Chapter 368: Chapter 204: There are Still Moves Left
Doctor Li knew that Gu Chengyi had made a mistake and was going to be drowned in a pig cage, and the whole village knew this. Therefore, he didnât prescribe any medicine for the time being. He packed his things to leave, promising to return later to help him. As long as Gu Chengyu was there, Gu Chengyi wouldnât die.
There was no other reason; Gu Changqing wouldnât just watch his son die. However, those last two sentences were directed at Gu Chengyu.
Gu Chengyi felt relieved upon hearing there was still hope. Then, he thought of how this was all Wang Yueâs doing, and anger welled up inside him.
"Truly, the most venomous is a womanâs heart, wanting to kill me with such poison."
"Uncle! Father! You must save me! I was drugged by this woman, and she ruined my health. Those Yang Family people are plotting to kill me for money! They set a trap for me, just for my silver."
Gu Chengyuâs mind cleared a bit after being pierced by the silver needle, and he recovered his usual cunning. If their hands hadnât been tied behind their backs, they might have already started tearing each other apart.
He thought about how, for over a month, he seemed to be somewhat infatuated with Wang Yueâs body. No wonder, surely there was something in the medicine. If he didnât go to Wang Yueâs place for two or three days, heâd feel uncomfortable. Truly vicious!
Wang Yue sneered; she knew Gu Chengyi would betray her. Originally, she didnât know how potent this medicine was, but now she felt fortunate to have given it to a man as heartless as a wolf or dog; it would be better if it poisoned him to death.
Wang Yue didnât want to argue anymore; in any case, she couldnât avoid her part of the blame. However, she still had a way to save her life.
Upon hearing Doctor Liâs words, Gu Chengyu started doubting that with Wang Yueâs financial strength, she could not have afforded the Heavenly Tail Grass Powder. So, where did the powder come from?
"Wang Yue, where did you get this powder? Did you buy the two powders together or mix them yourself?"
"Of course, the shopkeeper sold it to me; I didnât know what was in it. He said it would strengthen a manâs bones and muscles, so I bought it."
Wang Yue certainly didnât know the secrets within the medicine. The shopkeeper told her that men would rely on her more after taking it, claiming a small package cost fifteen taels of silver, but a little could be used sparingly.
It was very effective, so she was always reluctant to use much. Gu Chengyi came looking for her every few days, and when she served him tea, she would sprinkle a little into the drinking bowl.
"How much silver did he sell you?" Gu Chengyu felt there was something unusual about this.
"Fifteen taels!" Wang Yue replied languidly.
Having had nothing to eat or drink after the morning cloud and rain, she was now too weak to have any energy.
Gu Chengyu glanced at Gu Chengyi in surprise. Apparently, Gu Chengyi had given her quite a sum! A small packet of powder for fifteen taels, and Wang Yue dared to buy it? But biting the bullet for more silver was understandable.
Gu Chengyu further inquired which pharmacy she bought it from, planning to have Ming Mo investigate. It would be best if no one was behind the scenes, but if someone was scheming against their family, he wouldnât let them off; this person would be a menace.
Mr. Gu thought the disaster was entirely due to Gu Chengyiâs lustfulness. He had long known Wang Yue was not a good match and had warned him, but Gu Chengyi didnât listen. He never imagined there were such ferocious medicines in the world; Doctor Li said Gu Chengyiâs health was severely damaged, and this was a lesson for him.
Sigh! Mr. Gu sighed, hoping this time Gu Chengyi would remember, and not court disaster again.
Today, he also noticed Xiao Baoâs attitude; he seemed already impatient with his second brother. Naturally so; as Gu Chengyi consistently targeted Xiao Bao, Xiao Bao couldnât be fond of this second brother. So be it! Today, Gu Chengyi must be punished, or he wonât learn his lesson.
If Xiao Bao later passed the advanced scholar exams and became an official, yet Gu Chengyi continued to behave like this, it would surely bring trouble for Xiao Bao. The current Gu Family relied on Xiao Bao! For Xiao Baoâs sake, the clan must watch over Gu Chengyi strictly; he would give Gu Chengyi one last chance, but if he made another mistake, he would be expelled from the family. For the sake of the Gu Family, he could no longer be soft-hearted.
Gu Chengyu didnât know his fatherâs thoughts; he aimed to use this opportunity to teach Gu Chengyi a lesson. Once the clan rules were established, heâd apply them first on his second brother, and have the clan watch over him. If forced, heâd be expelled from the clan.
He didnât want to be constantly cleaning up the mess. If he became an official later and had a second brother dragging him down, wouldnât that be akin to having a pig as a teammate?
"Yang Clan Leader, look here, it was Wang Yue framing our Gu Family, so how do we settle this account?" Uncle Gu also wanted to use this opportunity to resolve the matter.
In a few days, there would be a banquet for the scholar; if Gu Chengyi really ended up being drowned in the pig cage, the gossip alone could drown their Gu Family.
"My nephew was drugged by Wang Yue, so his involvement with her certainly wasnât voluntary; he was framed." Uncle Gu indignantly pointed at Wang Yue.
Gu Chengyu thought it would be best to make Gu Chengyi suffer a financial loss, but the silver shouldnât go to the Yang Family. After pondering, he decided to give it to the Yang clan instead to buy some lands for sacrifices and to fund the childrenâs education.
"It takes two hands to clap. If he didnât already have a relationship with Wang Yue, how could she have drugged him? Havenât you heard that flies donât swarm around cracked eggs?"
Although the Yang Clan Leader had only studied for a few months in his youth and knew a few characters, he was not easy to deal with.
Uncle Gu and the Yang Clan Leader began to argue vehemently, while Gu Chengyu returned to his seat. He wouldnât help; the Yang Family certainly wouldnât dare ask him for anything now, so let them extort his second brotherâs silver!
Soon the Yang Family members joined the fray, and some strong men from the Gu side joined as well, turning the place into chaos.
Gu Chengyu watched coldly, occasionally noticing the Yang Clan Leader glancing at him, seeing that he was watching with interest but not speaking. The Clan Leader felt even more encouraged, realizing that the scholar probably didnât want to involve himself in the matter.
"Ow! Ow! My stomach hurts, itâs killing me!" At first, everyone was arguing fervently, each holding their ground, unwilling to give in.
Nobody expected Wang Yue to suddenly start shouting.
"Iâm in so much pain; my stomach hurts terribly!" Wang Yue cried out, clutching her stomach, her head lowered, a smile barely visible at the corner of her mouth hidden by her hair.
"Whatâs going on? What should we do?" Uncle Gu saw Wang Yue seemingly suffering greatly, appearing very serious. Could she die here? Wang Yue wasnât a daughter-in-law of their Gu Family, and dying here would be extremely inauspicious.
Gu Chengyuâs eyes narrowed, indeed, a backup plan! Earlier, he noticed Wang Yue had calmed considerably and didnât seem overly worried, so he suspected she had a way to save herself.
This affair had turned again; his second brother, even if unwilling, would surely have to suffer a financial blow this time!