Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1285: At a Loss

Brother Cheng let out a hearty laugh, declaring, "Haha, naturally! Second Sister and Grandpa Wu have been preparing many nourishing meals for me. Furthermore, Brother San Lang and Brother Luo Wu, along with Grandpa Qin, have been diligently instructing me in martial arts; it's no wonder my health is improving so much."

"So, the young man is a martial arts practitioner, I see," Doctor Sheng commented. "That is excellent, continue your training. Once you reach the age of fifteen, your body will be fully developed and even more robust than those born at full term."

Brother Cheng nodded enthusiastically, affirming, "Yes, thank you, Doctor Sheng. I will certainly continue my training."

His aspirations were to travel in the future, and he knew his kung fu needed to be formidable. He was determined not to be bullied and vowed to vanquish any wicked individual who dared to trouble him.

Doctor Sheng chuckled, then proceeded to prepare Brother Cheng's new medicine. He also instructed Gu Jin'an to undress so he could change his dressing as well.

"Your wound is healing quite well, showing no signs of redness or festering. It should scab over in a few days," the doctor noted. After providing them with further care instructions, Doctor Sheng packed his medical kit and departed.

Gu Jin'an and his brother remained at the Ouyang residence until the morning of August 15th, when they finally gathered their belongings to head back home.

During their stay, no one visited them. Zheng Qing was the sole exception; upon not finding Brother Cheng, he made inquiries.

Master Ouyang cleverly used the excuse that Gu Jin'an was occupied with Brother Cheng in sorting out the bank's accounts to dismiss Zheng Qing's concerns.

Zheng Qing, being an honest individual, accepted the explanation. Although he missed Brother Cheng, he understood Gu Jin'an's preoccupation with the new bank's operations. It seemed plausible that Brother Cheng would be gaining experience by assisting with the account reconciliation.

Gu Dewang, however, was not so easily persuaded. For three days, he remained busy with the sales of ice skin mooncakes, conveniently skipping school by claiming Gu Dagui was ill and that, as the eldest son, he needed to stay home to assist with the family business.

With this fabricated excuse, he strutted around town and the county, actively encouraging ladies to purchase mooncakes. Remarkably, Master Ouyang did not reprimand him.

This leniency was due to Mrs. Chen's assurance, stating, "My Da Gui is genuinely unwell; he cannot leave his bed. Brother Wang is not fabricating this; the child is telling the truth."

With his mother's confirmation and his father's complicity in feigning illness, Master Ouyang perceived Gu Dewang's cunning nature. He reasoned that it was perhaps beneficial for the boy to be away from school during this period, preventing him from discovering Brother Cheng's injury and illness, which could inadvertently lead to gossip concerning Brother An and Miss Ming.

Given that the relationship between the two young individuals had not yet been officially finalized, Master Ouyang preferred to keep the matter discreet.

As for Gu Defa, he was simply too indolent. Even if he noticed something amiss, he would be far too lazy to voice any concerns.

"This is Brother Qing's Mid-Autumn Festival gift for you; please accept it," Master Ouyang said, visiting Brother Cheng for the first time since his injury and presenting him with Zheng Qing's thoughtful present.

Brother Cheng was visibly delighted and accepted the gift with gratitude. He then offered a solemn bow to Master Ouyang, expressing, "Thank you, Master."

Master Ouyang responded with a gruff, "Hmph, why thank me? This gift is from Brother Qing, not from my own hand."

Brother Cheng, demonstrating his quick wit, chuckled and replied, "Thank you, Master, for taking the trouble to bring the gift here; since you went through such effort, I naturally must express my thanks to you."

"You little scamp, always so quick-witted," Master Ouyang remarked, observing Brother Cheng's perceptiveness. He then gestured towards a box being held by Ah Song, adding, "These mooncakes were made by Miss Ming, inspired by the styles from the Capital. There are two flavors—one for you, and another for your elder sister and second sister."

"Mooncakes crafted by Third Miss!" Brother Cheng exclaimed, his face lighting up with pleasant surprise. He cast a knowing glance at his elder brother, accompanied by a subtle wink.

