The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Chapter 526 Conditions of Compensation

After Liu Tielian finished speaking, he remained silent, waiting for feedback from the Gu family.

Grandma Gu dared not be defiant anymore.

The Xu family, a bunch of wolves and tigers, used to be arrogant and domineering in the village. They only quieted down after Xu Si was exiled and Xu Yong was removed from his post as village chief.

They weren't about to give up; they were determined to show the villagers what they were capable of.

On the other hand, most of the people in the Gu family are now on the side of the eldest daughter-in-law, hoping that Tong Huaqiong's business will help them and that Gu Jingzhe will be able to rely on the clan if he succeeds in the imperial examinations.

They won't help Ruinian fight against the Xu family.

If it comes to a fight to the death, Ruinian will be the one who suffers the most.

Old Mrs. Gu couldn't help but curse the clansmen in her heart. They were always opportunistic. They had never been on good terms with the eldest son's family before, but now that the eldest son's family was showing off, they were all eager to curry favor with them.

After weighing the options in his mind, Old Master Gu sighed and asked, "Then how does the village chief intend to handle this?"

Liu Tielian said, "Make Ruinian apologize to the Xu family, and make a proper show of it. If the Xu family takes any action, then Ruinian will have to bear it."

Grandpa Gu frowned. If he handed Ruinian over to the Xu family, wouldn't they be able to tear Ruinian apart? Ruinian already had one leg crippled. What if the Xu family crippled his right leg and crotch?
Seeing Old Master Gu's hesitation, Liu Tielian said, "Don't worry, when the time comes, the three most respected people from the Xu, Gu, and Liu families in the village will be in charge, and they will definitely not let the Xu family do anything ruthless to Ruinian."

Grandpa Gu closed his eyes; he was in for a beating.

Liu Tielian continued, "Also, prepare silver for the Xu family; they've asked for a thousand taels."

Grandma Gu exclaimed, "Why don't they just rob it?"

Liu Tielian said, "They know you're doing business in Pingchuan County now, and I've seen how your business is doing. How about this, you name a price you can offer, and I'll negotiate."

Old Master Gu didn't want to give a single penny, but he had no choice but to give it, so in the end he said five hundred taels.

Grandma Gu still has a dowry for Honglian.

Grandma Gu and Madam Jia went to their respective maternal homes to visit each other.

Gu Dahan is soft-hearted; he'll borrow some from Gu Dahan privately later.

Gu Baishuang, the granddaughter who married out of the family, also had money. Since her grandfather asked her for a loan, she couldn't refuse and asked Gu Baishuang for some more.

Eventually, we can raise enough.

The Xu family also brought up something, which Liu Tielian and Uncle Gu discussed but did not mention.

The Xu family stated that since they had lost a daughter, Gu Youtian should compensate them with another daughter.

The Xu family's two sons have reached marriageable age. Ever since Xu Yong, the village chief, was dismissed last year, and Xu Jin's two sons and Xu Yong were punished in court for making counterfeit medicine, the two sons have gone from being highly sought-after in the surrounding villages to being unwanted and unwanted.

After Xu Zaohua's sons established themselves in the Zheng family, both sons were arranged by Xu Zaohua to work as managers in the Zheng family's shop. Their marriage prospects improved again. This spring, her eldest son got engaged, and her younger son was about to get engaged as well.

After Xu Zaohua's incident, her two sons were kicked out of the shop by the Zheng family, and their marriages were all called off.

Xu Jin demanded that Gu Youtian compensate him with a daughter, and his eldest son specifically asked for Xiaoxue.

Uncle Gu said that Gu Ruinian was a man who didn't care about the lives of his family. If sacrificing Xiaoxue could solve the problem, he would be the first to tie Xiaoxue up and send her to the Xu family.

Xiaoxue is usually not favored at home, so it's likely that the Gu family won't stop her in order to protect Gu Ruinian.

Uncle Gu and Aunt Gu felt sorry for Xiaoxue and had always disapproved of Jia Shi and others neglecting her. Sending Xiaoxue to the Xu family was like putting her in the tiger's den, which would ruin her life.

On his way here, Uncle Gu told Liu Tielian that he was afraid that if this topic was brought up, Gu Xiaoxue might not even be able to keep her tonight.

