Chapter 54 Entering the County

Grandma has accumulated power for a long time, and no one in the family dares to disobey her.

If it were anyone else, Gu Yuhe would have run away long ago. But his grandmother was so fierce and fierce that he didn't dare to run.

He could only hesitantly walk over and kneel down, skillfully sticking his butt out. "Grandma, I know I was wrong, please hit me gently."

"Oh." Grandma didn't buy it.

"Snap." The peach tree branch that was raised high was swung with great force, and the whole yard was filled with Gu Yuhe's cries.

"I asked you to go to the river and catch shrimps. I only gave you two steamed buns for one meal, and you were still hungry?" Grandma Gu beat and scolded him.

"You think your parents had it too easy raising you, right? Didn't they tell you not to go to the river? So many people drown there every year, and you haven't learned your lesson?" She became angrier and angrier as the strength in her hands grew.

By the end, only a short piece of the peach branch was left, but grandma was still furious. "Kneel down, or you won't eat tonight!" she said harshly.

Gu Yuhe was kneeling alone under the eaves while the whole family was eating in the main room.

The aroma of the food wafted into his nose, making him feel uncomfortable all over.

He secretly looked back and thought, humph, Gu Jiayue, the chatterbox, was actually eating the shrimps he caught.

Bad guy, bad sister. Grandma didn’t even realize that he went to the river. It was all her fault for reminding her, otherwise grandma wouldn’t have remembered to beat him.

He swore that he would never listen to Gu Jiayue again.

Gu Yuhe looked at Gu Jiayue, who was sitting next to her grandmother and eating her food in big mouthfuls, and thought maliciously, "She's bound to choke if she eats so big."

His gaze was about to bore a hole through Gu Jiayue, and even if Gu Jiayue wanted to pretend she didn't know, there was no way. Looking at the expression on his face, it seemed that he still didn't know where he was wrong.

Gu Jiayue stopped eating and thought about how to make Gu Yuhe more respectful of the river.

"Jiayue, why don't you eat anymore?" Mother Li touched her arm and asked worriedly.

"It's okay. I was just wondering why these kids like to play by the river so much. Don't they know that the river is dangerous?" Gu Jiayue frowned and said in confusion.

The eldest aunt put down her bowl and chopsticks and said helplessly, "How could they not know? Every year, several people drown in that river. Every summer, we always tell them not to go to the river, but those children just don't listen and rely on their swimming ability."

"Yes, there's a river running through the village, which makes life quite convenient, but I'm also worried about the children. Last year, you know that old man Zhao from the village next door? His eldest grandson fell into the water and died. Oh, old man Zhao fainted on the spot, and when he woke up, he had a stroke. I heard he's still bedridden."

Someone started a conversation and everyone started chatting about the river.

"Then is there no way to prevent children from going to the river?" After saying this, Gu Jiayue felt that she was daydreaming. The river was so wide and so long, how could she stop them from going there?

Even with the advancement of modern technology, we cannot completely prevent children from falling into the river. In ancient times, there is no other way except to guide them ideologically.

It seems we have to think of other ways.

"There's no other way. We can't keep all the children at home, right?"

Everyone was worried, and it was said that Grandma Gu got angry again and wanted to beat Gu Yuhe again.

Fortunately, everyone persuaded them to stop.

Gu Yuhe, who was eavesdropping outside the door, was so frightened that he knelt down immediately.

Early the next morning, as soon as the sky turned white, Tiger Zi was waiting at the door, with an upright posture and a capable look on his face.

Gu Jiayue had also packed up and was ready to go to the county town to look after the shop.

Inside the room, Gu Yuhe was still sleeping soundly on the bed. His sleeping posture was a little strange, with his body slightly hunched like a cooked shrimp.

The place where he was hit by his grandmother yesterday was already red and swollen, and it hurt so much when he touched it lightly that he could only sleep on his stomach.

He did not sleep well that night, and as he tossed and turned, his resentment towards Gu Jiayue grew even stronger.

Gu Jiayue walked into the room and looked at Gu Yuhe who was pretending to be asleep. She shook her head helplessly, took out an ointment from her arms, handed it to Gu's father, and said softly, "Wipe it on him. Be careful not to get infected."

