Chapter 32: Chapter 30 Lin Lize
He had no idea why Lin Liuliu acted this way, but there must be some reason behind it. Lin Wu truly is malicious, trying to hit two birds with one stone. Poor Fourth Brother is just an eleven-year-old boy; he rarely goes out, so how could he understand all these complexities? He sincerely believed he must have done something wrong and was disliked by his mentor and their family.
No wonder heâs been acting strangely in the past few days when coming home daily. At that time, we just thought he was tired and didnât pay attention. This matter must be handled well; it seriously impacts his reputation.
"Second Brother Lin, before my Fourth Brother came to your house for apprenticeship, my father already told him that my Fourth Brother was here to apprentice, and Second Brother Lin would be his master from now on. My Fourth Brother should treat Second Brother Lin like his father, should not cheat or be lazy in his actions, and offering tea and doing chores goes without saying. My Fourth Brother is an honest character; he always admired Second Brother Linâs virtues and skills, and he follows my fatherâs words. Today, even when he burned his leg, he still insisted on boiling water, feeling guilty now for not doing such a small thing well and angering his master. I saw with my own eyes that Fourth Brotherâs leg was scalded, making it inconvenient for him to work, and if he spills water again, it wonât be drinkable. Second Brother Lin, let me boil the water instead?" Gu Chengyu, despite being small but of high rank, couldnât hold back his disdain for such people, yet words for appearances couldnât be lacking.
Just as he finished speaking, the crowd started murmuring again. Yes! Fourth Brother Gu injured his leg yet still wanted to boil water, showing his filial piety. This kid is honest, injured without uttering a word. Moreover, these are all small matters; if he canât do it well today, he can be taught tomorrow. Itâs already getting late; they should let the kid go home, right? Lin the Second seems too harsh.
"How did he get injured? Why didnât he say so earlier? I was inside and didnât know. Since his leg is hurt, let him go home, and come back tomorrow." Lin Wu noticed the crowdâs opinion shifting, realizing he wouldnât gain any advantage today. He thought to deal with it later, as long as Fourth Brother Gu remained his apprentice, heâd find a way to manage him. Nonetheless, this Fifth Child of the Gu Family shouldnât be underestimated; such words from someone just five years old?
"Just spilled some water on his pants? How bad could it be? I think heâs just trying to be lazy. A mud-legged peasant, still acting precious like a poor ghost?" Lin Liuliu curled her lips, full of disdain.
Gu Chengyu couldnât help wanting to give a thumbs-up in praise; those words came at the right time! Initially, he planned to use the Truth Powder hidden in his space, but now it seemed unnecessary, and he was reluctant to use it anyway. The way she spoke, as if her family wasnât a rural household. As expected, voices of criticism rose from the crowd, some quite loud.
"Lin familyâs girl, what do you mean by peasant? Poor ghost? Weâre all farming families from Shangling Village, and neither do we have money, so who are you scolding?" Aunt Wang, being straightforward, couldnât hold back. Wasnât the village chiefâs family part of Shangling Village? Even if they had two people who studied and earned decent livelihoods, they shouldnât look down upon the villagers, right? Everyone chimed in agreement.
"Liuliu, you as a girl, meddling in things here, donât you have any rules? When adults speak, how can a child interrupt?"
Gu Chengyu squinted his eyes; those words were skillfully spoken! They overtly scold Lin Liuliu, while covertly criticizing him for interrupting. Looking towards the speaker, the curtain of the main house slightly moved, revealing a man entering the courtyard, around his fatherâs age. This person was starkly different from ordinary farmers, wearing a finely cottoned blue straight robe, with a smooth rosewood hairpin on his head.
This person must be Lin Lize, who had studied for several years before but failed the imperial exams. At that time, Uncle Gu and Lin Lize were both scholars, but Lin Lize had more years of study than Uncle Gu, and although he didnât pass the exams, he was certainly capable of doing transcription work and such.
"Dear villagers, the child doesnât understand; I apologize on her behalf and promise to strictly discipline her in the future. Please disperse now! Fourth Brother Gu, since your leg is injured, go home first. Resting for two days is allowed, too." Speaking of the last sentence, Lin Lize glanced at Gu Chengyu while standing with his hands behind his back. He had listened for a while inside; initially, it was just a small matter, and he thought not to appear, but then his granddaughter foolishly spoke up, and he couldnât let his familyâs name be tarnished. This kid, at such a young age, speaks in a way that cannot be underestimated.
Seeing Lin Lize apologizing, everyone felt obliged to show face and prepared to head home.
Gu Chengyu saw everyone ready to leave; this wouldnât do, the matter wasnât concluded yet! He quickly stepped to Gu Chengchiâs side, "Fourth Brother, letâs go home!"
Gu Chengchiâs leg was indeed hurting! Gu Chengyu saw it, pained in his heart; this silly boy! He quickly reached to support him, pinching his waist simultaneously. "Ah! Fourth Brother, what happened? Canât you walk because of the pain?" Gu Chengyu turned his head anxiously, inquiring, "Uncle Li Zheng, my Fourth Brotherâs leg pains tremendously, can he stay in your courtyard to be examined by Doctor Li?"
"Since itâs severe, better have Doctor Li come over!" Lin Lize frowned.
Gu Chengyu wanted to add fuel to the fire, and with Gu Chengchi blocking, provocatively glanced at Lin Liuliu, who happened to be looking at him, mouthing silently: "Compensation!"
"What? Iâve just accidentally spilled a little water. How serious could it be? Could you dare ask for compensation from our family? My grandfather is the village chief; do you dare?" Seeing this, Lin Liuliu immediately jumped in anger, fuming, thinking these mud-legged peasants were trying to extort money from them.
Upon hearing this, everyone realized, so the injury was caused by Lin Liuliu scalding him? Whatâs more, it was boiling hot water! This girlâs mind truly is malicious! Their gaze turned to Lin Liuliu, showing disbelief; at such a young age and already so venomous, who would dare propose to her in the future? And sheâs rampant just because she is the village chiefâs granddaughter.
"Hey~ Xiao Bao, Aunt Wang will fetch Doctor Li; scalding isnât a minor issue." Aunt Wang, noticing the two kidsâ plight, felt the Lin Family was too bullying and quickly went to fetch the doctor. Gu Chengyu hadnât even had the chance to thank her before Aunt Wang dashed away like the wind.
Lin Lize sensing things werenât going well, immediately commanded coldly, "What talk is this? You accidentally overturned the kettle, causing it to spill, and now that it spilled onto Fourth Brother Gu, it should be examined by the doctor. You young girl, who let you interrupt? Wife, take Liuliu back inside quickly?" Lin Lize was genuinely angry this time; his granddaughter spoiled by his wife and eldest sonâs wife was uttering brainless words, constantly attracting resentment.