Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1215: Self-Serving Scoundrel

Elder Zhou, who had been lamenting his injustice at the government gate, became as timid as a quail the moment he saw himself being apprehended.

Zhou Sanlang and Mrs. Zhou Hu, ever the cowards who preyed on the weak, trembled and pleaded, "Spare us, spare us... We won't dare again."

Only Young Master Zhou, after a fleeting moment of panic, regained his composure. He cast a glance at Qin Sanlang and Luo Wu, remained silent, and allowed the officials to lead him towards the prison.

With hefty throws, Elder Zhou, Young Master Zhou, and Zhou Sanlang were confined to a foul-smelling cell teeming with lice and rats. Mrs. Zhou Hu, meanwhile, was tossed into the women's quarters.

Despite Mrs. Zhou Hu's own dubious character, her reputation was precarious. If she were to be imprisoned with Elder Zhou, she would undoubtedly be subjected to a torrent of scornful glares before the night was through.

"Remain put! Should you dare to cause any more trouble, your punishment will be escalated!" Luo Wu's stern warning echoed as he turned his sharp gaze toward Elder Zhou. "Especially you, Elder Zhou. The Qin, Gu, and Luo families have already shown you considerable leniency. If you persist in exploiting your age to manipulate these influential families, you will face dire repercussions!"

Elder Zhou shivered uncontrollably at Luo Wu's words, utterly astonished by the Luo family's young scion's ferocity.

He muttered inwardly, *How fickle people are once they achieve success. They forget their roots and now look down on me as my family faces hardship. Just you wait, this old man will surely...*

But the thought immediately turned to: *What could he possibly do against the Qin, Gu, and Luo families?*

Elder Zhou understood that given the current standing of these families and the remarkable achievements of their descendants, the Zhou family could never hope to dominate them, not even in a hundred lifetimes. Their only recourse was to be obsequious towards the Qin, Gu, and Luo families.

Tears welling up, Elder Zhou began to weep mournfully. "Waaah, why is the Zhou family so unlucky? Everyone else is fleeing from famine and finding fortune and status, yet my family suffers such immense hardship?!"

Constable Xiao Tang, unable to bear the man's complaints any longer, retorted, "Old man, what are you whining about? Don't you think we know your family's situation? Relying on a granddaughter's marriage, your livelihood is far better than the Lin family's."

The Lin family toiled, clearing land and planting crops, only to have their harvest pilfered overnight. The Zhou family, on the other hand, had Li Kuihu's backing, allowing them to conveniently steal grain from the Lin family and live quite comfortably.

The Zhou family was merely feigning poverty.

Fury ignited within Elder Zhou upon hearing Constable Xiao Tang's words, yet he dared not speak in his defense.

Zhou Sanlang, youthful and hot-headed, bellowed, "You lackey! You only know how to bully us! Hurry and let us out, or I'll make you pay!"

"Oh, you want to make me pay? Come, come, let me teach you a lesson first." Constable Xiao Tang glanced at Luo Wu, and with a nod, he immediately entered the cell with two other officials, dragging Zhou Sanlang out. "We're heading to the Punishment Room. Time for some stretching exercises!"

"Pun... Punishment Room!" Zhou Sanlang turned deathly pale, desperately crying out to Elder Zhou, "Grandpa, save me, save me!"

Constable Xiao Tang struck Zhou Sanlang with a sharp blow, scolding, "Why are you yelling? Your grandpa is locked up too; how can he save you?"

He then dragged Zhou Sanlang to the Punishment Room, and soon, Zhou Sanlang's anguished cries began to echo from the adjacent chamber.

The sounds of torment were utterly miserable.

Elder Zhou trembled, his face ashen, a cold sweat breaking out. He looked as though he might faint at any moment.

Luo Wu let out a chilling sneer. "Scared? If you're afraid, then behave. Dare to cause more trouble, and you'll be the next one dragged to the Punishment Room!"

Elder Zhou, already terrified out of his wits, could no longer hold on. His eyes rolled back, and he promptly fainted.

"Grandpa, grandpa!" Young Master Zhou rushed to his side, pinching Elder Zhou's philtrum. He eventually roused him, but Elder Zhou remained weak and listless, whimpering and appearing completely disoriented.

