From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 308: Chapter 309: A Widow’s Visit

Gu Dashishi’s expression faltered. "All you do is run your mouth. This isn’t the time to be talking about that!

I just want to know one thing—did you have a hand in this?"

Li Cuicui felt it was a waste of breath to argue with such a man. Besides, with the new clan rule in place, she was in the mood to taunt him. "It’s already been announced, and everyone has accepted it. Why don’t you test it out? See for yourself if this clan rule has any real teeth."

Gu Dashishi didn’t need to think to know what the consequences would be. He pointed a finger at Li Cuicui. "You vicious woman."

Watching the fuming Gu Dashishi storm out, Li Cuicui had no desire to stay home either. She went and called for Li Chuncao and her sister, then headed toward Ancient Wen Heng’s house at the village entrance.

Now that the two sisters had taken her surname, she had simply changed Ni Ni’s name to Li Chunya. That way, when their names were said together, it was clear they were biological sisters.

Jin Qianqian patted the two sisters’ heads and slipped a gold bracelet onto each of their wrists.

"You shouldn’t give the children something so valuable."

Li Cuicui reached out to stop her, but Jin Qianqian caught her hand and said with a smile, "Let the children keep these for their dowries. Besides, they are young ladies of the Gu family; they should have at least some presentable jewelry.

I was in a rush this time and didn’t prepare anything else. I’ll make it up to them next time."

’Jin Qianqian was just being polite. She didn’t have a good impression of Gu Yuanfeng, and while she wouldn’t dislike the children just because of him, she felt she still needed to observe their characters.

Whether they took after the He Family or Gu Yuanfeng, neither would be a good sign.’

Gu Dashishi had just reached the village entrance when a sweet, delicate voice called out, "Brother Dash."

Gu Dashishi hurriedly glanced back toward the village. Seeing no one was around, he quickened his pace, walked over, and pulled her behind a mound of earth.

"What are you doing here?" Gu Dashishi felt his heart beat erratically. ’If any of the village gossips find out about this,’ he thought, ’who knows what bizarre new rule that unfilial son of mine will come up with.’

"You haven’t come to see us in so long," Shi Lingjiao said. "I heard there was a happy occasion in your family, so I came especially to offer my congratulations." She took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow, but to her surprise, Gu Dashishi dodged away.

"Brother Dash?" Shi Lingjiao frowned, her face a mask of grievance. "Have you grown tired of me?"

"No," Gu Dashishi immediately softened, putting his arm around her shoulder. "You should go back for now. People are always coming and going here. It won’t look good if someone sees us."

Shi Lingjiao asked, "Then when will you come see us?

Don’t tell me that now you’re the grand old master, you look down on a poor widow like me."

"How could I?" Gu Dashishi grabbed her hand and patted it. "I know I’ve wronged you lately. But they absolutely refuse to let you into the family, and there’s nothing I can do about them right now. For you, I even got into a fight with that shrew."

’As he said this, Gu Dashishi felt his confidence waver. In truth, he had been the one getting a beating, but he couldn’t possibly say that. He would lose too much face.’

Shi Lingjiao didn’t know the details, but she could see his unease and assumed Gu Dashishi was preparing to abandon her.

She seethed inwardly, but her face was a picture of gentle concern. "That Sister Li is too much. How could she raise a hand against you?

If you had been hurt, wouldn’t her heart have ached for you?"

"Hmph. How could a woman like her possibly feel any heartache? She’s been selfish her entire life, only ever looking out for herself.

I told her you wouldn’t compete with her after joining the family, but she still threw a fit, even alarming those old geezers in the clan.

My hands were tied. Even though my sons are all capable now, those elders used the responsibility my mother entrusted to them as an excuse, and I couldn’t argue back.

I know I’ve let you down. Why don’t you head back for now? I’ll try to talk them around again after a while."

Gu Dashishi’s anger only grew. The mere thought of Li Cuicui filled him with irritation.

Seeing she had successfully stoked his anger, Shi Lingjiao dabbed the corner of her eye with her handkerchief, her voice thick with unshed tears as she spoke,

"Everyone is saying you’re going to Shangjing with your sons to live a life of comfort. You’ll be the grand old master of an official family, with countless servants and maids. Why would you ever think of a pitiful little widow like me then?

If I didn’t come to see you one last time, I’m afraid our future... well, there might not be a future for us."

Seeing her like this, Gu Dashishi’s heart melted. ’I’ve been a complete bastard,’ he thought. ’She came all this way just to see me, and I just kept trying to push her away.’

"Who’s spreading such nonsense? When we divided the family property, we agreed to live our own separate lives.

Look at those brothers. Their lives are better now, but have they said anything about inviting us two old folks to live with them? No. They just give us some Silver and hire servants to take care of us.

And don’t even get me started on Seventh. He’s been back all this time and hasn’t mentioned it even once."

’Shangjing... Gu Dashishi longed to go as well, but deep down, he knew the reality of his situation. He would probably live out his days and die right here in Gaoling Village.’

"Then they are far too unfilial," Shi Lingjiao said, her face a mask of both surprise and delight as she looked at Gu Dashishi. "But it’s for the best that you aren’t going. That way, I can still see you when I miss you."

Gu Dashishi puffed out his chest. "You shouldn’t spend all day thinking about me. Here, I have some Silver Taels. Take them and buy yourself something nice to eat. Don’t neglect yourself."

As he spoke, he fumbled for the silver coins at his waist. ’This is the last of my private savings,’ he thought, ’but giving it to the woman I love is worth it.’

Looking at the mere two taels of broken silver, a flicker of scorn crossed Shi Lingjiao’s eyes, but she pushed the Silver back. "Brother Dash, do you think I came here just for your Silver?

You’re underestimating me. Now that I know you’re alright, I’ll head back."

Gu Dashishi grabbed her, stuffed the Silver into the front of her robes, and took the opportunity to cop a feel. Only then did he reluctantly let go. "Wait for me at home. I’ll be over to see you soon."

With a coy and reluctant expression, Shi Lingjiao departed, looking back every few steps. Her leaving left Gu Dashishi’s heart feeling utterly empty.

They thought their rendezvous was a secret, but Ancient Wen Heng and his brothers found out about it at that very moment.

The brothers sat together, staring at one another. They never thought their own father would be the first one to openly defy the new rule.

Ancient Wen Heng grinned at his older brothers. "So, what’s the plan? It seems those two are already inseparable."

Gu Yuanjin covered his mouth with his fist and coughed dryly. "This is difficult. He’s our father. It’s not a son’s place to police his own father."

Gu Yuanhuo scoffed, "True, a son shouldn’t manage his father. But *she* is dead set on coming into this family to manage *us*."

Gu Yuantu said, "If all else fails, we could talk to Father. Ask him to stop making trouble, for our sakes."

The other brothers: "..."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "Our father simply has too much time on his hands. Isn’t it about time the clan organized a party to go back to our ancestral village and relocate the ancestral hall?"

Gu Yuanshui immediately jumped in, "Our grandparents’ memorial tablets are still in the old village. As their son, it would be most fitting for our father to be the one to make that trip."