Gu Jin’an had survived a famine and was very alert. He had long noticed the murderous intent in Lord Lai’s eyes towards them.
He wasn’t afraid. They had prepared a great gift for Lord Lai, and the Lai Family wouldn’t be able to dance for much longer.
Gu Jin’an no longer paid attention to Lord Lai but instead walked towards Elder Gu.
Elder Gu loathed Gu Jin’an’s family. Seeing him approach, he glared angrily, muttering incoherently.
Gu Jin’an leaned in close to Elder Gu and whispered, "Do you rember what I told you earlier? If you want glory and wealth, if you want silver to absolve your sins, you must seize the Zhan Family."
Elder Gu finally stopped muttering after hearing this.
That’s right, with the two gold mountains of the Zhan uncle and nephew still there, if he wanted to live a prosperous life, he could only rely on Gu Rong and Gu Ya to attach themselves to the Zhan Family.
But those two marriage certificates?
Gu Jin’an noticed his concern and kindly said, "They have been replaced. Wishing your family glory and wealth, with blessings that last forever."
As if!
His "kindness" was rely to use the Old Gu Family to wear down the Zhan Family. The Zhan uncle and nephew were too excessive, so they couldn’t bla his family for being ruthless.
Elder Gu was overjoyed. He finally had the silver to atone for his sins and imdiately mumbled towards Magistrate Gu.
Magistrate Gu was nearly driven mad by him and rely instructed the governnt official, "Take him away for now, listen to what he has to say, and then relay it to ."
He whispered to Deputy Magistrate Tang, "Lord Tang, rember to change the gavel... it’s cracked."
Deputy Magistrate Tang was montarily stunned but replied with a suppressed smile, "Yes, I will rember."
Seeing Magistrate Gu a bit embarrassed, he added, "Sir, you must be tired after the whole day. Let’s go eat first."
Magistrate Gu felt as if he’d heard a heavenly sound, nodded, and smiled, "I’m starving. Let’s go eat first."
Deputy Magistrate Tang glanced at Lord Lai and added, "Sir, you go ahead. I’ll go call Lord Lai."
After all, he was a fifth-rank official with connections. Until Lord Lai was dismissed in the Capital, they couldn’t fall out with him.
Magistrate Gu nodded without saying anything and left first.
As for Gu Jin’an, Lord Lai didn’t say much to him. With the Prefecture Examination approaching, as a magistrate, he couldn’t talk much to a current candidate. Otherwise, should Gu Jin’an beco the top scorer, rumors would inevitably spread.
Rumors of cheating—those were unbearable.
Lord Lai knew that Magistrate Gu didn’t want to see him and refused Deputy Magistrate Tang’s goodwill.
Deputy Magistrate Tang was relieved and, seeing Lord Lai not coming, left by himself.
After Deputy Magistrate Tang left, as Lord Lai was about to leave, his sleeve was suddenly tugged by Gu Chengli.
Gu Chengli pointed towards a small door and said, "Lord Lai, my, my little aunt is looking for you."
Gu Chengli had been scared silly all day and couldn’t believe that Granny Gu had killed Dashan’s real mother. He was still in a daze when a stone hit him.
It turned out Little Sister Gu was seeking his help.
Lord Lai followed the voice and saw Little Sister Gu, contemplated, and decided to walk over to her.
Seeing Lord Lai approach, Little Sister Gu urgently asked, "Uncle Lai, my mother killed soone. We won’t be implicated, will we? Please save us!"
Lord Lai replied, "Your mother’s matter won’t implicate you. Uncle Lai will use silver to absolve your collective guilt."
Little Sister Gu imdiately perked up with joy, saying, "Thank you, Uncle Lai. I knew you wouldn’t abandon us."
She pleaded with Lord Lai again, "Uncle Lai, please co to the back office with . Young Master Zhan San agreed to marry . You know our family’s reputation is bad now. With you there, being a governnt official, it would lend support."
Lord Lai, listening to her, looked at Little Sister Gu, suddenly smiled, and told her, "Little Sister, the Zhan Family is a hell. If you go, you won’t live past three months."
