The Yuan Family People were fetched by Qin San Lang and Gu Dayaâs family, but to avoid suspicion, they didnât stay at the residence of Gu Jinliâs house in the Prefecture, instead, they stayed in an old half-collapsed house in the city.
This place is near the West City Gate, with many such old houses now occupied by beggars.
Qin San Lang and Gu Jinliâs subordinates mixed with the beggars here to protect the Yuan Family.
After settling the Yuan Family, Qin San Lang brought Gu Dayaâs family back to the residence of Gu Jinliâs house.
Gu Jinli heard they were back and hurried to greet them.
Just as she reached the door, she saw Qin San Lang looking dusty and tired, along with Gu Dayaâs family: "Aunt, Uncle, Cousin Ming, Cousin Le."
After greeting everyone, she ran to Qin San Lang and smiled at him: "Brother Qin, youâre back. Was it tiring? I thought you wouldnât make it back."
Qin San Lang and his group rushed back as fast as they could, feeling a bit weary at the moment, but upon seeing her, he felt invigorated, smiled down at her and said: "Not tiring, weâll definitely be back before the nineteenth."
March nineteenth is her birthday, turning fifteen, her coming of age, this is a once-in-a-lifetime big day, how could he miss it?
Only...
"This time itâs been hard on you."
Gu Jinli was a bit surprised upon hearing this, and after realizing it, she laughed: "Why are you saying this too? Whatâs so hard about it? Itâs just a birthday."
Ancient customs emphasize the coming-of-age ceremony at fifteen. Mrs. Cui had been saying since last year how to organize the coming-of-age ceremony for her. She said when Gu Jinxiu came of age, they were too poor to hold one; now itâs her turn, they should go big, with the guest list and menu all planned out, but the matter with the Old Gu Family came up.
"Itâs alright, getting rid of the Old Gu Family is more important than having a coming-of-age ceremony."
If the Old Gu Family isnât dealt with, she wonât have peaceful days. Only by removing them can she live steadily.
Besides, she doesnât like holding a coming-of-age ceremony. If it really happened, sheâd be watched like a monkey by the village women... Hmm, having a birthday surrounded by women watching her like a monkey, sheâd rather not have that.
Qin San Lang, feeling somewhat sorry, reached out wanting to touch her hair, but since this was in the courtyard with many people around, he retracted his hand, saying: "I have prepared a gift for you."
Gu Jinli was very happy, her eyes lit up, she said: "Then give me the gift tomorrow, anything you send is fine."
Seeing that he was a bit tired, she urged: "Quickly go take a bath and have your meal first, then talk about the Yuan Familyâs matters."
Qin San Lang nodded and returned to the courtyard where Gu Jinâan and Brother Cheng lived.
Doctor Du and others were brought by Luo Wu to act as witnesses. Because the house was crowded, the guesthouse he was used to was assigned to the Du Family People, and Luo Wu, like him, lived in the courtyard of Gu Jinâan and Brother Cheng.
Mrs. Cui watched complacently, feeling assured about her second daughterâs situation with San Lang, but she couldnât help pulling Gu Jinli aside to quietly instruct: "Xiao Yu, you and San Lang arenât engaged yet, some words shouldnât be said publicly, talking about bathing, arenât you embarrassed."
Gu Jinli didnât blush at all, nodded: "Hmm, understood, Mother. Iâll pay attention next time."
She even helped Brother Qin take off his clothes and applied medicine, whatâs wrong with talking about bathing?
But this is ancient times, she understands the rules and keeps them in mind when there are many people around.
Mo Qinzi is pregnant, her belly already big now. She and Qi Kangping just arrived at the Prefecture yesterday. Knowing Gu Dayaâs family returned, they also came out to greet them, inviting them to wash up and eat.
After bustling around for an hour, Gu Dayaâs family finally tidied up and enjoyed a meal of hot tea and rice, then talked with Gu Jinli and the others about the Yuan Familyâs matters.
"Yuan Jiagui and Tian Xiwangâs families suffered a lot, escaping to the Central State with no other option, they sold themselves as servants. But Elder Daiâs family they were sold to also had bad luck, as the chaos in the Central State lasted longer than in Jianghuai or Jiangnan, many of Elder Daiâs familyâs businesses couldnât continue, so he took them to Linhe Prefecture, to seek refuge with relatives."
"When Elder Daiâs family sought relatives, they sold some servants, and Yuan Jiaguiâs two sons were sold just like that. Yuan Jiagui had skills in veterinary medicine, allowing him to be kept by Elder Daiâs family, now living a hard life with a grandson and granddaughter."
"Originally, he didnât want to get involved in this mess, but San Lang promised him to redeem his family, arrange twenty acres of good land and a house for them, and help find his two sold sons."
Tian Xiwangâs family did it for their daughter, Elder Dai wanted Tian Xiwangâs daughter to be a maid, and Tian Xiwangâs family didnât want their daughter to suffer, seeing that Qin San Lang was willing to redeem them, they agreed to testify.
As for Elder Dai, his family fell on hard times, more silver would make him agreeable to selling people.
And Gu Jinliâs house learned of the Yuan Familyâs existence by continually searching for Gu Fuyaâs family over the years, collecting many names of refugees from government offices, private slave market, and found people from Yuanjia Town.
After Gu Dayaâs family recounted the Yuan Familyâs story, they went back to rest.
The next day, before the doors of the Prefecture Government Office opened, the Yuan Family People went and beat the drum of injustice.
Thud, thud, thud!
Early risers on the street were attracted by the drum sounds, standing by asking disinterestedly: "Why are you beating the drum? What injustice do you have? Is it significant?"
Is it exciting?
Having seen the good drama with the Old Gu Family, now they are quite particular, uninterested in minor stuff like Zhang family kid stealing a Li family cow.
Yuan Jiagui, unaware of Heâan Prefectureâs peopleâs disposition, hesitated, hunched and turned to them and said: "We are people from Northwest Longâan Prefecture, Gaoshui County, Yuan Family Village. We heard that Mrs. Gu Pan was arrested, and came to accuse her... of murdering her husband!"
The Qin family youth said not to directly accuse Lord Lai, for citizen accusing officials involves punishment; accuse Granny Gu to avoid punishment.
With these words, the sleepy Heâan Prefecture people immediately perked up, asking Yuan Jiagui: "Is it true? Youâre accusing Granny Gu of murdering her husband?!"
Yuan Jiagui nodded: "Yes, I, Yuan Jiagui, accuse the poisonous woman Pan Shi of murdering her husband on behalf of the Yuan Family clan."
The people on the street, hearing this, became very excited, couldnât believe thereâs a sequel to Granny Guâs gossip?
They shouted: "Come, people! Someone from Northwest Yuan Family Village is here to accuse Granny Gu of murdering her husband Yuan Jiaman!"
Yuan Jiamanâs name had been mentioned several times in court the past couple of days, so everyone knew.
The voices of Heâan Prefecture people are powerful, running and shouting all the way, within 30 minutes, half the Prefecture knew.
The government official at the government office, upon hearing a murder case, immediately opened the doors, welcomed the Yuan Family People in, and sent someone to notify Magistrate Gu and Judge Tang.
Upon hearing the news, Magistrate Gu was so fed up he almost vomited: "Why is someone accusing Granny Gu again? How much sin has this old woman committed to wanting to die multiple times?"
But fed up is fed up, Magistrate Gu still said: "Where are the Yuan Family People? Bring them to the courthouse, I will be there shortly."