Luo Wu finished speaking and no longer paid attention to the shocked Clerk Wang, but looked at those impersonating government officials and said, "I am Squad Leader Luo from Tianfu County, and I am well-acquainted with the Great Chu Criminal Law. You are first-time offenders and were coerced by Manager Feng. As long as you identify him, you can make amends for your crimes and receive a light sentence."
The impersonating government officials were both surprised and delighted upon hearing this, quickly nodding to express their willingness to point out Manager Feng and wonāt be swayed by Clerk Wang.
But their joy was premature. In Great Chu, severe penalties are used; even with a light sentence, impersonating government officials results in death. The only difference is instant execution versus working two years as hard labor in the mines before dying.
Gu Jināan saw them agree and removed the cloth gag from their mouths, letting them orally testify, while he quickly documented the confessions. Soon, he had the confessions written and had them press their handprints.
Clerk Wang, seeing this, looked ashen, and pleaded with Gu Jināan, expressing willingness to make amends for his crimes, but it was too late. Gu Jināan ignored him.
"Qiu Lang, keep an eye on them; we will go to the county government in the afternoon and ask Lord County Magistrate to take us to the government office to seek justice!" Gu Jināan was determined not to handle the case in the county; he wanted a big scene!
He wanted the nearby prefectures to know.
He wanted to win and let everyone know that the Gu Family is not to be trifled with!
To let those wanting to seize his familyās assets know that if they want to conspire against the Gu Family, they must be prepared to lose their lives. Even if you are an official, if you dare provoke the Gu Family, Gu Jināan will have you pay with your life!
He also instructed Zezi: "Prepare a carriage and invite Elder Wu and Doctor Du to accompany us and care for those poisoned."
After speaking, he called on Luo Wu, Gu Dashan, and Third Grandpa, and went to the next room to get Mrs. Cui and the others.
Mrs. Cui and the others were stunned, not expecting Gu Jināan to have such a terrifying side, but Gu Jināan said, "Mother, Big Sister, this matter isnāt simple. That Assistant Judge Jia must have thought of seizing our family assets, so I cannot be soft-hearted. I must make a big deal of it while we have the evidence and reason."
He continued, "Iāll take Brother Cheng to the prefecture in the afternoon; we canāt make it to Xiao Yuās wedding banquet. Iāll go to the Qin household shortly and talk to them face-to-face about this."
Brother Cheng was anxious: "Big Brother, are we going to the prefecture in the afternoon? Canāt it be after the wedding banquet tomorrow?"
He had promised Second Sister that he would see her this afternoon.
"No." Gu Jināan took the opportunity to teach: "Chai Sanfu and the others are poisoned; nobody knows how long they can hold out. We must conclude the case before they die. Moreover, such matters shouldnāt be dragged out; we must act swiftly to prevent the enemy from reacting and losing the initiative."
Brother Cheng: "I understand now, but why do I have to go?"
Iām the youngest, still just a kid.
Gu Jināan glared at him and said, "Didnāt I tell you before? Big Brother will go to take the civil service exam in the future. If he passes, heāll become an official elsewhere. You need to step up for the family."
Kid, did you really think you could eat, drink and have fun forever? Iām painstakingly teaching you hands-on not for your enjoyment, but to help me.
Gu Dashan heard this and felt deeply ashamed, promising: "Good Brother An, rest assured, Iāll be tougher in the future and wonāt let anyone bully our family."
Gu Jināan wanted just that assurance and said, "With Dad saying this, I can be more at ease when venturing out in the future."
Gu Dashan, hearing this, felt even more guilty and mimicked Gu Jināanās interrogation of Manager Feng, adopting a stern face and said, "Good Brother An, rest assured, Dad wonāt let any evildoers hurt our family!"
Gu Jināan, hearing this, finally smiled: "Hmm, I trust Dad."
He then looked at Mrs. Cui and Gu Jinxiu: "Mother, Big Sister, did you learn something? Remember, confronting evildoers requires fearlessness; when they see youāre even crazier than them, theyāll be afraid."