The Zhan Family is a noble family. After losing such face, would they spare them? Even if taken back to the Zhan Family, they would fall ill and die within three months.
They had no idea how noble families had countless silent ways to make people disappear.
But Little Sister Gu wouldn’t listen, glaring at Lord Lai and saying, "Uncle Lai, it’s not easy for to et Young Master Zhan San. Can’t you just help a bit?"
Lord Lai looked at Little Sister Gu, completely giving up on her, and left, supported by Steward Yue.
Little Sister Gu beca frantic, "Uncle Lai, you can’t ignore !"
Lord Lai pretended not to hear and walked away.
Gu Chengli looked around, at his wit’s end, wanting to follow Lord Lai, but was seized by Little Sister Gu, "Co back. Stand up for your little aunt. Once she becos Mrs. Zhan, your good days will co."
Gu Chengli’s mind turned to mush, being dragged by Little Sister Gu towards the back office.
Guided by Steward Yue, Lord Lai approached Gu Dashan, bowing apologetically in front of the onlooking townsfolk.
Third Grandpa quickly stepped in front of Gu Dashan, smiling as he supported Lord Lai, "Sir, you are a governnt official. How can you bow to an old man like ? Lao Liu’s family’s matter has nothing to do with you. You’ve also been deceived by them. Just cast their family out when you return, and there’s no need to say more."
Hearing this, Lord Lai was so angry he nearly wanted to kill Third Grandpa. He had intended to make a display of apology towards Gu Dashan to show the townsfolk how he treated them, but the old man ruined it all.
This old creature was adept with words, leaving nothing for him to say, not even a sorrowful narrative to gain sympathy.
With no choice, Lord Lai smiled, taking his leave with Steward Yue.
Outside, the sky was completely dark. Gu Dashan, with Gu Jin’an and his siblings, thanked the townsfolk watching the spectacle and took a mule cart ho.
...
In the back office, after finishing a al together, Magistrate Gu and Deputy Magistrate Tang felt revived. After a brief rest, Magistrate Gu frowned as he listened to the governnt official’s report, "Gu Shengxiang says it’s true? Have the Zhan uncle and nephew gone mad, requesting to marry Gu Ya and Gu Rong?"
Have all the noble daughters perished, leaving them to seek marriage with poor local families?
Deputy Magistrate Tang laughed, "Those two have moved into the Old Gu Family and were seen by many. Who knows if it’s true or false? Sir, best take Gu Shengxiang along, let the two families entangle themselves, and we’ll just observe to prevent any chaos."
The Zhan Family is a noble family, with an Elder Zhan serving as a Capital Official. When Great Chu’s first Emperor was in power, the Zhan Family even sent a daughter to the palace, barely making them part of the royal family. They should avoid falling out with the Zhan Family, leaving the Old Gu Family and Zhan uncle and nephew to feud.
Magistrate Gu agreed greatly with this, "Lord Tang is quite right; let’s go see Old Master Zhan San and the nephew."
The two went to the room where the Zhan uncle and nephew were held.
The governnt official had also brought Elder Gu.
Upon arrival, Elder Gu imdiately said, "Sir, though the Zhan uncle and nephew flirted with Sister Ya and Sister Rong, they have a marriage agreent between them. Both families have settled the agreent, and the four are engaged couples. Please release Old Master Zhan San and the nephew, and let our families choose a day to formalize the engagent."
Magistrate Gu was dumbfounded, for Old Master Zhan San’s wife hadn’t died, how could he have arranged a marriage with Gu Ya? Was he intending to take an equal wife?
And Elder Gu, being a grandfather, your granddaughter was taken by such a scoundrel, and yet you’re speaking for them—are you truly insane?!
Young Master Zhan San, realizing the situation, pointed angrily at Elder Gu, "What nonsense are you talking about? When did we have a marriage agreent with Gu Ya and Gu Rong? We seek to marry Gu Jinxiu and Gu Jinli!"
Little Sister Gu was also shocked, not expecting her "father" to undermine her after a whole day of waiting, exclaiming, "Father, what nonsense are you speaking? When did Young Master Zhan San have a marriage agreent with Gu Rong? If any, it should be with !"
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