Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1045: Hurting Others

Second Old Master Shang heard the cold laugh, his old face turned red, and he couldn’t stay any longer. He said to Village Chief Shang, "Shang Laosi brought a few servants back, we can’t let them escape. I’ll take people to catch them, the matter here is left to you."

With that, he hurriedly ran off with his son.

Village Chief Shang, disgusted, spat toward Second Old Master Shang’s back and then instructed Shang Shiliu and the others, "Tie up Shang Laosi, gag him, and don’t let him bite his tongue to commit suicide."

"Yes." Shang Shiliu and the others hated Shang Laosi to death, and rushed together to capture him. But Shang Laosi, having been out and about, knew some martial arts, and even carried a knife. He quickly drew it, and with a few swipes, injured Shang Shiliu and two other Shang Family men.

All the Shang Family members were shocked, looking at the blood-stained knife in Shang Laosi’s hand and the ruthlessness on his face. They were thoroughly convinced that Shang Laosi was no good outside. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Village Chief, what should we do?" The Shang Family members, valuing their lives, dared not approach upon seeing Shang Laosi with a knife.

Seeing they were scared, Shang Laosi immediately became arrogant, laughing, "Haha, a bunch of cowards, trying to catch me, do you know I..."

Before he could finish, there were two bangs, and Gu Jin’an shot two iron blocks, knocking Shang Laosi to the ground.

"Quick, catch him," Qi Kangming said and rushed first to grab Shang Laosi, followed by Gu Qingliang, Gu Qingtian, and Gu Dexing, who together caught Shang Laosi.

Brother Cheng handed them a rope, "Cousin Ming, here."

Qi Kangming took the rope and tied up Shang Laosi in a few swift moves.

Even when tied up, Shang Laosi didn’t stop struggling. He shouted to all the Shang Family members present, "You can’t catch me. If anything happens to me, none of you in the Shang Family will have it easy! Don’t be foolish, let me go as if this never happened, only then can the Shang Family continue in the village, otherwise...mmm mmm mmm!"

Brother Cheng stuffed a ball of coarse hemp cloth into Shang Laosi’s mouth, silencing him, and disdainfully said to him, "You’re really noisy, don’t you know you can’t shout so loudly at someone else’s house? Hmph!"

Then he kicked Shang Laosi, almost making him vomit blood, before obediently standing behind Gu Jin’an.

Shang Laosi was infuriated, enduring the pain on his body, glaring angrily at Brother Cheng. Damn kid, just wait, if he survives, he’ll get his due!

Then his gaze shifted, glaring fiercely at Old Grandmaster Shang Laoliu.

Old Grandmaster Shang Laoliu was the most timid among the Shang Family clan elders, loving to muddy the waters. Hearing Shang Laosi’s words made him very scared. He said to Village Chief Shang, "Fifth Brother, this is too big. If we report it to the officials, our Shang Family is finished... For the sake of the Shang Family descendants, let’s settle this privately?"

And added, "Laosi has already been caught by us. If we deal with him secretly and destroy his business, releasing those victimized women, this matter can be forgotten."

Old Grandmaster Shang Laoliu wanted to resolve this quietly, unwilling to report to officials and disgrace the Shang Family, but Scholar Shang disagreed.

"No," Scholar Shang said, "I’ve already said, compared to losing face, the lives of clan members are more important. As long as the evil deeds of Shang Laosi are not exposed, this poison will remain. Once discovered, it will be a nationwide disgrace and a life-threatening matter for the entire clan."

Scholar Shang looked at Village Chief Shang, lifting his robe slightly and kneeling, "Uncle, my meaning is to make it public, preferably report to the officials today. If Uncle agrees to settle privately, then there is no place for me in this village, and I’ll move to the county immediately. Except for my parents’ death anniversaries, I will never return."

He looked at the present Shang Family clan members and added, "Yuanyuan will also never return. The Jiang Family loves her dearly. At worst, I’ll have her adopted into the Jiang Family before I die, then she’ll have a bunch of brothers to support her, unafraid of anyone! As for the Shang Family’s property here, I’ll sell it all; no one will profit!"

These words startled all the Shang Family members present. Several of his peers, older than him, said, "What do you mean? Are you saying the clan members want to seize your property, to offer your property and daughter to the Jiang Family?"

Scholar Shang: "Yes!"

The Shang Family members were shocked: "How dare you? The Shang Family is not dead yet! You’re thinking of giving your daughter to the Jiang Family, you traitor to your ancestors!"

Scholar Shang laughed coldly, "As for ancestral matters, I’ll take it up with them after I die, but I won’t let my daughter suffer anymore!"

Gu Jin’an walked over and helped Scholar Shang up, saying, "Master, don’t bother with them. Some people are just foolish, always thinking others can’t survive without the clan. But those with skills can live even better away from the clan. The only ones suffering are those who don’t get benefits."

Upon hearing this, several Shang Family members blushed, pointing at Gu Jin’an, "Don’t be arrogant."

Gu Jin’an laughed, "You are the arrogant ones. Village Chief Shang has said more than once that no one can make a move on my master’s household because he has no heirs, but you refuse to listen, repeatedly trying to seize my master’s property. You want to bully the childless, right? I’ll state it here today. If anyone dares to bully my master’s family, you better pray I, Gu Jin’an, never succeed in life, or I’ll make all of you wish for death!"

"Brother An, be quiet!" Scholar Shang paled with fear; An’er still needed to take the imperial exams, and speaking such threats, if it spread, would ruin his reputation.

Gu Jin’an said, "Master, don’t worry."

This matter today involves the case against Shang Laosi, and the Shang Family members are afraid for their lives. The words spoken here won’t spread. Even if someone tries, Village Chief Shang won’t allow it.

Village Chief Shang is no fool, having served as chief for so long. After Shang Laosi’s incident, he’ll surely take action against the troublemakers in the clan.

Sure enough, Village Chief Shang spoke to Scholar Shang, "Wenyuan, you are the most successful child in our Shang Family Village, and you’re my very own nephew. I’m not dead yet. If anyone dares to bully your household or makes your family leave the village, their entire family won’t live well in this village either!"

Village Chief Shang was truly angry. These past years, he grew old, softened, and didn’t discipline the Shang Family members as strictly. They grew arrogant, daring to bully Wenyuan in his presence, and now he’d show no mercy!

As for Wenyuan...

Thinking of this child, Village Chief Shang felt sad. Originally the most promising child of the Shang Family, but because he refused to take a concubine, he ended up without a son to continue his lineage.

Over the decades, his cousin pressured him countless times, yet he refused to take a concubine, saying he wouldn’t ruin his family for a concubine, which made his cousin and wife furious.

When pushed to his limit, he moved to the county with Ms. Jiang, not returning to the village for the first ten years.

After his cousin and wife passed away, he tried a few more times, but Wenyuan just wouldn’t comply.