Chapter 517: Chapter 517: Gu Ruinian Escapes

Regarding why the Zheng Family let Gu Ruinian go, Gu Baishuang and Gu Dashi, the siblings, are puzzled and cannot figure out the reason.

The intermediary whom Gu Baishuang trusted also found this incredible and couldn’t find anything out.

In a couple of days, Gu Ruinian was sent back, and the Zheng Family’s actions were baffling.

Originally, Gu Baishuang’s intention was just to have someone inquire at the Zheng Family about Gu Ruinian’s situation, not to save Gu Ruinian, so he felt quite regretful that Gu Ruinian was only beaten a few times.

Gu Baishuang learned from Tong Huaqiong that, on the day Gu Ruinian was scheming against Lian Hengruo, Xu Zaohua was also scheming against Gu Taohua.

And both of them used the most despicable means.

Since Xu Zaohua and Gu Ruinian were working together, Gu Ruinian should also bear some responsibility for scheming against Gu Taohua.

Gu Baishuang felt that Xu Zaohua being punished by the Zheng Family was deserved, while Gu Ruinian escaping was blind luck.

"It’s a pity that the Zheng Family didn’t cripple Ruinian. Just wait, I’ll get him when I have the chance," Gu Dashi gritted his teeth.

Gu Baishuang thought for a moment and said, "But after this incident, Ruinian will never rise again. And Wu Ji, it will likely fall apart."

This counts as karma.

"Deserves it! When I return to the village, I must spread the word about Ruinian’s deeds," Liu Yueer said happily.

Because Yan Guan Town is a developed commerce hub, almost anything can be bought there, so people from Qinghe Bay rarely come to Pingchuan; news from Pingchuan usually doesn’t reach Qinghe Bay.

Liu Yueer couldn’t wait for her mother-in-law to return so she could ask for leave to go back to Qinghe Bay.

"Second aunt used to sarcastically say I was shameless, trying to get myself married to Dashi, saying I couldn’t keep my dignity finding a man. Even if I couldn’t keep my dignity, I know better than to mess with a man who has a wife. Next time I see her, I’ll confront her and ask, if her Ruinian is so dignified and honorable, how did he end up in bed with the married Xu Zaohua," Liu Yueer said brazenly, wanting to grab some melon seeds and chat with Mrs. Jia, about whether it was shameless for her wanting to marry Dashi or for Ruinian getting cozy with Xu Zaohua.

Gu Dashi listened to Liu Yueer’s words with sweat on his face.

In the two days Tong Huaqiong wasn’t there, Gu Honglian frequently visited Tong Huaqiong’s residence, and upon hearing Liu Yueer, she praised, "Of course it’s Ruinian who is shameless. Let me tell you, thank goodness Ruinian got hooked by Xu Zaohua. Do you know who Ruinian has been thinking about?"

Liu Yueer, Gu Dashi, and Gu Baishuang didn’t respond to Gu Honglian; they all knew that Gu Ruinian was thinking about Second Miss Lian.

Gu Honglian’s next words almost made Gu Dashi go and beat up Gu Ruinian.

Gu Honglian said, "Ruinian is thinking about Jingzhe’s wife. He’s been saying at home that Jingzhe’s wife is as fair as a fairy, and such a girl is most suited for him."

"Shameless, daring to think about the third brother’s wife."

"When he gets out, I’ll cripple him."

Gu Dashi was so angry that he clenched his fists.

Liu Yueer said, "Even if he thinks about her, it’s useless; he’s only fit to be with Xu Zaohua."

...

On the evening of the fifth day, Tong Huaqiong returned from the provincial capital with Gu Taohua.

The carriage passed by Wu Ji’s entrance.

At the same time, Gu Ruinian was dragged out by another carriage and dumped at Wu Ji’s entrance.

The Gu Family and Wu Family heard the commotion and came out one after another.

Under the moonlight, they saw a curled-up person on the ground, and the painful groans drifted in the night.

"Ruinian, Ruinian."

A mother’s intuition immediately told Mrs. Jia that it was her son, Gu Ruinian.

Wu Ren took a glance before leading his family inside, leaving only Wu Na standing outside.

