Zongzheng Ya, after listening to these words from Gu Jinâan, almost couldnât help but call in the Shadow Guards to kill Gu Jinâan.
But Gu Jinâan just smiled and said, "Judging by the murderous look in your eyes, are you thinking about killing me? But can you really kill me? If I, my sister, brother-in-law, my family, relatives, servants, even the villagers and their livestock die unjustly, your counterfeit copper seal posing as an assassin from Duke Yuanâs family in an attempt to assassinate me will be exposed to the public!"
Gu Jinâan smiled with such grace and handsomeness, yet his words made Zongzheng Ya want to die on the spot: "By that time, all nine generations of your Zongzheng family will meet their end."
Saying this, he took out a copper seal from Duke Yuanâs family, waved it, nearly causing Zongzheng Ya to faint from dizziness.
"Second Miss!" Nanny Zong quickly supported the collapsing Zongzheng Ya, looking at her with worry, though she was somewhat resentful internally.
Earlier, she had advised Second Miss not to believe what that man said. The idea of foretelling the future is absurd and if they made a mistake even once, it would lead to eternal damnation.
Look at this situation now; wasnât it a mistake that dragged Second Miss and the Zongzheng family into a dangerous predicament of nine generations?
Zongzheng Ya pushed away Nanny Zong, straightened her back proudly, and asked Gu Jinâan, "What do you want?"
Gu Jinâan replied, "It should be me asking you, what do you want?!"
He continued, "My family was living peacefully, doing nothing to you, yet you suddenly came to stir up trouble. If I didnât know that Shangguan family and Zongzheng family have no history of madness, I would think you were insane! Is this something a young lady should do?"
Though Xiao Yu is mischievous, she has always been measured in her actions. If Xiao Yu dared to act like Zongzheng Ya, he would have strangled her without hesitation.
This Zongzheng Ya is causing too much trouble; sheâs dragging her entire nine generations into the fire pit.
Zongzheng Ya was left speechless by Gu Jinâan, only able to glare at him angrily: "Name your price, as long as I can do it, I will definitely do it."
This was an admission of defeat, only hoping to let this matter pass.
However, Gu Jinâan said, "Unlike you, I wonât make threatening demands. Just leave by tomorrow evening as if you never came, and promise not to trouble Xiao Yu and San Lang again, and the matter will be over. Otherwise..."
He waved the copper seal from Duke Yuanâs family and said, "This copper seal will appear at Duke Yuanâs family."
Zongzheng Ya staggered upon hearing this, glaring angrily at Gu Jinâan: "You actually want to threaten me for a lifetime!"
What a cruel heart, yet he claims he wouldnât make threatening demands, though heâs doing exactly that, threatening her for life!
Gu Jinâan stated, "Thereâs a significant gap in power between our two families, and you are a ruthless person. For the safety of my family, I must hold onto your weakness, which you handed to me yourself, so why not use it?"
Look, it wasnât his fault, she had only herself to blame.
After saying this, under Zongzheng Yaâs murderous gaze, he reached out to her and said, "You owe Xiao Yu five thousand taels, hand it over."
Zongzheng Ya was stunnedâat this point, this bastard still had the leisure to ask her for money?
But Gu Jinâan asked earnestly, as if he would get mad if she didnât give him the five thousand taels of silver.
Zongzheng Ya had no choice but to instruct Nanny Zong, "Hand him five thousand taels in silver notes."
It was a feeling worse than death for Zongzheng Ya, being threatened, unable to take revenge, and having to pay him money!
Nanny Zong quickly brought the silver notes and handed them to Gu Jinâan: "Here."
Gu Jinâan accepted them, counted to ensure correctness, and then said, "I have some information about you. Do you want to buy it? It only costs ten thousand taels."
A fair price.
Zongzheng Ya felt like vomiting blood, wondering why all the Gu Family people are this way, all drowning in the pursuit of money!
But Gu Jinâan said, "If you donât buy it, you might regret it for the rest of your life."
Zongzheng Ya had to acknowledge Gu Jinâanâs ability; he was an exceptionally smart and resourceful person. She heard from her cousin that Gu Jinâan despises lying, so what if she really does regret it for the rest of her life by not buying this information?
Left with no choice, Zongzheng Ya had Nanny Zong fetch another ten thousand taels in silver notes and handed them to Gu Jinâan.
Gu Jinâan accepted them, first remarking, "As expected of a top-tier noble family, they do have money."
He then said, "The information is that I havenât written a letter to inform Brother Shangguan that you were here, so you can leave relieved as if nothing ever happened."
This was a courtesy extended to the Shangguan family since, after all, Shangguan Zhuo was his friend.
Zongzheng Ya was pleasantly surprised to hear this, as it meant she wouldnât be punished after returning, since Gu Jinâan didnât write to Cousin Zhuo.
However, Gu Jinâan warned, "This is a one-time thing, but if you try anything again, donât blame me for being ruthless!"
He finished speaking and turned to leave.
Zongzheng Ya watched Gu Jinâanâs receding figure, thinking about todayâs events and getting angrier...she was actually countered by Gu Jinâan!
The plan was going perfectly, so how did it end up like this?
As for Gu Jinâan...
That gentleman didnât tell her what achievements Gu Jinâan would have in the future, saying that too much disclosure would invite divine punishment.
But looking at Gu Jinâan, he certainly wasnât an ordinary person; he was bound to have significant achievements in the future.
With a successful brother, and a manâs affection, could she ever beat the Gu Familyâs daughter? Even if she could, sheâd suffer heavy losses herself.
...
Da Qing, fearing that Zongzheng Yaâs people might assassinate Gu Jinâan, escorted him safely back home.
Gu Jinli and Qin San Lang were still waiting in his courtyard. Upon seeing him return, they hurried to meet him and asked, "Well? Did it resolve?"
Gu Jinâan nodded: "Yes, itâs settled. As long as she doesnât act foolishly, the problem can be considered as resolved for good."
He then recounted how he dealt with Zongzheng Ya.
"She only thought about making the situation look real, forgetting that what she did would become the knife that kills her." Gu Jinâan lamented, "Really donât know whether to call her smart or foolish?"
Seizing the chance, Gu Jinli flattered, "Itâs because Elder Brother is smart, able to quickly spot her flaws and counter her."
Indeed, Gu Jinâan was very clever, quick-witted, and had a thought process different from others. With Zongzheng Yaâs matter, Gu Jinâan almost immediately came up with a solution right after she spoke.
Gu Jinâan gladly accepted the flattery and handed a silver note of fifteen thousand taels to Gu Jinli: "Here, take it."
Gu Jinli only took five thousand taels, leaving the remaining ten thousand with Gu Jinâan: "This is what Elder Brother earned, so it should rightfully stay with Elder Brother."
As Gu Jinâan grew older, he needed money to travel and couldnât be without funds.
Thinking it over, Gu Jinâan accepted the ten thousand taels of silver notes. Noticing Brother Cheng watching eagerly, he smiled and handed him a note: "You have a share too, but donât waste it. A year later, Iâll check your money, and it can only increase, not decrease."
Brother Chengâs face fell: "Then I donât want it."
"No way." Gu Jinâan used Lv Baiâs situation to educate Brother Cheng: "Youâre older now, canât just study books. You need to learn how to earn money, or else youâll end up being a family burden who only eats, do you want to be a burden?"