Chapter 290 Burned alive!

Watching this scene, Old Master Gu's eyes turned red. "Son! When have you ever been wronged like this? Think about your previous daughter-in-law, Wei. She always put you first and respected you in everything! Look at her now!"

Hearing this, Feng also started to whimper, her eyes full of disappointment.

She can't afford a daughter-in-law like this!

You should have divorced him when the quarrel started just now!

In this heavy snow, where can she go without anyone to take her there? In the end, she will definitely give in!

Unfortunately, my son was a simple-minded person and was actually controlled by Qian.

If I could still talk and walk, I would have pinned Qian down and beaten her up, and I would have made sure she became submissive!

Feng's eyes were cold and her heart was filled with indignation. She felt that God was blind to let her get such a disease.

"Son, you are just about to get married, and Qian is already putting pressure on you. What are you going to do from now on?

You are a scholar, how can you let a woman hold you hostage? If this gets out, how will you face your classmates and friends?"

These words touched Gu Liansheng's heart. Qian's actions today really made him lose face.

But on second thought, there could be forty or fifty taels of silver jewelry in Qian's dressing box, and the amount of silver in those locked boxes might be double!

Putting aside other things, just for the sake of money, he cannot fall out with Qian at this moment.

Facing the old man's expectant gaze, Gu Liansheng gritted his teeth and defended Qian.

"After all, the matter has passed. There's no point in bringing it up now. Just now in the East Wing, Qian said that today is her big day. You and mother didn't show up, and I asked her to serve you in front of everyone. It really embarrassed her."

Mr. Gu was very disappointed. He could not agree with his son's choice.

He knew that his son married Qian for her dowry, but now that Qian was already married and the roads were blocked by heavy snow, Qian had nowhere to make a scene even if she wanted to.

Take advantage of this opportunity to defeat Qian and take control of the dowry. Won't the son have the final say in the future?

Old Master Gu didn't understand what his son was hesitating about.

What are you hesitating about?

Of course, I am hesitating about the old couple.

What Mr. Gu could think of, Gu Liansheng could naturally think of as well.

But Qian was different from others. Just now in the east wing, Qian asked him to be nicer to her and not to use violence.

Her late husband had beaten her before, but she couldn't bear it. While her late husband was sleeping, she took a kitchen knife and slashed his arms and legs several times.

Since then, Qian has never been beaten again.

Gu Liansheng didn't know whether Qian was trying to scare him or was telling the truth.

But it is undeniable that Qian's words made him feel wary.

In addition, Qian is tall and plump, and her physique does not lack strength. If a real fight breaks out, Gu Liansheng may not be her opponent.

"She just married into our family, so you two elders can understand why she's not willing to wait for a while..."

"What about the future? If she doesn't want to serve you and me, who will serve her? Will you serve her in the future?"

Gu Liansheng's heart trembled: "I still need to study for the imperial examination, so that I can earn an imperial decree for my mother in the future. If I serve here day and night, I'm afraid I will fall behind in my studies..."

Mr. Gu became more and more disappointed, but when he thought about it carefully, he realized that what his son said was indeed true.

People have limited energy. If you spend all your time and energy serving here, you will definitely fall behind in your studies.

Given the Gu family's current situation, only their son's admission to high school can change the situation. If their son fails again, it will only make the situation worse.

"Are you...confident about next year's imperial examination?"

"I'm 90% sure!" Gu Liansheng looked happy when talking about this.

"One of my classmates has inquired and found out who the invigilator will be next year. He also knows what he likes in essays, so he decided to write according to his preferences. My son asked him for help and got a copy of his essay. I've been imitating him these days, and next year, he will definitely pass the exam!"

This remark cheered up the disappointed Mr. Gu: "In that case, you can just focus on preparing for the exam."

"Then you and my mother..."

"Ask Qian and tell her that serving her seriously ill parents-in-law is what a daughter-in-law should do. If she doesn't want to, then she can pay for it and hire someone to serve her at home."

Gu Liansheng frowned. All the money in the Qian family belonged to him. If he spent it now, what would he do if he didn't have enough in the future?

After thinking for a moment, Gu Liansheng whispered, "Why don't I get someone to go to the Wang family and call Qing back?"

Gu Qing...

Mr. Gu was a little tempted, but he was afraid it was too late.

"When we sold our second daughter, the deal didn't go through, so the Wang family wanted us to return the money. Your mother negotiated with the Wang family and decided they wouldn't return the money, but would use Qing as compensation.

