Chapter 121 Fallen Leaves Return to Their Roots
Although He was extremely worried, she knew that she had to go, and she kept reminding him not to fall into other people's traps and say that he would not be able to go this year.
Gu Yunyi listened to everything and nodded in assurance, and only then did He feel at ease letting him leave.
After Gu Yunyi left, Xu Qingmeng stepped forward to comfort him, "Mom, when have you ever seen Yunyi do something he was unsure of? Just wait patiently, Yunyi has already made arrangements."
He nodded. Although Xu Qingmeng spoke so easily, she was also anxious. The two waited until the afternoon, but what they got was the news that Gu Yunyi was in court with someone.
When He and Xu Qingmeng heard the news, they hurried over.
At this time, Gu Yunyi was standing in the lobby with a gloomy face. County Lieutenant Liu was also sitting aside with his hands behind his back. He glanced at Gu Yunyi from time to time, with a hint of coldness in his smile.
There are many rumors outside, but the Gu family has never responded to this matter publicly. The rumors are true and false, and some are exaggerated, so no one actually knows.
County Magistrate Liu spoke directly: "The Gu family's family background has nothing to do with outsiders, but it is difficult to stop the world from talking about it. Moreover, the imperial examination is to select talents for the court. Gu Yunyi's father died only half a month ago, and he got married. He died in less than three months. He is really an unfilial and unfraternal person. His character is not right. He is not worthy of being a role model for students in Yan County. He should be stripped of his honors to correct the style of Yan County. Mr. Huang, what do you think?"
When County Magistrate Liu said this, it was equivalent to confirming the rumors outside.
For a moment, the people watching outside began to maliciously speculate whether Gu Yunyi was really so unfilial.
Lord Huang was unmoved, and then looked at County Lieutenant Liu: "County Lieutenant Liu, you should know that the laws of this dynasty regarding mourning are temporarily set, and removing honors is unprecedented..."
"Sir Huang, you are the father and mother of the county, you should speak for the people. The laws of the court are important, but we should also pay attention to human ethics. It is a fact that Gu Yunyi did not observe mourning for his father. Even if it does not violate the laws of the court, it is not in line with traditional customs. Sir Huang, please do not speak for Gu Yunyi just because you are good friends with him."
County Magistrate Liu did not wait for Lord Huang to finish his words and directly said these words, blocking the way forward for County Magistrate Huang. He could neither advance nor retreat. If he said another word for Gu Yunyi, it would be considered as deliberate favoritism.
Mr. Huang suppressed his anger and looked at Gu Yunyi: "What do you think of what County Lieutenant Liu said, Mr. Gu?"
Gu Yunyi glanced at County Lieutenant Liu and said, "May I ask the two gentlemen and everyone present, what is filial piety? Staying at home for three years, not wearing colorful clothes and entertainment, not getting married and having children, and not taking the imperial examination, is filial piety? I think that compared to those so-called mourning systems, fulfilling the wishes of the deceased is more in line with the word filial piety."
Someone in the crowd suddenly said, "Gu family boy, could it be that your father told you to have this fate and to get married?"
"That's right. I heard that Gu Hongxin died suddenly and you didn't even get to see him for the last time. Now you want to use his last wish as an excuse. How ridiculous!"
Gu Yunyi remained calm. "Although I didn't get to see my father for the last time, he kept repeating three things to me."
County Lieutenant Liu had a gloomy expression and wanted to say something, but Gu Yunyi did not give him a chance. He looked at him and asked, "What do you two adults think of returning home?"
County Magistrate Liu said in a serious tone: "Of course fallen leaves return to their roots. What do you mean by that?"
"My Lord, fellow villagers, this matter is actually the Gu family's family affair and should not be brought up. However, the rumors outside have already involved the reputation of my family, my grandfather, and my father. Since it has come to this court, I have no choice but to stand up and talk to you all."
Among the people watching the excitement in the crowd, a man in black clothes frowned and had a bad premonition. Although it was not exposed, he always felt that things were vaguely beyond his control. If something bad happened, the lady would definitely not let him go.
Before he could come up with a plan, he heard Gu Yunyi say, "My grandfather was from Shiqing Village outside of Yan County. His parents died when he was young, leaving him alone to support the Gu family restaurant. When he was eighteen, he married my grandmother, Li, and they worked diligently. When my grandfather was twenty, my grandmother gave birth to my father and named him Gu Hongxin. In the same year, the business of the Gu family restaurant became better and better.
Unfortunately, the good times did not last long. When my grandfather should have been enjoying his life, he passed away due to overwork in his early years. My grandmother also passed away because she could not bear the grief, leaving only my father who was still young at the time.
My father did not give up, but supported the Gujia Restaurant. Later, he met my mother, and then I was born. Since I was old enough to understand, my father has told me that he has three wishes in his life.
First, fallen leaves return to their roots.
Second, to continue the incense.
The third is that I hope to return home in glory one day.”
“Although the marriage was hasty, the neighbors all knew that my mother did so because I was seriously ill and was afraid that I would not live long and would not be able to fulfill my father’s last wish.
My father attached great importance to the imperial examination. He was unable to return home with honor when he was alive, but hoped that I could complete it for him. If he knew that I missed the imperial examination because I had to observe three years of mourning for him, he would definitely blame me.
Of course, fallen leaves return to their roots. Not only my father's grave, but also the graves of my grandparents are now in the clan cemetery in Shiqing Village. My younger brothers and sisters and I are also included in the family tree.
I think I have done my best to fulfill my father's three wishes. If I am still accused of being unfilial, I don't know whether this so-called filial piety is a true gratitude to my relatives or just a show for others to see."
After Gu Yunyi said this, no one around said a word. The man in black knew that once this game was solved, he would no longer pose any threat to Gu Yunyi, so he left.
Xu Qingmeng stood in the crowd and understood what method Mr. Huang and Gu Yunyi were talking about.
The death of a father is indeed an important matter, but the concept of family in ancient times was also extremely important, especially after experiencing war, when most people were displaced and very few could truly find their roots and their own families.
How many elderly people left because of the war and were still thinking about their hometown and tribes before they died.
As for Gu Yunyi's actions, not only the person behind the scenes, but even the onlookers could not say anything to blame him.
Mr. Huang's expression changed. He looked at the onlookers, then at County Magistrate Liu, "Do you have any objections?"
Everyone was just there to watch the fun, and the person who instigated the incident behind the scenes was no longer around, so everyone had nothing to say.
(End of this chapter)
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