Chapter 960: 958: Dragging Us Into Trouble

Words : 1277 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 960: Chapter 958: Dragging Us Into Trouble Gu Zikai, being young, couldn’t help but say after hearing this: “No, we must report this to the authorities! We can’t let the lives of more than twenty people from the Huang family be lost in vain, leaving those depraved people living well!” Turning his head as he spoke, he looked at Song Chongjin: “Brother Song, isn’t it just right that Governor Chen and Lord Zhu are both in our county now? Let’s jointly write a complaint and accuse that Graduate Loo and the Tian family! We must seek justice for the wrongly deceased Huang family members!” Old Madam Ding was trembling as she knelt down after hearing Gu Zikai’s words: “Master, master, these are all things I’ve heard, none of it is certain! I’ve been talking nonsense, please pretend you didn’t hear, I won’t babble anymore!” She lifted her hand as if to slap herself. Wang Yongzhu, quick-witted, grabbed Old Madam Ding’s hand: “Aunt Ding, what are you doing? Don’t worry, you’re just saying it, and we’re just hearing it like a story! Where would you hear a story and rush to report it without understanding the situation? It’s okay, you go rest first.” After a few kind words, Old Madam Ding wasn’t entirely convinced, but she was less scared. She bowed to Wang Yongzhu and staggered back to the house. Wang Yongzhu was still uneasy and gave Old Granny Wu a look, signaling for her to keep an eye on things. Old Granny Wu understood and quickly followed behind. Here, Gu Zikai also suddenly realized his impetuousness, having scared Old Madam Ding, “I was out of line, and caused fright to your household, I’m truly sorry!” Wang Yongzhu saw that Gu Zikai realized it too. Besides, if anyone heard such a thing, who wouldn’t be furious? Who wouldn’t feel disdain? She shook her head and still reminded him: “What you said, Brother Gu, was no big deal here, but be careful not to slip outside. Firstly, this matter is significant and involves many people, if you’re not cautious, it might unwittingly cause trouble, and might even harm Xiao Wu and them.” “Secondly, this case has been buried for many years, and even if there was evidence, it would have mostly vanished. To expose it without preparation and alert the enemy would be worse. It’s best to deliberate this matter slowly.” Gu Zikai blushed and stood up to bow to Wang Yongzhu: “I was reckless! Thanks to sister-in-law for the reminder, to hear you speak is more beneficial than reading books for ten years! Thank you for enlightening me!” Wang Yongzhu sidestepped Gu Zikai’s courtesy, exchanged pleasantries for a moment, and with an excuse of having something to attend to, pulled Old Granny Zhang inside. Gu Zikai then looked enviously at Song Chongjin: “Brother Song, to have such a virtuous wife is truly enviable.” Song Chongjin felt proud in his heart, grateful that he acted fast and thick-skinned. Of course, such experience is not something easily shared with others. Yet, he remained calm and invited Gu Zikai to sit down to discuss: “We shouldn’t rush this matter, for now, we can’t report to the authorities, especially not surpassing Lord Lv to Governor Chen and them. Let’s split up for now, you go to the academy to ask local classmates about the Huang family, I’ll have someone inquire in the city.” “I’ll also have Yongzhu keep an eye on Xiao Wu and Lady Huang, to see if we can get some key information out of Xiao Wu’s mouth. Remember not to alarm the enemy!” Gu Zikai thought for a moment, then nodded: “I’ll also ask Teacher to inquire with other teachers or the dean, to see if more information can be gathered.” Saying this, he couldn’t sit still, hurriedly bid farewell and left. Song Chongjin went to the main room, where Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu were already talking about this. Old Granny Zhang was advising Wang Yongzhu: “You mustn’t listen to that Gu Scholar from the front courtyard, he’s young and hasn’t been through much, hearing this hot-headedly thinking he’s that Lord of the Heavenly Court, thinking he can discern right from wrong just by hearing, and see truth just by looking. He doesn’t understand that things in this world aren’t as simple as he thinks?” “Not to mention this matter has been ongoing for over ten years, the people of that time are either dead or gone, even if you ask the remaining Tian family boldly, would they just tell you the truth? Are the Tian family stupid or brain-damaged? If someone comes up and asks if you’ve committed murder, wouldn’t you at least slap them?” “Besides, if my guess is correct, that kid Xiao Wu would be a descendant of the Huang family, such hatred, as a child, he doesn’t have the power for revenge, what are his family adults doing? I see that although Xiao Wu is young, his mind isn’t shallow, today’s words suggest he heard about you smashing the Tian Family Shop, and now thinks our son-in-law, being a scholar, wants to use us to deal with the Tian Family!” “Hmph, he thinks well! We’re unrelated, why should we intervene? Involving so many lives, and a graduate in it, is it something people like us can touch? Isn’t it dragging us into the water?” “If they truly want revenge, either find evidence that Graduate Loo and the Tian family harmed them back then, being the victims, they should have evidence, then report to the authorities! Go to the Yamen to appeal! If the Yamen doesn’t deal with it, didn’t the Capital City send two senior officials here? The opera says, if the County Magistrate doesn’t handle it, go block a senior official’s sedan chair to appeal! Someone will surely handle it, right?” “But they leave the noble patrons and senior officials in the capital untouched, instead come to us, where does such reasoning exist?” Old Granny Zhang grew angrier as she spoke. What? Does her daughter and son-in-law look easy to bully? Wang Yongzhu patted Old Granny Zhang’s back while saying: “Mother, please calm down, speak slowly, speak slowly.” Old Granny Zhang took a breath, seeing Song Chongjin also came in, she sighed deeply: “I’m not unreasonable, the Huang family matter, indeed even we outsiders feel chilled upon hearing, pity them. To be honest, if the Huang family people appeal to the Yamen, submit a complaint, blow the matter far, with solid evidence, naturally we can help a bit.” “But I’m afraid the Huang family, having hidden for so many years without revealing the news, suddenly meet us and rush to divulge it all? There might be hidden motives, using us as a tool!” Song Chongjin hurriedly helped Old Granny Zhang to sit: “Mother, please stay calm and don’t get angry. Let’s observe this matter slowly. I see if Xiao Wu has started this heart, even if someone blocks, he will find chances to bring it up again, and then we’ll know what he truly wants?” “Let’s not bother with these outside matters, Yongzhu’s apprenticeship ceremony is just days away, you’d better sort the apprentice gifts, lest we miss something, that would be inappropriate.” Song Chongjin advised, conveniently changing the topic. Immediately, Old Granny Zhang’s attention shifted, she sighed: “Indeed, getting old and my mind is failing, my daughter’s apprenticeship is the big event!” As she spoke, she went to the storeroom to arrange the gifts.

Chapter 960: 958: Dragging Us Into Trouble

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