Gu Qingyan strode over and lifted the two girls up one on each side. “What are you kneeling for? The ground’s cold.”

The two young girls looked at him timidly, unsure how to react.

When Gu Qingyan got a closer look, he couldn’t help but think—well, at least their eyes looked like his. They were both quite pretty. Seemed like good looks really did run in the family.

The scar-faced man who had been pushed aside couldn’t sit still any longer. He sneered, “If you want a family reunion, you’ll have to wait. Let’s settle the matter of the house first.”

“The deed is stamped and certified by the yamen. Either you pay twenty taels of silver to redeem it, or you move out.”

Village Chief Gu slammed the table angrily. “Don’t push your luck! Our Gu family village has people in the yamen too—you don’t get to call all the shots.”

The bailiff puffed up his chest—clearly he was that “person in the yamen” from Gu family village.

Scarface glanced at him with contempt and scoffed, “So what, Chief Gu? You think your one bailiff son can go up against an official deed?”

At those words, Village Chief Gu’s face fell.

He knew full well that just having a son working as a bailiff wouldn’t be enough. That deed bore the mark of the yamen’s registrar—it held real weight.

Gu Qingyan had more or less figured out the situation and raised an eyebrow. “Alright, alright, I’m from the Gu family. Talk to me.”

Scarface squinted at him.

Gu Qingyan was handsome, and although his clothes weren’t silk, they were neat and refined—he looked every bit the wealthy young master.

Well, no surprise. He was raised by a rich family.

“You got the authority to decide?”

Gu Qingyan nodded. “Of course.”

“You—” the village chief tried to stop him.

But Scarface cut him off, “Since you’re the one making decisions, then I’ll talk to you.”

“Look at this deed—signed and sealed by Gu Fengmian himself, the house was sold fair and square. Since it’s certified, it’s valid.”

Gu Qingyan kept nodding. “You’re absolutely right.”

“Child, you—” the village chief was getting desperate.

Gu Qingyan shot him a reassuring look, but how could the old man be at ease? His heart was heavy with guilt.

Before Third Brother left, he had entrusted him with the children’s care—and now, not even their ancestral home could be protected.

Scarface said smugly, “Since you acknowledge the deed, tell me—are you going to pay up or pack your bags and leave?”

Gu Qingyan was still nodding. “Uncle, you really are a reasonable man. Everything you said makes sense. A deed signed and sealed must be honored—what’s the point of laws otherwise?”

Seeing Gu Qingyan agree so easily, Scarface’s expression softened. He smiled. “You’re quite reasonable yourself.”

Gu Qingyan added, “Then let’s go.”

“Go where?” Scarface asked, puzzled.

Could it be this newly arrived son also didn’t have money? Was he really about to hand over the ancestral home?

Then again, the boy grew up in Qingzhou Prefecture—probably had no emotional ties to this place. If he had money, why waste it here?

Scarface realized he may have miscalculated. Houses in the village weren’t worth twenty taels if resold. Besides, most of Meiling Village was surnamed Gu—no one would buy it. Outsiders wouldn’t dare.

Gu Qingyan smiled. “I’m taking you to Qingzhou Prefecture, to confront the Li family face-to-face.”

“What?” Scarface exclaimed.

Gu Qingyan explained politely, “You said the house was sold to you by Gu Fengmian. But there’s no Gu Fengmian anymore—only Li Jingting.”

“Li Jingting belongs to the Li family. His father’s a Vice Minister of Revenue. Do you think he’d covet twenty taels of our Gu family’s silver? There must be some misunderstanding.”

“Good thing I know my way around Qingzhou. Come with me—we’ll reason with the Li family.”

The expressions of everyone around changed instantly. Scarface’s face turned particularly ugly.

The village chief shouted, “Exactly! He’s from the Li family—how can he sell our Gu family’s house? If you want silver, go ask the Lis!”

“Yeah, go ask the Lis!” others chimed in.

Gu Qingyan added, “Uncle, don’t worry. The Lis are rich—when poor relatives show up, they can easily hand out ten or twenty taels. That amount of money is nothing to them. Just come with me to get it.”

“Who knows—if the Lis are worried about their reputation, they might even give you more as hush money.”

Gu Qingyan grinned. “You know, with a father in the Ministry of Revenue, Li Jingting is bound for the civil service exams. Reputation is everything. And rich families care about face above all.”

Scarface’s eyes flickered—clearly, he was tempted.

Just look at this village of paupers. What could he squeeze from them? But the Lis… they were different.

Gu Fengmian—no, Li Jingting—even sold his adoptive father’s ancestral home before leaving. If that got out, it would make him look unfilial and ungrateful. He might really be willing to pay to keep it quiet.

Why bother haggling with these villagers when he could go to Qingzhou instead? Risky, yes—but the potential payout could last a lifetime.

Gu Qingyan saw the look on his face and knew the man’s greed had been triggered.

“So, Uncle, what do you say? Why don’t we go right now?”

He smiled warmly. “I find Lingchuan far too poor anyway. Qingzhou’s much more comfortable. We can travel together.”

“When we get to Qingzhou, just take that signed deed and go straight to the Li household. If they don’t give you money, make a scene—sit at their gate and cry. The Lis won’t dare lose face. You’ll get your silver for sure.”

Hearing this, the village chief and the two girls’ expressions shifted. They all looked at Gu Qingyan.

Gu Qingyan pretended not to notice and kept persuading.

