Chapter 811 - 814: Broken Promise

Chapter 811: Chapter 814: Broken Promise

"Is... is this okay?" Liu Benshi asked.

Although he was young, his father, Liu Heizi, always reminded them that their current life was all thanks to Mr. Gu. Even their family’s ability to build their fortune on fishing was due to Mrs. Gu teaching them how to catch and process fish.

His father had already sent fish over before, but the other party had returned an even more valuable gift. His family felt like they had taken advantage of them and was currently feeling uneasy. They wondered if sending more fish over right now would cause a misunderstanding.

Gu Ali was young and didn’t overthink things like he did. "What’s the big deal? The ones we caught with him before were just small fish, completely different from casting a net this time.

"Besides, I heard my dad say they’re definitely just back for a few days. Who knows when Can will come back next time."

Relying on his higher seniority in the clan, Gu Ali addressed Gu Ben Can directly by his first name.

The other children agreed as they listened to the discussion. Therefore, by the time Gu Wenheng and his family returned from their walk, there was another basin of fish in the house.

Gu Ben Can was squatting by the water basin, lost in thought. Jin Qianqian walked over and saw the basin packed tightly with live fish, immediately knowing where they came from.

"Did your little friends bring you some good stuff?" Jin Qianqian asked Gu Ben Can with a smile.

"We agreed earlier that I would cast nets and catch fish with them," Gu Ben Can said weakly. "I didn’t expect to miss it after all."

"Are you very disappointed?" Taking advantage of her son squatting there, Jin Qianqian reached out and rubbed his head.

Gu Ben Can finally shifted his gaze away from the fish. "Mother, I broke my promise."

Gu Wenheng walked up to Jin Qianqian’s side and met his son’s eyes. "Since you agreed on it beforehand, why did you break your promise?"

"Father, shouldn’t I be asking you that?" Gu Ben Can said, pursing his lips.

"You’re wrong about that," Gu Wenheng said. "It was a private agreement between you all. Why would I interfere?"

"But you assigned me so much homework...?"

Gu Wenheng sighed, shaking his head. "This is also another lesson in your life. If Heaven does not keep its word, the seasons cannot form the year. If Earth does not keep its word, plants and trees cannot grow. With the vastness of heaven and earth and the transformations of the four seasons, even they cannot accomplish anything without trustworthiness, let alone human affairs.

"Read the Spring and Autumn Annals of the Lu Family thoroughly again today.

"Come tell me tomorrow—where did you go wrong this time?"

After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and left. Jin Qianqian patted Gu Ben Can’s shoulder and prepared to leave as well.

"Mother..."

Hearing her son’s plea for help, Jin Qianqian’s heart softened. "Go on. I’ll have someone deliver your meals to the study later."

Gu Ben Can was speechless. "What a loving mother..." he thought.

***

Ever since Gu Yi took over the position of Clan Leader, he had managed the affairs of the Gu family remarkably well.

Unlike Gu Sanbu, who had to do everything himself, Gu Yi led a few capable members of the Gu family to help him handle chores. This allowed him to free up some time to serve as a teacher in the clan school.

Having followed Gu Wenheng for so many years, not only had his horizons broadened, but he had also barely managed to pass the exams and become a scholar two years ago.

It was Gu Wenheng’s first time visiting since he returned days ago, and he happened to see Gu Yi lecturing the children.

When Gu Yi noticed his arrival, he did not stop. He merely gave a slight nod and continued teaching the day’s lesson.

Gu Wenheng listened through the entire class. It was not until Gu Yi walked over to him that he slowly headed outside.

"You’ve done a good job since you came back these past few years," Gu Wenheng praised. Then, changing the subject, he asked, "Do you regret it?"

After all, Gu Yi had been by his side for many years. Starting as a secretary, he had become highly proficient in handling the affairs of the government office. Now that he held the title of a scholar, it would have been entirely possible for him to secure a position as a County Magistrate down the line by relying on his connections with Gu Wenheng.

Gu Yi answered with a calm expression. "I don’t regret it. I feel that this kind of life suits me best."

Having spent so many years with Gu Wenheng, there were many things Gu Wenheng never hid from him. This allowed him to see the dark side of human nature and the complexities of officialdom. He had learned a lot from it, but it had also filled his heart with apprehension. Being here was already good enough.

Besides, he was now a widely respected teacher and a pillar of the Gu family. He had already found the meaning of his life.

Gu Wenheng patted his shoulder. "In that case, keep at it."

Gu Yi nodded firmly. "I will."

***

Caressing the newly delivered letter, Li Cuicui confirmed with the messenger once more. "Was this sent from Bainiao Valley?"

"The address on the letter is from there," the young messenger replied. "If you have no other orders, Madam, I still need to deliver letters to the neighboring village. I’ll take my leave now."

Li Cuicui had Granny Song, who was standing nearby, hand over the reward silver. Only then did she nervously clutch the letter.

"Madam, should I go call Mr. Gu over?" Granny Song asked worriedly.

Li Cuicui waved her hand and sat there in deep thought. The only ones who could send a letter from Bainiao Valley were the Li Family; there was no one else. But ever since she had sent Silver over two years ago and her nephew had written back, there had been no further correspondence.

She stood up abruptly and hurried outside, tightly grasping the letter. Granny Song quickly followed.

It was Gu Wenheng’s first time seeing Li Cuicui so flustered. He hurriedly helped her sit down in the seat of honor.

"Quick, take a look! What does this letter say?" Li Cuicui was genuinely panicked because her nephew from her maiden family had never taken the initiative to write before.

Seeing where the letter was from, Gu Wenheng took it and tore open the seal with one hand. With a flick of his wrist, the letter unfolded.

Skimming the contents under Li Cuicui’s anxious gaze, Gu Wenheng smiled. "This is a letter sharing good news, Mother. My younger cousin has become a grandfather.

"Xiao Bei got married last year, and this year my cousin welcomed his first grandson. He specifically wrote to let you know."

Li Cuicui pressed her palms together in prayer. "The ancestors are truly watching over us! I was just worrying about Xiao Bei earlier. You don’t know this, but that child was born right during the famine. Because those children were so young, your maternal grandfather’s family didn’t join the fleeing refugees.

"But enduring that harsh environment ruined his health. He would fall sick every few days. It was only a few years ago when he couldn’t hold on any longer and they wrote to ask for medicinal herbs that I found out about it.

"Now that he’s able to get married and have children, it means his health has mostly recovered. Your Second Uncle finally has an heir to carry on his line."

As for the two children of her eldest brother’s family, Li Cuicui wasn’t worried at all. They had long since had a string of boys. Now that even her youngest nephew had a grandson, she could finally put her mind at ease.

When she first received the letter, she had been momentarily unsettled and her first thought was to find her successful son. Now that the matter was clear, she felt a bit embarrassed.

"Did I disturb you?" Li Cuicui knew her son was just as busy even after coming back, and he usually didn’t come over on his own initiative.

At this moment, Xu Dawang personally brought over some tea and placed it on the table. "Madam, please have some tea."

"Mother, have a sip of tea first," Gu Wenheng said. "I don’t have anything pressing to do anyway. This is a perfect opportunity for the two of us to chat."

Li Cuicui sat up straight, instantly on high alert. "Is something wrong? Did someone in the family get into trouble?"

Gu Wenheng offered a reassuring smile. "Mother, it’s nothing like that. It’s just that I’ve been back for a while, and we haven’t had a proper chance to catch up."