Chapter 64: An Honored Guest Arrives

Gu Chengyi looked at his mother, then at his daughter whose face was still streaked with blood, looking utterly disheveled. He was caught between a rock and a hard place. “Mother, Er Ya only spoke rashly for a moment—she didn’t mean any harm. Er Ya, hurry and apologize to your grandmother!” No matter how little he might favor his daughter, his heart still ached for her. But Li’s words were not something he dared to go against, so he could only take this compromise.

“I wouldn’t dare accept her apology—I’m afraid it would shorten my life. She’s not the granddaughter of the Gu family, she’s the ancestor! Oh, ancestor, you’re my ancestor, isn’t that enough? I apologize to you—I’ll kneel and kowtow, will that do?” The old woman cried out, her voice choked with tears.

Hearing this, Gu Chengyi immediately knelt down. “Mother, please don’t do this, I beg you. Let me kowtow, but please, don’t be like this.”

“Then beat her. If you don’t beat her today, you’re no son of mine.” The old woman pointed at Wenfei.

Gu Chengyi’s heart was full of bitterness, yet he had no power to resist. He knew that if he did not do as his mother wished, she was bound to make an even bigger scene, threatening suicide or hanging herself. In the end, he would still have to raise his hand against his own daughter just to appease his mother’s fury. He stood up and walked to his daughter.

“Father, just do it. We sisters were born only to be beaten and to suffer, weren’t we? You’d best beat me to death. If I die, maybe in the next life I’ll be reborn into a good family—maybe even as a boy. Then I won’t have to suffer beatings, or work so hard and still go hungry.” Wenfei looked at her father, stubbornness burning in her gaze.

Gu Chengyi raised his hand, but he simply couldn’t bring it down. Seeing his daughter’s resolute little face and hearing her words, his heart was torn with anguish.

“Third Brother, you mustn’t beat the child.” Gu Chengyong stepped forward, grabbing his brother’s hand. “She’s your own flesh and blood—how could you bear to do it?” He turned to look at their father. “Father, say something, will you? What’s the meaning of all this? We have good days—must we make a scene like this every day? Is it worth it?”

The old man, addressed by his son, was also full of helplessness. How could he not know his wife’s temper? The commotion today had made her lose face in front of the family—her pride was wounded, and she needed to vent her anger. Otherwise, with her fiery temper, it would fester and make her ill.

The old man opened his mouth, about to persuade his wife, when suddenly a carriage stopped at the Gu family’s gate. Two people jumped down, one of whom was his fifth son, Gu Chengren.

“Ah, Fifth is back!” the old man called.

His words instantly shattered the tense atmosphere in the courtyard. Everyone turned toward the gate. Two young men in their twenties entered, both dressed as scholars with pale blue robes and square caps. One of them bore some resemblance to the Gu family—it must be their fifth son.

Gu Chengren entered the courtyard and, seeing everyone gathered and the Zhang family also present, frowned. “What’s going on? Why is everyone standing around in the courtyard making such a fuss?”

He then turned to his companion and said, “Brother Binghao, please don’t mind. Country households are always a bit boisterous.”

The young man who had come with Gu Chengren smiled and shook his head. “Brother Chengren, you exaggerate. This place is surrounded by beautiful mountains and clear waters—the scenery is delightful. In the countryside, when there are many people, life is lively and prosperous. It’s nothing like my own home, just my mother and I, always so quiet and lonely.”

Gu Chengren breathed a sigh of relief and turned to his parents, saying, “Father, Mother, this is my friend from the county, Jiang Binghao. He is a licentiate, and this autumn we will take the county exams together. Brother Binghao is exceptionally talented, and I have benefited much from our friendship. That’s why I invited him to stay with us for a while so we can study together.”

Hearing that their guest was also a licentiate, the elder couple dared not neglect him. “Master Jiang, it is the Gu family’s honor to have you here,” the old man said quickly.

“Student Jiang Binghao greets Uncle and Aunt.” Jiang Binghao bowed deeply to the Gu elders. “Forgive my bold intrusion.”

The old couple, unused to such formality, waved their hands nervously. “Oh, no, no, Master Jiang, please come inside. Lunch is just about ready—if you don’t mind simple country fare, please join us,” the old man invited.

“Then I’ll shamelessly accept your hospitality,” Jiang Binghao replied with an easy smile.