Anxious, Young Master Zhou pleaded with Luo Wu, "Squad Leader Luo, I acknowledge that my grandpa and the others were wrong. However, for his sake and considering his age, could you kindly send for Doctor Zhou to examine him? I... I cannot bear to watch him perish in prison."

With that, he bowed his head repeatedly to the ground before Luo Wu.

Luo Wu, understanding that Qin Sanlang's intention was merely to intimidate the Zhou family and not to take their lives, and seeing Young Master Zhou's apparent sincerity, nodded in agreement. "Wait here."

Shortly thereafter, Doctor Zhou was summoned.

Doctor Zhou appeared quite exasperated. As a renowned physician in the county, he had been frequently summoned to the government office these past few days, and as a result, he had developed a certain familiarity, and perhaps even a grudging respect, for the authorities.

Lord Zheng, diligent in his duties as expected of a noble, feared the villagers kneeling at the government gates for tax relief might collapse from hunger or worse. To prevent any such unfortunate events, he had summoned Doctor Zhou to stand by. The doctor’s role was to provide immediate treatment should a villager faint, and he even distributed a daily meal. This philanthropic act, however, drew some impoverished families who, upon hearing the news, intentionally sought out the free food and drink.

"He's quite alright, merely startled. With proper care, he will recover," Doctor Zhou stated after examining Elder Zhou's pulse and administering acupuncture. Sensing Elder Zhou's penchant for causing a scene, he added, "While there's no immediate danger this time, age is catching up. Avoid shouting or experiencing intense emotions, or a stroke could leave him paralyzed and bedridden."

"What? Doctor... Doctor, is that truly the case?" Elder Zhou, terrified of death, began to tremble uncontrollably, clinging to Doctor Zhou's hand with desperation.

Doctor Zhou nodded gravely. "Yes, you are elderly, weakened by past famines, and your body is depleted. You must rest well, lest you risk paralysis or even succumbing to breathlessness."

Elder Zhou wept. "Doctor, please, prescribe some potent medicine. You must heal me completely. My grandson is still unmarried, and I long to see my great-grandchild. I cannot possibly depart like this."

Luo Wu's expression flickered slightly upon hearing this. The man’s abject fear of death was, in a way, advantageous.

"You desire medicine? It comes at a considerable cost. Rest is paramount," Doctor Zhou replied, observing Elder Zhou's tattered hemp clothing, which looked coarse enough to scour skin. "Given your circumstances, are you attempting to drag your entire family to ruin by seeking expensive remedies?"

Elder Zhou, as if grasping a lifeline, declared, "Prescribe it, Doctor! Do not hesitate to write out the best medicine. My family possesses the means to afford silver!"

"Prescribing medicine? Are you not causing enough trouble for your own kin?" Luo Wu interjected, cutting off Elder Zhou. "Such selfishness! If you dare stir up further disturbances, I shall have you taken to the Punishment Chamber immediately."

"This... this is absurd?"

Elder Zhou panicked, tears streaming down his face. "Is it so wrong to simply wish for life?"

"How about this? I shall write a prescription for a few inexpensive yet effective remedies. Take them for a month and then rest peacefully. Remember, refrain from anger, or even the finest medicine will prove futile," Doctor Zhou conceded. He perceived Elder Zhou as a selfish individual who, if denied, might seek out costly treatments elsewhere, potentially harming Young Master Zhou.

"Ah, thank you, Doctor!" Elder Zhou exclaimed, overwhelmed with relief. Disregarding Zhou Sanlang's audible cries from his punishment, he reverently accepted the prescription Doctor Zhou was meticulously writing.

Luo Wu simply turned his back, resolving to intensify Elder Zhou's confinement. He planned to have him disciplined every other day until the old man had suffered enough before finally releasing him.

However, Elder Zhou proved more susceptible to fear than Luo Wu anticipated. When Zhou Sanlang was dragged back, his body bloody and bruised, Elder Zhou collapsed once more. Upon regaining consciousness, he wailed, "I was wrong, this old man admits his errors! I implore Squad Leader Luo to release us. I swear I will never cause trouble again, nor will I plot against your family."

But alas, Luo Wu paid him no heed, turning and walking away without a backward glance.