novelraw Chapter 272 You dare not look at people when you lie!
Chapter 272 You dare not look at people when you lie!
Chapter 272 You can't look people in the eye when you lie!
Gu Pingan wanted to say no, he could grind it slowly, but his aching wrists prevented him from refusing.
Gu Tang didn't give him time to think, first letting the old man go back to his room, and then urging him to leave quickly.
As soon as they stepped out of the house, the sheer volume of snowfall outside stunned them. Large, fluffy snowflakes were falling densely from the sky, a sight that sent chills down their spines!
"Such heavy snow, if it only falls for a day, can collapse many houses. It seems that this year is indeed a year of disaster."
This was the first time Gu Tang had ever seen such heavy snow. The way it was falling would cause a lot of trouble, not to mention in ancient times when there was nothing else, even in the 21st century.
"The snow is too heavy, I'll go by myself. There are only two millstones at home, so I'll just need to find two people."
Gu Ping'an had rarely seen such heavy snow, and he was worried that Gu Tang would catch a cold, so he wanted her to stay at home.
Gu Tang paused for a moment, but did not refuse his suggestion. She simply said, "Find four people. I still have two millstones in my room. I'll get them out later."
"it is good."
Gu Pingan found a straw hat and a raincoat, put them on, and stepped into the snow.
The dense snowflakes quickly obscured his figure, and Gu Tang frowned, feeling a pang of regret for not going with him.
Fortunately, everything is safe and sound.
After waiting inside for about 15 minutes, Gu Ping'an took the four women home.
Hearing the commotion, Third Uncle and Gu Tang lifted the curtain and came out of the room.
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes as he looked at the person Gu Pingan had brought.
These four women are all daughters-in-law of the Luo family in the south. Gu Ping'an has brought all the Luo family's daughters-in-law here.
The Luo family fled here decades ago and got along well with the Gu family. They were very nice people. Her father had mentioned the Luo family in casual conversation, saying that they were all intelligent people and worth getting along with.
When the four saw their third uncle, they smiled and went forward to greet him.
Third Uncle replied to them with a smile, and then instructed Gu Tang: "Girl, quickly welcome your aunt and aunts into the house to warm themselves by the fire. There's tea brewing on the stove in the main room, go and pour four more bowls of tea and bring them over."
"Yes!" Gu Tang responded, lifted the curtain at the door, and smiled as she invited the person into the house.
Gu Ping'an didn't go inside. He took off his raincoat and hat and went with Gu Tang to serve tea.
Once the two reached the main room, Gu Tang asked him, "Why did you decide to go to the Luo family to look for someone?"
“The snow was too heavy, and it was too troublesome to search for people from house to house. I thought that the Luo family had four daughters-in-law, which was just enough, so I went to the south to invite them to come home.”
Gu Tang nodded: "The Luo family are good people, Father has said so before."
When Third Uncle, who had just returned from the west wing, heard this, he laughed and said, "Your father was right. The Luo family are good people and keep their mouths shut. You made the right choice in inviting them."
Listening to his second sister and grandfather talk about his father, Gu Ping'an looked worried: "When I walked into the snow, I could only see three steps ahead. Any further and I couldn't see anything at all. I don't know how my father is doing."
Third Uncle was also extremely worried, but he couldn't show his worries, otherwise, the two children in the family would be thrown into chaos.
He reassured him, "Your father has many people on his side, so he'll be fine. Besides, your father isn't stupid. With such heavy snow, he won't be wandering around looking for people. He's probably hiding somewhere waiting for the snow to subside."
"Grandpa is right. Dad isn't stupid. With this much snow, you can't see anything. What's the point of looking for anyone?"
Gu Tang handed him the tray and asked him to carry it to the west wing.
Third Uncle was right; Gu Lianshan and his group were indeed taking shelter from the snow somewhere.
This "certain place" is not just any family, but Gu Zhier's husband's family, the Wang family.
As the group headed towards the Wang family's house, the snow intensified halfway there. They persevered and continued on, eventually arriving at the Wang family's house safely.
The Wang family was very surprised by Gu Lianshan's arrival, and everyone was on edge, fearing that he had come to cause trouble again.
Gu Zhier, who had something to hide, and the two brothers Wang Lao Er and Wang Lao San were so frightened that they dared not breathe and hid inside the house.
Grandpa Wang and Grandma Wang didn't want to face Gu Lianshan, so they forcibly called Gu Zhi'er out and made her stay with Gu Lianshan while the old couple hid back in their own room.
Gu Lianshan knew that the Wang family didn't like him. Coincidentally, he also looked down on the Wang family, including the sister in front of him. He didn't like any of them.
"Second brother, why did you come here in this heavy snow?" Gu Zhier frowned, her face full of impatience.
Gu Lianshan ignored her words and asked her directly, "Has Qing'er come to your place? Hurry up! Let her out!"
Gu Zhier's expression changed instantly.
