Chapter 1038: He Daqian Behind the Scenes

Lu Shankui and Lu Huoya listened to their wives and dared to bring the girls from relatives’ families to block Gu Jin’an. Now seeing things have escalated, they hurriedly knelt down to beg for mercy: "Clan Leader, we know we’re wrong. We won’t dare next time. Please don’t hit us anymore."

"Shut up. You two have harmed the entire Lu Family clan. You can’t escape punishment. Just endure it." Lu Gen Sheng finished hitting them and ordered the Lu Family people to watch over them: "Keep an eye on them. Don’t let them speak nonsense and disturb the peace."

"Yes." Many from the Lu Family came, fearing the Gu Family might retaliate against the whole Lu Family because of this matter. Therefore, everyone kept an eye on Lu Shankui and Lu Huoya to prevent them from causing trouble and further angering the Gu Family People.

Lu Gen Sheng came to apologize to Gu Dashan and his wife, Gu Jin’an and others: "Dashan, Brother An, Brother Ming, Brother Xing, this old man apologizes to you. I’m truly sorry for not managing the clan well and letting them cause trouble."

He assured them: "Don’t worry, the clan will punish them and send people to keep an eye on their families, preventing further disturbances. Silver will be compensated, and the Gu Family won’t suffer losses. We just request that you don’t blame all Lu Family People."

The Lu Family also cultivates Mingya Grass and relies on the Gu Family for their livelihood. Without this income, all Lu Family People would return to their previous hard days.

Gu Jin’an knows what kind of person Lu Gen Sheng is; he’s a well-behaved, no ill-intentioned elderly man. When he spoke, Gu Jin’an said, "Rest assured, we won’t retaliate against the entire Lu Family. The Lu Family’s Mingya Grass will still be collected, but Lu Shankui’s and Lu Huoya’s Mingya Grass won’t be collected this year as punishment."

The same goes for He Tianwa’s families. Since they did wrong, the pharmaceutical workshop won’t resell their Mingya Grass this year. They need to remember this painful lesson, or they’ll repeat the mistake in the future.

Lu Shankui and Lu Huoya’s families almost cried out loud, but were warned by the Lu Family People: "Shut up. If you dare shout, the clan won’t spare you."

Lu Shankui and Lu Huoya’s families were scared and didn’t dare to sob or plead anymore, regretting deeply. Had they known this would happen, they’d never let their relatives plot against Gu Jin’an. Now they’re left with nothing but losses.

Lu Gen Sheng sighed in relief and quickly said, "They brought this upon themselves. The Lu Family has no objections."

Lu Gen Sheng wanted to resolve this quickly, so he took out ten taels of silver and handed it to Gu Jin’an: "The clan will advance the compensation silver for their families. Please accept it."

Gu Jin’an was not polite and accepted the Lu Family’s ten taels of silver.

Village Chief He felt heartache, thinking, damn it, Lu Gen Sheng, you fool, why did you give the silver so quickly? The He family had five households fined, totaling twenty-five taels of silver.

But he knew he must give the silver early, so while cursing He Tianwa’s families, he took out twenty-five taels of silver and handed it to Gu Jin’an: "Brother An, this is from the He family."

After Gu Jin’an accepted it, he turned to scold He Tianwa’s families: "Bring the silver to my house today. If you dare not give it, just wait for the old man to skin you!"

He Tianwa’s families responded timidly.

But the matter wasn’t over yet. Gu Jin’an reminded, "Village Chief, the Fourth Son He’s family didn’t come."

Mrs. Niu is Fourth Son He’s wife’s mother, and she was the most troublesome. Gu Jin’an can’t let the Fourth Son He’s family off the hook.

Moreover, Gu Jin’an felt this matter wasn’t that simple.

The Fourth Son’s wife had become more restrained and behaved after being dragged to the He Family Ancestral Hall and slapped twenty times for speaking nonsense in the village. How could she suddenly act crazy and let her family cause trouble?

