stonecrandall Chapter 144 The Madman
Chapter 144 The Madman
Chapter 144 The Madman
Upon hearing the report from the maid, Yu Yanran knew that Minglan had guessed correctly.
"Sister Yanran, let's go check on Grand Tutor Yu's condition first," Minglan said.
Yu Yanran then remembered that her grandfather's fate was still unknown, and hurriedly took Minglan to the courtyard where her grandfather lived.
Grand Tutor Yu has already woken up; he had only fainted from extreme anger.
He felt ashamed at the thought that he thought Gu Tingye was a good person and had even persuaded his wife to agree to the marriage.
They had hoped to find a reliable husband for their granddaughter so that the couple could retire peacefully in their hometown.
If he were to marry his granddaughter off to that man, he would probably never find peace, even in death.
Grand Tutor Yu was old after all; when he woke up, he was pale and weak all over.
However, he still wanted to go to the main hall to handle the matter personally.
But when Old Mrs. Yu saw her husband's condition, she was afraid something might happen to him, so she dared not let him go.
Just as the couple was arguing, Yu Yanran and Minglan arrived.
Upon learning that Minglan had helped Yu Yanran and had driven her away, the couple quickly expressed their gratitude.
Minglan inquired about Grand Tutor Yu's health before taking her leave.
Man Niang's commotion outside the Yu family's house was witnessed by many people in the vicinity, and the gossip quickly spread.
At the Gu family residence, Gu Tingye was practicing martial arts in the courtyard to pass the time.
Gu Yankai strode in angrily, and glared at Gu Tingye, who was practicing his spear, shouting, "You unfilial son, you still have the nerve to practice your spear here?"
Gu Tingye sheathed his gun and stood still, coldly saying, "So what if you failed the exam? You know perfectly well why I failed!"
After the results of the imperial examinations were posted, people from families with connections went to the officials in charge of grading the papers to inquire why their children had failed.
It's not that I'm worried about cheating, but rather that I need to figure out the reason so that I can focus on my studies later.
This is where the advantages of officials and powerful families become apparent.
For ordinary people, failing the exam is simply a matter of not knowing whether it was due to a lack of knowledge, a problem with their writing, or something they shouldn't have written.
I don't know the specific problem, so I can only continue to study hard. If it's a knowledge issue, then this will be helpful; if it's something else, then it's just a waste of time.
It's different for officials and the powerful; they can learn from their weaknesses and correct them.
Gu Yankai said he didn't care about Gu Tingye, but he was still very concerned about him.
But after asking the question, he immediately flew into a rage.
Gu Tingye's writing is excellent; reading the articles alone is sufficient to pass the test.
However, he felt indignant on Yang Wuduan's behalf, saying that the emperor had gone too far in treating Yang Wuduan.
When these words reached the emperor's ears, he was furious and ordered that, like Yang Wuduan, he could only pass the imperial examination after the age of fifty.
It doesn't mean that he will only achieve academic success at the age of fifty, but rather that the restrictions on him will be lifted after he turns fifty.
Gu Tingye will only be able to pass the exam if he does.
How many fifty-year periods does a person have in their lifetime?
Most people don't even live to be fifty.
Even if I were to live to that time, after wasting many years, my spirit would be gone.
After learning the news, Gu Yankai returned and gave Gu Tingye a severe scolding.
After learning the reason why he failed the exam, Gu Tingye went to confront Gu Tingyu.
He had never said this to anyone else, only to Gu Tingyu.
Gu Tingyu naturally denied it, and Gu Yankai also defended her because of his health condition, believing that this was still a matter of Gu Tingye talking nonsense.
Gu Tingye was so angry that he left home, but he only returned to marry Yu Yanran.
At that moment, he still thought Gu Yankai was upset because of his failure in the exam.
"Who said it was because of failing the exam?"
Gu Yankai's face darkened. "I thought you had really changed your ways all these years and were studying hard. But I never expected you to have a mistress and even have a child with her."
Gu Tingye's expression changed upon hearing this. He thought that Man Niang's whereabouts had been exposed, and immediately questioned, "What have you done to Man Niang and the child?"
"I didn't do anything to that slut and her bastard, but that slut went to the Yu family and caused a huge scene. Now the news has spread all over Bianjing. You've completely disgraced the Gu family!" Gu Yan shouted.
Gu Tingye breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that Man Niang and the child were alright, but he was stunned when he heard that Man Niang had actually caused a scene at the Yu family.
If it weren't for Wang You's words, he wouldn't have thought about it at all.
But Wang You said that if he were that woman, he would definitely go to the Yu family and cause a scene, ruining the marriage.
Therefore, when he heard that Man Niang had actually gone to make a scene, his first reaction was that Man Niang wanted to stop the marriage.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Manniang, but rather that he had told her last night about his purpose in marrying Yu Yanran.
