Li Xiulan seemed to find encouragement. Then, with a worried expression, she looked at everyone and asked, "Since you've all said that, Mom will just say it directly, have you all forgotten that Zhang Wan'er is carrying a child?"
Old Master He tapped the ground lightly with his cane and asked with an inscrutable expression, "Indeed, she's carrying a child, but this child isn't Gu Xingdong's. Are you perhaps planning to acknowledge it?"
"If it's not our family's seed, we naturally won't acknowledge it! Furthermore, in this life, only Chen Lishu's child is considered our Gu family's offspring. What I mean is, although Zhang Wan'er is currently in prison and can't speak, don't forget she still has an uncle and a maternal grandfather! Who knows what they'll do if they're provoked? Will they spread some bad rumors about Lishu and Xingdong outside? I know that saying this might be a bit selfish, but the thought of that day makes me restless." After saying this, Li Xiulan lowered her head in shame.
After all, the He family was the most seriously injured. In deciding Zhang Wan'er's fate, the He family had the most say. They were neither injured nor suffered any losses, yet they were now asking for Zhang Wan'er to be released. Wasn't that no different from being overly compassionate?
When Gu Xingdong learned of Li Xiulan's concerns, he slumped his shoulders helplessly, "Mom, I've already handled this matter. Please don't interfere. Zining is right; at this critical juncture, we can only trust our family. Those outside words are just meant to confuse the mind."
Li Xiulan's gaze began to waver. She stammered, "Actually, I'm not just pleading for Zhang Wan'er for this reason, but for something even more important. Do you remember when Lishu had her accident and fell off a cliff, and was held captive in a mountain ravine? If Yang Zhiguo hadn't happened to encounter the situation and provided us with crucial clues, we wouldn't know what Lishu's fate would be today. There's also a very crucial point. It's that you joined the army before you were even an adult. If it weren't for Yang Zhiguo taking such good care of you, how could you have returned alive to see me? How could you have had the chance to have Chen Lishu and such well-behaved children?"
As her words fell, the atmosphere became silent. If it weren't for the Zhang Wan'er incident, Yang Zhiguo was indeed like a savior to their family. If possible, Gu Xingdong thought he could repay Yang Zhiguo with his own life, but he absolutely wouldn't allow Zhang Wan'er to come out and bother them!
Just as Gu Xingdong was thinking of having Li Xiulan refuse Yang Zhiguo, Old Master He suddenly burst into laughter. "Sister-in-law, I think what you said is very correct! The Yang family's kindness to Chen Lishu indeed exists. We are not ungrateful people. Since he wants me to agree, then I agree!"
Facing Old Master He's words, He Zinin did not, as he had before, stand up agitatedly to persuade him. It seemed he was also implicitly agreeing with the decision.
Chen Lishu quickly stepped forward to stop him, "Godfather, Zhang Wan'er deserves to die for trying to poison Godmother. You don't need to accommodate this matter for me! We, my husband and I, will find ways to repay the kindness."
Old Master He glared at Chen Lishu as if feigning anger, "What 'you guys'? Aren't we family? Zhang Wan'er is just a mere trifle. What harm is there in letting her go once? If she behaves herself, our households will never cross paths in the future. But if she remains wicked, then don't blame us He family for being cold and heartless! As for the rest, it shouldn't be your worry. I will arrange for people to watch her afterwards. Should she exhibit any outrageous behavior, we can retaliate in advance! What you need to do is find ways to resolve all misunderstandings, lest you be criticized by others!"
Seeing Old Master He's firm stance on the matter, Chen Lishu exchanged a look with Gu Xingdong and then smiled, agreeing to the arrangement, "Alright, everything will be as you say!"
Since the matter had been agreed upon, Li Xiulan's worried heart finally relaxed, her eyes even welling up with tears. Old Master He made a phone call to He Zifeng, instructing him to curb his influence within the prison and to send someone to convey his intentions to Yang Zhiguo. Although He Zifeng didn't know what had happened at home to prompt such a sudden decision, as a soldier, obedience was his creed. Thus, without a second thought, he directly followed the Old Master's orders.
----
Meanwhile, at the prison entrance.
"Director Yang, someone from above has sent a message allowing you to visit Miss Zhang now. However, there is one thing they asked me to remind you: keep a close watch on Miss Zhang's behavior during this period. If there is any outrageous conduct, we do not need to seek further instructions from above; we can directly punish Miss Zhang!"
The scruffy-bearded Yang Zhiguo's eyes lit up instantly upon hearing the report from his subordinate. He seemed much more spirited than before, "Okay, okay, I understand. Tell He Zifeng that we will absolutely not repeat our past mistakes. If there's a next time, I will have no face left to beg them again!"
"Yes!" The messenger, having received the desired response, turned and left the prison. Yang Zhiguo excitedly walked into the prison. Perhaps with the order from above, no one dared to stop him. Soon, he arrived at the cell where Zhang Wan'er was being held.
"What kind of food are you people preparing for me? Look at this! Is this fit for human consumption? Get my usual chef here and have him cook a meal for me. I'm telling you, if I starve here and lose even a pound, I'll have my uncle lock you all up for three days and three nights without food, so you can taste what it's like to be hungry! Did you hear me? You're all mute. Do you know who my uncle is? He's a Director! Don't you think that now that I've fallen, you all want to abuse me? I'm telling you, as long as my uncle holds his position, none of you will have a good outcome!"
As Yang Zhiguo entered, he saw the arrogant Zhang Wan'er. He warily scanned the surroundings. The junior officer who brought him in kept his head low, feigning ignorance as if nothing were happening, afraid that knowing too much would implicate him! After confirming there were no spies around, Yang Zhiguo pushed open the cell door with a dark expression. Zhang Wan'er was startled by the sudden appearance of someone, but when she saw the familiar face, her eyes lit up, "Uncle!"