Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 371 - 207: Fig Leaf

He attempted several times to push past the people blocking the entrance to the ancestral hall, but it was all in vain.

Upon hearing the shouting, Wang Yue smirked coldly. This kind of man, and they still treat him like treasure?

If it weren’t for his family’s wealth, who would bother to be nice to him?

Don’t be fooled by the years she spent with Gu Chengyi, he’s as shrewd as they come and didn’t offer her much benefit.

Take Lin Wu, for example; despite not having money, he knows how to be considerate, saving some private funds to buy her jewelry and win her favor, showing at least some sincerity.

Gu Chengyi was entirely different; he pinched every little coin and took advantage of her without remorse.

If she hadn’t wanted to marry into the Gu Family, she would’ve been better off picking anyone else in the village.

Wang Yue glanced at Mr. Gu, now hoping only for him to soften his heart; otherwise, she would face dire consequences.

The other members of the Gu Family couldn’t care less about the child in her belly.

"Three thousand taels is indeed too much, Yang Clan Leader. If you genuinely wish to reconcile, then propose a sincere amount."

Three thousand taels! Who wouldn’t feel the pinch? Even Uncle Gu felt it was excessive.

Gu Chengyi was even more resistant, realizing that the Yang Family was aiming to extort money; otherwise, why spend such effort in a dispute?

He glanced at Gu Chengyu, who appeared lost in thought, sitting in his seat.

Feeling indignant again, the Gu Family was about to compensate with money, yet Gu Chengyu didn’t step out to curb the Yang Family’s arrogance. What was his scholarly achievement for, now bullied by the Yang Clan?

How could he know that Gu Chengyu was pondering the Gu Family’s clan rules? He was the family’s only scholar, naturally responsible for drafting them.

Once he completed the draft, he would present it to Uncle Gu for review. From today onwards, the clan rules would commence.

Gu Chengyi’s incident brought disgrace to the clan, and punishment was essential.

After he heads to the Capital, he wouldn’t be able to oversee the clan members, but Uncle Gu holding the clan rules would have reasonable grounds for penalties.

Yang Clan Leader and Yang exchanged a glance, understanding well that the Gu Family would refuse the three thousand taels.

Especially with the drugging incident involving Wang Yue, even taking it to the government office, after some arguing, might turn into accusations of Wang Yue scheming for fortune and even her life, or in extreme cases, framing their own Yang Family.

Yang pulled the Yang Clan Leader aside for a private conversation.

For Yang, collecting more money was better, proposing initially two thousand eight hundred taels to later negotiate for less, which the Yang Clan Leader agreed to.

Then, the two clans plunged into a new round of heated debate. Gu Chengyu, disinterested in listening to their bickering, stood up intending to return to the Gu Family.

"Xiao Bao!" Mr. Gu couldn’t hold back, calling out hurriedly as he saw Gu Chengyu about to leave.

Regarding Wang Yue, he had no idea what the solution should be!

"Father!" Gu Chengyu approached Mr. Gu, aware of his father’s predicament.

Yet, since Gu Chengyi paid the Silver, the Yang Family wouldn’t proceed with drowning Wang Yue. Should Wang Yue be drowned in a pigsty while Gu Chengyi remained unscathed, wouldn’t outsiders accuse the Gu Family of bullying due to their scholarly status?

"Father! Whether to keep the baby, we’ll have to ask Second Brother, since it’s fundamentally his fault."

Gu Chengyu wouldn’t make a decision; if he did, Gu Chengyi would have something to hold against him in the future.

Mr. Gu agreed it made sense, so the matter must be addressed with Second Brother. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Gu Chengyu contemplated. Given his belonging to the Gu Family, leaving at this juncture appeared inappropriate, and thus he sat back down.

Nonetheless, the issue unresolved, nobody was attending to Wang Yue; he couldn’t let this woman tarnish the Gu Family’s reputation.

After the Yang Clan and Gu Chengyi verbally battled for over half an hour, both parties reduced the money to two thousand taels, which on the Yang side, they were adamant about not further reducing.

"Yang Clan Leader! Now that the money is settled, as a scholar, it’s improper for me to intervene unless accused of abusing authority."

Seeing them reach an agreement, Gu Chengyu prepared to propose his plan.

"Indeed, Mr. Scholar is just and fair; we admire his integrity."

Irrespective of Gu Chengyu’s motives for not intervening, their success in obtaining the Silver smoothly owed gratitude to Gu Chengyu’s generosity.

Yang Clan Leader considered him approachable, nodding, then continued, "This incident brought disgrace to both the Gu and Yang Families, yet I’ve devised a proposal to preserve the reputations of both families while ensuring every penny of yours, Yang Clan Leader, remains intact. Would you care to hear my plan?"

Yang Clan Leader was momentarily surprised by such a favorable plan; pleased, knowing it was their Yang Family most reputation at stake.

"Delighted to hear the details!" Yang Leader bowed slightly towards Gu Chengyu.

"The root cause lies in Wang Yue’s status as a widow. Should the Yang Family issue Wang Yue a divorce paper before today, then the incident would amount to mere unmarried cohabitation, not adultery."

While such an action could still mar the reputation, the Yang Family would have superficially preserved its face.

Our Gu Family’s reputation wouldn’t suffer significant loss. In ancient times, men faulted are deemed romantic, whereas women are criticized as shameless, labelled immoral.

This tale would merely become romantic gossip.

Yang Clan Leader felt a surge; this plan, though clever, but?

"Mr. Scholar, this plan serves both parties, yet the village knows Wang Yue is still a Yang Family member, claiming we divorced her wouldn’t be believed!"

Gu Chengyu smiled, "What importance are their doubts? If we proclaim it, that’s that. They’re not Yang Family members. Once your family issues the divorce paper, would you really shout it across the village?"

Yang unhappily protested. If followed by this logic, what of their morning’s scandal?

"But that’s unacceptable; our Yang Family would become ridiculous! Upon granting the divorce, we have no rightful cause for upheaval!"

Yang glanced askance at Yang Clan Leader, aware of his consideration for the clan, but what of his household?

"Wouldn’t that resolve the issue simply? Just claim ignorance of your mother’s issuance of the divorce paper."

Though the reasoning seemed lame, Gu Chengyu felt if the Yang Family firmly stuck to this stance, labelling today’s event as an error would leave villagers no option.

Of course, behind-scenes ridicule was inevitable. Yet today should the Yang Family refuse, their reputation would plummet.

Gu Chengyu’s suggestion merely sought to preserve both families’ outward reputation. Internal whispers and laughter were beyond their control.

Yang Clan Leader scrutinized Gu Chengyu, finding him smiling mysteriously, a chill running down his spine, recalling Gu Chengyu’s followers’ treasure sword.

In truth, regardless of agreeing or not, the Yang Family’s reputation was already shredded. This legitimate explanation served merely as cover.

Gu Chengyu ignored Yang, confident Yang Clan Leader could persuade him.