Chapter 32 Punishment
After Gu Xiyue finished speaking, she waited for a long time.
The moment she appeared, the villagers were stunned. They didn't expect that Gu Xiyue really didn't escape. The three men kneeling on the ground didn't even dare to look up at Gu Xiyue.
If it weren't for Gu Xiyue, they would still have to endure mosquito bites. If it weren't for Gu Xiyue, they would still be hungry.
Some people realized how ridiculous they were, and some felt they were not wrong, but no one was willing to stand up.
If I stand up, it means I don't trust Gu Xiyue, and it's hard to say whether I can have enough food to eat at that time.
No one stood up and no one spoke.
"What? You were very talkative behind my back, but now you don't dare to do that?"
Gu Xiyue laughed.
"Ms. Gu, where have you been these days? Why didn't they tell us?"
It was Jiang Bing, who was kneeling on the ground, who asked.
"It's me who didn't let them tell you where I was going!"
Gu Xiyue said loudly, trying to make sure everyone could hear, "Everyone, think about this: what's our situation now? Are we no longer being cared for by the higher-ups?"
The villagers nodded one after another.
"But even though the higher-ups don't care about us anymore, that doesn't mean no one's watching us. Since they've cut off our chance of survival, they'll definitely come back to see if we're dead or alive. If they knew I was involved in your case, what do you think they'd do?"
"What will happen?"
Many people have thought of this.
"If they knew I was involved with you, you'd be dead. If you didn't know where I was, they might let you go. So, it's best if you don't know where I've been."
"Miss Gu, does your going out have anything to do with us?"
Someone asked doubtfully.
"Now that I'm back, I can openly tell you that I went out this time to help find a market for our sea salt. As you can see, we collect about 2,000 kilograms of salt every day. Once the salt flats are dug and the salt is dried, the amount will be even more. With so much salt, it will be too late to find a market after a month. So I quietly left here and went out to find a market. Only with a market can we survive here."
"When the sea salt is sold, we can use the money to buy food, and no one will starve. By then, we will have no worries about food and clothing, and we will have money in our hands. Wouldn't life be easy?"
"But what if they find out?"
Someone worried.
"Don't worry about these problems. Since I said I want to lead everyone to a good life, I will definitely find a way to solve these problems. My husband and the three military masters will find a way, so don't worry."
"So, that ship was really used to transport salt?"
Jiang Bing asked cautiously. He didn't dare to look at Xiao Heng, but only at Gu Xiyue.
Gu Xiyue nodded and said, "Time is tight. Before I left, I asked Brother Zhao to lead you in building the ship. It must be completed in about 20 days, otherwise it will delay things."
Jiang Bing lowered his head, speechless. If Xiao Heng had come slower, the ship's frame would have been burned, and he would have ruined everyone's good fortune.
"So, Zhao Yancheng and the others know where you've been. Why don't they tell us when we ask them?"
Xiao Heng said coldly, "The most important thing in life is to keep your word. They promised my wife, so naturally they'll keep their mouth shut. But you... promised to work hard and stick together, but just because you haven't seen my wife for a few days, you're slandering her behind her back. Is it right or wrong for her to help you?"
Xiao Heng was really angry. In the past few days, he heard too many people talking behind Gu Xiyue's back about how two-faced she was.
At that moment, he really wanted to quietly take Gu Xiyue away and not care whether they lived or died. If it weren't for the belief in his heart, he would not have endured until now.
Ever since Xiao Heng used his hand to save the ship's skeleton today, the villagers have had a different feeling towards him. They are all afraid of him from the bottom of their hearts. Now when they hear him speak, they dare not respond.
The person who had framed Gu Xiyue before regretted it so much in his heart, but refused to admit it, and stood there feeling uncomfortable all over.
"When I was away, my husband represented me. I didn't expect so many things would happen when I was away. It makes me very sad. I trusted everyone very much, but I didn't expect that everyone didn't believe me."
"I risked my life to go out so that everyone could live a good life, but I didn't expect everyone to..."
As Gu Xiyue finished speaking, her voice became softer and softer, and she began to cry softly, her sobs full of grievance and sadness.
