Chapter 388: Chapter 389: Lecturing the Nephew

Jin Qianqian couldn’t be bothered with any of this. She had absolutely no interest in playing matchmaker.

If things went well, no one would remember the matchmaker’s good deed. But the moment the couple had a little squabble, the matchmaker would be the first one to get cursed out.

Besides, this was a thankless task doomed to end in resentment. Jin Qianqian would have to be a fool to take it on. Now that she had passed it off to his own uncle, she trusted that the clever Gu Yuanshui would be able to talk some sense into the boy.

Gu Yuanshui had only intended to rest for half the day at the mansion after getting tired from his walk, but he didn’t expect to have his nephew pour out a litany of woes for most of that time.

"There are plenty of women in the world, so why must you fixate on an orphan girl in mourning?" Gu Yuanshui said, looking at him with an all-knowing expression. "In truth, you’re still after the benefits she brings."

Being questioned by several family members in a row left a bitter taste in Gu Lehuan’s mouth. He figured that anyone who tried to discuss marriage with Mr. Xu now would probably be seen in the same light.

"Fourth Uncle, no matter what I say now, you’ll all misunderstand. But I can swear on my conscience that even if she were all alone in the world, I would still go to her home and ask for her hand in marriage."

"Then just go and do it. Why are you muttering to us about it?" Gu Yuanshui toyed with the cup in his hand. ’Seventh Wife is really generous,’ he thought. ’Even the cups for guests are this exquisite.’

Gu Lehuan said, "I wanted Seventh Aunt to go on my behalf, but she refused."

Gu Yuanshui set down his cup and rapped him on the head. "You’ve got some nerve, kid. Ever since your Seventh Uncle became the top scholar, none of us brothers have dared to throw his name around. But you, a boy who’s barely even grown up, you’re the one to break our family’s precedent.

What’s this? You want to use his power to pressure people now? To force an orphan girl to marry you?

That works out great for you—you get the girl and the wealth, and your Seventh Uncle and his wife are just supposed to take the blame for you?"

Gu Lehuan’s face instantly went pale. "How could it be that serious? I really didn’t mean it like that."

"Hah," Gu Yuanshui said, settling back into his seat. "Your branch of the family may have wandered outside for a long time, but don’t you forget that the good life you have now is all thanks to your Seventh Uncle.

Even we brothers remember his kindness. You’d better remember this: if you want our entire family to do well in the future, then no one is to drag your Seventh Uncle down. Otherwise, it won’t just be us brothers—the entire clan will have no place for you."

Gu Lehuan was completely stunned. He had only wanted to ask for help, how had things become so serious?

Gu Yuanshui quietly observed Gu Lehuan until he saw a look of shame appear on his face. He felt a little relieved. ’At least he’s not a lost cause,’ he thought.

"It’s perfectly normal to be infatuated when you’re young. Your Fourth Uncle went through the same thing.

Back then, we didn’t have the advantages you do now. We had to rely entirely on our own wits.

Even with your mother—your grandmother didn’t approve of her at all back then, but didn’t your father make up his own mind and find a way to marry her anyway?

Come to think of it, everyone in our family has a rebellious streak. We’re all very opinionated, and we’ve pretty much all found our own wives."

At this, Gu Yuanshui became lost in his memories. ’Our parents probably felt the same way I do right now, didn’t they?’

"Fourth Uncle, what should I do now?" Gu Lehuan asked cautiously, seeking his advice.

His train of thought broken, Gu Yuanshui waved his hand impatiently. "Do whatever you want to do. You have to walk your own path and deal with the blisters yourself. Who else can make this decision for you?

Just remember not to use your Seventh Uncle’s name out there. Even if you marry a beggar woman and bring her home, all of your uncles will still show up with wedding gifts for you."

Gu Lehuan was left speechless.

How could anything that happened in the mansion possibly be hidden from Jin Qianqian? Within moments, she knew everything that had transpired.

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She let out a silent sigh. ’Most people aren’t actually stupid,’ she mused. ’Their previous penny-pinching and scheming was just a result of poverty.’

* * *

Ancient Wen Heng looked at Ning Yuchen, who was acting no different than usual, and couldn’t help but marvel. ’This man’s mental fortitude is truly something else,’ he thought. ’And his skin is certainly thick enough.’

His own concubine had been locked in a jail cell for days, yet he could still chat and laugh with everyone as if nothing were wrong.

Perhaps noticing Ancient Wen Heng glance his way a few times, Ning Yuchen quietly clenched his right fist. He was all too aware that everyone was enjoying the spectacle of his misfortune.

But things had already come to this; all he could do was put on a brave front. If he couldn’t even face a small setback like this, he might as well resign from his post and hide at home.

The thought of all the chaos at home over the past few days made the smile on Ning Yuchen’s face even more strained.

* * *

"Ms. Xiao, you still refuse to confess? Your maidservant has already told us everything," said Shuntian Prefect Gao Ning as he interrogated Xiao Wanyu once again.

During this period, the Ministry of Justice had tried to take custody of the prisoner several times, but he had been under immense pressure to fend them off.

No one understood the connection between Ms. Xiao and the Huang Mansion better than he did. He was worried the other party would arrange for her death to eliminate all evidence, thus protecting Mrs. Huang’s reputation.

"I am truly innocent," she insisted, her tone as firm as ever, repeating the same story. "My husband truly died of a sudden illness. And when my mother-in-law killed herself in her room, I wasn’t even in the mansion."

...

After interrogating her for over an hour, Gao Ning was just contemplating whether to resort to torture when a government official rushed in. "My Lord, there is someone outside who wishes to file a complaint against this Ms. Xiao."

Gao Ning’s eyes lit up. He glanced at the still-composed Xiao Wanyu, then his expression turned grim. "Summon them," he ordered.

"My Lord, you must save me! I’ve been poisoned by this venomous woman! I don’t have long to live!" Old Mrs. Ning felt her way into the main hall, supported by an old servant woman.

"Who are you? And who do you wish to accuse?"

"My son is innocent! He was tricked by this venomous woman into taking her as a concubine. Who knew she had the heart of a viper? Not only did she harm her former husband and mother-in-law, but she even used poison on a poor old woman like me!"

Gao Ning immediately knew who this was. Seeing as her son held an official post, he had someone bring a stool so she could sit down and speak.

"Ms. Xiao, is what Madam Ning says true?"

Before Xiao Wanyu could even open her mouth, Old Mrs. Ning shrieked and shot to her feet. "That bitch is here too? Give me the antidote right now, or I’ll have my son write you a letter of dismissal!"

"...Order!" Gao Ning slammed his gavel. "Ms. Xiao, you will speak."

Xiao Wanyu ground her teeth. "I don’t know what the Old Madam is talking about. I am merely the daughter of an official family. How would I know anything about poisons?

My Lord, I have been wrongly accused."

"If you didn’t poison me, then why do I feel so unwell all over? And none of the doctors in the city can find the cause." Old Mrs. Ning was being cunning, deliberately twisting the doctors’ words.

"What does that have to do with me? How long have I even been in the mansion? I barely know my way to the kitchen, so how could I have possibly poisoned you?

Besides, I don’t know the first thing about poisons. I’m being framed!"

Seeing Ms. Xiao so resolute, Gao Ning also felt this new accusation was highly suspicious. After all, he had the forensic doctor examine Lord Niu’s remains, and there were indeed no signs of poisoning.

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