Gu Jin'an feigned ignorance, bowing respectfully to Master Ouyang and saying, "Thank you, Master, and thank Third Miss as well."

He had heard that Third Miss was undergoing a period of punishment, confined for these three days to transcribe the Ouyang Family's house rules. The sheer volume of writing must have been arduous, and he felt a pang of guilt, knowing he was the reason for her predicament.

After some contemplation, he couldn't help but address Master Ouyang, stating, "Master, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a day meant for family gatherings. We students will take our leave now and will not disrupt your family's celebratory time."

He looked at Master Ouyang, his eyes conveying a silent plea.

Master Ouyang, understanding the unspoken request, replied with feigned irritation, "This traditional festival calls for spending time with my two granddaughters; you best be heading home quickly, lest your own family grows impatient waiting."

Internally, seeing the young man's concern for Miss Ming, Master Ouyang's annoyance dissipated.

Upon hearing this, Gu Jin'an felt a surge of joy. Now, Third Miss could have a day of respite from her task of writing house rules. "We students shall take our leave then," he announced.

Without further delay, they departed, taking Brother Cheng with them.

As they walked away, Gu Jin'an cast a final glance back at the Ouyang Family's courtyard. The kapok tree stood adorned with verdant leaves, promising fiery red blossoms in the coming spring and summer. It felt as though everything was gradually improving.

...

It was already the afternoon when Gu Jin’an and Brother Cheng returned home, the air thick with the savory scent of meat as festival delicacies were being prepared.

Inside the Gu residence, Mrs. Chen was heard lamenting, "That dreadful tax! It's emptying the coffers of all the prosperous old masters in town and county. They're hardly purchasing extra White Jade Mooncakes, only buying a few to give as gifts."

Mrs. Chen had thoughtfully renamed the ice skin mooncakes to 'White Jade Mooncakes.' She believed 'ice skin' sounded unappealing and could potentially lower their prestige, thus she had requested Gu Dexing to devise a more refined name.

Gu Dewang meticulously reviewed the accounts, agreeing with a nod, "Mother speaks the truth. Our mooncake sales this year pale in comparison to last year's. We are facing a shortfall of a staggering three hundred eighty-three taels and six hundred forty-two copper coins!"

Last year, the ice skin mooncakes had generated over nine hundred taels. Even after splitting the earnings between the two families and paying Tian Xiaohua a ten percent commission for her efforts, a substantial amount remained.

Gu Jinli cast a glance at Gu Dewang, remarking, "Your calculations are exceptionally precise, down to the last two copper coins."

Gu Dewang replied, "That is money we are dealing with; how could it not be calculated with utmost clarity?"

Mrs. Chen concurred, "Precisely, precisely. Financial matters demand absolute carefulness. Even if a single copper coin is misplaced, it must be accounted for, let alone a deficit of nearly four hundred taels this time—Oh, my heart aches grievously at the thought of losing four hundred taels! Add a little more, and it approaches a loss of five hundred taels."

Mrs. Chen clutched her chest, overcome with distress over the vanished silver and the burdensome taxes. Her anger then turned towards the Emperor, "That Emperor! What is he taxing us for? These levies have forced the poor to sell their children and reduced the wealthy gentlemen to destitution, causing me such financial losses, truly... If he resided nearby, I would march right over and demand an explanation!"

"Phew, you old shrew, shut your mouth! What do you think you are? Daring to talk of confronting the Emperor? Do you wish to bring ruin upon our families?" Third Grandma brandished a broom, aiming it at Mrs. Chen. "Keep your lips sealed tightly and refrain from uttering forbidden words. If you bring harm upon us, this old woman will not show you any mercy!"

Mrs. Chen’s audacity in criticizing even the Emperor was indeed a grave misstep, inviting significant trouble.

Grabbing hold of Gu Dewang to shield himself from Third Grandma’s broom, Mrs. Chen offered a placating smile, "Dear Aunt, please cease your striking. I shall speak no more, all right? I implore you to stop. If you were to injure Brother Wang, your own heart would ache, for he is a grandson of your Gu Family!"