The crying scared everyone.
Everyone spoke up.
"Ms. Gu, we were wrong. We betrayed the trust that you placed in us."
"Mrs. Gu, don't be sad. Just tell us how to punish us. As long as you tell us, we will accept it."
"Ms. Gu, we promise we will never do anything like this again. We will definitely unite and do whatever you ask us to do."
“…”
Gu Xiyue secretly looked at the people outside through the gaps between her fingers.
"My husband is also sad. He helped me do all these things behind the scenes. Moreover, the money I used to buy food was all my husband's life-saving money. He was in poor health and couldn't even afford to buy medicine. He gave the money to me to buy food for everyone, but no one believed him. Wuwuwuwu..."
When Xiao Heng first heard her crying so sadly, he was very worried. He went over to stand beside her and was about to say a few words of advice. But when he lowered his head, he saw that she was crying fake tears. The anger in his heart immediately disappeared for the most part. He couldn't help but bury his face in the shadows, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.
When people heard what Gu Xiyue said, they hurried to apologize to Xiao Heng. This time they were sincere. If it weren't for Xiao Heng, they would have no food to eat. If it weren't for Xiao Heng, the skeleton of the salt transport ship would have been burned by them.
"And Brother Zhao, Madam Qian and the others, because I worried so much about them, ah!"
Gu Xiyue sighed repeatedly with a crying voice, and finally leaned against Xiao Heng, looking extremely sad.
The villagers hurriedly apologized to Zhao Yancheng and the others. Wang Hu stood in the crowd and loudly scolded the villagers, then followed the villagers to beg Gu Xiyue not to take it to heart.
Xiao Heng laughed in his heart, but pretended to cooperate. He reached out and patted her on the back twice, then lowered his head and coaxed her softly.
In the eyes of others, Xiao Heng was gently coaxing Miss Gu.
What Gu Xiyue heard was: "Is it almost done?"
Gu Xiyue reached out and hit him, then pulled up his sleeve and began to wipe her tears. She wiped for a long time, until her eyes were red, then she raised her head and pushed him away.
Where the sea and the sky meet, it is already turning pale, and daybreak is about to begin.
With red eyes, she said to everyone: "Since you all know you are wrong, you must accept the punishment."
The villagers were afraid that she would ignore them, and they were afraid and ashamed. At this time, let alone punishment, they would be willing to accept Gu Xiyue beating them up.
"Madam Gu, we will accept any punishment you choose, as long as you can calm down. And Mr. Xiao, Zhao Yancheng, and all of you, feel free to punish me."
Seeing that it was almost done, Gu Xiyue's mood changed.
She didn't really want to be angry with them just now, but she wanted to let them know how wrong they were. Only when they truly understood, felt guilty, and blamed themselves deeply could they avoid such things in the future.
If a group wants to grow and become stronger, and work together as one, there will definitely be many frictions, doubts, and collisions of mutual trust from the beginning to the completion. Only by going through these processes can it become a real group.
Maybe no one said that out of malice. In such an environment, it was normal for them to have extreme thoughts sometimes. After all, she had not been with them for a long time, and she disappeared inexplicably, so they could not help but think too much.
So, Gu Xiyue was not surprised that they had such thoughts, but it was hard for Xiao Heng and Zhao Yancheng.
Seeing that the villagers were all demanding punishment, Jiang Bing shouted at the top of his voice, "Miss Gu, I committed the most serious offense, and I even tried to destroy the ship's frame twice. You can punish me first. If that doesn't work, even if you can just cut off one of my arms, it will be fine. As long as you can forgive me and let me continue to work with you, that will be enough."
He really realized that he was wrong, and he regretted it so much that he wanted to jump into the sea.
The two accomplices behind him also said they wanted to punish him, but they did not dare to let Gu Xiyue remove his arm.
Gu Xiyue turned around and looked at the three of them, "Leave the three of you to my husband. He has the final say on how he wants to punish you!"
Upon hearing this, the three of them quickly turned around and knelt down in front of Xiao Heng, waiting for his words.
Xiao Heng said with a stern face: "You three, stand up!"
