Free Web NovelChapter 268: Chapter 269: Revising the Clan Rules
Gu Sanbu now disliked even the sound of the name "He Guwu." He glared irritably at Gu Dashishi. "Your wife is right. You’re getting on in years and should be setting an example for your descendants. It’s best not to get involved with people who have ulterior motives."
Gu Dashishi retorted, "That Shi Family isn’t that kind of person. She’s a pitiful woman. She was widowed not long after marrying into the He Family and struggled to raise her daughter all by herself. With our family being so prosperous, how can we not make room for her and her daughter?"
Li Cuicui walked over and kicked him viciously again, sending him stumbling off the stool and onto the floor. "What ’so prosperous’? What does any of that have to do with you, Gu Dashishi?
And what does it have to do with that He Guwu? If you really find her life so pitiful, I can petition the clan to let you marry into her family. You can go to Shengdong Village and keep them company."
"Alright, Mrs. Li, you’ve made your point. There’s no need to be so relentless." Gu Sanbu took a deep breath. "This matter ends here. From now on, Dashishi, you are not to go to Shengdong Village anymore. Otherwise, we will seriously consider Mrs. Li’s proposal."
Gu Dashishi grew anxious. "But I already promised her and her daughter that I would take care of them."
Li Cuicui laughed as if she’d heard a hilarious joke. "And what will you use to take care of them? Your idleness? The fact that you live off your sons? freewebnøvel.coɱ
Why don’t you do what other villagers do? Get some tofu from our eldest and go peddle it through the streets and alleys." frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
"Can’t our sons support her and her daughter as well?" The moment Gu Dashishi opened his mouth, Ancient Wen Heng was once again reminded of what true shamelessness was.
Gu Yuanhuo shot back, "There’s no such logic in this world! It’s our duty to support our parents, but who the hell are they?"
Hearing his third son’s words, Gu Dashishi raised his hand to strike him, but Ancient Wen Heng quickly pulled Gu Yuanhuo aside. Gu Dashishi’s hand hit nothing but air.
"You unfilial brat! Believe it or not, I’ll report you to the government!"
If his father liked to use such formalities to oppress others, Ancient Wen Heng could play that game with ease. "Since ancient times, taking a concubine has required the consent of the Family Head’s primary wife. An indenture must be signed and given to her. This is to say nothing of a matter as serious as taking a wife of equal status, which requires the consent of the Yue Family. Which of these conditions have you met?"
"...Your maternal grandparents’ family didn’t flee the famine with us. Who knows if they’re still..."
"Shut up!" This time, even Gu Datian and the others couldn’t stand it. The Yue Family might not be here now, but some things shouldn’t be fabricated.
Seeing the look on his wife’s face, Gu Dashishi pouted. "I wasn’t saying anything."
...
Finally, under immense pressure from everyone, Gu Dashishi relented and agreed not to bring He Guwu and her daughter into the family. As for whether he would cut off contact with them? He was evasive and gave no clear answer.
Ancient Wen Heng helped Gu Sanbu walk back. "Your father was wrong this time," Gu Sanbu said, "but your mother is too fierce. Shouting about beating and killing the men of the family, and she even actually laid a hand on him."
Ancient Wen Heng looked at the houses in the distance. "My mother has been repressed for decades. You could say that if it weren’t for her, this family might have fallen apart long ago.
Third Grandpa, do you think my father has the right to wrong my mother so recklessly?"
Gu Sanbu said, "That’s why we all saw it. You and your brothers are siding with your mother, and we didn’t say anything about it."
Ancient Wen Heng smiled, his voice deep. "Discord in the household is a sign of a family’s downfall. My brothers and I have worked hard to carve out a path for ourselves, and we have no desire to see it all destroyed by someone with ulterior motives."
Gu Sanbu sighed. "Everyone knows your father is just bewitched this time. But no matter what, he’s still your father. As long as he doesn’t go too far, you should still be filial and obedient."
Ancient Wen Heng stopped and looked at him. "Does that include helping him find a concubine to hurt my mother?"
’Setting aside the memories he inherited from this body’s original owner and the deep filial affection he felt for Li Cuicui, even his own personal principles couldn’t accept it.’
"...I’ll have another good talk with Dashishi," Gu Sanbu said. "And based on what you all said earlier, that He Guwu doesn’t sound like someone to be trifled with. It’s best not to bring her into the family."
Ancient Wen Heng said with a cold smile, "If he insists on having his own way and brings that person into our home, then apart from providing the same basic support as any other villager, I will likely reduce how often I return to the village."
Gu Sanbu turned and glared at him. "Are you threatening us, you brat?"
Ancient Wen Heng replied, "How would I dare? It’s just that you’ve forgotten what my eldest brother said. That He Guwu previously wanted to make her daughter my second wife. When the time comes, to avoid suspicion, or rather, to avoid getting entangled, I’ll have to keep my distance."
"...It wouldn’t come to that, would it..." Gu Sanbu’s voice trailed off. The possibility was actually real. It wasn’t just about Ancient Wen Heng; his other brothers might get the same idea if that woman joined the family.
"Wealth stirs the hearts of men. I also hope I’m just worrying for nothing.
Third Grandpa, everyone’s lives have improved these past two years. Perhaps they’ve forgotten that the good fortune my brothers and I enjoy today is all thanks to my wife.
Also, regarding our old clan rules... after some time, I’m thinking of making some changes."
’In his memory, as long as one held an official position, they had the authority to write family rules or amend the clan’s regulations.’
Gu Sanbu swallowed hard, his hands trembling. He suddenly grabbed Ancient Wen Heng’s arm tightly. "Third Grandpa will go dig out the clan rules right now. When you return next time, we’ll revise them properly."
Gu Shulin, who had been following at a distance, ran up quickly. "Father, what’s wrong?"
Gu Sanbu snapped back to his senses and glared at his son. "Your father is fine! Go on, get to the side. I need to have a proper talk with Wenheng."
Gu Shulin glanced at him and saw that his face was flushed and he was in high spirits, so he felt relieved.
Receiving a disdainful look from his father, he could only run back helplessly to where he was before and continue following quietly.
"Third Grandpa, I just hope you won’t find this young one too arrogant when the time comes."
Gu Sanbu said, "This is as it should be. How could it be called arrogant?
Our clan’s rules truly haven’t been revised in a very long time. Third Grandpa has been dreaming of this day.
It’s just a pity about your Uncle Shulin. That blockhead... I wasted so much effort on him, and he can only manage to be the village head.
If it weren’t for you, his scholar nephew, backing him up, his position as village head would be shaky at best."
The more he spoke, the more disdainful he became, and Gu Shulin, standing far away, inexplicably received a few more dagger-like glares.
Ancient Wen Heng thought, ’...’ ’This old man is really throwing his son under the bus. I hope Uncle Shulin doesn’t think I’m the one badmouthing him.’
...
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After everyone had left, Li Cuicui’s expression immediately hardened. She took matters into her own hands, gathering Gu Dashishi’s bedding and his other belongings, and moved them all into an adjacent side room.
"You old woman, what do you think you’re doing now?" Gu Dashishi didn’t dare step forward to stop her, instead keeping his distance and muttering under his breath, "Acting like such a shrew. I’m the only one who could have put up with you all these years."
