“Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?”
“Is it that your Luo family’s eldest young lady tried to kill her own sister? Or is it that you, the esteemed Lord Luo, live off the silver and provisions provided by our Gu family, yet mistreat the child my sister left behind?”
Just seeing Luo Li’s current state made Uncle Gu furious. How dare they lay a hand on his niece and still have the nerve to call it a misunderstanding?
While directing people to help Luo Li onto the carriage and tend to her wounds, he coldly mocked.
The tear-streaked, deeply wronged expression Luo Li wore as she left was also witnessed by everyone present.
Combined with Uncle Gu’s words, the crowd’s gaze toward Father Luo immediately turned suspicious.
Father Luo felt like a monkey stripped bare, utterly humiliated.
“Go back and talk it over? Want to drag her back and discuss it behind closed doors? What are you trying to hide?”
“You, Lord Luo, care about face?”
“Hah! Do you even have any?”
“What state was your Luo residence in back then? Don’t you know? What assets did you have of your own? Are you unaware?”
“Who has been supporting the Luo family all these years? Don’t you have any idea?”
Uncle Gu’s voice was loud and resonant, clear enough for everyone around to hear.
Nestled inside the carriage, Luo Li nodded repeatedly, silently giving her approval.
“Gotta say, our uncle’s output is truly top-notch!”
Little Cabbage: “Absolutely amazing!”
Look, just look at how Father Luo’s face has turned as black as charcoal.
“You…” He opened his mouth to speak but was immediately cut off by Uncle Gu.
“What do you want to say? Trying to make excuses? Who doesn’t see the goods shipped from my Gu family to your Luo residence every month? Dare you deny it?”
“Or do you want me to point it out? For example, the fabric of the robe you’re wearing right now—isn’t it exactly what my Gu residence sent over last month? I even have the ledger records!”
“Right now, this fabric is exclusive to my Gu family in Jiangnan. Dare you say it isn’t?”
“And you! And you!” As he spoke, Uncle Gu pointed at Stepmother and Luo Shaoyan standing behind.
“Look! You’re all wearing the same fabric, each of you putting on airs! But what about our Luo Li? She doesn’t even have a proper coat to keep out the cold!” The more he spoke, the angrier Uncle Gu became.
In the past, the original host had always reported only the good news, never the bad. Whenever she met with the Gu family or corresponded with them, she would often praise Father and Madam, saying how wonderful everyone in the household was.
The Luo family, relying on the Gu family behind her, treated her as a cash cow. They would give her a few things for show, so no one would suspect anything.
This led the Gu family to believe that the original host was truly living well in the Luo residence.
But after seeing Luo Li’s condition today, hearing her choked-up words, and observing the demeanor of the Luo family members, Uncle Gu understood everything.
Although the Luo family put on a facade, and Luo Li’s attire when going out wasn’t exactly shabby, it still couldn’t compare to what the others wore.
To Uncle Gu, if Luo Li didn’t have what she rightfully deserved, it was mistreatment.
His mind raced, filling in the gaps, imagining more and more.
Uncle Gu was truly furious. Wasn’t it obvious that their precious girl had been bullied into submission?
Thank goodness he had come and seen it today, but what about all the times before when he didn’t know?
His niece had suffered so much injustice. As her uncle, he naturally had to stand up for her.
Now, their precious girl could only rely on them for support.Thinking about how he looked at these Luo family members, the more he looked, the more displeased he became. Never mind that Father Luo was now a county magistrate, an official.
Whether he was a prefect or got promoted later, he wasn’t afraid in the slightest.
Had the Gu family been eating plain rice all these years while doing business and dealing with outsiders? How could they not have some connections?
“!…….!!!”
Listening to Uncle Gu’s words, Father Luo was truly furious, his face still aching from the wounds.
What angered him most was that he couldn’t find a chance to interrupt. He wanted to have someone stop Uncle Gu, but with so many people watching,
if he intervened, wouldn’t that be admitting guilt? He simply had no way out, truly humiliating.
Seeing him like this, Uncle Gu sneered and waved his hand.
“Fine, if you can’t say anything, then don’t bother. In any case, I’ve seen clearly what happened today, and everyone else has too.
It’s a fact that your Luo family lives off others, eats from the bowl and then smashes it while cursing the one who fed you!
It’s also a fact that you insulted and beat my Gu family child without distinguishing right from wrong. Everyone here is a witness, and you have no defense.”
