Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Guo was terrified by Gao Qiu this time!

Because Gao Qiu's suggestion to lock her in a Buddhist hall to worship Buddha is entirely feasible!

There were quite a few officials in the Song Dynasty who were afraid of their wives, because according to etiquette and law, husband and wife were equal, which meant that whoever was stronger had the upper hand!

In comparison, women are more vulnerable. If a fight breaks out and the woman makes a scene, people will sympathize with her and condemn the man!

But if the woman lays a hand on the man, it's a different story. The man will be too ashamed to speak up and will have to swallow his anger.

For example, Wang Juzheng of the Renzhong Dynasty was extremely fierce to outsiders and dared to impeach anyone, but his wife was even fiercer than him...

He even lost the opportunity to become a high-ranking official in the two government offices, and was eventually sent away from the capital.

For example, Shen Kuo, who served as the Minister of the Three Departments during the Xining era and was a high-ranking official in charge of accounting, was appointed as the Pacification Commissioner of Fuyan Road during the Yuanfeng era, and repeatedly defeated the regional officials of Western Xia.

But at home, he was slapped and beaten by his wife, and in his old age, he was even injured due to domestic violence...

Is this a sign of deep affection?

No! It's just that I can't win against my wife!

Even if they were willing to risk everything, the emperor would never interfere in their family affairs!

It was precisely because of this that Guo dared to act so recklessly, trying to control Gao Qiu.

After all, no matter how much trouble she caused at home, Gao Qiu couldn't do anything about it and could only endure it!

But this time is different!

The censor impeached Gao Qiu for instigating Guo Weize to disrupt judicial order, and the Kaifeng Prefecture also confirmed that his younger brother had pleaded for the criminal.

If Gao Qiu were to harden his heart this time and lock her in the Buddhist hall, the world would only think that she was indulging her younger brother, seizing power from her husband's family, and profiting for her own family!

If we really investigate, it turns out to be a failure of female virtue, selfishness that disrupts the family, confusion between internal and external affairs, and usurpation of the husband's rights!

This crosses the line of the laws of the Song Dynasty!

People would not condemn Gao Qiu; on the contrary, they would think he was loyal and righteous, because based on this incident, Gao Qiu could have easily recovered all the property from her family and even sent her back to her original family!

However, such extreme measures are generally not used by anyone!

However, it is entirely feasible to set up a Buddhist hall, regularly live alone for self-reflection, and isolate oneself from the outside world.

Guo was unwilling to end up like this, so she immediately summoned Guo Weize and gave him a scolding.

Guo Weize also complained bitterly. He went to Kaifeng Prefecture and did not mention Gao Qiu at all. Of course, whether the other party would give Gao Qiu face was another matter.

He didn't take this trivial matter to heart at all, but who knew that in just a few days, he would be targeted by the censor and impeach Gao Qiu in court, causing such a big commotion!

Guo had no interest in listening to his explanation. Although she loved her younger brother, when it came to her own future, she wondered whether she should stay in the Gao family as the matriarch in charge of the household affairs, or go back to her parents' home and be at the mercy of her sister-in-law.

She's not stupid; she knows exactly what to choose!

He immediately ordered Guo Weize to take full responsibility for the matter and not to implicate others, and to personally write a letter to apologize.

Guo Weize thought that since things had come to this point, whether he apologized or not, he would be punished anyway, and he had no choice but to admit it, so he might as well leave a good impression on the official.

……

Guo Weize wrote a letter to apologize, but that's another story. Wang Hua was truly dumbfounded!

Previously, thanks to Guo Weize's connections, Wang Qing's case had been stabilized. Although no clear answer was given, there was absolutely no possibility of a serious crime.

Who would have thought that overnight, everything would change drastically!

The Kaifeng Prefecture completely ignored him, even reprimanding him for interfering with the law, and almost beat him out with sticks.

Wang Hua was flustered and could only rush to the Guo residence, hoping to find Guo Weize to ask for help again. However, not only did Guo not see him, but he also had the guards throw him out!

The door slammed shut, extinguishing his last hope.

Wang Hua collapsed to the ground, his face deathly pale and his body ice-cold.

What to do? Wang Qing is his only son!

I can't just stand by and watch him die!

The August wind already carried a hint of chill, yet Wang Hua was drenched in sweat and his mind was in turmoil amidst the bleak autumn wind.