Even without the Xu family coming to take her away, Old Master Gu and the others would probably send Xiaoxue to the Xu family to apologize. The Liu family has always treated their daughter very well, so Liu Tielian also dislikes the attitude of the second branch of the Gu family towards their daughter. He doesn't mention Xiaoxue when Uncle Gu forbids it.

In any case, the Xu family cannot forcibly take people away.

After meeting Gu Ruinian, Liu Tielian became even more determined in his decision.

Gu Ruinian's legs are useless, but his brain isn't. His darting eyes are always scanning the room; who knows what mischief he's up to?

Having determined the direction of compensation to the Xu family, Old Master Gu told Liu Tielian that five days later, after the splint on Ruinian's leg was removed, he would take Ruinian home to apologize to the Xu family.

Liu Tielian had a bitter face.

They came to Pingchuan County to discuss things with Old Master Xu, but he brought out Tong Huaqiong and Gu Jingzhe to forcefully pressure the Xu family.

The Xu family told the village chief that they only had one day of patience left.

No matter how much Liu Tielian explained the seriousness of the matter, Grandpa Gu insisted on waiting five days.

Raising money doesn't take time? Does Ruinian's mental preparation not take time?
What, do you think the Xu family would come to Pingchuan County to cause trouble for them?

If the Xu family really comes, that's good. He can report it to the authorities and see how the county magistrate decides.

The law did not say that if a grandson had an affair with a widow, he had to pay money and apologize. If he was really provoked, the law would say in court that if the Zheng family was willing to release Xu Zaohua from the temple, the Gu family would be willing to let Xu Zaohua marry into the family, but she would have to be a concubine.

Seeing how determined Old Master Gu was, Liu Tielian simply gave up.

Anyway, he had delivered his message. It was none of his business if the Xu family did anything excessive, as long as they didn't cause trouble in Qinghe Bay.

“Brother, you’re just being stubborn. Your eldest son has three grandsons. He’s a master at farming during the Great Cold, and he does a good job in business during the Great Heat. Not to mention the Awakening of Insects. Although the second son’s harvest is average, he won’t cause you any trouble. What’s bothering you so much that you have to bet everything on Ruinian? That kind of unfilial descendant should be taken back and punished according to family rules. You’re still waiting for five days? Fine, then you wait.”

Uncle Gu was furious to see that Old Master Gu still treated Ruinian like a treasure, and stood up to leave.

Grandpa Gu didn't offer to stay for a meal, because he simply didn't have any extra money to treat the village chief and his second brother to a meal.

Since the eldest daughter-in-law wasn't there, she was the one who ended up paying for the meal.

Tong Huaqiong led Liu Tielian and Uncle Gu out of Wuji, and Gu Fengnian and Wei Shi saw them off.

Uncle Gu lowered his voice and said to Gu Fengnian, "Fengnian, you're not a bad person. As the eldest brother, you should keep a close eye on your family and not let them have any designs on Xiaoxue. She's your only sister."

Before Gu Fengnian could react, Wei's expression changed drastically.

Uncle Gu shook his head, then followed Tong Huaqiong and Liu Tielian toward Jufulai.

"Second Uncle, do you mean that the old man and the others might give Xiaoxue to the Xu family to apologize to Ruinian?" Tong Huaqiong asked.

Uncle Gu and Liu Tielian nodded in unison.

Liu Tielian then told Tong Huaqiong about how Xu's eldest son wanted Xiaoxue, and how Uncle Gu and he had discussed it, keeping it a secret for the time being. Liu Tielian suggested that they wait until they returned to the village to discuss it with Xu's family patriarch, Grandpa Xu, who was a virtuous man in the Xu family and might be able to persuade them to change their minds.

Tong Huaqiong instantly understood Liu Tielian and Uncle Gu's intentions. Old Master Gu and the others were currently thinking of saving Ruinian like headless flies. They were afraid that this would remind the Gu family of Xiaoxue's value, thus prompting them to set their sights on Xiaoxue ahead of time.

"What a terrible thing to do!" Tong Huaqiong cursed.

Tong Huaqiong didn't have a deep impression of Xiaoxue, only knowing that she was timid and like a silent shadow.

But every time I see her, I greet her shyly.

Poor little snow.