Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1260: Dead

Magistrate Gu Jinli joyfully clutched the letter, expressing his gratitude, "Thank you, Master Ouyang and Elder Ouyang, for your assistance."

Without the Ouyang family's intervention, it would have been impossible for him, a mere fourth-rank magistrate, to contend with the Ying Family, Zongzheng Family, or even Shen Si.

Magistrate Gu then presented the letter to County Magistrate Zheng, who was known to be from a collateral branch of the Zheng Family.

Upon reading it, County Magistrate Zheng’s eyes brightened, and he declared, "Excellent! The citizens of Great Chu are truly fortunate. Not only do they benefit from the Emperor's support, but they also receive financial aid from various prominent families in the Capital. The future is certainly bright."

Ah, a sigh of relief!

Young Master Dou nearly rolled his eyes, thinking, 'He certainly knows how to flatter! Praising endlessly without substantiation. This level of sycophancy is truly astounding.'

Master Ouyang caught Young Master Dou's sarcastic reaction and subtly conveyed a message, "You should learn from County Magistrate Zheng."

Young Master Dou, unimpressed, directly responded with an eye-roll directed at Master Ouyang.

Incensed, Master Ouyang ceased paying attention to Young Master Dou. He turned back to Magistrate Gu and stated, "Lord Gu, this matter is concluded. The Dou Ou Bank in the prefecture is operating well; please continue to oversee it. We intend to depart for Tianfu County early tomorrow. There's no need for a farewell banquet; I am an old man who prefers a tranquil existence. I trust Magistrate Gu will maintain the secrecy of my residence."

"Are you departing so soon? Would you not consider staying a few more days?" Magistrate Gu voiced his regret, acknowledging he couldn't persuade Master Ouyang to remain. He assured, "Rest assured, no one foolish enough would dare seek you out in Tianfu County."

Master Ouyang gave a slight nod. "Thank you, Magistrate Gu."

Seizing the moment, Young Master Dou interjected, "Magistrate, should Boss Fan seek your assistance, kindly convey a message from me: I, Dou Ke, forgive past transgressions and am prepared to acquire his family’s business."

Magistrate Gu chuckled. "Since Young Master Dou has expressed his wishes, I will certainly oblige."

Boss Fan had been too hasty, attempting to secure the status of an imperial merchant through connections with the Zongzheng Family. However, the Zongzheng, Ying, and Shen Families had been repelled by Ouyang Hong and his allies. With the Emperor now siding with Ouyang Hong, Boss Fan was left vulnerable to the Zongzheng Family’s retribution.

Magistrate Gu’s fingers brushed against the jade pendant at his waist as he considered acquiring some of the Fan Family’s assets during their impending downfall.

"Thank you, Magistrate Gu." Young Master Dou offered a gesture of gratitude, his expression mirroring that of a merchant keen on seizing the Fan Family’s assets.

After a brief pause, Magistrate Gu and the others soon became occupied with their respective tasks.

An hour later, the entire He’an Prefecture buzzed with the news that Marquis Rong’en had been reprimanded by the Emperor, Young Master Dou’s stepmother had been physically disciplined, and the Emperor had issued a decree prohibiting the establishment of new banks that exploited farmers under the guise of lending.

Suddenly, He’an Prefecture became a hub of activity, with citizens burdened by taxes eagerly gathering to discuss the downfall of the Shen Family and Mrs. Dou Meng.

The Emperor’s decree against new banks was mentioned by few, primarily due to a natural fear of gossiping about His Majesty’s pronouncements.

However, Marquis Rong’en and Mrs. Dou Meng were different. Having been rebuked by the Emperor, people felt emboldened to discuss the affairs of these two families.

Eventually, through some twist of narrative, a romanticized rumor began to circulate concerning Marquis Rong’en and Mrs. Dou Meng.

It was whispered that Mrs. Dou Meng and Marquis Rong’en had shared a youthful affection and a pledge of eternal devotion. But, due to Marquis Rong’en's status as a member of the royal family and a descendant of the Founding Princess, he was an unattainable figure for Mrs. Dou Meng, who was merely a concubine’s daughter.

