately mumbled towards Magistrate Gu.
Magistrate Gu was nearly driven mad by him and merely instructed the government official, "Take him away for now, listen to what he has to say, and then relay it to me."
He whispered to Deputy Magistrate Tang, "Lord Tang, remember to change the gavel... itâs cracked."
Deputy Magistrate Tang was momentarily stunned but replied with a suppressed smile, "Yes, I will remember."
Seeing Magistrate Gu a bit embarrassed, he added, "Sir, you must be tired after the whole day. Letâs go eat first."
Magistrate Gu felt as if heâd heard a heavenly sound, nodded, and smiled, "Iâm starving. Letâs go eat first."
Deputy Magistrate Tang glanced at Lord Lai and added, "Sir, you go ahead. Iâll go call Lord Lai."
After all, he was a fifth-rank official with connections. Until Lord Lai was dismissed in the Capital, they couldnât fall out with him.
Magistrate Gu nodded without saying anything and left first.
As for Gu Jinâan, Lord Lai didnât say much to him. With the Prefecture Examination approaching, as a magistrate, he couldnât talk much to a current candidate. Otherwise, should Gu Jinâan become the top scorer, rumors would inevitably spread.
Rumors of cheatingâthose were unbearable.
Lord Lai knew that Magistrate Gu didnât want to see him and refused Deputy Magistrate Tangâs goodwill.
Deputy Magistrate Tang was relieved and, seeing Lord Lai not coming, left by himself.
After Deputy Magistrate Tang left, as Lord Lai was about to leave, his sleeve was suddenly tugged by Gu Chengli.
Gu Chengli pointed towards a small door and said, "Lord Lai, my, my little aunt is looking for you."
Gu Chengli had been scared silly all day and couldnât believe that Granny Gu had killed Dashanâs real mother. He was still in a daze when a stone hit him.
It turned out Little Sister Gu was seeking his help.
Lord Lai followed the voice and saw Little Sister Gu, contemplated, and decided to walk over to her.
Seeing Lord Lai approach, Little Sister Gu urgently asked, "Uncle Lai, my mother killed someone. We wonât be implicated, will we? Please save us!"
Lord Lai replied, "Your motherâs matter wonât implicate you. Uncle Lai will use silver to absolve your collective guilt."
Little Sister Gu immediately perked up with joy, saying, "Thank you, Uncle Lai. I knew you wouldnât abandon us."
She pleaded with Lord Lai again, "Uncle Lai, please come to the back office with me. Young Master Zhan San agreed to marry me. You know our familyâs reputation is bad now. With you there, being a government official, it would lend me support."
Lord Lai, listening to her, looked at Little Sister Gu, suddenly smiled, and told her, "Little Sister, the Zhan Family is a hell. If you go, you wonât live past three months."
The Zhan Family is a noble family. After losing such face, would they spare them? Even if taken back to the Zhan Family, they would fall ill and die within three months.
They had no idea how noble families had countless silent ways to make people disappear.
But Little Sister Gu wouldnât listen, glaring at Lord Lai and saying, "Uncle Lai, itâs not easy for me to meet Young Master Zhan San. Canât you just help me a bit?"
Lord Lai looked at Little Sister Gu, completely giving up on her, and left, supported by Steward Yue.
Little Sister Gu became frantic, "Uncle Lai, you canât ignore me!"
Lord Lai pretended not to hear and walked away.
Gu Chengli looked around, at his witâs end, wanting to follow Lord Lai, but was seized by Little Sister Gu, "Come back. Stand up for your little aunt. Once she becomes Mrs. Zhan, your good days will come."
Gu Chengliâs mind turned to mush, being dragged by Little Sister Gu towards the back office.
Guided by Steward Yue, Lord Lai approached Gu Dashan, bowing apologetically in front of the onlooking townsfolk.
Third Grandpa quickly stepped in front of Gu Dashan, smiling as he supported Lord Lai, "Sir, you are a government official. How can you bow to an old man like me? Lao Liuâs familyâs matter has nothing to do with you. Youâve also been deceived by them. Just cast their family out when you return, and thereâs no need to say more."
Hearing this, Lord Lai was so angry he nearly wanted to kill Third Grandpa. He had intended to make a display of apology towards Gu Dashan to show the townsfolk how he treated them, but the old man ruined it all.
This old creature was adept with words, leaving nothing for him to say, not even a sorrowful narrative to gain sympathy.
With no choice, Lord Lai smiled, taking his leave with Steward Yue.
Outside, the sky was completely dark. Gu Dashan, with Gu Jinâan and his siblings, thanked the townsfolk watching the spectacle and took a mule cart home.
...
In the back office, after finishing a meal together, Magistrate Gu and Deputy Magistrate Tang felt revived. After a brief rest, Magistrate Gu frowned as he listened to the government officialâs report, "Gu Shengxiang says itâs true? Have the Zhan uncle and nephew gone mad, requesting to marry Gu Ya and Gu Rong?"
Have all the noble daughters perished, leaving them to seek marriage with poor local families?
Deputy Magistrate Tang laughed, "Those two have moved into the Old Gu Family and were seen by many. Who knows if itâs true or false? Sir, best take Gu Shengxiang along, let the two families entangle themselves, and weâll just observe to prevent any chaos."
The Zhan Family is a noble family, with an Elder Zhan serving as a Capital Official. When Great Chuâs first Emperor was in power, the Zhan Family even sent a daughter to the palace, barely making them part of the royal family. They should avoid falling out with the Zhan Family, leaving the Old Gu Family and Zhan uncle and nephew to feud.
Magistrate Gu agreed greatly with this, "Lord Tang is quite right; letâs go see Old Master Zhan San and the nephew."
The two went to the room where the Zhan uncle and nephew were held.
The government official had also brought Elder Gu.
Upon arrival, Elder Gu immediately said, "Sir, though the Zhan uncle and nephew flirted with Sister Ya and Sister Rong, they have a marriage agreement between them. Both families have settled the agreement, and the four are engaged couples. Please release Old Master Zhan San and the nephew, and let our families choose a day to formalize the engagement."
Magistrate Gu was dumbfounded, for Old Master Zhan Sanâs wife hadnât died, how could he have arranged a marriage with Gu Ya? Was he intending to take an equal wife?
And Elder Gu, being a grandfather, your granddaughter was taken by such a scoundrel, and yet youâre speaking for themâare you truly insane?!
Young Master Zhan San, realizing the situation, pointed angrily at Elder Gu, "What nonsense are you talking about? When did we have a marriage agreement with Gu Ya and Gu Rong? We seek to marry Gu Jinxiu and Gu Jinli!"
Little Sister Gu was also shocked, not expecting her "father" to undermine her after a whole day of waiting, exclaiming, "Father, what nonsense are you speaking? When did Young Master Zhan San have a marriage agreement with Gu Rong? If any, it should be with me!"