Now that Qing girl has fallen into their hands, I'm afraid they have already taken her away and sold her. Even if they haven't sold her yet, they won't let her go at this moment."

"My son will take care of this. If Qing doesn't come back, then let Zhi'er come back! Right now, the family needs help. No matter who it is, just one person will do!"

The old man was a little hesitant and not very optimistic about this matter.

Gu Liansheng thought it was a good idea and walked out of the house with the empty bowl.

Watching his son leave, Mr. Gu thought of Gu Tianbao and Gu Lian.

He looked at his wife with a gloomy look and told her what was in his mind.

"Wei must have been found by the second son. Tianbao and Lian girl must be with Wei now."

When Wei was mentioned, Feng's eyes lit up and she mumbled incoherently.

The old couple lived together for several decades. Although Feng could not speak, Mr. Gu still understood what she was thinking.

"I know what you mean. You want Wei to come back and serve us?"

Feng nodded, that was indeed what she meant.

Moreover, after Wei comes back, Tianbao and Lian will also come back with her. In the future, are you still worried that there will be no one to serve them?

Feng had a good idea, but she forgot one thing.

"Wei has been held captive for so long. Aren't you afraid that if she were to return... the villagers would definitely point fingers and gossip about her."

Feng paused. This was indeed a trouble.

Old Master Gu was also very conflicted: "Letting Wei come back is not just because I'm afraid of what people will say. Qian has already come in, and if Wei comes back, what will that mean?

But if Wei doesn't come back, there will be no one to take care of us. I don't think Qian will come near us. My son can't control her, and he has to study. It's so cold, if you leave us alone for three days, we old couple will die!"

Feng's eyes turned red and tears fell.

She doesn't want to die!

She hasn't lived enough, she hasn't seen her son pass the imperial examination and become an official!

"First, let's see if my son can bring Qing back. If that doesn't work, my daughter can come back too. If neither of them comes, we'll go find the second son!"

Either the second son supports us, or he brings Tianbao and Lian back with him!"

That’s a great idea!

Feng wiped away her tears and hope appeared in her eyes again.

The old couple had good intentions and didn't consider at all whether Gu Lianshan would pay attention to them.

Fortunately, their first hope right now is still Gu Qing and Gu Zhier.

Perhaps in order to free himself, Gu Liansheng, who has always been lazy in doing things, took the initiative for the first time today.

He first sent away the women who helped to prepare the banquet, gave each of them ten copper coins, and then returned to the east wing.

Qian and the others were already getting impatient and were about to go to the east room to look for someone again when Gu Liansheng came in.

As soon as she saw Gu Liansheng, Qian turned her face away: "Have you had enough of being intimate with your parents? If so, then tell me about today's banquet!"

"What's wrong with the meal?" Gu Liansheng asked knowingly.

Qian glared at them angrily: "What's wrong? There are at least ten people at a table, and at most twelve! But there are only ten dishes on the table!

Ten dishes would be fine, but the first nine were either cold dishes or stews, without even a speck of oil, and there was even a plate of pickles as a dish!

And the pancakes, they're made of millet flour, and they're only half the size of a palm! Who are you trying to disgust?

You invited people to a banquet in the middle of winter, with snow falling outside. There were ten dishes and a pancake half the size of a palm, but the guests were not full and all went home hungry!

You are really good at taking care of your family! Do you plan to stop interacting with the villagers from now on? Do you plan to stop going out? If this gets out, will you still be able to save your face? "

Gu Liansheng had never really thought about what Qian said.

When he was discussing the banquet earlier, he had no money, and he was used to being lazy, so he didn't get many things done in advance. He only started to do things in a hurry when things were blocking his way.

The result was a complete mess, with this and that missing, and the banquet was completely awful!

Of course, he really saved money. The last meat dish made him bleed, but he didn't spend a penny on the other dishes.

Although he saved money, Gu Liansheng also knew that he was indeed embarrassed today. He still wanted to coax money from Qian, so he simply admitted his mistake.

"I'm wrong about what happened today. I really have no other options. The old lady's illness is getting worse day by day. If she really dies, I will have to observe a three-year mourning period. Three years is a long time. Can you afford to wait?"

Qian pursed her lips and stopped talking.

Wait for Gu Liansheng for three years?

If he were a scholar, he would have to wait for me!

But he is just a student, why should I wait for him for three years?

Don’t even think about it…

Gu Liansheng continued, "It's snowing heavily, and it's already difficult to buy things. Plus, life is tight. In order to marry you, I have forgotten many things. I can only let you suffer.

