stingy landlady

Chapter 199 The Truth Comes Out (1)

Guizhi smiled and said to Lin Qian's family:

"You can't just sit around and do nothing! Aunt Lin, you can keep your dowry! When you get to Huanghua Village, you'll get paid for any work you do."

I see Wanrou's belly is so big, she's probably about to give birth! Someone always needs to take care of the handicraft workshop here, and the sofa workshop in Changping!

If Aunt Lin is bored, she can go and manage the Changping sofa workshop! That way, Uncle Xu Hong can have an easier time too!

Aunt Lin will have a hard time these days, running back and forth between the two places. Once the brick house over there is finished, we'll all move to Changping. Then Aunt Lin won't have to run back and forth anymore!

My older sister will be in charge of the workshop here.

When Lin Qian's wife heard Guizhi mention Guixiang, she hesitated slightly.

"Miss Dong! Miss Guixiang seems a bit off! But I'm not sure if I'm seeing things correctly."

Guizhi asked:

"Aunt Lin! What's been going on lately? Is something wrong with my sister? Tell me, even if you're wrong, it doesn't matter!"

Lin Qian's family finally made up their minds and spoke out:

“Miss Dong! I’ve noticed that Miss Gui Xiang often seems absent-minded, as if something is troubling her. Also, she’s been spending a lot of time with a girl named Jiang Xiaoyu lately.”

But every evening, when Jiang Xiaoyu went out alone and then came back to call her, Miss Guixiang gave off a contradictory feeling. She seemed expectant, yet also reluctant.

Guizhi was startled. Could they be on a date? She quickly asked:

"Have you seen any unfamiliar men coming by?"

"I heard from the servants that Jiang Xiaoyu has an older brother who often comes to visit her!"

Guizhi understood; it turned out that Jiang Xiaoyu had acted as a go-between, and the two might be having an affair. She just didn't know how far things had progressed. Guizhi was truly worried about Guixiang.

Gui Xiang is usually quite composed, but when something happens, she keeps it to herself and refuses to say anything. This leaves Gui Zhi helpless!

"Aunt Lin! What is Jiang Xiaoyu's family background? Who else is in her family? Have you had someone investigate?"

“Miss Dong! This concerns Miss Guixiang’s reputation! I dare not overstep my bounds! Telling you this is already extremely disrespectful! But we must make sure Miss Dong is aware of this!”

Guizhi nodded. This is a crucial time for Guixiang to find a husband; they can't afford any bad reputation to emerge. Guizhi thought for a moment and said:

"To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, Aunt Lin, it's best not to trouble two people with one matter. Then I'll trouble you to investigate Jiang Xiaoyu's family! It's always good to be prepared!"

Lin Qian's family agreed.

“Miss Dong! Jiang Xiaoyu should be from a nearby village. If she came from a wealthy family, she wouldn’t be working in our workshop.”

Guizhi also agreed:

"Aunt Lin! No matter what, let's investigate first! At least we need to have some information!"

"Yes, Miss Dong!"

Dazhu glanced at the workshop from the outside, knowing it was all women making women's clothes, and wasn't interested, so he didn't go in.

But he was fascinated by the timber workshop. He enthusiastically touched all sorts of planks and occasionally asked questions that piqued his interest.

Gui Xiang and Jiang Xiaoyu were doing needlework in the handicraft workshop, unaware of Da Zhu and Gui Zhi's arrival. No one had specifically informed Gui Xiang of their coming. In the evening, Gui Xiang, as usual, went out with Jiang Xiaoyu, her heart filled with unease.

Upon receiving the news, Guizhi was stunned for a long time before finally deciding to go and see for herself. She was still hesitant, after all, this was Guixiang's private matter! She was just Guixiang's younger sister; would she be meddling too much?

Nothing has surfaced yet; it's perfectly normal in modern times for men and women to date before getting married, with neither being married.

However, in ancient times, this was considered a highly immoral and scandalous matter. It was especially harmful to women. Guizhi was worried that Guixiang might become love-struck, which was originally a very private matter.

It doesn't matter if no one knows. But if they find out and even hate you, it's possible. However, if something happens in your own territory, it's hard to escape responsibility.

Guizhi was walking along, lost in thought. Suddenly, she heard several women's screams ahead! Then came crying, and a man's low voice.

Guizhi rushed forward. She saw Guixiang, her clothes disheveled, being tightly gripped by an old woman. A man was kneeling on the ground, pleading incessantly.

"Mother! I was wrong! It's all my fault! Mother! Please forgive me! Mother! This isn't Guixiang's fault, I couldn't control myself! Mother! Please forgive me!"

However, he made no mention of his intention to make the old woman release Guixiang.

Next to the old woman stood a girl of about fourteen or fifteen years old, her head down, not saying a word.

All that could be heard was the old woman scolding Guixiang:

"Whose daughter are you? How dare you seduce my son! My son is a scholar, the most knowledgeable and reasonable! It must be that you are not virtuous and cannot bear loneliness."

Upon learning that my son would pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, he was completely captivated!

The old woman turned to look at Jiang Xiaoyu:

"And you, you brag about everything! Now your brother has been seduced by this shameless woman!"

The old woman grabbed Guixiang's hair and scolded:

"Go away! Since you are so shameless, how can you not know the principle that a betrothed woman becomes a wife and a runaway woman becomes a concubine? My son has not yet married, how can you take a concubine first!"

Are you trying to ruin my son's future?

Gui Xiang only cried and dared not argue.

Guizhi told the person leading the way not to make a fuss and to quietly go back and find Dazhu to handle the situation.

Guizhi strode forward and asked sternly:

"Who are you? What are you doing here? It's so late, who sent you? Who are you, and what do you want with my sister? Are you trying to kidnap her?"

Upon seeing Guizhi, Jiang Xiaoyu shrank back behind Jiang Hongliang. Jiang Hongliang stood up, unsure of who was before him, and asked hesitantly:

"Who are you? Second sister or third sister?"

"Hmph! Who's your sister! Your sister's standing right behind you! Guards! Beat this lecherous scoundrel! He's causing trouble here!"

Some people who couldn't stand it and vaguely knew the whole story immediately gave Jiang Hongliang a beating. The old woman didn't expect Guizhi to act so unpredictably! She quickly released Guixiang and tried to break up the fight!

Guizhi ignored the commotion and hurriedly pulled Guixiang to straighten her disheveled clothes. She tried to leave, protecting her. Guixiang glanced at the beaten Jiang Hongliang and hesitated, unwilling to go.

Guizhi asked her in a low voice:

"If you don't leave now, when will you? Once that old woman notices, you won't be able to leave even if you want to! Hurry up and leave! Don't you care about your reputation? He'll be fine. Go back and freshen up before you come back!"

Gui Xiang was practically dragged away by Gui Zhi, who was pushing and pulling her! Da Zhu ran into the two sisters and was about to ask what was wrong when Gui Zhi spoke first:

"Dad! Go check on him! Don't hurt him! Stop now!"