"Old Master Zhan San, Young Master Zhan San, the marriage contracts are here. You indeed sought to marry Gu Ya and Gu Rong. Since you are willing, then follow what is written in the marriage contract and get it done quickly... After all, they are already yours, and you must be responsible," Magistrate Gu said.
Hearing this, Elder Gu was overjoyed. Good Brother An didnât deceive him; the marriage contracts had indeed changed.
Hahaha, Good Brother An is truly his grandson. His heart is still with Old Gu Family. Good, good, good, now he must seize the opportunity and use these two marriage contracts to cling to the Zhan Family. From then on, he will enjoy the good life, calling servants at will, eating delicious food and drinking fine wine.
Gu Rong was still composed. Seeing the altered names on the marriage contracts didnât make her happy, instead her heart skipped a beat... Who changed these two marriage contracts? Was it Gu Jinliâs house? But how could her family possibly have such skills, swapping the marriage contracts silently and unnoticed?
Cold sweat broke out on Gu Rongâs back, and her hands couldnât stop trembling.
She regretted it, deeply regretted helping Gu Dagu deceive Gu Jinxiu initially... Now Gu Jinliâs family has become this capable, how could she possibly deal with them?
Gu Rong was even more eager to marry into the Zhan Family. Only by climbing up to such a noble family as the Zhan Family, she could deal with the now powerful Gu Jinli family and continue to trample them underfoot!
So she stepped forward and said, "I donât recognize this marriage contract. I just wish to be a concubine for Young Master Zhan San and to serve him well."
Hearing this, Magistrate Gu and Judge Tang looked at her with new eyes. This Gu Rong is remarkable, at such a young age with such cunning. In a decade, who knows what kind of vicious person she would become.
However, Gu Rong was wrong.
Young Master Zhan San was young and eager, a noble familyâs son. Previously, he said he wanted to take Gu Rong as a concubine. That was him granting favor to Gu Rong and enjoying that superior feeling of treading on a farmer girl.
Now Gu Rong said she wouldnât be a wife, only a concubine. It seemed sensible, but in turn, she had saved him, instantly stripping away that superior feeling.
He, a noble offspring born with a silver spoon, saved by a farmer girl, this was his humiliation!
He wouldnât be grateful; he would only want to get rid of her immediately, making her disappear along with his humiliation.
Gu Rong did not understand noble familyâs sons. She overlooked their arrogance and their disdain from Rich and Powerful families towards farmers.
A noble son can save a farmer girl, gaining a feeling of superiority. But if a farmer girl dares to show grace to a noble son, thatâs the greatest humiliation for the noble familyâshe must die!
Old Master Zhan San looked at the two marriage contracts and was completely baffled, saying to Magistrate Gu, "Fake, these two marriage contracts are fake and have been swapped."
But...
"Who swapped them? There are your nephewâs fingerprints on them," Squad Leader Zhang said, knowing Magistrate Gu was not in a position to say these words.
Old Master Zhan San was stumped after hearing this.
Indeed, the marriage contracts had their fingerprints, and after comparing the fingerprint patterns, it was genuine.
How could he refute this?
Magistrate Gu said, "Old Master Zhan San, at this point, itâs better to resolve big issues that become small and small issues that become nothing. If you make a fuss further... Gossip will spread to the Capital."
Judge Tang promptly added, "Youâve heard quite a lot of gossip in the Prefecture. Itâs truly not good to make a fuss any longer."
Accept this silent loss and quickly leave.
Old Master Zhan San, upon hearing this, thought of those gossips they heard earlierâlike how they both liked that sort of thing and the rumors about Gu Youlu being infected with a venereal disease. If they made further fuss, even if he was a Madman bringing honor to the family, his family would take action against him.
A madman can do extraordinary things, but if you go too far, affecting all noble familiesâ reputations, that wonât do.
Other noble families would unite to attack the Zhan Family, not letting them die well.
Old Master Zhan San, recalling the one who reported to him, broke out in a cold sweat and finally nodded, "Since thatâs written in the marriage contract, naturally we will be responsible."
But...
"We have a condition."
Elder Gu just hoped they recognized these two marriages, so upon hearing, asked, "What condition? We are already in-laws. As long as it isnât excessive, the Gu Family will agree."
Old Master Zhan San said, "After all, the Zhan Family is a noble family with strict rules. Before the marriage, Gu Ya and Gu Rong must return with us to Jinning Prefecture to learn our rules for a period before officially entering the door."
Elder Gu thought about it and nodded, "That is proper. However, regarding the betrothal gift, should weâ?"
Young Master Zhan San laughed coldly, "Oh, you want money? Our Zhan Family has never cared for silver. Whatever amount you want, weâll give."
Itâs just that this silver will be repaid with lives!
Elder Gu saw Young Master Zhan Sanâs tone unpleasant, wrinkled his brow but dared not say anything.
Little Sister Gu wanted to make a fuss, but upon Elder Guâs glare, she shrank back in fear, covering her beaten face, sobbing.
Seeing this, Young Master Zhan San suddenly made a request, "Elder Gu, Yu Ye and I are also love-struck. How about making a good match and taking her as a noble concubine together to the Zhan family for guidance in rules? What do you think?"
Afraid Elder Gu wouldnât agree, he offered a high price, "Iâll offer a betrothal gift of one thousand taels of silver."
One thousand taels of silver to buy a farmer widowâs lifeâis a sky-high price.
Squad Leader Zhang was amazed, thinking Young Master Zhan San was crazy. Where is it possible to marry a niece and take an aunt as a concubine? This, this reputation, is it dispensable?
However, Young Master Zhan San didnât intend to marry the Old Gu Familyâs girls. Taking them away, settling accounts, then directly killing them!
Magistrate Gu glanced at Squad Leader Zhang, signaling him not to meddle.
Upon hearing, Elder Gu also felt it was inappropriate, "This isnât too good."
Young Master Zhan San sneered, "Three thousand taels of silver, if Elder Gu still wonât agree, then forget it."
Little Sister Gu panicked, knelt down and begged, "Father, please fulfill your daughterâs wish. Your daughter is willing to marry Young Master Zhan San as a concubine!"
Young Master Zhan San looked at Little Sister Gu with disgust, truly despicable, asking to become a concubine.
Elder Gu was already tempted by the three thousand taels of betrothal gift. Thinking of those rumors, seeing Little Sister Gu come to cry for plead, he immediately agreed, "Since you two are in love, Iâll betroth Little Sister to you as a concubine. Although she has been married once, she is good, you must treat her well."
Magistrate Gu, Judge Tang, Squad Leader Zhang, and other Government Officials were shocked, internally shouting: It turns out the rumors were true. Little Sister Gu really got married and became a widow!
Seems like the rumors arenât all false.
Young Master Zhan San, seeing Elder Gu acknowledging Little Sister Gu as a widowâs matter, laughed loudly. Good, good, good! Indeed, a family of rotten stuff, donât blame him for his ruthless actions!
Magistrate Gu, seeing Young Master Zhan San looking like he was on the verge of madness, dared not keep them any longer and quickly said, "Since the matter is settled, return quickly. Staying in the government office for too long is not good."