novelraw Chapter 239: Only Because I’m a Gu Family Member
Chapter 239: Only Because I’m a Gu Family Member
Gu Jinghui remained silent and glanced at Gu Shiliu.
This meant that Gu Shiliu had to explain to Gu Jingjun. Gu Shiliu patiently said, "Sixth Master writes poetry and paints, only mingling with those scholars, unaware of the extremes gamblers go to when they see red. Many want to break even but end up bankrupt, selling their sons and daughters, some even losing their wives. When they have no silver on hand, there are those willing to lend them money, but the interest is several times higher than usual, and it just snowballs..."
Gu Jingjun was quite frightened.
He had always been weak and grew up shielded. Even when visiting brothels, he only drank with refined scholars and dared not do anything reckless.
Being gentle and having a good family background, he was quite popular with women, many of whom threw themselves at him. The concubines in the mansion all came this way.
Thus, Sixth Master Gu was known for being a flirt on the outside.
In reality, this reputation was somewhat exaggerated. He neither went hunting nor gambled or visited brothels; he just enjoyed strolling the lake and relishing poetic elegance with scholars.
After a long while, Gu Jingjun trembled and asked, "They, they actually conduct such family-destroying business?"
Gu Shiliu replied, "This high-interest loan isn’t much different from usury. If caught, it could be deadly. I’m worried..."
"Just say it directly," Gu Jinghui said.
"Yes, Sixteen, say it," Gu Jingjun said in anger, "I want to see how far the Xu family can go with their lawlessness."
The Xu Family were indeed ruffians, nothing fake about it.
The more Gu Jingjun thought about it, the angrier he got.
"I’m worried that the Xu family not only lends in the casino but also outside, possibly involving the Sixth Lady as well."
Gu Shiliu finished speaking, lowered his head, and awaited orders from his master.
"Mrs. Xu!"
Sixth Master Gu angrily slammed the table.
His fair hand was stung by the sturdy nanmu table, but he couldn’t care less. He eagerly looked at his third brother, waiting for a plan.
Gu Jinghui pondered for a long while and said, "If that’s the case, it’s troublesome."
"Ah?" Sixth Master Gu waited a long time for this and expressed disappointment.
Gu Jinghui gave his sixth brother a disdainful look and said, "You stay at home all day and can’t even manage your wife. You really are..."
Gu Jingjun stammered, "Third Brother, how was I supposed to know she was so bold? She skims a little, gives it to her family, and mother doesn’t care, thinking less trouble is better. The mansion isn’t short on silver, nor do we mind her small amounts. If I’m unhappy, I argue with her and ask for money. But I really didn’t expect her to do such things. For a woman, what does she need so much money for? There’s never been a time she was short on anything, and the Xu family isn’t starving, why do such conscience-less things?"
Gu Jinghui knew what he said was true.
Someone who couldn’t understand high-interest loans or usury wouldn’t suspect their partner of being bold enough to do these things.
But this wasn’t a reason not to scold him.
After all, Marquis Gu had always wanted to scold him.
Gu Jingjun felt a strong urge to confront Sixth Madam Gu but was frozen by the cold glance of his third brother.
"Your wife needs to recuperate properly. We will find a way to end this without mentioning it in front of others."
"...Alright..."
Although unwilling, Sixth Master Gu could only swallow it.
He irritably returned to his own quarters, walked straight to his inner rooms, and threw himself onto the canopy bed, burying his head and sighing, "From now on, I must diligently study and practice. My third brother already looks down on me, and with this Xu situation, he surely sees me as useless."
The servant, not knowing what happened, comforted him, "Sixth Master, both Old Madam and the Marquis care for you. The Marquis may seem cold, but everyone in the mansion knows he values family the most. Though he is a fearsome killer on the battlefield, who doesn’t fear him? But you and Seventh Miss dare to talk back to him."
Sixth Master Gu said nothing. After a while, he turned over and asked, "Does my third brother care for me only because I’m a Gu Family member?"
The servant didn’t know how to answer that.
Yet Sixth Master Gu seemed not to be asking him but said to himself, "What am I thinking? Wasn’t I born into the Gu Family? My third brother isn’t Qin Siyuan. Alas, if he met a military general that suited him, he’d probably find it a shame they hadn’t met sooner, wishing to swear brotherhood in a peach garden and regard him closer and more useful than his own brother."
Servant: "..."
After listening to Sixth Master Gu’s ramblings, the confused servant said, "What is Sixth Master talking about? I don’t understand. Didn’t you and the Marquis grow up together? Who can compare to this blood bond?"
Sixth Master Gu paused, reflecting for a moment, then sat up and said, "Yes, you’re quite wise. In Third Brother’s eyes, only Third Sister-in-law can compare to me. We’re brothers, so I shouldn’t complicate things."
He sighed for a moment, "If only Mrs. Xu were a bit like Third Sister-in-law, I wouldn’t be so troubled."
He was intensely resentful in his heart but couldn’t voice it.
The marriage was chosen by his own mother, who favored the sons of the Xu family, believing Mrs. Xu to be a good match.
Third Brother vents on him, and he’s helpless.
After all, the Xu family is his in-laws, and Mrs. Xu is his legitimate wife and mother to his children.
But he also knew, if his Third Brother promised to handle it, it would be settled without repercussions.
After venting, Sixth Master Gu took out his picture album, examining and pondering carefully, pushing everything else to the back of his mind, and only hoped to show his Third Brother his skills one day.
Lost in his obsession, Sixth Master Gu was unaware that his Third Brother also had numerous troublesome matters; otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken his anger out on him.
"Is Doctor Liu dead?"
Gu Shiliu replied, "Almost."
Gu Jinghui nodded, indifferently asking, "Does everyone know what they need to know?"
"His confession was clear. He just wanted a good death, hoping to die as an Imperial Physician in hopes the Emperor might reward his family."
This gave him a good, righteous reputation and might help Liu’s descendants enter the Imperial Hospital in the future.
Gu Jinghui’s voice was cold, "Then ask him why Doctor Li can cure smallpox but not save him. If he can think of an explanation, I’ll concede to him."
Gu Shiliu understood that before lifting the seal, the Marquis Mansion had to submit a report to the court.
If Doctor Liu didn’t die, the Marquis Mansion would still request a reward for him, and if they couldn’t find a suitable reason, the Marquis might really prevent Doctor Liu from being laid to rest.
"Doctor Li was willing to share his ancestral prescription just to save the Marquis Mansion from trouble. I feel uneasy for not being able to seek merit for Doctor Li, but how can I allow him to face criticism because of him?"
Gu Jinghui thought it through clearly; the report wasn’t easy to write, otherwise, Qin Yuan wouldn’t have delayed presenting it.