How did her second brother know that Qingya had come to the Wang family?!
Gu Lianshan originally only had suspicions, but he said it on purpose to see how Gu Zhier would react.
Now it seems his suspicions were correct; Gu Qing really did come to the Wang family.
"What are you all standing there for?! Quickly call Qing'er out! The old man and old woman in the family have been pestering the clan chief to bring all these people here in order to find her, so hurry up and call her out!"
Gu Lianshan lost his temper immediately, his tone was very harsh, which frightened Gu Zhier so much that her face turned pale.
Yes, Qingya did come to the Wang family, but her second brother cannot take her away!
The third brother said that he would avoid the Li family and find a slave trader himself. With Qing'er's looks, if she were sold to a brothel, she would fetch at least seven or eight taels of silver!
When the time comes, one ounce will be given to the parents-in-law, and the rest will be split equally between the two parties.
Even if she could sell it for seven taels of silver, after giving one tael to her parents-in-law, she could keep three taels of the remaining six taels!
Gu Zhier avoided eye contact, forcing herself to say she had never seen Gu Qing.
"Second Brother, who told you that Qing'er came to our house? How come I didn't know? Qing'er was punished with forty lashes by you. She's afraid of dying. Even if she ran away, she wouldn't come here. She would just find a place where no one knows her and hide."
Gu Lianshan stared at her intently: "From childhood to adulthood, you've never dared to look people in the eye whenever you lie."
Gu Zhier froze, realizing she had been exposed.
But Qingya was hiding in her sister-in-law's room at the moment, so her second brother didn't dare to force his way in and search her.
As long as she can't find her, what can her second brother do even if he knows in his heart that the girl is in the Wang family?
Gu Zhier became more and more composed as she thought about it, and insisted that Gu Qing was not at the Wang family's house.
Gu Lianshan didn't say much to her, but stood in the narrow courtyard, facing the blizzard, and shouted to the surroundings.
"Qing girl! I know you're with the Wang family. If you want to come back with me, then come out now. If you want to stay, then the family will consider you dead!"
Gu Lianshan shouted three times in a row, his voice extremely loud, and the Wang family members inside and outside the house all heard it. Gu Qing, who was hiding in the room of the youngest daughter of the Wang family, naturally heard it as well.
The youngest daughter of the Wang family, named Dongniang, looked at Gu Qing, who was silent and had a sullen face, and thought that she regretted it and wanted to go back, so she hurriedly tried to persuade her.
"Your second uncle is no good. He wants you to go back and die! Even if you can survive forty lashes after you go back, will you be able to live a normal life?"
Think about it carefully, what kind of life are you living now? Is that a life for a human being? Besides, you're not young anymore. Someone like your grandmother would definitely use you to exchange for a dowry!
If that's the case, you'd be better off going to work your way up in a wealthy family! With your striking looks, rising to the top is only a matter of time. But if you go home, your life will be over..."
Gu Qing remained silent, but her expression became much more resolute.
Wang Dongniang had been observing her expression, and upon seeing this, she breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of contempt flashing in her eyes. What an idiot!
"Second Brother!" Gu Zhi'er shouted into the courtyard with great dissatisfaction, "I told you, Qing'er isn't here with me, but you wouldn't believe me! Look, has anyone come out?"
It's better if no one comes out!
The Wang family is a den of wolves!
Did they really think they could get away with it by hiding in the Wang family's house?
Gu Lianshan spat out a cold laugh.
He did this to save face in front of everyone and gain a good reputation.
If he really wanted to find someone, given his personality, he would have already led a group to search the house without a second thought.
The villagers who came along weren't stupid either; they all realized that Gu Zhier was lying and that Gu Qing was definitely at the Wang family's house.
However, Gu Zhier refused to admit it, and strangely enough, the Wang family did not show up to discuss the matter.
They weren't made of mud; it was the dead of winter, with snow falling outside, and they were braving the biting cold to come looking for someone, so they were naturally full of temper!
Who would have thought that this aunt and niece would do such a thing!
The group's faces turned cold as they beckoned Gu Lianshan back: "Brother Lianshan, we know you meant well, but they don't appreciate it. Since Sister Gu says she's not here, then forget it. Let's stay here and wait for the snow to subside before we leave."
Gu Zhier's expression changed again. After this incident, her reputation in her family home would probably be ruined.
Gu Lianshan was waiting for this very sentence.
He took the opportunity to return to the corridor, and without any politeness, he led his men to squeeze into the Wang family's main room, not only taking over the stove but also ordering Gu Zhier to brew tea.
Gu Zhier dared not utter a word in the face of these things and endured them all. While going to the kitchen to brew tea, she would occasionally look outside, hoping that the snow outside would stop soon so that she could send her second brother and the others away.
The heavy snow came and went quickly; by the time dusk arrived, the snowfall outside had lessened considerably.
Although it's still raining, it doesn't obstruct the view right now, so we can get up and go back.
