Chapter 25 Selling Myself to Bury My Father
Gu Ruanci did not hesitate because she had known about it before.
Seeing that she didn't say anything, Gu Yuting thought she was interested.
"He is the only legitimate son of the Prince Duan's mansion. When Princess Duan gave birth to him, the midwife took advantage of her frail health and tried to secretly replace the child with her own granddaughter. However, the prepared nanny discovered this, and in desperation, the midwife threw the prince into the water..."
"The imperial physician discovered he had been poisoned during his treatment. It took three days and three nights to revive him, but since then, he's been weak and afraid of the cold. I heard he started coughing up blood a few years ago... Imperial Physician Zang and the others said he probably wouldn't live past the age of twenty. Now, he only has two years left."
After Gu Yuting finished speaking, his expression was full of regret.
"That Duan Wangfei has been worried about her son for years, and she's been depressed. I heard her health has deteriorated..."
"By the way, Princess Duan's father is Grand Tutor Mo. He came to the family recognition banquet that day."
At this point, Gu Yuting said with regret: "Master Mo is at this age. If he loses his daughter and grandson at the same time, I wonder if he can bear the blow..."
Gu Ruanci nodded, but didn't say anything else.
Who would believe that a midwife could have such great abilities?
But for so many years, nothing else has been reported about Prince Duan's Mansion, so why should they inquire?
They were not affected by what had just happened and headed towards the south of the city.
It is the most lively place in Dizhou City. Whether it is food or fun things, you can find them here.
The most important reason is the affordable price.
"There are so many people here today. Spring is here and the weather is getting warmer..." Gu Yuxuan sighed.
"Yeah, hey, there are a lot of people gathered in the south." Gu Yuting said.
Everyone followed his gaze and saw that not far away, there were many people gathered in three layers.
"Since we're here, let's go see what's going on." After Gu Yuxuan said that, he directly dragged Gu Ruanci over there.
Gu Ruanci took the time to put on a veil, after all, the people here were more mixed.
"Fourth Young Master, slow down..." Nong Chun reminded anxiously.
Zang Xia glanced at the other two young masters and hurried to follow.
When they got closer, they finally squeezed in and found that someone seemed to be selling herself to bury her father.
An old man lay there quietly, lifeless and covered in dirt.
The woman who sold herself was also in a disheveled state, wearing only a mourning band and a straw tag on her head.
In front of her was a piece of paper with the words "Sell myself to bury my father, and be a slave for the rest of my life" written on it, weighed down by a small stone.
There were more women watching, but they were not attracted by the women's beauty. The men were also reluctant to reveal their true nature because of the presence of so many women.
Therefore, although there were many people, no one made a bid.
"How pitiful..." someone was talking.
"Yes, if my family wasn't so poor, I would have been willing to help her..."
"Those men who are still unmarried might consider giving her money to bury her father. They don't need her as a slave, but can take her home as their wife."
After a woman said this, someone immediately looked at her face carefully.
Because of the dirt and tear marks, they were really hard to identify, but judging from their stature, they looked to be in their twenties, thin and without much flesh.
"She's just too thin. I'm afraid it'll be hard for her to have children if I marry her."
Such considerations are not uncommon in this day and age.
Gu Ruanci watched quietly and whispered something to Nong Chun, who then left the crowd.
She whispered to Gu Yuting again, "Second brother, wait for me here..."
Then she walked forward quietly.
"Hey, why is it a woman?"
Someone exclaimed when they saw her come out.
The woman also raised her head. At this time, Gu Ruanci appeared in the sunlight, and a huge halo formed behind her.
"Is this your father?" Gu Ruanci asked seriously.
"Yes..." the woman said cautiously.
"When did he die?" Gu Ruanci's tone was still calm and serious.
"Last night..." The woman covered her face and cried again, looking even more pitiful.
"Is he sick?" Gu Ruanci was not affected by her emotions.
The woman was stunned for a moment, then realized: "Yes, he has been seriously ill for a long time, but we don't have the money to treat him..."
"Where are you from?" Gu Ruanci squatted down and looked at the old man carefully.
The woman quickly said, "We came to Longjiang City to seek refuge with our relatives, but when we got here, we discovered that they had already moved away and left no clues..."
"It's so pitiful... Girl, you ask so many questions, do you really want to save people?"
Gu Yuxuan was about to retort but was stopped.
Gu Yuting warned in a low voice: "Sister didn't let us go forward, so she must have her own plans. Don't make a sound."
Gu Yulou, who was standing by, was just keeping the things they bought for his sister and did not participate in the discussion.
"Are you planning on buying coffins or straw mats? Have you chosen a burial site? Or are you going to just leave it in a mass grave?"
Gu Ruanci's question made the person who had just questioned him shut up.
"If you are willing to buy me, I will repay your kindness and become your slave after everything is settled. I will never break my promise. As for how to handle my father's funeral, it depends on how much money you are willing to pay."
The woman's words became more sincere.
At this time, someone finally couldn't help but said, "Girl, please be kind and buy her back..."
"Yes, your filial piety is touching. If you can do this, she will be devoted to you in the future..."
Gu Ruanci didn't care about these things because she saw many scars on the deceased's body.
"What are the causes of his injuries?" she asked directly.
The woman was a little shocked and her eyes began to avoid.
Someone among the onlookers bravely stepped forward to take a look: "That's right, this old man has obviously been beaten."
The woman couldn't stop crying any longer. Seeing Gu Ruanci still calm, she finally said, "Girl, let me tell you the truth. My father was beaten to death, but I don't know who it was..."
"In the city of Dizhou, at the feet of the emperor, how could such a thing happen?"
"Why don't you report it to the police?"
The onlookers began to engage in another discussion.
Gu Ruanci just watched it with ease, without expressing any opinion.
The woman couldn't stop sobbing, and the women watching felt even more sympathetic.
"Last night...last night a drunk tried to molest me...even though Dad wasn't feeling well, he still...still rushed over to protect me. That's why he would...would...嘯..."
Just as the woman finished her sobbing, she heard a voice from outside the crowd: "Everyone disperse, the coroner is here..."
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