But I have kept this in mind. When we have a son in the future and I entertain guests with a full-moon banquet, I will definitely hold a grand ceremony!

Prepare dozens of tables of banquets, with delicacies from land and sea, chicken, duck, fish and lamb, and twenty-eight dishes per table! It will definitely make you proud."

Qian was a soft-hearted person, and after seeing the scholar Gu Liansheng submit to her, Qian's anger subsided.

This marriage is about to start, and if it goes wrong, you will be the one who suffers.

Since they have given you a way out, you should stop while you are ahead.

"Never mind, it's all over anyway. It's too late to argue anymore, so let it be. However, next time you have a banquet, I'll have to make the decision!"

"Okay! All up to you." Gu Liansheng smiled good-temperedly.

Qian finally smiled.

Seeing this, Gu Liansheng hurriedly talked about paying someone to go to Wang's house.

"My younger sister married into the Wang family. She fell ill a few days ago, and my eldest daughter, who was kind-hearted, packed some clothes and went to the Wang family to take care of her.

A few days ago, the old couple urged me to go and fetch Qing Yatou back, saying that since you were about to marry in, it would be inconvenient for you to wait on them, so they thought of sending someone to fetch Qing Yatou. With her around, you wouldn't have to worry about anything in the west room.

This is a good thing. She doesn't have to take care of the west room, so she is happy and at ease!

Qian laughed and urged Gu Liansheng to go quickly: "Then go and pick him up. Bring him back so I can see him too. It's getting late. If you go now, maybe you can come back before dark."

Gu Liansheng paused and wanted to ask Qian for money.

But who would have thought that Qian just pushed him out, telling him to hurry up and not mentioning the money.

Gu Liansheng was not stupid and he could see that Qian didn't want to pay the money.

Gu Liansheng, who had just made a fortune from the Qian family, was now well off, so it would be inappropriate for him to force the Qian family to pay out money at this moment.

He simply followed Qian's force and left the east wing, put on his hat and went to find Li Shunzi.

…

Gu Tang and his group had already arrived home and had eaten the mutton soup noodles cooked by Agou.

After eating a bowl of noodle soup, Gu Tang felt alive again.

I was cold and hungry just now, it was really a torture!

Not long after dinner, Gu Lianshan came back.

He was covered in snow and his lips were frozen purple.

Gu Tang poured him a cup of hot tea and asked him to drink it first. He then asked him to go back to the house to change his clothes and shoes, and then arranged for Agou to make another bowl of noodle soup.

There was still a lot of noodles that had been kneaded earlier, and there was also quite a bit of mutton soup. It would be quick to make the noodle soup, and it wouldn't take long.

Gu Lianshan changed his clothes and shoes, washed his hands with hot water, and sat in the main room waiting for dinner.

Taking advantage of her father's free time, Gu Tang approached and asked curiously, "How is it? What did the Guan family say?"

"They ransacked Gu Baoshan's house and beat up Gu Baoshan, his mother, and his son to vent their anger. What else can I say?

"I spent four taels of silver on two coffins, which have now been brought back. I also bought paper money, shrouds, mountains of gold and silver... a whole bunch of funeral stuff, saying I wanted to bury them mother and daughter with great ceremony."

"Can the grave be dug?"

For some reason, this question popped up in Gu Tang's mind.

It's freezing cold. Can we dig a grave for burial?

This is not something that can be done by simply digging a small hole. Two coffins, one large and one small, require two graves.

"Digging a grave is a small matter, but the difficult part is that according to clan rules, unmarried girls and boys cannot be buried in the ancestral tomb.

Another thing is that when young girls and boys die, they are cremated, leaving only their ashes in a jar and then buried in a mass grave."

"What do you mean by 'not grown up'?" Gu Tang counted on his fingers, "Dani is thirteen, a grown-up girl. How can you say she hasn't grown up?"

"If you are under the age of fifteen and have reached the age of marriage, you are not considered an adult."

Gu Tang's face turned cold: "What? You killed someone, and then you said he was immature and wanted to burn his body. Will the Guan family agree?"

In ancient times, only monks practiced cremation.

Ordinary people regard cremation as a curse. If a corpse is burned, the person's soul will be scattered and will never be able to be reincarnated.

Gu Dani's death was unjust, and the Guan family was heartbroken. In addition, they might also want to use this to annoy Gu Baoshan's family, so they would definitely not agree to cremate Gu Dani.

(End of this chapter)