Then he raised his voice a little and said to Gu Yuhe on the bed, "I have something to do today, so I won't arrange for you to attend class. When Goudan comes over later, you two will recite the Thousand Character Classic together. Then you will write me a self-criticism and reflect on your behavior of sneaking to the river yesterday. Do you understand?"

Gu Yuhe closed his eyes tightly, secretly complaining in his heart: Humph, this bad sister. Not only did she cause me to be beaten, but she also made me write a self-criticism.

What did I do wrong? I just went to the river. I wasn't going anywhere with strong currents. What could have happened in the shallows? You're making a mountain out of a molehill. You're using a feather as a token of authority!

"Gu Yuhe!" Seeing his son's state, Gu's father suddenly felt a surge of anger and raised his voice a few degrees. "Your sister is talking to you, didn't you hear?"

Gu Yuhe was startled by the shout and replied reluctantly, "I heard it."

Gu Jiayue no longer bothered with him as she had other important things to do.

After a couple of days of looking after the shop and resolving the issue of the seedlings, she would then deal with Gu Yuhe's personality problem.

Although we should respect the diversity of children's personalities, which parent doesn't want their children to be both morally and academically excellent? Although Gu Yuhe has no major problems, he has many minor ones.

As the two of them were about to leave, Li Juhua hurried out of the house, holding a thick cloak in her hand. She said with concern, "Jiayue, wear something warmer. It just rained, and it's still a bit cold."

Gu Jiayue felt warm in her heart, a sweet smile appeared on her face, and she replied, "Oh, I understand."

There was also hail in the county town yesterday. The streets were full of dirty water, which gathered in low-lying areas and emitted a strange smell.

The roofs of some houses were hit with holes, and the walls were also damaged to varying degrees. Although the damage was not as serious as in the village, everyone's face was shrouded in a layer of sorrow, and they were walking in a hurry, as if they were suffocating under the pressure of this sudden natural disaster.

The two entered the county town and came to the small courtyard bought by Aunt Cai. Kangzi had been waiting at the door for a long time.

He was dressed very simply today, in a coarse linen shirt, and he no longer had the high spirits he had when he was chatting and laughing with the county magistrate that day.

Seeing Gu Jiayue and Hu Zi coming, he hurried forward and bowed respectfully, walking half a step behind Gu Jiayue, showing his humility.

"Miss." Kangzi greeted with a smile, and there was a hint of friendliness in her smile.

"I've been bothering you recently." Gu Jiayue nodded slightly and said softly.

"How dare I say it's troublesome when I'm doing something for the young lady?" Kangzi smiled and led Gu Jiayue and Huzi into the yard while speaking.

The vermilion lacquered door was half-open, and the copper ring on the door gleamed with a warm luster in the sunlight. When I knocked gently, the crisp sound echoed in the silence.

Pushing open the door, the front yard came into view. The blue brick floor, its veins etched with the marks of time. A few bamboos stood gracefully in the corner, their slender leaves rustling in the breeze, whispering stories of the past.

In the center of the courtyard, there is a stone table and several stone benches, which are placed in a staggered manner. There are mottled shadows of trees and falling petals on them, which makes people wonder how many elegant scholars have played chess, drank tea, talked about poetry and discussed philosophy here.

Passing through the hanging flower gate, one enters the central courtyard, a delicate transitional space flanked by winding corridors. The paintings beneath, weathered by winds and rain, remain vibrant, depicting myths and legends, flowers, birds, fish, and insects. Every stroke speaks to the ingenuity of the craftsmen.

Looking up, the green tiles on the eaves are stacked layer upon layer, with the eaves slightly raised, like a sparrow about to spread its wings and fly high, smart and elegant.

Further back, the backyard is a tranquil and private haven, filled with a variety of flowers. The main room features exquisitely carved window lattices, filtering soft light through the rice paper coverings. Inside, the furnishings are simple and elegant, with wooden tables, chairs, and desks, all emitting a subtle woody fragrance that perfectly complements the courtyard's elegance.

"Madam Cai has placed all the things that the young lady brought from Kyoto in the main courtyard's storeroom. Since we're not sure whether the young lady will live in the county town or Taohua Village in the future, we haven't taken them out yet. If the young lady is staying here tonight, I'll have someone pack them up right away."