"Ruinian, Ruinian, how are you?" Mrs. Jia hugged Gu Ruinian and cried bitterly, "My son."

Grandma Gu secretly wiped away tears.

Passers-by and government officials looked sideways, and upon hearing Gu Ruinian’s name, everyone cast disdainful glances at the person on the ground.

"Alright, don’t stay here, get inside quickly." Mr. Gu spoke up.

Gu Fengnian went forward to help pick up Gu Ruinian, discovering that Gu Ruinian couldn’t move. Gu Xiaoxue silently stepped forward to help lift Gu Ruinian onto Gu Fengnian’s back.

Surrounded, Gu Fengnian carried Gu Ruinian back to Wuji Backyard.

Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua watched everything clearly from the carriage.

"Mother, Zheng Family didn’t kill Gu Ruinian but released him," Gu Taohua was incredulous.

Tong Huaqiong was equally puzzled.

She pondered for a while; Gu Ruinian is not someone who would wait passively for death. He either shifted all the blame onto Xu Zaohua or exchanged some benefits with the Zheng Family.

The former is unlikely, regardless of who seduced whom first, him being the adulterer is indisputable.

As for the latter, what benefit could Gu Ruinian, a mere child student, offer in exchange?

Suddenly, a thought flashed in Tong Huaqiong’s mind: could Gu Ruinian have told the Zhengs he was a transmigrator from the future?

She did not believe that if transmigrators exposed themselves, they would be burnt as demons; given this era’s superstitious attitude towards the unknown, if Gu Ruinian could indeed exhibit some advanced modern technology, he could be revered as divine or a prophet.

But who knows, Gu Ruinian, being such an inadequate character, what exactly could he offer the Zheng Family with his "prophet" skills?

Tong Huaqiong waved a hand, and Nie Xiaofeng started the carriage heading towards the county mansion.

Gu Ruinian was placed on the bed by Gu Fengnian.

Mrs. Wei lit a lamp and placed it at the head of the bed. Under the light, Gu Ruinian, dressed in clean white clothes, seemed fine except for a slightly swollen face, with no visible injuries on his exposed arms and neck.

Yet Gu Ruinian continued to groan nonstop.

Sweat drenched his forehead.

"Ruinian, Ruinian, what’s wrong with you? Where are you hurt, tell me?" Mrs. Jia rubbed Ruinian’s head and asked.

Elderly Mr. Gu waved a hand, and Mrs. Wei left with Gu Honglian and Gu Xiaoxue.

Elderly Mr. Gu directed Gu Fengnian to remove Gu Ruinian’s clothes. Mrs. Jia helped directly; being Ruinian’s mother, there was nothing she couldn’t see.

Soon, Gu Ruinian was left in his undergarments.

His thighs, buttocks, and back showed no sign of injury.

Elderly Mr. Gu’s eyes revealed a complex expression as he then pulled down Gu Ruinian’s pants, and the contents of his crotch remained intact.

Elderly Mr. Gu and Grandma Gu breathed a sigh of relief; as long as his reproductive organ was intact, there was no fear.

"Ruinian, tell me, what’s wrong? Were you fed poison?" Elderly Mr. Gu asked.

He had heard that some poisons, once consumed, would flare up periodically, causing a sensation like insects crawling on the skin, with pain reaching the nerves, causing uncontrollable shaking, sometimes leading to violent outbursts.

Each episode would require restraining the person to the bed.

Over time, a person would gradually waste away, decay, and finally die.

The Zheng Family couldn’t have fed him such a poison, right? If so, that would be too malicious, like cutting meat with a soft blade.

Upon hearing that Gu Ruinian might have been fed poison, Mrs. Jia shouted for Gu Fengnian to find a doctor, while Grandma Gu burst into tears like rain.

Gu Youtian stopped Gu Fengnian.

From the moment he saw Gu Ruinian, Gu Youtian clenched his teeth to control his emotions. His desire was to beat this jinx son badly.

Since becoming a child student, he’s been causing trouble repeatedly.

Now he’s caused such a huge disaster; it’s impossible for the Zheng Family to let him off easily; soon they might drive us out of Pingchuan County.

How will he ever make a comeback?

Letting this son die would be better.