Ultimately, Marquis Rong’en was compelled to marry a noble lady, while Mrs. Dou Meng, having endured years of quiet suffering, married Manager Dou as his secondary wife.

"Hahaha, who is this storyteller? I must reward him with a thousand taels." Young Master Dou erupted in hearty laughter, nearly collapsing from amusement. "Such genius, pairing Marquis Rong’en and Meng Shi! Do they even comprehend that Marquis Rong’en could very well be her father?"

Despite the absurdity, he found the rumor strangely amusing and captivating.

Though young, Feng Lian demonstrated an adeptness at gathering information from Daqing, Xiao Sui, and others, piecing together the circulating gossip. He reported, "I don't know who initiated it, but the entire prefecture is abuzz with the tale. They even claim Marquis Rong’en and Mrs. Dou Meng attempted to elope but failed, which consequently led to his marriage with the current Duchess Rong’en."

"Hahaha, eloping?!" Young Master Dou nearly succumbed to laughter. "What incredible imagination; no wonder this place is fertile ground for storytellers."

Gu Jin’an’s gaze fixed on Young Master Dou, and she reminded him, "Mrs. Dou Meng is your father’s wife. Won’t you be afraid of being ridiculed if this rumor were to spread?"

People might even pressure your father to adopt a more open-minded approach!

Young Master Dou scoffed, "Ha, ridicule? This is Meng Shi’s joke, not mine. Let it spread far and wide, let it reach the Capital. I want Meng Shi to be utterly humiliated, and my father to be mocked by everyone!"

It was clear that the animosity between Young Master Dou and Manager Dou ran bone-deep. Gu Jin’an, upon hearing this, chose not to press the matter further, her thoughts turning to a different subject. "I’ve heard that the Fan family possesses considerable assets scattered across various regions. Once they face downfall, I intend to acquire some of their manors. Nothing excessively grand, but they must be situated in Zhili and the Capital."

No matter the Emperor’s disposition, as long as Great Chu persisted, an official position would still be sought, necessitating certain assets within Zhili and the Capital.

Young Master Dou arched an eyebrow. "Are you not a scholar? Why are you, much like myself, setting your sights on the Fan family’s wealth?"

Gu Jin’an responded, "Do scholars not require sustenance? I have experienced hunger, and I never wish to gnaw on tree leaves again. I desire both an official post and wealth."

"Excellent! I truly admire scholars like you. Those who act as if they disdain silver only make me want to beat them," Young Master Dou readily concurred.

...

Upon catching wind of the rumors circulating within the prefecture, Boss Fan was struck with fear and urgently sought out the Fifth Young Master of the Zongzheng Family.

However, Zongzheng Qin had already been apprehended by an individual dispatched by Lord Zongzheng and was being escorted to the Capital.

When the rumors permeating the city reached his ears, Zongzheng Qin initially dismissed them as falsehoods and contemplated composing a letter to Magistrate Gu, questioning his allowance of such whispers to emerge.

Yet, before he could even finish penning his letter, the steward from the Zongzheng Family arrived. Without a word, he bound Zongzheng Qin and unceremoniously tossed him into a carriage.

Boss Fan, witnessing this spectacle, was plunged into terror, recognizing that the rumors must hold a kernel of truth if even the Fifth Young Master was taken captive.

Fortunately, Boss Fan possessed enough cunning to refrain from confronting Zongzheng Qin directly. Instead, he swiftly instructed the driver to return home, hastily accessed his private vault, and retrieved sixty thousand taels in silver notes, intending to present them to Magistrate Gu.

Magistrate Gu, however, did not accept the offering. "Boss Fan," he stated, "entanglement with the powerful is not easily circumvented; exercise caution for yourself."

He then ordered a government official to expel Boss Fan.

Magistrate Gu’s words proved prophetic; once ensnared by powers beyond one’s control, escape becomes a near impossibility.

The following morning, just before dawn, Boss Fan’s lifeless body was discovered by workers collecting night soil.

His demise was agonizing, marked by dozens of stab wounds, and all his possessions had vanished, presenting the scene as a robbery-homicide case.