Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1280: Two Years

Gu Jin’an offered no objection. Their error was undeniable, and concealing it from their parents would spare them worry while preserving Third Miss's reputation.

His only lingering regret was concerning Brother Cheng… the boy had been assisting him, yet he still had to reprimand him.

"Doctor Sheng, Brother Cheng hasn't eaten since yesterday afternoon. Could we perhaps give him some rice porridge now?" Gu Jin’an, concerned about Brother Cheng's hunger, wished to offer him some sustenance.

Doctor Sheng responded, "Let's not trouble him with that. He can eat some rice porridge when he wakes."

After all, he hadn't been in a coma for days. A person like the young master of the Gu Family, who awoke within a day and a night, could certainly forgo a meal.

He added, "Young Master Gu, please remove your clothes so I may clean your wounds."

Gu Jin’an also bore wounds on his back. It had been mentioned since last night that his injuries needed attention, but Gu Jin’an had been too occupied caring for his brother to give it any thought.

Ah Song expressed surprise, "Good Brother An, your wounds haven't been treated yet? Doctor Sheng, please examine Good Brother An quickly."

"Ah, yes." Doctor Sheng promptly opened his medicine chest to tend to Gu Jin’an's injuries.

Seeing that Brother Cheng's condition had stabilized, Gu Jin’an obediently removed his outer garments.

Ah Song and Doctor Sheng gasped upon witnessing the wounds on his back… The Second Old Master had been truly severe. This beating was considerably harsher than Brother Cheng's. They marveled at how Good Brother An had endured it, acting as if he hadn't been injured all night.

Furthermore, Gu Jin’an removed his clothes with unexpected ease, without the slightest hesitation, causing some skin adhered to the fabric to tear. The sight made Doctor Sheng's hands tremble… what a resilient individual he was.

However, Gu Jin’an gave it little thought. Having endured numerous beatings from the Old Gu Family during his youth and having survived a famine, these rattan-inflicted wounds were hardly significant injuries to him.

After Gu Jin’an's wounds were dressed and he had changed into fresh clothing, Ah Song departed to relay the news to Master Ouyang in the study.

Master Ouyang had also remained awake throughout the night. Upon Ah Song's arrival, he inquired immediately, "How are matters progressing?"

Ah Song offered a smile, "Second Old Master, please rest assured, both Brother Cheng and Good Brother An are doing well."

He then proceeded to meticulously describe the conditions and injuries sustained by Brother Cheng and Good Brother An.

Master Ouyang sighed after listening, "Good Brother An is a commendable brother, and Brother Cheng is also a fine sibling."

The fraternal bond between them was exceptionally profound. Witnessing them reminded him of his own relationship with his elder brother.

During their childhood—or rather, throughout his life—his elder brother had always been his protector. Even when he faltered and made mistakes, his brother, though pained, would administer discipline. Afterward, he himself would weep with remorse.

"While the Gu Family may not possess high standing, their deep familial affection is a rarity. Having faced trials of life and death together, they protect one another. Such families far surpass the noble clans of the Capital."

Within the noble families, siblings might resort to fratricide over inheritances and titles, rendering their shallow bonds terrifying… Miss Ming, possessing a deeply emotional and free-spirited chivalrous nature, would find her character stifled if she were to wed into such a family, leading a life of restriction and unable to express herself freely.

Moreover, Miss Ming's parents passed away prematurely, and she lacks brothers to champion her cause, a background often disdained by noble families. Even if she were to leverage his and his brother's connections to secure a suitable marriage, those individuals would undoubtedly mistreat her after their passing.

Although Brother Shao and Miss Ming share a close rapport, Brother Shao will eventually establish his own family and career. He will bear the immense responsibility of the entire Ouyang Family and will be unable to shield Miss Ming at all times. The sole individual capable of protecting her would be her intended husband.

Brother Shao, the eldest great-grandson of Old Man Ouyang, stands as the legitimate heir and future successor of the Ouyang Family. He is three years older than Ouyang Ming and the same age as Good Brother An.

The close relationship between Brother Shao and Miss Ming originated from his elder brother's observation that Miss Ming, having lost her parents and without brothers, was sent to reside with his eldest daughter-in-law, Brother Shao’s grandmother, following her own wife’s demise.

Brother Shao’s grandmother held the esteemed position of Madam Imperial Decree. With Miss Ming under her care, it mitigated the stigma associated with being a daughter from a widowed mother, thereby enhancing her prospects for future advantageous marriages.

And because Miss Ming grew up within the household of Brother Shao’s grandmother, her relationship with the younger generation of her elder brother’s family flourished, fostering a strong connection.

Ah Song appeared taken aback, questioning the Second Old Master's intent behind his words. Was a decision imminent?

He replied, "What Second Old Master says is indeed true; the Gu Family upholds a commendable familial culture, where siblings share profound bonds of sentiment and righteousness. Their parents are honest and kind, truly surpassing some families in the Capital."

Master Ouyang offered no immediate response, instead turning his gaze to the sky outside. "The weather has significantly improved after the heavy rain," he remarked, "and this morning glow is quite comforting."

He then added, "It has been quite some time since I last shared a meal with Miss Ming. Have the maids prepare a table in the flower hall of the inner courtyard and summon Miss Ming. I wish to have breakfast with her."

With that, he exited the study and proceeded towards the flower hall in the rear courtyard.

The maidens were swift, and shortly thereafter, a lavish breakfast spread, laden with various small delicacies, was arranged in the flower hall.

Upon receiving the summons, Ouyang Ming, accompanied by Mrs. Han, Shan Cong, and Shan Ru, followed the reporting nanny to the flower hall.

"Grandfather." She offered her greeting to Master Ouyang and, at his gesture, took a seat. Despite the meal, a sense of unease persisted, her mind preoccupied with a significant matter.

Master Ouyang observed her closely. After consuming about seventy percent of his meal, he placed his chopsticks down with a resonant thud and instructed Mrs. Han and the others, "Please wait outside."

"Yes." Mrs. Han cast a glance at Ouyang Ming before promptly departing with Shan Cong and the attending servants.

Witnessing this, Ouyang Ming set down her chopsticks and rose from her seat.

Master Ouyang, however, waved a hand, "Sit down. You already acknowledged your error yesterday; there's no need to repeat it."

It was last evening, as Good Brother An arrived with Brother Cheng, that Miss Ming became aware of the situation. Seeing the two brothers kneeling in the rain compelled her to apologize to him, expressing her forgiveness for Brother Cheng and her hope that he would not further punish them.

It was Ouyang Ming's plea that prompted Master Ouyang to allow the brothers entry. Left to his own temper, he might have harbored his anger for days before seeing them.

Yet, through that plea, he discerned the true feelings of his granddaughter.

"Indeed, a grown girl cannot be kept," he mused internally. He had not anticipated that Miss Ming harbored deeper affections for Good Brother An.

And it was true, Good Brother An was exceptionally capable. The two had collaborated closely on the new bank project. As two outstanding young individuals, it was natural for attraction to develop between them.

Lost in these thoughts, Master Ouyang suddenly halted, clenching his teeth as he cursed, "That Little Xiao Yu is truly despicable. If not for her, none of this would have transpired."

It was Little Xiao Yu's audacious idea to establish a bank and provide loans to farmers, which consequently granted Miss Ming the opportunity to interact with Good Brother An. Now, his granddaughter had been ensnared, a prospect that infuriated him.

"For the next two years, the family will not arrange any suitors for you. We will revisit this discussion after the Imperial Examination the year after next," Master Ouyang declared, having vented his frustration at Gu Jinli, before pausing briefly to deliver this statement.