Chapter 196: Chapter 30 Don’t Do Anything Stupid
"Hmph! Changqing! It’s natural to divide the family, but dividing the household is unprecedented in Shangling Village. You are going to disgrace the Gu Family!"
Mr. Gu was furious when he heard Gu Chengyi propose to separate households. This second son was completely ignoring pride; was he planning to sever ties with the family?
"Second son! Do you really want to separate households?" Mr. Gu’s face turned dark, his sharp gaze fixed on Gu Chengyi. He was extremely disappointed!
Gu Chengyu understood Gu Chengyi’s reasoning; he was simply afraid that Lv Yang’s affairs would drag down their second house. He had originally planned to resolve the issue tonight, but who knew his brother was so impatient!
"Father! Since we’ve divided the family already, can’t we separate households as well? It’s just a matter of troubling Lin Lize to make a trip!" Gu Chengyi stood firm under Mr. Gu’s piercing gaze.
He, still reveling in the joy of the family division, had not considered household separation. Although she knew the benefits of not separating households, she supported her husband’s decision. They had enough Silver, and their soap business would definitely prosper!
"Second brother! Why do you want to separate households? Isn’t dividing the family enough? Why do we have to separate households?" Gu Chengli was puzzled by Gu Chengyi’s intentions, angering their father.
Actually, Mr. Gu was much calmer this time; perhaps years of Gu Chengyi’s actions had worn him down, making this instance insignificant.
"And you? Do you want to separate households?" Mr. Gu asked his remaining sons.
"Father! I won’t separate!" The third son quickly stated his stance; what’s the difference in separating households?
Gu Chengyi gestured to Gu Chengli, hoping his brother wouldn’t make a foolish choice. Lv Yang would come tomorrow, and if he didn’t separate households, he would be extorted for Silver.
Gu Chengli looked away, ignoring Gu Chengyi. He understood his brother’s thoughts but refused to act so heartless!
"I won’t separate either!"
The other two sons were unmarried, so they weren’t questioned.
Third Uncle Gu saw Mr. Gu agreed, looking displeased; this is the result of taking a new wife!
"Then only the second family’s household will separate; separate the second family!"
"Lin Lize! Please go to the town office for archiving the family division document tomorrow! Sorry for the trouble, I will accompany you!" Mr. Gu was completely disheartened with his son!
"Alright! The family is divided, so we’ll leave now!" Seeing things had settled, Lin Lize prepared to bid farewell, having gained new insights today. Gu Chengyi intrigued him; perhaps he could find some method through him to get involved in the soap business!
"Please join us for a drink over the next few days! You must come!" After dinner, Mr. Gu felt a bit embarrassed calling people over.
"Certainly! Certainly!"
"Xiao Bao! You and Da Lang see the two uncles home! Remember, escort them all the way."
"Okay!" the two immediately responded.
The moon appeared quite round today, like a white jade plate! It was already 7:30 PM, and after escorting Third Uncle Gu home, Gu Chengyu didn’t immediately return.
He took out a whistle from his chest, gently blew it, and stood waiting at the foot of the village mountain, near Yu Tuanzi’s house!
Suddenly, a sound of footsteps emerged from the darkness nearby; it was Yu Tuanzi!
"Young Master! You’re looking for me?" Yu Tuanzi approached Gu Chengyu, slightly out of breath, having been attracted by the whistle and the lantern’s light.
"I need you to do something important; immediately send someone to inquire if Lv Yang from Dayang Village is home or in town."
The past two years, Yu Tuanzi had cultivated a few followers, and together with the older boys and girls he previously recruited, they had been working for Gu Chengyu. Gu Chengyu explained how Lv Yang came to make trouble for the Gu Family.
Lv Yang liked to gamble; perhaps he was still at the gambling house in town or had been detained by them. He didn’t want to make a wasted trip.
"Alright! Then I’ll send a message via carrier pigeon! Once we find him, what’s the plan? Should we teach him a lesson?"
Gu Chengyu pondered for a moment, "Bring him here, I’ll deal with him!"
Yu Tuanzi was taken aback, "Alright! I’ll notify you once they arrive! By the way, how did your exam go this time, young master? You passed, right? Planning to go to the Prefecture in April?"
"I passed! In a few days, an official document will arrive in town!"
When Gu Chengyu returned home, the family still hadn’t gone to sleep. He knew Mr. Gu was heartbroken and likely couldn’t sleep. Along with Lv Yang’s issue, they were surely troubled!
"Father! Mother! Haven’t slept yet? I’m coming in!" Gu Chengyu called out from outside the main room; as he grew older, he respected the rules when entering his parents’ room at night.
"Xiao Bao! Why aren’t you sleeping? Come in!" Mrs. Lv responded weakly from inside.
Gu Chengyu pushed the door open, seeing Mr. Gu and Mrs. Lv draped in robes, sitting on the kang, with Mr. Gu absent-mindedly smoking.
With the dim light of the oil lamp, the deep vertical lines on Mr. Gu’s forehead revealed his exhaustion.
Gu Chengyu stepped forward, sitting on a bench.
"Why aren’t you asleep? The exams were exhausting, and you immediately encountered so much upon returning, without proper rest!" Mrs. Lv felt distressed for Gu Chengyu, as her youngest son topped the exams—a joyous occasion, marred by the situation...
"Aren’t you both awake still? Are you worried about Lv Yang? Don’t worry, I’ll handle it," Gu Chengyu earnestly reassured Mrs. Lv, who wore a worried expression.
"How can a child like you solve this?" Mrs. Lv sat up straight, suspiciously eyeing Gu Chengyu.
"Mother just needs to know that Lv Yang won’t come tomorrow, as for how it’s done, no need to worry."
"Xiao Bao! Don’t do anything foolish; you’re a learned man destined for officialdom. Don’t ruin your future over that scoundrel," Mrs. Lv was uncertain of Gu Chengyu’s intentions but feared he’d do something to jeopardize his career.
All she did was for her son’s sake, and if it harmed him, her life would lose its purpose.
"Indeed! Xiao Bao! Don’t do anything foolish!" Mr. Gu also cautioned.
Knowing Xiao Bao was determined, he feared Gu Chengyu would leave behind evidence that could be exploited in the future.
"What could I possibly do? Don’t overthink it. Now that the family is divided, rest assured! I will support you; you can live in comfort!" Gu Chengyu promised them, willing to take on family responsibilities, marry off his fourth brother, save dowry for his second sister. He didn’t want them to worry.
"I’ll return to my room to sleep; you should rest early too!" Gu Chengyu stood, heading to his room, leaving Mr. Gu and Mrs. Lv visibly worried.