Once Gu Yuanlei was far enough away, Liu Heizi spat on the ground. "What a piece of work."
Ancient Wen Heng just shook his head, not planning to let it bother him.
Gu Kaishan, on the other hand, spoke up for him indignantly. "Your father has always been biased. He’s probably hoping your wife will use her money to support his youngest son. You can’t put her in a difficult position. After all, her dowry is ant for your future children. Don’t be a fool."
A smile played on Ancient Wen Heng’s lips. "No one touches my things unless I allow it."
Gu Kaishan was speechless. ’I worried for nothing. This kid is cunning. It’s not even clear who’s going to get the short end of the stick here.’
Liu Heizi was also at a loss for words. ’I’m so curious! I wonder what kind of plan this Lao Gouqi has up his sleeve?’
&
Back ho, Jin Qianqian wasn’t idle. When people ca to help, it was her duty to provide them with a al.
Looking at the two strings of fish they had just brought over, she deftly set about cleaning them.
She pan-fried the small crucian carp before simring them into a rich soup.
For the larger black and grass carp, she filleted the at from the bones. Then, she found a packet of pickled vegetable fish seasoning and prepared to make a spicy fish and sauerkraut dish.
With a plate of scrambled eggs and so wild vegetables she had just picked from the edge of the fields, she had prepared four dishes plus a large basin of coarse-grain stead buns. The simple al was ready.
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Jin Qianqian clapped her hands with a sense of accomplishnt, then turned to go call the n back for their al.
Gu Kaishan and Liu Heizi stared at the spread of dishes on the table, their mouths watering from the fragrant aroma. They couldn’t help but lick their lips. "This is quite a feast!"
Ancient Wen Heng brought over bowls and chopsticks, ladling a large bowl of soup for each of them. "It’s just so simple ho cooking. And you’re the ones who brought the fish.
I was only able to clear the land so quickly thanks to your help. Don’t stand on ceremony, please, sit down."
Gu Kaishan couldn’t hold back any longer. He grabbed Liu Heizi and sat right down. "Alright then, we won’t be polite today! This looks incredible. We’re really in for a treat."
Ancient Wen Heng asked, "How about a little sothing to drink?"
Gu Kaishan was tempted, but he managed to restrain himself and shook his head. "I’d better not drink. Otherwise, my mother will have my hide when I get back."
’I’ve just barely managed to repair my reputation. If I go ho drunk again, my mom will be waiting for with a club.’
Liu Heizi wasn’t much of a drinker to begin with, his eyes fixed on the dishes before him. "Right, no drinking."
Only then did Ancient Wen Heng and Jin Qianqian sit down, inviting the others to dig in.
"It’s like I’ve been eating fish all wrong my whole life," Gu Kaishan said with satisfaction, stuffing a coarse-grain bun soaked in the fish and sauerkraut sauce into his mouth. "Seventh Wife is a phenonal cook. Seventh, you’ve really found a treasure."
His words echoed the thoughts of all the villagers. Everyone knew the Jin Family’s only daughter was a hidden gem, and Ancient Wen Heng had truly lucked out.
Ancient Wen Heng grinned smugly. "It’s because I have a good eye for treasure. But I won’t keep you two any longer today! Soone’s getting impatient."
As he spoke, he glanced aningfully toward the entrance. Only then did the others notice Gu Yuanlei hovering by the gate.
It wasn’t that Gu Yuanlei had suddenly learned so manners; he had seen Gu Kaishan sitting there and didn’t want to get another scolding with a finger pointed in his face.
Gu Kaishan stood up, patted Ancient Wen Heng’s shoulder, and thanked Jin Qianqian. Then he left with his arm slung around Liu Heizi’s shoulders.
Gu Kaishan walked right past Gu Yuanlei as if he wasn’t there. "It’s still early. How about we head back to the river and see what else we can find?"
"Sure! When I get back, I’m going to have my wife learn a few tricks from Seventh Wife and make a feast like this. My stomach’s full, but my mouth is still craving more."
"Haha, sa here! When I get ho, I’m going to have my wife co over and learn a thing or two from Seventh Wife. Then I’ll be able to eat well from now on."
"..."
&
"Brother Qi, you’re still eating? Dad is still waiting for you."
Ancient Wen Heng shot him a look. "People ca to help work. I can’t just not offer them a al, can I? If word got out, people would say our family has no manners."
After speaking, Ancient Wen Heng ignored him, rolled up his sleeves, and began to clear the table.
"Brother Qi, you’re not going to wash the dishes now, are you?"
Ancient Wen Heng retorted, "Why not? Is there so rule against washing them?"
Gu Yuanlei glanced at Jin Qianqian, who was still sitting calmly at the table, and swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.
"You can wash them when you get back. Dad is getting impatient."
Ancient Wen Heng continued to wash the bowl in his hands at a leisurely pace. "At this hour, Mom is probably getting ready to make dinner. I’ll head over after they’ve eaten."
Gu Yuanlei snorted, turned, and stord out. Just as he reached the gate, he doubled back. "Seventh Sister-in-law, my dad says you should co too."
With that, he vanished out the gate in the blink of an eye.
Jin Qianqian looked at Ancient Wen Heng curiously. "This involves too?"
Ancient Wen Heng shared his suspicion. "Just keep quiet later. I’ll handle everything."
Jin Qianqian clicked her tongue and shook her head. "They say spoiling a child is the sa as ruining them. Your father seems determined to follow this path to the bitter end."
Ancient Wen Heng said, "Don’t worry. As long as Mom is there, he won’t be able to cause too much trouble.
But Gu Yuanlei is a ticking ti bomb in this family. It seems I’ll have to deal with him sooner rather than later."
Jin Qianqian deeply agreed. Even though the brothers’ households were separate, to outsiders, they were all still one family.
"Are you thinking of..."
Ancient Wen Heng tapped her hand. "Let’s go. We shouldn’t keep the old man waiting too long."
&
The mont Ancient Wen Heng stepped through the door, a rock ca flying at him. Fortunately, his reflexes were quick, and he pulled Jin Qianqian aside to narrowly dodge it.
"Do I have to beg you to co over now? Are you trying to make report you for being unfilial?"
Ancient Wen Heng’s face darkened. "Then go ahead and try. No matter who you complain to, they’ll see I’m countless tis more filial than that coward hiding behind you.
Did you call back just for this? If so, then I’m leaving."
"Stop! Just give one hundred taels of Silver, and I won’t ddle in your affairs ever again. I won’t need your filial piety either," Gu Dashishi roared, afraid that the boy would slip away and vanish again.
"So that’s what this was about. You sent away just so you could pull this stunt," Li Cuicui said, walking in from the doorway with a dark expression.
"I’m his father! What’s wrong with him giving a little Silver?"
Li Cuicui picked up the rock from the ground, and before Gu Dashishi could react, she slamd it into his leg, causing him to yelp and hop around clutching it in pain.
"You crazy woman! Are you mad? That could kill soone!"
Li Cuicui sneered. "When you were injured because of that unfilial son of yours, Seventh shouldn’t have pulled you out of the water. You’re not just blind, your heart is blind too! Can’t you see who truly cares about you?
And don’t forget, the only reason you’re living comfortably here is because Seventh arranged everything. What gives you the right to accuse him of being unfilial?
You only know it hurts now because you’re the one who got hit? What if that rock had hit Seventh in the head just now? Were you trying to kill him?"
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