I was a stepmother in ancient times, and I led my whole family to wealth.

Chapter 98 Why don't they kneel down?

Lu Yunqing stared at Lin Peisheng and sneered, "You mean, you, as the village chief, can't control a small family patriarch in the village?"

Could it be that the Gu family has some kind of background? Or is someone backing them up?

Or do you simply not want to get involved, and are even on his side?

Lin Li was stumped by the question and didn't know what to say for a moment. "This... this really isn't available."

What was he afraid of in the past?

He was on the side of the Gu family from the beginning, wasn't he?

He also hoped that Gu Yaohui would become the top scholar in the imperial examination and bring benefits to the village.

But when did he stop having this thought?

Was it the time Gu Chenglin was forcibly taken away to serve in the military? Or the time the Gu family forced Tian Xiaocao to jump into the river?

Or was it the time when Granny Gu pointed at her own wife and humiliated her? It seems like it was both, and yet neither.

Seeing Lin Peisheng standing there in a daze, Lu Yunqing snorted coldly and didn't call him to get up. She looked at the crowd and asked in a chilling voice, "Is the Gu family patriarch here?"

Gu Yongliang trembled with fear when the county magistrate questioned Lin Peisheng.

Hearing the county magistrate calling him, he got up, staggered over, and knelt down: "This humble subject...this humble subject is here."

Lu Yunqing looked at the old man, who seemed unremarkable, and her voice remained sharp: "You are the patriarch of the Gu clan?"

Gu Yongliang was unsure of what to do and said nervously, "Replying to...Replying to the magistrate, I am...I am the head of the Gu clan."

Although she was angry at the Gu family for being such a troublesome family, she also felt a bit more hatred towards Gu Chenglin and Fang Jin.

If Dongfang Jin knew what he was thinking, she would definitely call him an old fool.

What business is it of hers!

Lu Yunqing narrowed her eyes, stared at him, and asked in a cold tone, "I heard that Gu Chenglin has severed ties with his family and has been expelled from the clan by you. Why is his family still causing trouble?"

When Gu Yongliang was asked this question, his heart skipped a beat, and a bad feeling welled up in his heart.

He stammered, "This...this...this humble subject does not...know."

Lu Yunqing's tone grew even colder as she scoffed, "Oh? You don't know? Is that letter severing ties with your family genuine? Is that document expelling you from the clan genuine?"

Gu Yongliang was terrified when he heard this. Gu Chenglin even said this?

Isn't he afraid...?

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he gritted his teeth: "It's...it's true."

Old Mrs. Gu almost echoed Clan Chief Gu's words, saying, "That's not true!"

Lu Yunqing looked at Granny Gu and scolded, "Who are you? When did I give you permission to utter a sound when I was asking you a question!"

"Damn it, slap her ten times to teach her manners."

Axi stepped forward: "Yes!"

He had long disliked this old woman with the slanted glasses.

When Granny Gu saw Ah Xi approaching, she exclaimed, "You can't hit me! My son is a student who will become the top scholar in the imperial examination!"

My son will not forgive you…

Dongfang Jin...

Who drew this picture for her?

Anxi...

Ignorant wretch!

Jun Qirui...

She's just a novice scholar, far from being the top scholar. How dare she say that.

You should know that some people can dedicate their entire lives to achieving this level of fame and success.

He remembered that when the last batch of scholars took the provincial examination, the oldest candidates were over sixty years old.

I heard that the person was extremely intelligent when he was young, and passed the imperial examination at the age of ten. But in the end, he still failed to pass the provincial examination.

Gu Chenglin: "..." As stupid as ever, it seems to be another trick by the fourth brother to swindle money.

Lu Yunqing sneered: "Just a student who has passed the imperial examination. The top scholar? It's too early to say that now. Damn it, slap him twenty times."

If she dares to say another word, she'll retaliate twice over—no manners whatsoever!

He couldn't convict her, nor could he alert her; he needed to vent his anger for his cousin first.

He decided to leave the old woman there for that person to deal with. He believed that with Dongfang Jin's abilities, that person wouldn't stand idly by.

Gu Chenglin is that person's cousin.

“Yes,” Asi said.

"Crack...crack..."

Granny Gu: "Ah... um..."

They actually fought...

Ah Xi had only struck twice when blood began to seep from the corner of the old hag's mouth.