The three men stood up tremblingly. After Jiang Bing stood still, he closed his eyes and said tensely, "Mr. Xiao, I'm ready. Which arm do you want to remove? Come on!"
When the other two accomplices heard what Jiang Bing said, they also gritted their teeth, closed their eyes, and prepared themselves.
The three of them stood there tensely. Although they were afraid, no one stepped back.
Xiao Heng circled around the three of them, and finally looked at the stones next to him. He kicked three of them and they rolled right next to them.
His action shocked everyone watching.
The three stones don't look very big, but it's not easy to lift them. Each one weighs at least 20 to 30 kilograms.
Moreover, stones are angular and not round, so they may not roll even if you push them. But Xiao Heng just kicked the stone lightly, and the stone rolled to the feet of the three people very nimbly.
Everyone was secretly shocked.
Gu Xiyue was stunned. From this point, it was certain that Xiao Heng's kung fu was definitely better than Wei Lin's.
"Open your eyes!"
Xiao Heng ordered.
Jiang Bing and the other two shuddered, opened their eyes, and stared at Xiao Heng with nervous expressions.
"Lift the stone in front of you with both hands."
The three of them looked at each other, then looked down at the stone that was not there just now, and obediently picked up the stone with force.
"Raise it above your head!"
The three of them did as they were told, feeling very nervous. Did they have to throw stones at each other?
This stone is not light. If it hits me, I will definitely break some bones.
Mr. Xiao’s idea is really cruel!
The three of them tried hard to hold the stones, waiting for Xiao Heng's order to smash each other.
"You made a mistake, so naturally you have to work harder. Removing your arms would be too easy for you. If you want to atone for your sins, then whether this ship can be built quickly depends on what you three do. If anything goes wrong with this ship, I will hold you accountable!"
This means we don't have to hit each other?
The three of them breathed a sigh of relief.
Mr. Xiao's punishment is acceptable. As long as they don't have to remove their arms, they can do anything. As for shipbuilding, as long as they can help, they can do anything.
"Hold the stones in your hands for the length of an incense stick. This will be your punishment today. Remember, don't drop them!"
When these words were spoken, many villagers watching covered their mouths and almost laughed out loud.
What kind of punishment is this? They have to hold a stone and stand there for the length of an incense stick.
This kind of punishment is unheard of.
When Jiang Bing and the other two heard that this was the punishment, they thought to themselves, it’s nothing, isn’t it just lifting stones?
"Wang Hu, you keep an eye on them here and let them go when the time comes."
After Xiao Heng finished speaking, Wang Hu immediately came over with a smile, holding a branch in his hand. He stood in front of the three people and looked around. If anyone bent their arm, he would hit them with the branch.
The crowd watching laughed even more happily.
At first Jiang Bing thought this punishment was a trivial matter, until a while later he realized how ridiculous his idea was.
After a while, the arms of the three men began to tremble, and they gritted their teeth and held on desperately.
After punishing the three of them, it was the turn of those who gossiped behind their backs.
Gu Xiyue asked Zhao Yancheng and Lady Liu what they thought, and they both let Gu Xiyue make her own decision.
Gu Xiyue glanced at Xiao Heng and smiled brightly.
Xiao Heng's mouth twitched, and he looked at her while suppressing his smile.
Gu Xiyue smiled and said to everyone, "Everyone who has been gossiping these days, curse yourself: Oh God! If I continue to gossip behind my back, let sores grow in my mouth and pus flow from the soles of my feet!"
After Gu Xiyue finished speaking, he raised one hand and waved it, "Everyone say it thirty times!"
"Come on, get ready, three, two, one, go!"
When Gu Xiyue was counting down, the sound was very long. Those who had said bad things about her behind her back began to breathe and prepare involuntarily. When that sentence was shouted out, a group of people began to say that curse word.
The scene was extremely funny at one point, and the originally tense night was suddenly filled with laughter.
The three men holding the stones laughed so hard their whole bodies shook as they heard the curse that shook the mountains and rivers, and they almost couldn't hold the stones.