Manniang even went to the Yu family to cause trouble; he really couldn't think of any other reason.
"What are you all standing there for!"
Gu Yan shouted, "Go and bring the person back! Send the mother away and keep the child. I'll swallow my pride and go to the Yu family to apologize. That way, there's still a chance for the marriage!"
He still refused to give up on the marriage; he had never even dared to dream of marrying into the Yu family.
Unexpectedly, Gu Tingye went to propose marriage himself, and Grand Tutor Yu did not directly refuse.
Gu Tingye snapped out of his daze and ran outside.
"Quickly, follow them!" Gu Yankai hurriedly said to his servants.
When Manniang returned home, the anxious Granny Chang breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing her return, but scolded, "Where have you been? Didn't I tell you not to go out?"
"I'm so bored staying at home, I need to go out for some fresh air!"
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
After Manniang finished speaking, she ignored Granny Chang and went into the room, leaving her to curse outside.
Granny Chang was tired of scolding and had no choice but to give up.
About half an hour later, there was a loud knocking on the door.
The maid who was busy in the kitchen hurriedly went to open the door.
"Who is it? Why are you banging on the door like that?"
Hearing the commotion, Granny Chang came out of the house. When she saw Gu Tingye enter, she exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Ye, what brings you here?"
""
"Where is she?" Gu Tingye asked, his face ashen.
"She's inside!"
Seeing that Gu Tingye's expression was not right, Granny Chang said anxiously, "Did she get into some trouble outside? It's all my fault, I didn't keep an eye on her and she ran out."
Gu Tingye ignored Granny Chang and walked inside.
"Jiro!"
Just then, Man Niang walked out with red and swollen eyes.
At this moment, there was a red mark on her forehead, which was swollen upon closer inspection, and there was also a handprint on her face.
With her red and swollen eyes, she was truly pitiful to behold.
"I've already told you that I'm proposing to the eldest daughter of the Yu family because she has a good nature and would accept you into the family. Why are you still causing trouble at the Yu family's house?"
Gu Tingye's expression calmed down, and his tone was also very calm.
"Erlang, I'm afraid that after you get married, she won't agree to me entering the family. How will I, a woman with two children, survive?"
Manniang wiped away her tears and said, "I didn't mean to cause trouble. I just wanted to ask her to accept me into her family after we got married. I even kowtowed to her and said that I would treat her with utmost respect. But she not only refused, she also had me beaten."
"You're lying! When you came back, there was no injury on your face at all!"
Only then did Granny Chang realize that Man Niang had actually gone to the Yu family to cause trouble. She was extremely pleased that Gu Tingye had married the eldest daughter of the Yu family.
In her opinion, only a lady from a respectable family could be worthy of Gu Tingye.
Therefore, she immediately exposed Man Niang!
Upon hearing this, Gu Tingye calmly replied, "What other explanation do you have?"
When Granny Chang exposed her, Man Niang wasn't afraid at all. On the contrary, Gu Tingye's calm tone gave her a bad feeling.
However, she didn't have time to think too much. She covered her face and looked at Granny Chang with a wronged expression, saying, "Granny, Erlang said that you are his wet nurse and that I should respect you."
But I don't know what I did wrong. Ever since you came to Bianjing, you haven't liked me.
Even if you despise me, you can't slander me.
She hadn't expected Gu Tingye to arrive so quickly. When she heard the urgent knocking on the door, she opened the window to peek out.
Seeing Gu Tingye enter with a grim expression, she hurriedly banged her head on the table several times and even slapped herself hard.
Of course, since she dared to do this, she also expected that Granny Chang would expose her.
Therefore, a solution has already been devised.
Because of her background, Granny Chang made no attempt to hide her dislike for her.
She overheard Granny Chang speaking ill of her to Gu Tingye, but Gu Tingye simply didn't believe her.
Therefore, she felt that even if Granny Chang exposed her, as long as she said that Granny Chang disliked her, Gu Tingye would believe her.
When did I ever wrong you?
Granny Chang stomped her feet in anger. Although she disliked Man Niang, she wouldn't do something like this.
Hearing Man Niang slander her like this, she was so anxious that she wanted to swear an oath.
"Grandma, I believe you!"
Gu Tingye looked at Manniang, whose face had stiffened, and said, "You keep saying you're afraid Miss Yu won't accept you, but the Yu family hasn't agreed to the marriage. With your outburst, how can the Yu family possibly agree?"
You keep saying you're not trying to ruin this marriage?
"Erlang, I didn't, listen to me—"
"shut up!"
Gu Tingye roared, "Stop making excuses! Leave for the sake of the child, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"
When you trust someone, even if there are some flaws, you will fill in the gaps in their mind.