Dongfang Jin: "..." How painful must that be?

"Aish, you're really honest. Can't you just take off your shoes and hit me? Using your hands, how much must your hands hurt?"

Lu Yunqing...

I heard everything, girl.

Anxi...

Hehe, this is funny, so funny!

Jun Wenhui: "..." How could I say that?

Jun Qirui: "..." Heartbroken!

Gu Chenglin: "..." Wife, you can just think about it in your heart, don't say it out loud! This is awful!

Anxi looked at the eager Dongfang Jin and examined her closely. Could this be the person Princess Anhe was talking about?

Thinking of His Majesty and the Imperial Tutor's words, he couldn't help but look at her for a while longer.

In that short moment, he was almost scared to death... Princess Dun?

No, no, I heard she just turned 18. She's still a child. I'm wrong, I'm wrong...

Princess Dun has not been seen in public for many years. He must have been mistaken. He must have been mistaken. He was startled.

Thinking about it, he looked at the villagers again, staring at the beaten old woman Gu—a troublemaker!

Little did he know that Gu Chenglin had seen through his gaze and expression as he looked at Dongfang Jin.

This made him fall into deep thought; could it be that his wife...?

Lu Yunqing looked at Lin Lizheng again: "Does the contract not count in the village you manage?"

Lin Lizheng replied in alarm, "Yes, sir, it counts."

Is this what official power is?

But why do I feel so relieved when I hear those slapping sounds?

"Then tell me, what does this mean?"

Gu Meiyu, emboldened by some unknown source, looked up at Lu Yunqing and said, "Your Excellency, even if he has severed ties with his main family, Gu Chenglin is still our elder brother. When he was hoarding his private money, did he not sever ties with his main family?"

Lu Yunqing did not punish Gu Meiyu, but don't ignore the coldness in his eyes.

Turning to Gu Chenglin, he asked, "Oh? Gu Chenglin, you're hiding money from the world?"

Gu Chenglin immediately knelt down: "Your Excellency, I have no money. I have used all my military pay over the years to save my life."

This can be checked; the government offices keep records of it.

Seeing that his sister hadn't been beaten for speaking up, Gu Yaozong mustered his courage and asked, "If you didn't hide any money, then where did you get the money to buy this house?"

"It's perfect that the magistrate is here; please explain things to us."

“This student knows, Your Excellency, and Sister Jin.”

Ma Wencai, Fang Shiyu, and a few others jumped off the carriage. It was Ma Wencai who spoke.

Three oxcarts, loaded with goods, followed behind them.

Everyone...

Who are these people?

Granny Gu's eyes were filled with venom, her face contorted with rage, and she glared at them through gritted teeth.

Fang Shiyu and his companions quickly walked up to the magistrate, bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle, and greeted him with a deep salute: "Magistrate!"

Dongfang Jin...

Why don't they kneel down?

Thinking of this, she immediately stood up, and Jun Wenhui couldn't stop her.

Jun Qirui: "..." What's going on now?

Seeing those five people, who claimed to be students and were riding in a horse-drawn carriage, it seemed they were descendants of local gentry.

And look at their clothes, okay? They're not exactly big shots...

Gu Chenglin: "..." I hope my wife doesn't get beaten up!

Anxi...

Hmm? These people... are interesting?

I never imagined that such a family would be hidden in this small county of Ling'an. It seems...

Dongfang Jin walked over: "Why are you all here?"

Ma Wencai stepped forward and bowed to Dongfang Jin: "We'll take two days off this term and then go to the county government to find you. We heard from the people there that you've moved to a new house."

We quickly gathered some gifts to bring as a housewarming present to you and Brother Chenglin. They're all very practical.

Guo Yuming stepped forward: "We also brought quite a lot..."

“Ahem,” Lu Yunqing coughed lightly, interrupting their conversation.

Upon seeing this, the group immediately understood...

The county magistrate is in office now; it's their lack of understanding of the rules.

The group bowed to the magistrate again to express their apologies.

At this moment, Ma Wencai immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply to Lu Yunqing: "Your Excellency, the money that Jin'er earned from buying this house came from the menu she sold to our Ping An Restaurant."

My lord, I have shown no favoritism whatsoever. Manager Xue of Ping An Restaurant has the necessary documents.

Three copies were signed initially, with another copy held by the student's grandfather.