Several passersby saw him sitting dejectedly in front of the Guo family's gate, whispering among themselves. The whispered words reached Wang Hua's ears, making him even more flustered and anxious.

He staggered to the wall by the street and sat down, holding his head in his hands, frantically trying to figure out the only way out!

He suddenly looked up. Yes, there was another way!

Although he went back on his word last time and must have offended Gao Yanei, he had no choice now. Even if he was humiliated or beaten, he would accept it!

It's all worth it as long as it saves Wang Qing!

Upon thinking of this, he could no longer sit still. He quickly stood up and staggered around, inquiring about Fu An's whereabouts!

There's an art to asking for favors. Although the Palace Marshal's Mansion is right there, he has no connection with Gao Yanei. If he were to visit rashly, he might be turned away. All of this requires Fu An to act as a go-between!

After some twists and turns, he finally found Fu An, who was gambling with a bunch of hooligans in a secluded gambling den. The surroundings were smoky, noisy, and chaotic!

When he saw Fu An, he didn't call him directly. Instead, he stood beside him, smiling obsequiously, and waited quietly.

Fu An glanced at him but ignored him and continued to call out for bets.

Fu'an was just having a bad day, losing more than he won, and soon all his gambling money was gone.

Upon seeing this, Wang Hua quickly took out a money bag and placed it in front of him.

Fu An paused, then turned to look at him properly, weighed his money pouch in his hand, and said to the group of hooligans, "My luck's not good today, that's enough!"

Then, ignoring everyone's attempts to persuade him to stay, he resolutely got up and left.

The two walked out of the smoky gambling den one after the other and turned into a quiet, deserted narrow alley. The alley was piled with miscellaneous items, and there was no one around, so they could talk.

Fu An casually hefted the heavy money bag in his hand, gave Wang Hua a forced smile, and handed the bag back, sneering, "Old Master Wang, you should take this money back! If I accidentally spend it and then come to me for it, I can't afford to pay you back!"

Wang Hua knew he was mocking him for asking Guo Weize for help last time, so without saying a word, he raised his hand and slapped himself hard, his old face immediately turning red and swollen.

"It's all my fault for being blinded by greed and believing what others said, which has even implicated Brother Fu. I'm willing to accept the punishment!"

Fu An looked at him, not surprised by his actions. That's how it is in this world: if you're wrong, you have to admit it; if you're going to get beaten, you have to stand up straight.

This is also the principle of hanging out on the streets of Tokyo!

"From what you're saying, the matter didn't go well, so you've come back to me?"

Wang Hua's face burned with embarrassment, and he bent his back even lower, his voice full of pleading as he said, "This old man is truly desperate. The Kaifeng Prefecture insists that my son, Wang Qing, broke into the Tong residence to steal, and is determined to punish him as a robber. He is my only son, and if he loses his life, I, an old man, will not be able to live on. I beg Brother Fu to lend a helping hand and save the lives of my whole family."

"Saving you isn't difficult!" Fu An sneered, "But where do you place my son's dignity? You think she's some kind of prostitute, summoned and dismissed at will?"

Wang Hua's expression was extremely ugly. He knew that the man was manipulating him so that he could make exorbitant demands, but he was currently in a stronger position and had no choice but to back down.

His face contorted in struggle, then he collapsed to his knees with a thud, pleading, "If only you could save my son's life, I would gladly die!"

Seeing this, Fu An remained unmoved and said disdainfully, "Of course you'd be happy to do it. You're old, but your son is still young. One life for another, you'll gain something!"

"Alright then, don't try to fob me off with these worthless things. I know you own a house. Bring me the deed, and I'll try to plead with the young master!"

Wang Hua was taken aback. His house was located on the edge of the inner city, occupying a large area and worth a lot of money. Someone had offered him a high price of ten thousand guan, but he hadn't been willing to sell it!

Previously, when Gao Yanei asked for 5,000 strings of cash, he also planned to sell his house to raise money, and then use the remaining money to buy a small house in a more remote area.

But now, the other party is making outrageous demands, asking for his house, leaving him no room for negotiation whatsoever!

Wang Hua wanted to haggle some more, but when he looked up and saw Fu An's mocking eyes, he immediately realized that he had no room for negotiation.

"Okay, I'll give it to you!"