Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 370 - 206: Compensate Silver

Gu Chengyi had only thought of getting rid of Wang Yue, never expecting to be poisoned.

The poison powder was found in Wang Yue’s house. He had been using it for over a month. If that was their first secret rendezvous, how did he get poisoned?

So the previous talk was no longer credible. He was very repulsed by the child in Wang Yue’s womb and really did not want it.

However, if Wang Yue wasn’t protected, he would also have to be thrown into the pig cage.

"It was Wang Yue’s scheme. We, the Gu Family, were taken advantage of, and now my nephew has to be thrown into the pig cage with her."

Uncle Gu held his ground, asserting that whether or not there had been a prior relationship between the two, no one knew, and it couldn’t be verified. During this past month, it was Wang Yue who had been poisoning Gu Chengyi, not the other way around.

"The child in my belly is Gu Chengyi’s. How can your Gu Family be so heartless and disregard your own blood? Aren’t you afraid of the world’s ridicule? Your family even has a scholar!"

Seeing Mr. Gu silent and Gu Chengyi blatantly refusing to acknowledge, even with the village chief making excuses, Wang Yue feared that the Gu Family was only willing to protect Gu Chengyi and not care for her. She didn’t want to die; she still had a son, and if she died, who would take care of Guoguo?

"Gu Chengyi brought shame upon our Yang Family. We absolutely can’t let them off. Not only should they be thrown into the pig cage, but your Gu Family must also compensate us."

The Yang Clan Leader, seeing that the village chief wasn’t mentioning money, decided to speak directly.

He observed Gu Chengyu sitting silently on the side, indicating that Gu Chengyu didn’t want to get involved. As long as Gu Chengyi’s life wasn’t at risk, he believed any other demands could be negotiated.

Otherwise, if Mr. Scholar spoke out, how could they be this bold?

They obviously didn’t want the lives of both individuals; they just aimed to extort more silver.

He pondered for a long time, realizing that the Yang Family’s reputation was already severely tarnished. With Yang and Yang the Second’s public capture efforts, the entire village knew, displaying their utter foolishness.

Only by throwing them both into the pig cage could they salvage a bit of reputation. However, what is reputation compared to silver? Initially, he could still negotiate some benefits for the clan, but just getting silver now was already fortunate.

Regarding whether Wang Yue lived or died, he didn’t care. It depended on whom the Gu Family wanted to protect. If they decided to protect both, then he could demand more silver.

"What? You want silver? Does the Yang Family get all the benefits under the heavens? You want both their lives and silver, do you take our Gu Family for easy targets?"

Uncle Gu wasn’t afraid of confronting the Yang Clan Leader. Despite the Yang Family having many members, they had no capable youth. The Gu Family was on the rise, would the Yang Clan Leader dare to offend them?

"Actually, looking at Mr. Scholar’s face, it isn’t impossible to show a little leniency. But since our Yang Family lost so much face, if your Gu Family wants to protect Gu Chengyi, you must give the Yang Family an explanation. Otherwise, outsiders will surely say that your Gu Family is bullying others with power."

Mr. Gu glanced at the Yang Clan Leader. He knew it was all about silver. Over the years, the second brother had saved quite a bit, so compensating with some silver seemed fair. It would teach him a lesson; otherwise, managing him would be difficult in the future.

As for the child in Wang Yue’s womb, he hadn’t decided yet.

Uncle Gu also knew that without some sacrifice today, it would be impossible to resolve. If this was reported to the government, Gu Chengyi would be beaten for sure. Moreover, the silver compensation wouldn’t be small either, and the Gu Family’s reputation would be publicly ruined.

"Then let the Yang Clan Leader name a price! We’ll see if it’s feasible. However, if the Yang Family is too excessive, we won’t agree. At worst, we’ll report it to the government. My nephew was set up. The County Magistrate is known to be just and might clear the Gu Family’s name."

The Yang Clan Leader pondered for a moment, then held up three fingers, which was agreed upon earlier.

Gu Chengyu furrowed his brow, thinking it wasn’t three hundred taels, but more likely three thousand taels. The Yang Family really wanted to sink their teeth into them.

Uncle Gu, seeing it, questioned, "Three hundred taels?"

He didn’t dare to think bigger. Their family had only managed to earn money through Xiao Bao’s small sausage business, accumulating just over a hundred taels annually. Three hundred taels was already a substantial amount. Although Changqing’s family’s soap business made money, he hadn’t personally seen that money.

The Yang Clan Leader internally rolled his eyes. Even with many members in their Yang Family, collectively, they didn’t have three hundred taels of silver.

But, since the Gu Family had silver, asking for just three hundred taels would make them seem foolish.

The Yang Clan Leader shook his head and held up three fingers again, "Three thousand taels!"

"What? Three thousand taels?" Uncle Gu sharply inhaled, "Are you really daring to name such a sum? Do you intend to empty out the Gu Family’s wealth?"

Gu Chengyu calculated in his mind; his second brother could indeed spare three thousand taels. Over the years, they should have saved four to five thousand taels of silver.

"Is three thousand taels a lot? Our Yang Family lost so much face; even three thousand taels isn’t enough compensation. Only because of Mr. Scholar did we not ask for more."

The Yang Clan already calculated everything; five hundred taels would be given to Yang and his group, the rest would be distributed among the clan, and the remaining thousand or so taels could be used to buy farm land or support education. Wasn’t everyone envious of the Gu Family producing a scholar?

However, education was incredibly costly. Which family could afford it? If the Gu Family compensated, they could ensure education for the children in the clan.

"Three thousand taels? Are you crazy for silver? I will definitely not give it!"

Gu Chengyi, despite his poor spirits, still managed a retort. Three thousand taels of silver, even with the recent success in the soap business, would take over three years to save!

They had already split the family; the little brother definitely wouldn’t contribute more silver. If Gu Chengyi had to pay out of his own pocket, how could he bear it?

"Gu Chengyi, do you think three thousand taels is too much? Then you might as well wait to be thrown into the pig cage!"

The Yang Clan Leader glanced at Gu Chengyi. When it came to matters of life, he didn’t believe Gu Chengyi would hesitate to part with silver.

Suddenly, there came a shrill woman’s voice from outside, "Don’t stop me, Gu Chengyi, you heartless thing, how dare you tryst with that wretch behind my back."

Gu Chengyu rubbed his forehead; it was his second sister-in-law.

A few clan members were guarding outside the Gu Family’s ancestral hall, and no women were allowed inside. Of course, the offender, Wang Yue, wasn’t counted. The He was being held back, unable to enter the hall, wailing loudly outside.

"I am at home taking care of you and the children, yet you fool around outside with a widow. Wang Yue, you wretch, come out; see if I won’t beat you to death."

"Sixth Aunt, please don’t cause a scene. Women aren’t allowed in the ancestral hall. Look how you’ve scratched me."

Gu Chengyi showed no expression at He’s words. In his opinion, it was normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines.

Besides, He frequently visited her parents and rarely stayed home to manage the household, neither washing clothes nor cooking. He had long been displeased with her.