Wang Hu laughed and knocked their arms with a branch, telling them not to shake and to hold the stone properly, otherwise it might fall and hit them.
It would have been fine if he hadn't said anything, but once he did they laughed even harder.
The pain of trying to lift the stone while holding back laughter was so severe that they would rather not experience it in their lifetime.
Those who shouted the curses thought it was funny at first, but as time went on, they became more and more uneasy, and gradually, they became serious.
After the thirty chants were finished, the scene became quiet for a while, the pale sky became more obvious, and the sky began to brighten dimly.
"Alright! Let's put the previous events behind us. From today on, everyone should work hard. We should unite as one and live a good life. No one is allowed to have bad intentions anymore."
Everyone nodded heavily and dispersed, going back to their houses to pack up. When it was completely light, they could go out to work.
After Jiang Bing and the others had been lifting the stones for an hour, their arms were shaking so much that they could hardly put them down. Wang Hu helped them put the stones down one by one. As soon as the three of them were freed, they collapsed to the ground. Their arms were so stiff that they felt tired even when they moved.
People quickly dispersed, and Xiao Heng accompanied Gu Xiyue back.
"Are you hungry?"
Xiao Heng's voice was gentle, and all the anger he had just shown had been put away.
Gu Xiyue shook her head and said, "I'm not hungry. We had some dry food before we set out."
"Are you sleepy? Go home and have a good sleep."
Even in the dim morning light, Gu Xiyue could see Xiao Heng's concern.
He did not ask himself how he found the partner, nor did he ask how much a pound of salt sold for, nor did he ask how big the partner was or how many pounds of salt he could consume at a time.
He only asked himself whether he was hungry or sleepy.
Gu Xiyue felt warm in her heart and felt that Xiao Heng was like a family member. It would be nice if she could treat him as an older brother in the future.
"I'm not sleepy. I'll just go back and take a nap."
The matter was done, Gu Xiyue was in a good mood, and she had a lot to say to Xiao Heng.
Hu Mazi caught up and said from behind, "Madam, the young master has hardly slept a wink these past few days. Now that you're back, he can finally get some good sleep."
Wei Lin and Mei Xiang followed behind. When they heard that their prince hadn't slept well for several days, they were immediately distressed. They ran over and said seriously, "Young Master, you..."
"Alright!" Xiao Heng interrupted him, "It's okay, don't worry about it. You've been working hard these past few days. Go back and have a good rest. Don't worry about me."
Wei Lin nodded, but still felt uneasy.
Gu Xiyue glanced at Xiao Heng and said nothing.
After returning to the house, Gu Xiyue asked Meixiang to rest for a while, and Wei Lin was also sent to sleep. Along the way, Wei Lin was extremely nervous, and Gu Xiyue knew how tired he was.
Only she and Xiao Heng were left in the middle room.
Xiao Heng made some tea. Gu Xiyue took a sip and began to talk about what she had seen and heard outside in the past few days. Xiao Heng listened carefully. When he heard the prefect agree to cooperate at the end, he relaxed completely, with one elbow resting on the table and the back of his hand slightly bent to support his head.
When Gu Xiyue mentioned that the prefect had adopted her as his adopted daughter, she looked up and found that Xiao Heng had closed his eyes.
Gu Xiyue leaned forward and tilted her head to look at him. Noticing that he didn't move, she couldn't help but feel puzzled.
In the past, I often heard news about people working overtime, staying up late, and finally dying suddenly. Just now, Hu Mazi said that he hasn't slept well for several days.
Gu Xiyue's heart skipped a beat and she quickly reached out to check his breath. Only when she found he was breathing did she feel relieved. But seeing that he might fall down if he supported his head while sleeping like that, she stood up and walked over to him, trying to put his arm down and let him sleep on his arm.
As soon as she touched him, he clamped her hand with one hand and her neck with the other, pressing her on the table.
The moment of suffocation filled her with fear.
"Your Highness!"
Gu Xiyue tried hard to squeeze the sound out of her throat.
As soon as the sound came out, he covered his mouth.
Gu Xiyue moved her lips and rubbed his slightly warm palm, and then the hand moved away like lightning.
