Chapter 457: with translation of chapter title

Everyone knows Gu Xixi is capable, has connections outside, and has even been to the capital.

A few timid ones exchanged glances, each showing a hint of fear.

Gu Er rolled his eyes and snarled, "What's up? You thinking someone's backing you?"

"I've been running around in wind and rain these years—I've seen a thing or two!"

"It's not like a few threats from women and kids will scare me!"

Shitou puffed out his chest, lifted his head, and faced Gu Er, "Who said we're only women and children?"

"My husband's still standing right here—are you blind?"

Gu Er glanced at Mu Nan Zhao, smirked contemptuously, "Huh, him? Just a pretty boy—what good is he?"

Mu Nan Zhao's eyes instantly darkened, like clouds hiding murderous thunder.

Lv Jing and Shitou saw it and couldn't help feeling a chill down their backs, glancing sideways at the still-reckless Gu Er.

Gu Er didn't notice anything odd; the more he spoke, the more excited he got, "Just now we were being polite with him—we never intended to call him out."

"Isn't he just the pretty boy Gu Xixi recently bought?"

"In my view, that carriage is also rented by Gu Xixi spending her own money—what's with the big act?"

Shitou flew into a rage, "You damn thing, keep talking nonsense and I'll knock your teeth out!"

Gu Er provoked with a loud laugh, "Yo, I'm so scared—don't tell me you don't even put that little brat in your eyes."

"Even if you all gang up on me, I'll furrow my brow and still not be a Gu!"

Among the clansfolk, some didn't join the fray; at least on the surface they hadn't made things difficult for Gu Xixi.

Seeing the situation turn bad, these people came over to mediate.

"Today's clan gathering is a rare reunion—let's cherish harmony!"

"Exactly, exactly—let's talk things out."

"The tea garden belongs to Xixi, so she definitely has the final say; as for the investment, I think we should just drop it."

……

Seeing the chaotic scene that was hard to contain, the elder had wanted to host a grand event, but instead ended up embarrassing himself publicly.

At this moment his mind cleared a little, and he realized he really couldn't do anything to Gu Xixi.

So he also didn't want to stay and face the crowd, which would only add to his embarrassment.

He therefore took advantage of the chaos, feigned illness, and had his family help him home to rest.

The clan meeting descended into total chaos—those cooking and those eating had their minds elsewhere.

Mu Nan Zhao turned to Gu Xixi and said calmly, "If you still have something to say, I'll wait."

Gu Xixi nodded.

She let out a light laugh without a trace of panic, as if hearing a great joke: "You're talking to me about repaying kindness with enmity?"

"Last year you ran to Flower Pool Ford Village to besiege me, forcing me to hand over the farming secret—how many of you took part, exactly who, I can't be bothered to investigate, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten."

Several people exchanged furtive glances, feeling somewhat panicked.

Then Gu Xixi continued, "This position of chief administrator—first, it's what you gave me as compensation."

"Second, it's because you think I'm useful."

"Everyone, have you forgotten what this clan meeting is meant to celebrate?"

"This year we've had a huge increase in yield and income—we've just tasted the sweetness, and already forgotten who gave it to us!"

One stern shout, like thunder shaking everything.

Gu Xixi's words rang out like metal on stone, startling some whose hearts had been clouded by greed.

Exactly, most of them are still farming households.

Not to mention next summer's harvest—right now the planting for the next season is imminent.

Even if we learned how to plant wheat, what about millet and sorghum?

Moreover, the most vital fertilizer and pesticide—previously Gu Xixi had people deliver them directly to Sweetwater Village.

And she gave Flower Pool Ford Village the same treatment, at the lowest price.

But today we have offended Gu Xixi severely.

Will she still supply fertilizer to the Gu clan in the future?

Seeing Gu Xixi finish speaking and about to leave, nearly everyone grew anxious.

Gu Er was no exception; he said, "You promised to help everyone plant grain! You can't go back on your word!"

He rushed forward in a fluster, reaching out to grab Gu Xixi's shoulder.

But his hand had just extended, not yet touching Gu Xixi.

Everyone then heard a piercing scream that shot straight to the heavens.

Only see the man Gu Er called "pretty boy"—his eyes icy and dark, like a murderous star descending.

From his thin lips he spat a single word: "Lay hands on me, and you're seeking death."

All outsiders who saw it felt their courage freeze.

They came to their senses, looked again at Gu Er, and saw his right arm bent into a strange arc.

This is……

Twisted and broken outright?!

Gu Er's face twisted ferociously, his whole body trembling from suppressing the pain.

He glared at Mu Nan Zhao, voice trembling, "You… you struck and hurt someone—I, I'm going to report you! I'm going to the County Office to sue you!"

With a bang came a muffled thud.

Gu Er's whole body flew out.

He fell to the ground and passed out, finally stopping the clamor.

Everyone was scared silly, and the surroundings were quieter than a graveyard at midnight.

Lv Jing said, "He couldn't be dead, could he?"

Gu Xixi said confidently, "Rest assured, he's the best at judging his strength when he strikes."

This little matter isn't enough to kill someone; at most it would just put Gu Er out of action for a year and a half.

Also, it's hard to say whether there will be any aftereffects.

Mu Nan Zhao looked at Shitou and said, "I once taught you part of the Grand Enterprise Criminal Code."

"How should this situation be described?"

Shitou spoke righteously, "If one first intends to harm another and meets resistance from the other party or aid from others, then regardless of the initiator's fate, the victim and the helpers are acting in legitimate self-defense."

He pointed at Gu Er, saying, "This person's mouth is full of talk of fighting and killing."

"First he threatened us, then tried a sneak attack from behind, and laid hands on my sister Xixi, a weak woman—everyone saw it."

Lv Jing also shouted loudly, "This person is utterly outrageous; he brought it upon himself!"

"No matter who files a complaint at the government office, we'll see it through to the end!"

Having said that, the four left straight away, leaving the Gu clan folk standing dumbfounded like wooden chickens.

As they approached the cart, Shitou pulled out the iron slingshot hidden in his bosom, feeling a bit regretful.

"I originally wanted to give him a bunch of bumps on the head, but Mister Mu got there first."

Gu Xixi let out a long, faint sigh, "I reckon in their eyes we're just a bunch of living Yama kings."

"It's best we don't come back to this place in the future."

She shook her head, sighed, and climbed onto the cart, with Mu Nan Zhao following closely behind.

Lv Jing and Shitou exchanged a glance and both burst out laughing.

Back home, Zhang Shen learned that several people had gone to a feast but returned hungry, and she hurriedly asked what had happened.

Shitou found another chance to show off, immediately recounting the events in vivid, dramatic detail.

Zhang Shen listened, thoroughly displeased, and said, "Sure enough, a crooked beam makes a crooked roof."

"The clan elders are just muddleheads; how can we expect the underlings to understand reason?"

Lv Jing asked, "Does the master plan to completely wash his hands of them from now on?"

Gu Xixi said, "I also don't want to condemn everyone with a single stick; from now on, when they come to buy fertilizer and pesticide, you register their names, and as long as they haven't openly practiced sorcery today, you can let them purchase from the workshop."

"Just that there's no need to specially deliver it to them anymore."

"As for the tea garden, they forced me, so don't blame me for making them all suffer the consequences."

"Later, when you hire workers, not a single one from the local Gu clan is to be taken."