With the return of Gu Chengren and his friend, the earlier troubles in the courtyard were set aside for now. Gu Chengren had never brought a schoolmate home before—this was the first time, and it showed how much he valued Jiang. No one dared cause a scene now and embarrass Gu Chengren.

The old man accompanied his sons and the licentiate Jiang into the house. The old woman glared at her third son’s family, then whispered something to her eldest daughter, Li. Only then did Li signal her daughters-in-law to get the grandchildren up, wash their faces, and prepare for the meal.

Madam Huang felt resentful that things had ended so easily, but she dared not bring it up again. She knew how much the family valued the fifth cousin. If they ruined things for him now, they wouldn’t be welcome in the Gu household again.

Thus, Madam Huang and Madam Wang led their still disgruntled sons to wash up in the kitchen, then returned to get ready for the meal.

As Jiang Binghao and Gu Chengren were about to head toward the eastern room, a girl hurried out of the house. She seemed flustered and, not watching her step, bumped right into Jiang Binghao.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.” The girl—none other than Gu Xiuli—blushed deeply. She glanced at Jiang Binghao and quickly slipped past him.

Jiang Binghao was immediately captivated by her sudden appearance. He stared at her retreating figure for a long moment before finally turning to Gu Chengren. “Brother Gu, who was that?”

“That’s my younger sister, the youngest girl in the family—always a bit reckless. Please don’t take offense, Brother Jiang,” Gu Chengren replied apologetically.

“It’s nothing, nothing at all,” Jiang Binghao said, his face reddening as he lowered his head and entered the room.

Gu Chengren walked beside Jiang Binghao, his gaze lowered slightly, a faint, inscrutable smile on his lips.

Everyone followed them inside, and Gu Chengren began introducing the family members to Jiang Binghao one by one.

Only now did Gu Chengren notice his second brother had returned. “Second Brother, when did you get back? I’ve been away for some days and missed greeting you.” Gu Chengren truly admired his second brother, and his delight at their meeting was genuine.

“Brother Binghao, this is my second brother—he’s a constable in Suzhou Prefecture,” Gu Chengren said, making special mention.

Jiang Binghao looked at Gu Chengyong and saw a tall man with an air of calm authority. Though he wore only plain home clothes, his bearing spoke of one who had weathered great events. “Second Brother Gu, forgive my manners,” Jiang Binghao said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Gu Chengyong returned the gesture with a smile. “Master Jiang, there’s no need for such formality. Our family is honored to have you here. My younger brother will surely benefit from studying with you—please stay as long as you wish, and don’t mind our simple country home.”

“Not at all—your family is nothing like an ordinary farming household. I’m truly fortunate to stay here,” Jiang Binghao replied earnestly.

He meant it—he’d been surprised by the size of the Gu family’s compound as soon as he arrived. Even in the county seat, such a house was considered upper-middle class, let alone in such an unremarkable village.

And then there was that beautiful girl—her striking looks were unlike any common country maiden. Not to mention the constable second brother before him; it was clear the Gu family was no ordinary clan.

He’d originally befriended Gu Chengren because of his learning—they were both licentiates, preparing for the next round of exams. They had attended lectures together at the county academy, getting along well, and when Gu Chengren invited him to stay in the village, Jiang Binghao had happily agreed.

Only now, upon coming to the Gu family, did he realize he had underestimated them. No wonder Gu Chengren was so generous in the county—his family was indeed well-off. At this realization, Jiang Binghao put aside any competitive feelings and resolved to cultivate a sincere friendship.

Gu Chengren introduced each family member in turn, including the Gu brothers and the Zhang father and son, who all exchanged polite greetings with Jiang Binghao. True to his scholarly reputation, Jiang Binghao was gracious and gentle, smiling warmly at everyone and making small talk with ease.

When all the introductions were done, Mrs. Li entered and announced that the meal was ready. A banquet was quickly set, and everyone sat down to eat and converse together.

“Brother Binghao, in the countryside we don’t stand on ceremony—meals are taken with conversation. If you don’t mind, please join us for a humble meal,” Gu Chengren said.

Jiang Binghao nodded. “How could I mind? You’re far too polite. At home, I’m just as easygoing and informal.”

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The launch date has been pushed to tomorrow; today’s public chapters continue as usual. There will be another chapter this afternoon—don’t forget to read it.