None of them dared claim they could eat meat every day, yet now not only did the Gu Family emit the aroma of cooking meat daily, but they also bought so many goods. Sharp-eyed neighbors spotted clothing—two large bundles filled entirely with garments!
Gu Yanxi understood their thoughts.
According to the district divisions of Jingdu in Da Shuo, Sixth Street Alley was equivalent to a village, with specific personnel responsible for its management. The dozens of households in Sixth Street Alley were considered a collective.
Jingdu’s Dong Shi was the affluent district, while Xi Shi was the impoverished area. Sixth Street Alley happened to be the poorest lane in Xi Shi.
The Gu Family was the most destitute among them.
Now, the poorest family had transformed into the wealthiest, naturally stirring discontent in their hearts.
Yu Lanying felt a sour taste in her mouth upon seeing the clothing and immediately reached out to rummage through it. “What business did you get into? Coming back so early—could it be you were busy outside all night?” She glanced meaningfully at Gu Yanxi.
Gu Yanxi swiftly intercepted her. “Why should I report my family’s business to you? What relation are you to us?”
Yu Lanying was the Gu Family’s sworn rival. Widowed early, she had struggled to raise two sons and a daughter alone.
Gu Yanxi had initially admired her, but Yu Lanying grew jealous seeing Zhao Shi protected by a husband. Why should she exhaust herself raising three children while other women were pampered, staying home all day without lifting a finger?
Moreover, Yu Lanying had frequently instigated Gu Yu’s recent gambling outings.
“As neighbors, I feel obliged to remind you,” Yu Lanying shrilled, deliberately raising her voice. “A young lady like you should stay home embroidering instead of wandering outside mingling with disreputable men. If rumors spread, what will become of the reputations of unmarried girls in Sixth Street Alley?”
The surrounding onlookers, though often at odds with Yu Lanying, found some truth in her words and grew concerned.
“Indeed, a woman’s reputation is crucial these days. If one person ruins marriage prospects for the entire alley, they’d be a grave sinner.”
“Girl Gu, you didn’t actually do something shameful, did you?”
“Old Gu, you must discipline your daughter properly. Don’t let her bring disaster upon everyone in Sixth Street Alley.”
Their comments flew thick and fast, with occasional covetous glances at the goods on the stall cart—all fine items that must have cost a fortune.
Seeing the situation tilt in her favor, Yu Lanying planted her hands on her hips triumphantly.
Confident in her arguing skills, she aimed to first deflate the Gu Family’s pride before demanding compensation later.
Those two clothing bundles were worth at least several taels of silver!
“Stop slandering my daughter! She’s pure and innocent!”Gu Guosheng argued anxiously, but found it difficult to withstand the attack from this group of women.
Gu Yu flushed crimson with anger.” “I go out with my sister every day to run our stall! Every coin we earn is honest money! Auntie Yu, stop spreading lies about things you know nothing about!”
He then glanced worriedly at his sister, afraid she’d be upset by these accusations.
But seeing her calm composure, he sighed in relief.
His sister had truly changed. In the past, she would have been reduced to tears by such remarks.
When did this transformation begin? After that fever?
No, come to think of it, she’d started changing three years ago!
There were also those who trusted the Gu Family’s character, stepping forward to speak on their behalf. “What kind of person is Yu Lanying? Don’t you all know? Not a single word from her mouth is trustworthy.”
“I firmly believe Gu Girl is innocent. Every day before dawn, she pushes her stall cart out—I’ve seen it with my own eyes. How could she be as despicable as you claim?”
“Exactly! Gu Girl earns her money through her own hard work. You’re just jealous of her.”
Gu Yanxi hadn’t expected anyone to defend her. Scanning the crowd, she recognized aunties from the Guo, Han, and Feng families. She would remember this kindness!
Turning her attention back to Yu Lanying, she retorted, “I conduct my business honestly. How have I tarnished anyone’s reputation? Does Da Shuo Law forbid women from engaging in trade?”
“I advise you to watch your words. Da Shuo Law explicitly states that spreading false rumors can land you in jail! Auntie Yu, aren’t your two sons still unmarried?”
Gu Yanxi knew Yu Lanying was busy arranging marriages for her sons. If Yu Lanying gained a criminal record, what family would marry their daughters into such a household?
Loudness didn’t equate to righteousness.
Nor did having a mouth grant license to slander others.
She worked from dawn till dusk, conducting her business openly on main streets. If this matter went to the magistrate’s court, plenty of witnesses could testify for her!
“You… you’re just trying to scare me!”
“If you’re not being kept by a man, how can you afford so many clothes, and all made of cotton? Everyone, look! This man is her illicit lover! He just showed up at the Gu residence recently—I heard it myself! He came specifically for this girl!”
Yu Lanying grabbed Niu Qi’s clothes and dragged him forward.
The onlookers erupted in excitement—they’d never seen this man before.
Slap!
Without hesitation, Gu Yanxi delivered a stinging slap to Yu Lanying’s face.
“I, Gu Yanxi, walk the straight path. Since you insist I’ve been promiscuous and disgraced Liujie Alley, fine! Let’s go to the magistrate’s court and have officials investigate thoroughly. We’ll see whether I’ve behaved improperly or you’ve been spreading malicious lies!”
“Why go to the magistrate? I haven’t said anything wrong! How dare you strike your elder? I won’t let this go!”
Of course Yu Lanying dreaded going to court—everything she’d said was fabricated. She never expected this wretched girl to have such backbone. Who would dare offend the magistrate?
If she couldn’t win the argument, she’d resort to force.
Yu Lanying rolled up her sleeves and lunged for Gu Yanxi’s hair.
But before she could make contact, Gu Yanxi sidestepped neatly. Yu Lanying crashed face-first into the nearby wall.
Thump! A large bump immediately swelled on her forehead.
“Waaaaah!!!”
Yu Lanying began howling like a wounded animal.
“Are you alright?” Zhao Shi came to her daughter’s side.
She’d been watching from the shadows after hearing the commotion, only revealing herself now that she saw her daughter holding her own. With Yu Lanying injured, she needed to step up and support her daughter before trouble escalated.
Gu Yanxi shook her head, directing her mother’s attention to the wailing Yu Lanying—she was the one in real distress.
Patting her daughter’s hand reassuringly, Zhao Shi indicated she’d handle things and marched toward Yu Lanying.
Gu Yanxi crossed her arms, enjoying the spectacle. How wonderful it felt to have someone watching your back.
“Woe is me! Someone judge this injustice! This little hussy dares strike her elder! If this continues, she’ll think she rules the world!” Yu Lanying continued her dramatic wailing.
“Elder? Since when did our family have a relative like you? Your mouth was filthy, and my daughter helped clean it for you. You should be thanking her.”
“My daughter didn’t even touch you—you’re the one who crashed into the wall! Now that you’ve hurt yourself from the impact, you come blaming my daughter? This is nothing but a scam!”
Gu Yanxi clapped for her mother. Her skill in retorting was truly impressive!