“Today, I’m leaving these words with you: I’m taking her away!
As for what belongs to my girl, well, you’d better pack it up today. Tomorrow, I’ll send someone to collect it. Otherwise, just you wait!”
Actually, when saying this, Uncle Gu felt a bit uneasy inside. He didn’t care about the Luo family, but he was worried about Luo Li.
After all, the original host from before was truly foolishly filial. Although Uncle Gu had just heard Luo Li’s grievances,
he was afraid that once the girl calmed down, she might soften again.
Thinking this, he felt somewhat anxious after entering the carriage, frowning deeply.
“Uncle.”
But this worry vanished when he saw the little girl, her eyes still red, giving him a soft, grateful smile.
“Hmm.”
“They’re no good. Come back with Uncle and stay at the estate from now on, keeping your maternal grandmother company more often.” After responding, Uncle Gu hesitated for a moment before speaking.
His tone was much gentler than when he was outside earlier.
“Hmm.”
Hearing this, Luo Li appropriately acted according to the original host’s usual demeanor, pausing briefly before nodding silently and gently.
To Uncle Gu, this meant she had finally been deeply hurt by the Luo family and had come to her senses.
“Sigh.” He sighed, feeling both heartache and helplessness, along with a sense of relief.
It was at this moment that Gu Xuanjing returned. Seeing him appear, Luo Li was clearly taken aback and turned to look at Uncle Gu.
“Oh, this is your cousin Xuanjing. It must have been years since you last saw each other. Have you forgotten?”
Seeing his adopted son, Uncle Gu only then remembered him and realized he had forgotten to introduce him, quickly adding with a smile.
“Cousin Xuanjing.”
Hearing this, Luo Li also seemed to recall him, glanced at Gu Xuanjing, then lowered her head and greeted him softly.
Her current state was like that of a timid little rabbit after a fright.
It made one’s heart soften.
“Hmm.” Gu Xuanjing nodded slightly, his fingertips lightly tightening.
[Ding, Favorability Value +5, current Favorability Value 25.]
Since Uncle Gu and the others were passing by on business, they had taken the opportunity to visit Luo Li.
For convenience, they hadn’t brought many people—only one carriage.
So, although it was somewhat improper, everyone had to squeeze in together for now.
Hearing this notification, Luo Li curled up her small frame and chatted with Little Cabbage, who was perched on her shoulder.”The favorability is rising quite fast. Oh, right, do we have points now? Caicai, help me buy another one of those pills.”
“Okay~”
Right after the first announcement, Little Cabbage had already told Luo Li that Gu Xuanjing was the Strategy target. Upon hearing her request, Little Cabbage immediately helped purchase the Qi-Nourishing and Body-Revitalizing Pill.
“Hmm, Host, do you want to take it now?”
“Let’s keep it for now, no rush.”
The original host’s physical condition was well-known—it was an innate deficiency from birth. If she suddenly became healthy, it would raise suspicion.
Acting it out would also be too demanding, requiring constant performance.
But being too weak wouldn’t work either. Right now, it’s just perfect—her body doesn’t feel uncomfortable, but her complexion still appears somewhat unhealthy.
As for fully recovering her health, there’s no harm in taking it slow.
The carriage didn’t travel for long before stopping. Uncle Gu led Luo Li into a medical clinic owned by the Gu family and had someone examine her injuries.
Only after hearing that she was fine did he feel relieved.
Thinking about what was to come next, Uncle Gu frowned again and gave a worried reminder.
“Nannan, stay here for a while. Uncle and your cousin need to take care of some matters. We’ll come back to pick you up soon, alright?”
Knowing that Uncle Gu and the others had important matters to attend to, Luo Li naturally didn’t delay.
“Alright, Uncle, don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” She nodded obediently, indicating that she would be fine staying there.
The original host looked very much like her mother. To Uncle Gu, seeing his niece now was like seeing his younger sister from his youth.
Seeing Luo Li’s obedient demeanor, Uncle Gu felt his heart soften even more, and his heart ached for her.
He hated the Luo family even more—how could they not cherish such a well-behaved and sensible child?
After Uncle Gu finished his reminders, Gu Xuanjing also gave Luo Li a slight nod. Then, the father and son hurriedly left.
While resting in the medical clinic, Luo Li, along with Little Cabbage, shifted their perspective to the Luo family’s side to check on the situation.