Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 353 - 189: Parting Unhappily

Originally, Mr. Niu said the second son had some talent. As long as he studied earnestly for some years, he could certainly become a scholar. Both he and his father asked Mr. Niu privately at the school.

Becoming a scholar isn’t easy. He even heard that there were elderly men with white hair taking the exams! So, someone able to become a scholar after studying for a few years indeed had good talent, which he envied greatly!

Unexpectedly, his words pierced Gu Chengyi’s heart, "Why is it? Since the fifth child became a scholar, even the eldest brother wants to cozy up? Surely, he can’t step on his own brother to flatter others."

Gu Chengyi abruptly stood up, red-eyed, looking at Gu Chengli.

Gu Chengyu suspected he had taken the wrong medicine, snapping at everyone he encountered.

Gu Chengli merely expressed his true thoughts. What he stated was a fact; Xiao Bao also passed the scholar exam while studying in town.

Yet, he didn’t expect Gu Chengyi to speak of him this way. No matter how foolish he might be, he knew the second son was insulting him.

"Second son, what do you mean by this? I am merely being truthful. The second son found studying with Mr. Niu in Xiasang Village unsatisfactory, so he went to the county. Now, he thinks the county isn’t good either? If he’s studying, he should focus on that instead of having crooked thoughts."

In fact, Gu Chengli was straightforward and disapproved of the second son’s behavior.

He hadn’t read books, but respected his teacher, which shouldn’t all students do? 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Even he, a farmer, knew, after studying so many years, the second son was still not as respectful as him.

Gu Wan also couldn’t bear it. Every time her second brother came, trouble followed, and they ended up arguing. Each time, her second brother made unreasonable demands.

"Second brother! Xiao Bao just returned; such matters should be discussed later! Second son’s study matter is best brought up after he returns."

"Is this the time for a girl like you to speak up? Didn’t your mother teach you any manners? When men speak, why do you interrupt, girl? You’ll soon not be part of the Gu Family anymore and you still boss around here; back off."

Filled with anger, Gu Chengyi obviously wouldn’t be kind to Gu Wan.

He was always discontented with Gu Wan being treated so preciously. She was meant to be married off, merely needed food, yet was treated like a treasure.

Gu Wan’s eyes reddened after being scolded. As a young lady now, she was more sensible than before and less hurtful in her speech than during childhood. She hadn’t said much, merely advised a couple of sentences. Yet, she got scolded.

"What do you mean by that, second son? Are you insulting me? Don’t forget, your second son is still studying. If I sue you at the government office, he won’t be able to take exams."

Mrs. Lv hurriedly stepped in to protect her daughter from being wronged. She was reluctant to part with her daughter, as the time at home wasn’t much left. Never expected her daughter to be scolded by the second son. Including her in the mess was abominable.

"Second brother really speaks like a human? We’re all family in this room. Aren’t I your blood brother? Why would the eldest brother want to curry favor with me? If he needs help, as his younger brother, I would naturally assist. As long as it’s not excessive, I would certainly aid him."

Gu Chengyu couldn’t comprehend Gu Chengyi’s disregard for filial piety. How could he ignore the second son’s future?

"The eldest brother is still the elder; you show him no respect. The second sister merely advised two sentences, and you scold her; you shout at father too. You even scolded mother; seems like filial piety and brotherly love were fed to the dogs long ago."

Gu Chengyu decided not to tolerate him anymore. He was displeased with his brother, especially since he treated their father in such a manner. Father tolerated it, for mother wasn’t second brother’s biological mother. While father might endure, he wasn’t willing for his mother to also endure.

"Blood brother? Isn’t Xiao Bao your blood brother? If you don’t accept him, why do you use his silver? Why live in the house he built? You’re heartless. Even if you think your stepmother isn’t good, she raised you all. Now, you can’t stand the two of us old folks anymore, right?"

Mr. Gu, furious, stood up and pointed at Gu Chengyi, cursing, even a stone would have been warmed.

Xiao Bao had always relented, even sharing profit from the soap recipe with him. What more did he want?

"Fine! You’re all ganging up on me, right? I’ll leave then."

Gu Chengyi saw Mr. Gu’s flustered anger, along with everyone’s irate faces, unwilling to stay and suffer. He regretted coming for dinner.

Gu Chengyi burst out of the main room in anger, leaving Mr. Gu staring at the door frame, unable to recover for a long time.

"Never thought the second brother felt that way about me." Gu Chengli felt wronged too. Both of them shared the same mother, but these past years, the second brother seemed distant.

Today, he was so harshly criticized by him, feeling upset inside.

Gu Chengyu felt Gu Chengyi becoming increasingly stubborn, akin to the second son, unsure who influenced whom.

If he disliked them that much, they had split families, why not just avoid contact? Why opt for discomfort?

"I told you inviting him for dinner wouldn’t be good. Xiao Bao just returned, and you let him come to impede, what a waste of this table of dishes."

Mrs. Lv was also upset, but that was the old man’s biological son. As a stepmother, speaking too much would upset them.

She learned to be smarter these past two years. Let the old man realize the second son was unreliable, a thankless wolf indeed!

Mr. Gu sat down disoriented, staring blankly at the dishes on the table. No one spoke afterward.

After a long while, Gu Chengli proposed leaving, having lost his appetite. Being chastised by the second brother earlier left him feeling suffocated inside.

Mrs. Lv saw no one reached for the chopsticks, so she called the maid loudly to clear away the dishes.

At this moment, a young girl, about eight or nine, appeared at the door.

She held onto the door frame, lifted the curtain, peeking inside. Gu Chengyu turned back to find her, it was Sanya, Gu Mei.

Sanya seemed surprised to be noticed by Gu Chengyu, quickly pulling her head back.

"Is that you, Sanya? Come inside!" Gu Chengyu saw the hem of clothing at the door frame, quickly calling out.

Sanya moved her steps into the main room, sneaking glances at the people sitting on the heated bed, seemingly searching for someone.

Gu Chengyu guessed Sanya was looking for her father, but Gu Chengyi had already left earlier. Perhaps Sanya didn’t meet him?

He glanced at Sanya’s attire and was stunned. In his impression, the second sister-in-law didn’t treat Sanya well, and neither did Gu Chengyi care for her. Before the family split, she’d stayed with the main house.

After the split, the main house didn’t take her back. Sanya didn’t leave; she stayed.

But these past two years, Sanya grew up, and He seemed to have taken her back before he went to the Capital.

He heard from the second sister that He didn’t treat Sanya well; she was taken back to do housework. He hadn’t met Sanya previously, hence hadn’t paid much heed.