But Scarface had already changed his mind. Now he thought—why take this boy with him? What if the kid, raised by the Lis, turned around and betrayed him just to earn favor?

After all, he’d lived as a young master for fifteen years—he probably had some useful connections.

Suspicious now, Scarface tucked the deed away. “You make some good points. I need to go back and think this over.”

With that, he turned to leave with his men.

“Wait a minute—”

Gu Qingyan took a few steps forward and pulled him aside. “Uncle, you can leave, but the property deed must stay.”

Scarface’s expression changed.

Gu Qingyan smiled, “If you want money from the Li family, just having the contract is enough. Why would you need the property deed? Do you think the Li family would want this old, rundown house in the deep mountains?”

Scarface thought about it and realized the deed didn’t even have Li Jingtian’s fingerprint on it.

“Uncle, if you don’t leave the property deed today, you won’t be able to leave Meiling Village.” He pointed behind him, where the Gu family members were surrounding the old house.

Scarface pursed his lips, feeling annoyed.

Gu Qingyan then handed over five taels of silver. “After all, this is my Gu family’s ancestral home. Consider it bought by me. Do me this favor and I’ll show you a clear way out.”

“What clear way?” Scarface asked nervously, clutching the silver.

Gu Qingyan smiled brightly. “Li Jingtian was born from the second wife’s concubine—his status is awkward. If his reputation gets tarnished, the legitimate wife in the capital won’t spare him.”

Scarface immediately understood.

He laughed heartily and willingly took out the property deed. “You’re really something—raised by a big family, always thinking two steps ahead.”

Gu Qingyan took it as a compliment.

“Uncles and aunts, please make way. We’ve reached an agreement. Let the uncle leave.”

He shouted so decisively that the people blocking the door instinctively stepped aside.

Scarface slipped away quickly.

Only then did the village chief react, “He’s leaving just like that?”

Gu Qingyan smiled and walked back, taking out the deed. “The property deed has been redeemed.”

Everyone stared at the deed, their eyes almost dropping out of their sockets.

“He just gave it back to you just like that?”

Gu Qingyan directly handed the deed to the slightly older sister. “Take it, and don’t lose it again.”

Gu Wangqing was completely stunned—holding the deed felt neither good nor bad, so she could only look to the village chief.

“You—”

“Gu Qingyan.”

The village chief was a little surprised, but felt that this kid, raised by a wealthy family, had a way about him that no one in the village possessed.

“You redeemed it, so it’s yours now. Besides, you’re the only son of the third elder. This house should belong to you.”

Gu Qingyan had no intention of keeping the house. “Let my sister hold it. I’m careless and might lose it, that wouldn’t be good.”

The old village chief’s eyes reddened. Compared to the former Gu Fengmian, this kid was truly precious.

“Good kid, you’re really the true seed of the Gu family—loyal and compassionate. Not like that other one who tried to sell the house before leaving.”

Gu Qingyan said lightly, “Don’t worry, Scarface will go after him and make trouble. No matter how much silver he swallows, he’ll have to pay back double.”

“Will he be in danger?” Gu Wangqing asked instinctively.

Gu Qingyan glanced at her.

Gu Wangqing blushed deeply and suddenly lowered her head.

Little Gu Shuyan ground her teeth, stomped her feet, and scolded, “He doesn’t care if we live or die, second sister, why are you still worried about him?”

“I…” Gu Wangqing couldn’t reply. Since birth, she had an older brother. Their parents always said she should yield to her brother, and she had gotten used to it.

Gu Qingyan didn’t mind and explained, “A local thug like that can’t harm the young master of the Li family.”

The old village chief thought that the two sisters would have to rely on their new big brother in the future and couldn’t afford to damage relations, so he quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

“He’s gone now. Don’t bring him up again. Just focus on living your own life well—that’s what matters.”

He then looked at Gu Qingyan. “Third elder’s son, what are your plans moving forward?”

Seeing Gu Qingyan wasn’t short on money—he could immediately pull out five taels of silver—and his decent appearance, the chief couldn’t guess what he was really thinking.

Gu Qingyan hadn’t decided yet. “I’ll stay here for now. Other things can wait.”

“Alright, alright, take your time.”

The village chief didn’t press further. He told the villagers to disperse and left the three siblings alone for some private talk. Before leaving, he reminded them, “When you’re ready, come find me. We’ll discuss your registration and clan record.”

“Okay.” Gu Qingyan was impressed with the old chief. After all, with only the two sisters left of the Gu family, if it weren’t for the village chief’s support, the house would have been seized long ago.

The villagers were curious but the chief quickly sent them away. Soon everything was cleanly cleared.

The three siblings looked at each other in silence.

Gu Qingyan scratched his head, feeling that as the older brother, he should speak first. “What are your names?”

“I’m Gu Shuyan, and second sister is Gu Wangqing.” The little sister was lively, while the older sister was quiet.

Gu Qingyan smiled, “Those are beautiful names.”

“They were given by Dad. Everyone says they sound nice. Dad was a student and could read books,” Gu Shuyan explained.

Gu Qingyan took the opportunity to praise, “That’s impressive.”

Their father had passed away, but his legacy remained.

Gu Qingyan cleared his throat. “Well, I’m hungry. Is there anything to eat?”

“Yes, yes! I’ll go cook right now.” Gu Wangqing hurried toward the kitchen, with Gu Shuyan following.

Gu Qingyan then looked toward the sign-in point, right under the Confucius portrait hanging in the main hall.

【Signing in to Gu Tongsheng’s legacy, please accept, host.】