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Chapter 5: Lu Yan’s Help (Part 1)

“Le You, where did you run off to? Why didn’t you come home all night?” Madam Lin pulled her into a tight embrace, tears streaming down her face.

“Sis, you’re finally back! Did you get hurt on the road?” Le Shu tugged at her sleeve gently, his face full of worry.

Gu Leyou sniffled, a wave of warmth flooding her chest. She mumbled, “Don’t worry, I’m fine. I won’t run off again and make you worry.”

“You child, always making people anxious.” Madam Lin let go, pulled her back for a once-over, and only relaxed once she saw no visible injuries. “Quick, go change into clean clothes. You got caught in the rain yesterday—what if you get sick?”

“Mother, really, I’m fine.” Gu Leyou smiled while obediently changing clothes.

A few days later, Gu Leyou noticed that her younger brother’s wound on his forehead hadn’t improved at all—in fact, it had become inflamed and even more serious.

“Le Shu, what happened to your wound? Didn’t Father and Mother get the medicine like I told them to?” Gu Leyou frowned.

“I’m okay, Sis,” Le Shu said softly.

“How is this okay? It’s already infected.” Gu Leyou scolded him. “Don’t tell me you didn’t take your medicine properly?”

After a long hesitation, Le Shu finally admitted in a low voice, “A few days ago, I overheard Father and Mother saying we had no money left… so I didn’t give them the prescription.”

“We’re out of money again?” Gu Leyou’s anger flared up.

The Gu brothers hadn’t divided the family property. Although they lived in separate courtyards, they were just a few steps apart.

Their eldest aunt-in-law, Madam Yang, managed the household and all the Gu family’s income passed through her hands before being distributed among the three brothers.

Gu Leyou’s family had long suffered from unfair financial treatment. Madam Yang, taking advantage of Gu Hai Xiong and Madam Lin’s mild personalities, would charge her own expenses to their account and then find all sorts of excuses to justify the deductions.

Gu Leyou could tolerate it in other matters, but this time was different—Madam Yang was even cutting into her little brother’s life-saving money!

“Sis, where are you going?” Le Shu, seeing her storm off angrily, hurried after her.

“To demand an explanation!” Gu Leyou answered loudly.

As soon as Gu Leyou entered Gu Hai Cheng’s house, Madam Yang’s sharp, shrill voice rang out, “Gu Leyou, do you have no manners? Barging into your elders’ house like this?”

“Someone like you doesn’t deserve any manners.” Gu Leyou shot back without hesitation. “I told you to learn how to write the phrase ‘disgracing your elders.’ Clearly, you still haven’t learned.”

“Gu Leyou! Don’t you dare push your luck!” Madam Yang had never been afraid of a verbal fight and instantly raised her voice by an octave.

“Cut the crap. Hand over the money.” Gu Leyou’s tone was icy and imposing.

“What money?” Madam Yang frowned.

“Don’t play dumb. The money you unjustly withheld from our family!” Gu Leyou’s voice turned cold. “I’m warning you—this is my little brother’s life-saving money. If you dare withhold even that, then you’re responsible for a life!”

“You damn girl, what nonsense are you spouting? I already handed out the monthly allowance at the start of the month. Now you come here accusing me of withholding funds?” Madam Yang rolled her eyes and flatly denied it.

“If you want to spend extra, go mess with Third Uncle’s accounts. I won’t say a word. But if you touch our money, I won’t allow it.” Gu Leyou gritted her teeth, determined to get justice today. “Look at all your rouge, powder, and jewelry—which one wasn’t bought with the money meant for my family?”

“Utter nonsense!” Madam Yang didn’t even hesitate before denying, “This is all from our own money! Who knows what your family spent theirs on? Now that you’re broke, you come accusing me of unfair distribution? Do you think I’m a pushover?”

“Your money?” Gu Leyou sneered. “Then how come you’re all dolled up in gold and silk while we’re too poor to put food on the table? We don’t even have money to buy medicine for Le Shu. That’s your so-called fair distribution? Brotherhood and harmony among the Gu family? What a joke!”

Madam Yang had no real skills beyond making a scene, and she was no match for Gu Leyou’s sharp tongue. Before long, she was left speechless and could only resort to brute force.

“I’ll beat you to death, you wretched girl!” Madam Yang shrieked and raised her hand to slap Gu Leyou.

At that moment, a large hand grabbed her wrist tightly. A deep male voice rang out, “Resorting to violence when you can’t win an argument—isn’t that unreasonable?”

Gu Leyou looked up, surprised. “Why are you here?”

It was Lu Yan, whom she had not seen in a while.

“To deliver the betrothal gift,” Lu Yan said plainly.

Over the past few days, he had managed to gather some silver. He figured he’d deliver what he had bit by bit—otherwise, Madam Yang might kick up a fuss again and make everyone miserable.

“Let go!” Madam Yang jerked her hand free and rubbed her sore wrist in shock. She hadn’t expected this hunter to be so strong. If he ever got violent…

“Betrothal gift?” Gu Leyou was momentarily stunned.

Hearing that, Madam Yang immediately regained her smug demeanor. She shot a sidelong glance at Gu Leyou and said condescendingly, “Didn’t know yet, did you? Your man owes me ten taels for the bride price. He has to pay it off within a month.” She paused to enjoy Gu Leyou’s shocked expression. “So don’t you come asking me for money. It’s your man who owes me!”

“Debt or not, that’s a separate issue.” Lu Yan’s voice was cold and firm. “The money I promised you, you’ll get it. But the money you owe their family—you’ll pay that back too.”

Madam Yang acted like she’d heard a joke. “How funny. Haven’t even married the girl yet, and you’re already meddling in Gu family business?” She looked Lu Yan up and down before sneering at Gu Leyou. “Everyone’s been saying you two have something going on. Looks like it’s true. Back when I tried to get you married, you acted all pure and virtuous. Who were you pretending for, you little tramp?”

Gu Leyou’s voice trembled slightly with anger. “Let people think what they want. The truth speaks for itself. Now hand over the money. If you don’t, I’ll spread word that you abuse your brothers and beat the younger generation. Don’t forget—my brother’s wound still hasn’t healed. Even rumors with no basis can become ‘true’—real ones definitely will!”

“There’s no one else here. If you don’t hand over the money, don’t blame me for what happens next.” Lu Ting threatened in a low, cold voice—with a much more direct and forceful tone.

“You dare? You really think—” Madam Yang’s face went pale with anger.

Lu Yan cut her off coldly, his presence menacing. “Push people too far, and they’ll do anything.”

After a long standoff, Madam Yang finally gave in. Reluctantly, she handed over several silver ingots to Gu Leyou, still refusing to admit defeat. “Don’t think you’re so great. When the time comes, you’ll still have to cough up those ten taels!”

Once they had the money, Gu Leyou mentioned she wanted to check on Xiao Yao’s condition, and Lu Yan readily agreed.

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