Both Mrs. Cui and Gu Jinxiu were a bit bewildered, then quickly nodded: "Mm-hmm, we understand."
Gu Jināan heard this and let out a breath, his heart shouting once more: In my next life, I want to be born as the youngest child!
Being the eldest responsible for the familyās welfare is truly exhausting, and itās wearing him out.
"Letās go home. Dad, you handle arranging the escort; Mother, you pack our bags. Iāll take Brother Cheng to say goodbye to the Qin family." Gu Jināan said, leading the family back home, walking with determination, embodying the demeanor of an eldest son.
However, before he could head to the Qin family, Gu Jinli and Qin San Lang arrived.
Gu Jināan saw them, was taken aback, and hurriedly asked Third Grandma: "Third Grandma, is it bad luck for a new bride to return to her maiden home on the second day?"
He didnāt believe in these superstitions, but as a brother, he hoped his little sister could have a happy life.
Third Grandma hadnāt experienced a bride returning the next day either, but said: "Since sheās with her husband, it should be fine, no problem."
She then invited Gu Jinli and Qin San Lang inside.
Gu Jinli said, "Big Brother, how is the matter with Manager Feng? You can tell us truthfully, donāt hide anything."
She added, "Iāve got food simmering in the pot; after you tell us, I need to go back and prepare the meal for Madam Guo."
Gu Jināan heard this and quickly recounted all the events.
Qin San Lang, hearing this, said, "Get Young Master Dou involved; heās capable of raising a fuss. He recently helped Dou Ou Bank earn some credit. Thus, with this in mind, Lord Magistrate will certainly support and help reach the Tongāan Prefecture Magistrate to arrest Assistant Judge Jia."
According to Xiao Yu, Good Brother An likes Miss Ouyang, so itās better not to always ask Master Ouyang for help, and this matter is best suited to Dou Ke.
Gu Jināan nodded in agreement: "Good, thatās how weāll do it."
Looking at Gu Jinli, he apologized, "Xiao Yu, Iām sorry, but Big Brother and Brother Cheng will miss your wedding banquet."
Xiao Yu is the third child in the family, and as her siblings, they should take care of her. However, from childhood to adulthood, Xiao Yu has always protected herself and even shielded them. The familyās prosperity is also thanks to her.
Sheās done so much for the family, yet for such an important event as her wedding return, her elder brother wonāt be present.
Gu Jinli smiled: "Big Brother, weāre family, why say such nonsense? Itās no problem to miss the event. Youāve been good enough to me, and we wonāt miss this meal. Thereāll be plenty of opportunity to dine together in the future."
Gu Jināan, hearing this, looked at her smiling face, feeling emotional... Compared to Big Sister and Brother Cheng, he hasnāt been great to Xiao Yu, trusting her so much because sheās strong while worrying over Big Sister and Brother Cheng being too weak.
But among the siblings in the family, the one whoās suffered the most is Xiao Yu, enduring hardships from the Old Gu Family yet still jumping up, crying, and cursing them.
Recalling all these events from childhood, Gu Jināan didnāt know what to say, suddenly stood up, and deeply bowed to Gu Jinli: "Xiao Yu, thank you, Big Brother... be safe, you must return!"
Gu Jinli was stunned, wanting to avoid it but ultimately accepted Gu Jināanās bow. She knew how heavy a burden Big Brother felt, and if she didnāt accept it, he would feel guilty forever.
"Big Brother, donāt worry. We will return safely and bring back two nephews for you. Better save up your red envelopes, or youāll be embarrassed when they arrive and youāre penniless." Gu Jinli laughed, making Gu Jināan tear up, while Brother Cheng teased her: "Second Sister, thick-skinned, talking about nephews right after marriage."
Gu Jinli pulled on the tuft of Brother Chengās hair and said, "Brat, dare to tease me? Iām a married woman now; be careful that I have my husband beat you!"
The family laughed and joked for a while, and Gu Jināan afterward instructed Gu Jinli and Qin San Lang before letting them return home.
In the afternoon, Gu Jināan, after completing preparations, was about to escort Manager Feng and the others out, along with Manager Lin, to make a grand complaint.