They took out the torches they had brought and lit them, then Gu Lianshan led his men away from the Wang family.
Only after everyone left did the Wang family members dare to come out of the house.
Seeing the tea leaves that had been eaten, the elderly Wang couple felt a pang of heartache!
All of this was bought by Li Shi. Now, Li Shi's fate and whereabouts are unknown. Without Li Shi, who could earn money, the Wang family has begun to live a frugal life.
Old Mrs. Wang's face was very ugly. She glanced at Gu Zhier and said, "This matter can't be delayed any longer. Tomorrow morning, you take your niece and go to the city with the second and third sons to find a human trafficker to sell her!"
Gu Zhier felt a little reluctant, but thinking of the money, she nodded and agreed.
Fang waved her out impatiently, leaving her third son alone in the room to talk.
"Tomorrow, when you're on your way, go to the Li family again and ask if they've found your wife. This matter can't just be left unresolved. The Li family needs to give us an answer as to whether she's dead or alive. We can't delay your remarriage."
"Don't say that!" Old Wang hurriedly waved his hand. "Even if the Li family is really gone, I'm afraid I'll still have to obediently stay for three years!"
"Why?!" Madam Fang's eyes widened. "Is the Li family's daughter so precious? That she dares to make a man wait for her for three years?!"
"This isn't about whether she's precious or not. What does the Li family do? They're heartless human traffickers! Li Shi died, and I'm supposed to remarry right after? Do you think the Li family would agree to that?"
Fang fell silent, clearly showing that she was also very wary of the Li family.
Wang Laosan continued, "Li Shi gave me two sons, and we'll have plenty of expenses in the future. The Li family has money; if I stay with Li Shi for three years, it will bring them honor. In the future, when we need their help, they'll lend us a hand, just because I stayed with Li Shi for three years..."
Fang couldn't refute this point; it was indeed the truth.
"Your mother's thinking is more thorough than mine. You can handle this yourself. But right now, the most important thing is to sell that girl from the Gu family! Don't let the Li family know about this."
"Don't worry, your son knows everything."
……
It was already dark when Gu Tang and Gu Ping'an saw off the four daughters-in-law of the Luo family and agreed to come back at the beginning of the next day to continue grinding incense materials.
The four sisters-in-law are all good at working and quite strong; they have already crushed a small portion of the incense materials.
If all goes well tomorrow, the milling can be finished in one day.
After closing the courtyard gate, Gu Tang went to the main room to ask the old man what he wanted to eat, saying she would cook dinner.
Third Uncle said there was no rush, and he wanted to wait for her father, Gu Lianshan, to return.
“I don’t know when my dad will be back. How long will it take? Let’s eat first, and we’ll cook something else for him when he gets back.”
Gu Tang rolled up her sleeves and went to the kitchen on her own.
There were leftover radish strips from the pickled vegetables in the kitchen. Gu Tang stir-fried a plate of radish strips with meat, then stir-fried a plate of eggs, cooked some rice porridge, and heated up a few pancakes.
Besides cooking rice, Gu Tang also brewed some ginger tea, poured it into an earthenware pot, and put it on the stove to simmer, so that her father could drink it when he came back.
After the meal, none of the three—grandfather, grandfather, and grandson—went back to their rooms. Instead, they all sat in the main room waiting for Gu Lianshan.
After waiting for an unknown amount of time, until Gu Tang was almost asleep, a knock came from the courtyard gate.
Gu Tang instantly perked up, got up, grabbed a lantern, and went to open the door.
Third Uncle and Gu Ping'an were worried, so they followed behind.
Gu Tang, who was the first to arrive at the courtyard gate, asked a question and, after confirming that it was her father, opened the gate.
Gu Lianshan, standing outside the door, was so cold his teeth were chattering, and he kept stamping his feet.
Seeing this, Gu Tang quickly pushed the person inside, saying, "Hurry up and come inside to warm up by the fire. Your shoes are probably soaked through. Go back to your room and change your shoes..."
Third Uncle was the last to close the courtyard gate. With a sigh of relief, he slowly made his way to the main room.
Gu Lianshan lived in the west room of the main hall. Originally, this was a study, but later all the books in the study were moved to Gu Ping'an's room, and Gu Lianshan moved in.
The stove was burning all day, making the room very warm. Gu Tang escorted Gu Ping'an to the door and asked him to go in and help her change her shoes and clothes. She then went to the kitchen to bring out some ginger tea.
Gu Tang carefully scooped a large bowl of ginger tea from the earthenware pot and carried it to the main room.
Her father hadn't changed his clothes yet, so she waited in the main room for a while until Gu Ping'an came out and called her in. Only then did she bring the ginger tea into the room.
The ginger tea was still steaming, but it was already drinkable.
Gu Lianshan finished the ginger tea in his bowl in one gulp and let out a long sigh: "I'm alive again!"
Then he handed the bowl to Gu Tang: "Another bowl, please!"