Gu Jin’an thought of He Daqian and his wife.

Fourth Son He and He Daqian couples are familiar with each other, and He Daqian couples have deep thoughts. While appearing obedient over the years, they’ve been looking for opportunities to retaliate against the Gu Family. Fourth Son He’s wife probably collaborated with her family to plot against him, instigated by He Daqian’s couple.

Upon hearing Gu Jin’an’s words, Village Chief He immediately shouted, "Where are Fourth Son He’s couple? Hurry up and bring them here!"

The Fourth Son He couple hid deep in the grass in a small ditch, scared by Village Chief He’s words, and tried to escape quickly. But Fourth Son He had crippled a leg during three years of labor service, and the ditch was difficult to exit. He barely climbed up a bit before falling back with a thump.

"Stop!" Luo Wu had sharp eyes, and upon hearing the sound, he immediately rode towards the ditch, reaching it in just a few moments. He whipped at Fourth Son He’s wife attempting to flee and jumped off the horse to grab Fourth Son He, dragging him out of the ditch with a bump, throwing him onto the nearby grass.

Dasheng and others rushed over, twisting Fourth Son He’s couple’s hands and bringing them before Village Chief He: "Behave, or you’ll suffer."

Fourth Son He’s couple had been heavily disciplined by the Gu Family in recent years. Once caught, they immediately admitted fault and begged for mercy: "Brother An, Master top scorer, we know we’re wrong. We’ll never dare again. You..."

"Shut up." Gu Jin’an was too lazy to listen to their nonsense and pointed them in a direction: "Who gave you the idea? Speak up."

Fourth Son He’s couple was stunned, exclaiming, "Master top scorer is indeed the Master top scorer, you even guessed it. Truly amazing."

They immediately spilled the beans, revealing how He Daqian’s wife instigated Mrs. Niu to plot against Gu Jin’an, without any hesitation.

Gu Jin’an laughed, thinking He Daqian’s couple considered themselves clever, not realizing they chose the wrong people. Fourth Son He’s couple was easily frightened and would never cover for He Daqian’s couple once exposed.

Mrs. Niu was furious to see them confess so easily and scolded: "You two fools, who told you to spill the beans!"

Exposing He Daqian’s couple proves the three families conspired against Gu Jin’an, confessing without being forced, such utter stupidity.

But Fourth Son He’s couple cried and shouted: "It was their couple instigating us to do bad things. Why shouldn’t we confess? Should we bear all the blame alone?"

Mrs. Niu was momentarily speechless, then turned to curse her daughter and son-in-law: "Two useless things, the old woman worked hard all night, and you messed things up. If I knew you were so useless, I would have disposed of you first!"

Mrs. Niu’s eyes glared at Fourth Son He’s couple with resentment.

Years ago, she intended to sell He Niu to the brothel, but Fourth Son He tricked He Niu away, causing the family to lose a sum of silver, a grievance she’s harbored for decades.

Now she found a golden egg-like granddaughter’s husband, but these two ruins spoil it again. Mrs. Niu is furious enough to wish she could consume them alive.

Seeing Mrs. Niu’s vulgar curses, Gu Jin’an frowned: "Xiao Tuan, stuff her mouth, she’s too noisy."

"Okay." Xiao Tuan grabbed some wild grass from the roadside, rolled it into a ball, and scurried to Mrs. Niu’s front. When Mrs. Niu screamed curses, he stuffed her mouth with the grass ball, then ran back to report to Gu Jin’an: "Brother An, it’s done."

After saying this, he smiled at Brother An, his round chubby face appearing somewhat cute.

"Hmm, well done." Gu Jin’an praised, then turned to Village Chief He: "Village Chief, I heard that He Daqian recently made a connection with a noble, but everyone knows the reputation of that noble... Our village is getting better, but it can’t be ruined by one or two people."