Xiao Heng opened his eyes and instantly let go. The soft touch of his palm and fingertips felt real. He quickly helped Gu Xiyue up and said apologetically, "I'm sorry! I didn't hurt you!"
It didn't hurt, but it scared Gu Xiyue.
She blushed and shook her head.
"From now on, try not to get close to me when I'm sleeping, or I might accidentally hurt you."
Xiao Heng gave careful instructions.
"I was afraid Your Highness would fall down while sleeping like this, and I couldn't bear to wake you up, so... I've made a note. From now on, I won't touch you while you sleep."
Gu Xiyue took a few steps back, rubbing his neck with one hand.
Xiao Heng saw her moving away from him, and he felt an inexplicable blockage in his heart. Finally, he nodded and said, "Go and rest quickly. I'll make you breakfast later."
After Gu Xiyue left, Xiao Heng looked at her disappearing figure, his eyes darkened for a moment, and he raised the hand that had just pinched her neck and rubbed his fingers a few times.
Didn't you really hurt her?
Gu Xiyue slept until noon. When she woke up, she felt embarrassed and asked Meixiang why she didn't wake her up earlier.
Meixiang smiled and said, "I wanted to call you, but you were sleeping so soundly, and His Highness told me not to."
Gu Xiyue smiled embarrassedly and got up quickly. Meixiang combed her hair and they went to the middle room to eat.
There is hot rice porridge in the pot, and there is a scallion pancake next to it. In another pot is a plate of vegetables, which are green and appetizing just by looking at them.
"His Highness said he wouldn't be back for lunch, so let us eat on our own."
"Um."
After a few days, Gu Xiyue ate the food made by Xiao Heng again. She felt refreshed both physically and mentally. She took a bite of bread, then a bite of vegetables, swallowed them, and drank a mouthful of porridge. She felt so comfortable.
The fatigue of the past few days was instantly swept away. The light meal was so refreshing and soothing, and she nodded repeatedly while eating.
Meixiang also ate in silence, mainly because she had no time to talk.
"Miss, I think the delicacies from the mountains and seas out there are nothing compared to the food Your Highness eats."
"Those chicken, duck, fish and meat are not as good as the porridge and side dishes Your Highness has, especially the scallion pancakes, they are simply delicious!"
Gu Xiyue just smiled and said nothing, only nodded slightly to show that she agreed with what she said.
Xiao Heng can make simple meals so delicious. I wonder what would happen if I gave him some good ingredients. When conditions are better in the future, I will definitely let him try it.
After dinner, Gu Xiyue asked Meixiang to take a bag of snacks and a bag of candies. These snacks were given to her by the prefect and his wife before she left Ganzhou.
The candy was bought in West Wind Town yesterday.
"Let's go to the school and give the candies to the children. We can save the package of snacks and bring it to Madam Du. Let's go see her."
Aunt Fang and Boss Fang are gone, and Gu Xiyue is a little worried about Madam Du. Although they were not nice to her, she is now more than eight months pregnant, and she must feel bad about the sudden loss of two people to help at home.
Although she was happy for her deep down in her heart, she couldn't say such things openly.
The two of them didn't meet many people along the way. Everyone had already had lunch and went to work.
As soon as she came back, everyone was full of energy, knowing that the sales of sea salt had been negotiated. They saw the future. They might have taken a break after lunch before, but today they didn't rest at all. They were eager to do more work to make up for the work they had missed in the past two days.
When she walked to the dining hall, she met Madam Liu who came out to pour water. When she saw Gu Xiyue coming, she came up to her with a basin in one hand and wiped her apron with the other hand. She smiled, grabbed her hand and looked her up and down.
"Madam Gu, have you rested well?"
Gu Xiyue nodded. It was a little abnormal to see her smiling so happily.
"Did Sister Liu encounter something happy?"
When Gu Xiyue asked this question, Madam Liu couldn't hold it anymore.
"Madam Gu, at lunch today, several women couldn't eat because their mouths ached. Their mouths were full of blisters, and they hurt when touched!"
Gu Xiyue: ...
This curse is too effective.
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