Chapter 106: The old man who is still alive is a thief
After hearing this, Zhang Jian collapsed to the ground.
He looked at Gu Yuting and asked, "Nephew, is this enough?"
Gu Yuting was stunned for a moment. She had not expected Mei's death, but Zhang Jian's attitude made everyone think that the Gu family forced Mei to death?
"Master Zhang is saying that Madam Ling's death is related to our Shouguo Mansion, and that only when she dies can we calm down?"
After Gu Yuting asked, Zhang Jian did not answer directly. Instead, he smiled coldly: "Forget it, I won't argue with you about this. After all, our relationship of many years has become like this because of a misunderstanding... Since the Duke still refuses to forgive me, then I have nothing to say. No matter what my wife did wrong, she gave birth to a son and a daughter for me. She has also been managing my harem over the years, so I don't have to worry about the future. She made a mistake, and I have punished her, but taking her life has never been my intention... Since my wife's life is between us, we should not have any further contact in the future."
He paused, sensing that more people in the crowd were beginning to sympathize with him.
"I believe the Duke and his wife also have the same intention. When we meet in Chaoyang in the future, we will only discuss official business and not personal matters."
After saying that, he prepared to get up.
As a result, because he had been kneeling for too long, his legs lost feeling and he fell directly to the ground.
Someone couldn't help but stepped forward to help him, saying, "Master Zhang, admitting one's mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue. We saw everything you did today. Killing is not enough. It was the Duke who went too far. To have such a quarrel with his own brother over an adopted daughter is truly disheartening."
"That's right. Gu Ruanci isn't a real member of the Gu family. She didn't even recognize her own biological father. Her grandmother was so angry that she died, and she didn't even go back to pay her respects. With her around, the Gu family will probably be in trouble sooner or later."
Someone started to lead the discussion, and naturally those who claimed to be trustworthy followed suit.
Gu Yuting felt anxious when he heard these words about his sister and the Duke of Shou's Mansion, but he didn't know how to respond.
What exactly do these people think of the efforts made by the Shouguo Mansion over the years?
After Zhang Jian stood up, his legs began to feel numb. He had to be supported by someone for a long time before he regained consciousness.
"Everyone, there's no need to say that. In this matter, our family was at fault first. No matter what decision the Duke makes, it's the right one. I'm here to apologize today just to express my stance."
His words undoubtedly won him the sympathy of many people.
The old men who had just spoken began to plead again, "This matter is over now. The Chaoyang County Lord suffered no loss, and it was Madam Zhang who committed suicide to apologize for her sin. Let it be over now. How big of a mistake could it be to pay the price of a life?"
"Yes, this matter was a misunderstanding from the beginning. I heard that this marriage was previously discussed between the Zhou family and the Zhang family of Jing'an Marquis Mansion. Now that Princess Chaoyang has been included in the Gu family's genealogy, isn't it reasonable for them to cancel this marriage?"
"In that case, the Gu family is indeed a little stressed. Even if it is to compensate for the grievances suffered by the Chaoyang County Lord over the years, they should not treat the Zhang family in this way."
"I heard that both Mingqi and the young master of the Zhang family were beaten black and blue that day. I think that was enough to vent the Gu family's anger. When the Gu family went to the Zhang family to settle the score, Master Zhang had already lowered his stance. The Duke insisted on severing ties, which forced Master Zhang to send his wife to the manor. Alas, he is in such a high position, and he should be more open-minded. A life was lost like this, and I am afraid the marriage of the young master and daughter of the Zhang family will be delayed in the future..."
Gu Yuting was very angry when he heard these old bastards talking nonsense without caring about morality.
However, he remembered Gu Ruanci's words, that no matter what the other party said, he should not argue with them.
When Zhang Jian heard these "fair words", he began to feel proud.
"You can't say that. It was Madam's own choice. I should have taken the blame for her mistake. But I ended up sending him to the farm, and he became her death warrant."
When the old people heard his words, they became even more excited.
"No matter what, this is a human life. The Duke's Mansion has gone too far this time..."
"That's right, he has forgotten his roots."
"That Chaoyang County Lady should come out and apologize!"
This gradually affected the onlookers.
In front of the house of Duke Shouguo, the crowds of people gathered and made it impossible to get through.
Finally, a few more people came out of the Gu family's gate. They were Gu Yulou and Gu Runci, along with Nongchun, Zangxia, and Changsong.
"The Princess of Chaoyang County has come out. Let's demand an explanation from her!"
The old men started to make a fuss, causing the people around them to become emotionally excited.
Zhang Jian almost didn't want to hide the sinister look in his eyes, but when he raised his head, he still said to Gu Ruanci apologetically: "County Lady, this is not my intention. Please don't mind what they say. After all, they just don't understand the situation and want to fight for me. If you want to punish me, just come at me directly."
"She still wants to punish us? This Dizhou City is under the Emperor's feet, and she can't reason with us?"
Gu Ruanci looked at these old men stirring up trouble here with a smile.
"That's right. I want to see how powerful this county lord is and how she intends to oppress us common people."
"If they can even force the wife of a high-ranking official to death, are they going to bury us old bones with them?"
As the saying goes, if an old man doesn't die, he is a thief. Some shameless people are actually better off dead when they get old.
Seeing Gu Ruanci's silence, Gu Yulou felt anxious. He almost wanted to beat the old man who was shouting the loudest to death. However, before he left, Gu Ruanci had told him not to act rashly and to leave everything to her. She could handle it. Gu Ruanci also emphasized that if he took action himself, the matter would be completely unclear.
Zhang Jian was a little surprised when he saw Gu Runci's smile. An ordinary woman would have collapsed in such a situation, and even a man would have been upset. But why was the Princess Chaoyang not in a hurry at all? She looked at her as if she was watching a performance.
The old people didn't see the expression that should have appeared on Gu Ruanci's face, and they were a little confused.
"Everyone, we've been talking for a long time now. I've come out now. If you want me to express my opinion, isn't it time for me to say a few words?"
Gu Ruanci finally spoke, still calmly.
The old man who had just taken the lead said unconvincedly, "If you want to explain or quibble, it's better not to say anything. How can you, people of power and status, admit your mistakes?"
Gu Ruanci knew that he had never intended to admit his mistake from the beginning, so he said directly, "Huang Chunsheng, your son-in-law is about to write a letter of divorce to your daughter, and the family that your granddaughter is engaged to is also preparing to cancel the engagement. I think they also heard that your granddaughter was greedy for fame and fortune and hooked up with the son of a wealthy family. With such a big thing happening in your family, you still have the mood to stand up for justice?"
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