Chapter 526: Chapter 526: Terms of Compensation

Liu Tieshan finished his speech and waited for the Gu Family to respond.

The Old Madam Gu didn’t dare to speak toughly.

The Xu Family’s nephews and sons, who’ve always been tyrannical in the village, quieted down only after Xu Si was exiled and Xu Yong was removed as village head.

They’re unwilling to remain calm, eager to show off their prowess to the villagers.

On the Gu Family’s side, most clansmen now stand with the eldest daughter-in-law, depending on Tong Huaqiong’s business to elevate them, hoping for Gu Jingzhe to succeed in exams backed by the clan.

They wouldn’t help Rui Nian confront the Xu Family.

If things end poorly, it’ll be Rui Nian who suffers.

The Old Madam Gu couldn’t help but curse the clansmen’s opportunism, turning to flatter the main house now that it’s risen.

Mr. Gu weighed things in his mind, sighed, and said, "So, how does Village Head propose we handle this?"

Liu Tieshan said, "Let Rui Nian apologize to the Xu Family, display the right stance. If Xu Family lays hands on him, Rui Nian will have to bear it."

Mr. Gu frowned deeply; handing Rui Nian over to the Xu Family could mean they tear him apart. Rui Nian already has a disabled leg—what if they cripple his right leg or worse?

Liu Tieshan noticed Mr. Gu’s hesitation and said, "Rest assured, respected leaders from the village like Xu, Gu, and Liu will be there, surely preventing Xu Family from harming Rui Nian severely."

Mr. Gu closed his eyes; getting a beating was inevitable.

Liu Tieshan continued, "Additionally, prepare silver for the Xu Family; they asked for a thousand taels."

The Old Madam Gu exclaimed, "Why don’t they just go robbing."

Liu Tieshan said, "They know you’re doing business in Pingchuan County. I see your business... Just name a number you can afford, and I’ll mediate."

Mr. Gu didn’t want to give anything, but ultimately offered five hundred taels.

The dowry for Honglian was still with the Old Madam Gu.

The Old Madam Gu and Mrs. Jia went to their maternal homes to gather funds.

Gu Dahuan, being soft-hearted, would be asked privately for some.

Gu Baishuang, the granddaughter married out, also has money—when he as grandfather asks, she can hardly refuse, thus borrowing more from her.

They can scrape it together.

The Xu Family mentioned another matter, which Liu Tieshan and Second Uncle Gu discussed without bringing up.

The Xu Family expressed that they lost a daughter, and now Gu Youtian must compensate by providing them with a daughter.

The Xu Family’s two sons reached marriageable age since Xu Yong was removed as village head last year, Xu Jin’s sons punished in court for fake medicine, turning from sought-after bachelors into unwanted ones.

After Xu Zaohua solidified her position in Zheng’s household, the two sons were placed by her as stewards in Zheng’s shop, and their marriage prospects improved. Earlier this spring, the older son got engaged, and the younger was about to settle.

With Xu Zaohua’s scandal, the sons were expelled from Zheng’s shop, and their engagements annulled.

Xu Jin demanded Gu Youtian compensate with a daughter, specifically wanting Xiao Xue for his older son.

Second Uncle Gu stated that if sacrificing Xiao Xue could resolve the matter, he’d be first to tie her up and send her to the Xu Family.

Since Xiao Xue was not favored at home, Gu Family might not stop them to save Rui Nian.

Second Uncle Gu and Second Aunt Gu were fond of Xiao Xue and disliked Mrs. Jia ignoring her, knowing sending Xiao Xue to Xu’s household was like throwing her into a lion’s den—ruining her life.

On the way here, Second Uncle Gu told Liu Tieshan that if the idea came up, Xiao Xue might not even survive tonight.

No need for Xu Family to seize her forcibly, chances are the Gu elders will offer Xiao Xue up to Xu as reparation themselves.

The Liu Family treats daughters well, thus Liu Tieshan equally disliked Gu’s second branch’s attitude. He agreed not to bring Xiao Xue up.

In any case, Xu Family couldn’t forcibly take her.

Seeing Rui Nian further convinced Liu Tieshan.

Rui Nian’s leg was disabled, but his mind wasn’t; his shifty eyes darting around, plotting nothing good.

With the compensation to Xu Family agreed, Mr. Gu told Liu Tieshan that after Rui Nian’s leg brace was removed five days later, they’d bring him back to apologize to Xu Family.

Liu Tieshan felt bitter.

He came to Pingchuan County to consult with Old Master Xu, using Tong Huaqiong and Gu Jingzhe to press the Xu Family.

The Xu Family had told him, as village head, their patience lasted only a day.

No matter how he explained the seriousness, Mr. Gu insisted on five days later.

Doesn’t gathering funds take time? Doesn’t Rui Nian need psychological preparation time?

What’s the Xu Family going to do, come all the way to Pingchuan for trouble?

If they do, he’d report it and see how the county official judges it.

The law doesn’t mandate compensation or apology for an affair between his grandson and a widow. If pushed to the limit, he’d suggest to court that if Zheng Family is willing to release Xu Zaohua, Gu Family will welcome her—provided it’s as a concubine.

Seeing Mr. Gu so resolute, Liu Tieshan decided to wash his hands of it.

He delivered the message; whatever excessive actions the Xu Family might take no longer concern him, as long as it doesn’t cause trouble in Qinghe Bay.

"Brother, you’re just not thinking it through; your main house has three grandchildren. Dahuan is a good farmer, Dashi’s business is doing well, needless to say about Jingzhe. Second branch’s Feng Nian is ordinary but doesn’t cause trouble; why place all your bets on Rui Nian? An unfilial descendant like him should be taken back and dealt with family law. You’re still waiting five days, fine, just wait then."

Second Uncle Gu, seeing Mr. Gu still treasure Rui Nian, left angrily.

Mr. Gu didn’t invite him for a meal; frankly, they didn’t have spare funds to host the village head and second brother.

Elder daughter-in-law wasn’t here; let her handle this expense unjustly.

Tong Huaqiong accompanied Liu Tieshan and Second Uncle Gu out of Wu Ji, escorted by Gu Fengnian and Mrs. Wei.

Second Uncle Gu whispered to Gu Fengnian, "Feng Nian, you’ve got a good heart. Watch over your family. Don’t let them target Xiao Xue; you’ve only got this sister." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Gu Fengnian hadn’t caught on, but Mrs. Wei’s expression turned.

Second Uncle Gu shook his head, following Tong Huaqiong and Liu Tieshan towards Jufu Supermarket.

"Second uncle, you mean the elders might offer Xiao Xue to compensate Xu Family for Rui Nian?" Tong Huaqiong asked.

Second Uncle Gu and Liu Tieshan nodded in unison.

Liu Tieshan explained how Xu’s eldest wanted Xiao Xue, and their prior discussion with Second Uncle Gu to keep it quiet. Liu Tieshan hoped when they returned to the village to consult Xu Family Patriarch Mr. Xu, a rare voice of reason in Xu Family, he might sway their decision.

Tong Huaqiong instantly understood their intentions. Mr. Gu and others were blindly focused on saving Rui Nian, fearing highlighting Xiao Xue’s potential might prompt them to act prematurely.

"Such sin," Tong Huaqiong cursed.

Tong Huaqiong wasn’t familiar with Xiao Xue, only knew she was timid, like a silent shadow.

Yet every encounter was met with shy greetings.

Poor Xiao Xue.