Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 860: Kill Gu Jin’an

Elder Gu listened, suddenly hesitated, and looked toward Lai Zhuang.

Lai Zhuang was shocked, thinking perhaps Elder Gu had become clever, realizing they wanted to use him as a pawn to seize Gu Dashan’s livelihood, and thus refrained from pressing his fingerprint?

However, Lai Zhuang overthought it; Elder Gu hesitated only because: "Good Brother An ranked top in the county examination, his reputation has reached Lord Magistrate’s ears, and I’ve heard the Lord has taken quite a liking to him. If we file a petition against Gu Dashan at the Magistrate Government Office, will we win? Could this affect Good Brother An’s imperial examination prospects? If he passes as a Scholar, it could change Old Gu Family’s fortunes, benefiting Cheng Li and Sister Rong in matchmaking."

Lai Zhuang hurriedly replied, "Rest assured, Elder Gu. Although Gu Jin’an ranked top in Tianfu County, He’an Prefecture has many counties under its jurisdiction, and there are several top scorers. No matter how much Lord Magistrate likes Gu Jin’an, it is limited. As for whether filing against Gu Dashan will impact Gu Jin’an? It surely will affect him somewhat, yet once you win the suit, have Gu Dashan acknowledge you, and reconcile your family, it will no longer affect Gu Jin’an. He can proceed with his imperial exams, raising the family stature, assisting Cheng Li."

He added with a laugh, "Moreover, once you seize Gu Dashan’s livelihood, earning millions of taels of silver annually, how could Cheng Li find no good match? Prestigious families’ young ladies would be vying to marry into your family."

In his heart, Lai Zhuang cursed Elder Gu, believing he was fond of Gu Jin’an, only to find his concern lay with Jin’an failing his Scholar exams, thus failing Cheng Li. If one had such a father, one wouldn’t even speak of filial duty, and would have poisoned him already with medicine—an utter disgrace.

Elder Gu listened, finally smiled, "You’re right; with money, what esteemed young lady couldn’t be wed? Even officials can be bought; just like Youwen supposedly bought a seventh-grade teaching post as a Scholar."

Lord Lai heard this, his face turned sour. While the Emperor of Great Chu allows the purchasing of posts to fill the treasury, purchasing posts is not as esteemed as earning them by examination. Sixth Son Gu should remain silent, avoid disgrace.

Lai Zhuang continued to flatter Elder Gu: "You’re entirely correct. Quickly press your fingerprint; once done, we need to prepare, otherwise the petition might not be submitted tomorrow."

Elder Gu, hearing this, immediately pressed his fingerprint on the petition paper.

Lai Zhuang, overjoyed, hastily took the petition, glanced at Elder Gu, saying, "For these next couple of days, don’t sleep too much; just rest briefly. You need to appear worn down in court, so that the officials see your state and sympathize with you."

On one hand, there’s a son making grand fortunes; on the other, a tattered, beggar-like father—anyone would sympathize with the elder and curse the son.

After his ordeal and return, Elder Gu was exhausted and hungry, almost wishing to have a feast and a deep sleep. He was displeased with the suggestion, but as Lai Zhuang promised it would help win the case, he agreed.

Gu Dagu listened happily nearby, guaranteeing, "Rest assured, Housekeeper Lai, we will keep an eye on my father, ensuring he won’t eat or sleep excessively."

From such words, one could tell Gu Dagu, the stepdaughter, did not care much for Elder Gu, her stepfather. If she truly cared, she wouldn’t have said such.

However, Elder Gu felt differently; under Granny Gu’s praise, he always believed this stepdaughter was quite good, treating her very well, having long forgotten his actual daughter, Gu Daya.

Lord Lai observed Elder Gu’s gullibility, and did not bother maneuvering around him; once Elder Gu pressed his fingerprint, he immediately said, "Go check on Youfu; he’s seriously injured."

Elder Gu, hearing this, quickly rose, "Ah, I’ll go see Youfu right now. Lord Lai, feel free to sit."

He ordered a servant to help him to Gu Youfu’s courtyard.

Gu Youfu was gravely injured, with Doctor Xiao personally attending to set his fractured bones, taking two hours to complete.

"He’s severely injured, fortunate to even be alive. As for his limbs and tongue, they cannot be healed; he must remain bedridden for nourishment. Regarding speech, clarity can only be judged once his tongue heals."

When Gu Youfu overturned and fell into a pit, he bit his tongue—half of it gone, and the bloodstains on him came from the tongue.

Upon hearing this, Elder Gu nearly fainted, desperately grabbing Doctor Xiao’s hand, "What did you say? My Youfu is crippled? Aren’t you Prefecture’s finest doctor? How can’t you handle even Youfu’s limbs!"

Elder Gu couldn’t allow Gu Youfu to be disabled, clutching Doctor Xiao’s collar, shouting, "Heal him! If Youfu isn’t cured, I’ll go to the government office and sue you!"

Doctor Xiao was rather upset; what’s wrong with these Old Gu Family people, each time they come for treatment, they berate the doctor. What Liu said was right; it’s better not to answer when Old Gu Family calls.

Doctor Xiao, fearful of Old Gu Family, decided to not charge diagnostic fees, leaving only this statement: "I am a doctor, not an immortal; not all ailments can be cured. I’ve already tried my best; if you don’t trust me, find another doctor. Farewell."

With those words, he departed with his attendant; Ms. Zhang hurried to chase him: "Doctor Xiao, Doctor Xiao, please calm down; my father-in-law was speaking out of anger, don’t be upset, quickly prescribe medicine for my husband."

Being a doctor, Doctor Xiao didn’t want fatalities; he paused, wrote Ms. Zhang a prescription, "Go gather the medicine, but not from our Qingshan Medical Hall. Go elsewhere to get it filled; our hall will no longer attend to your family."

This considered as a free treatment for Old Gu Family, he desired no more association with their household.

With that, he swiftly left, fearing Ms. Zhang might try to hold him back.

Ms. Zhang noticed and didn’t pursue further, thinking Doctor Xiao had already set Gu Youfu’s bones and provided a prescription; they had gained advantage. After using these medicines, they would consult other doctors.

Ms. Zhang, shrewd, saw Lord Lai’s servant still in the guest hall, promptly handed him the prescription: "Get ten doses of medicine back, and buy one ginseng; my husband and father-in-law need nourishment—grave injuries require replenishment."

After saying this, she left, paying no mind to the stunned servant from the Lai family.

Even Lord Lai’s servant was humbled, sneering without retrieving the medicine, waiting in the guest hall for Lord Lai and Lai Zhuang.

Lord Lai and Lai Zhuang went to see Gu Youwen, finding him still bedridden, unable to speak, feeling distressed. After speaking a few words with Gu Youwen by the bedside, they went to see Gu Chengxian.

Gu Chengxian, upon learning Lord Lai was there, cried out from the doorway: "Grandpa Lai, Grandpa Lai, you must help avenge me; it was Gu Jin’an, that thief, who stole my fortune. The one who should have topped the county examination was me!"

Lord Lai felt deeply for Gu Chengxian, hearing his cries, eyes rimmed red, assuredly saying, "Chengxian, don’t worry; Grandpa Lai will surely help seize Gu Dashan’s livelihood, ensuring you live without worry, for life."

But Gu Chengxian wanted more than this; he demanded, "Grandpa Lai, kill Gu Jin’an, kill him! Only his death will restore my fortune!"