But when doubt arises, even the most reasonable arguments will be flawed.
Man Niang was deceiving Gu Tingye, so how could she not have any flaws?
Gu Tingye trusted her before, so he didn't think much of it.
On his way here, Gu Tingye carefully recalled the days he had spent with Manniang over the years and immediately realized that there were many problems.
The thought of being deceived for so many years made Gu Tingye want to kill Manniang.
However, considering the child, he still decided to let Manniang leave.
"Erlang, you can't do this to me!" Manniang cried as she stepped forward, wanting to hug Gu Tingye.
Gu Tingye took a step back and said coldly, "I don't want to say it again. You come from all walks of life, so you should know that making someone disappear is not difficult for me, and it won't cause any trouble."
Manniang sensed the resoluteness and determination in Gu Tingye's tone. After a moment of silence, she said, "Fine, since you are so heartless, Erlang, I will leave. But could you give me some time to pack my things and say goodbye to the child?"
Gu Tingye hesitated for a moment, then said, "About half a cup of tea's time!"
Upon hearing this, Manniang wiped away her tears, turned around, and went into the house.
"Ye-ge'er, we should just send her away. Who knows what she'll say to the child later?" Granny Chang advised.
If Manniang instills in the child that his father drove his mother away, or that their mother was driven away because of Gu Tingye's wife, wouldn't that be the same as Gu Tingyu back then?
Moreover, if a child grows up with hatred in their heart, who knows what they might do in the future.
"She is, after all, the child's biological mother, let her—"
Gu Tingye's expression suddenly changed, and he shouted at Manniang who had come out, "Release the child at once!"
"That's your own child!"
When Granny Chang saw Manniang holding Changge'er in one arm and holding scissors to Changge'er's neck in the other, her expression changed drastically.
"hehe."
Man Niang said as if she were crazy: "Gu Tingye, I have followed you for so many years, borne you children, and am willing to be your concubine."
Now that you want to get married, you see me as an obstacle and want to drive me away. It won't be that easy, let me tell you.
You deliberately told me you were going to marry the eldest daughter of the Yu family, claiming it was all for my sake, but actually you just wanted to trick me into going to the Yu family so you'd have an excuse to get rid of me!
When Gu Tingye heard Man Niang say this, he couldn't help but wonder if he had misunderstood her.
But at this moment, he couldn't care less about anything else and advised, "Put the child down first, we can talk about it slowly."
"There's nothing to say. You come with me to the government office now, and in front of the official, you'll write a marriage certificate and become my wife. Then I'll release the child!" Man Niang shouted.
If it were just for wealth and status, the money Gu Tingye had given her over the years would have been more than enough for her to live comfortably.
Of course, she gave all that money to her brother, who then squandered it.
Over the years, she had been dreaming of entering the Gu family and enjoying wealth and luxury; it had become an obsession.
In the original drama, she returned to Bianjing again, wanting Gu Tingye to take her into his family.
Keep in mind that Changge'er was already dead at that time, yet she still used Changge'er to blackmail Gu Tingye.
Even if Gu Tingye agreed to take her into his family, how could he let her go once he learned that Changge'er was dead?
So what if you actually get in? So what if you don't have a contract of indenture?
Even emperors sometimes die mysteriously. If a concubine dies, they can just find some excuse. Do you think the government can come to the Gu family to examine the body?
Even if Man Niang is stupid, she couldn't possibly not have thought of this; it can only mean that she has gone mad.
At this moment, Man Niang was the same; she didn't think about what would happen after Gu Tingye agreed, she only thought about entering the Gu family.
"I can promise you, just release the child first, and please don't hurt him!"
Changge had no idea what was happening. He thought his mother was playing with him, so he smiled at Gu Tingye and called out "Father."
The more this happened, the more nervous Gu Tingye became, fearing that the child might bump into the scissors when it moved.
"No!"
Man Niang exclaimed excitedly, "The marriage certificate must be signed by an official as a witness!"
"Alright, alright, I promise you, let's go now!" Gu Tingye had no choice but to agree.
Upon hearing this, Manniang revealed a smug smile, and moved her hand holding the scissors a little further away from Changge'er.
"what!"
Just then, Xianjie rushed forward and grabbed Manniang's hand that was holding the scissors.
The sudden turn of events caused Man Niang to gasp in surprise, and Gu Tingye quickly stepped forward and snatched the child back.
If he weren't afraid of hurting Xian'er, he would have kicked Man Niang.
"You wretched girl, I'm your mother, and you won't help me!" Man Niang struggled, her face contorted with rage, and stabbed Xian Jie'er with the scissors in her hand.
But Gu Tingye wouldn't let her succeed; he grabbed her arm tightly with his other hand.