Chapter 14.1

Cui Yuanshan slammed the desk in his study, shaking the room, his brows furrowed in anger. “I will not allow you to marry Lin Wan.”

“Father, haven’t you always hoped I would marry a wife and share the rest of my life with her?” Cui Pingzhou scoffed. “Turns out everything you said was a lie. You’d be glad to see me die early just to make space for that woman to stir up trouble in this family.”

“That woman? She married me, which makes you her son,” Cui Yuanshan replied, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back. “I never said you couldn’t marry, but Lin Wan is out of the question. Her husband just came back from a divorce, and then she turns around to marry you. People will say you had an affair long before this. Where do you think that leaves my reputation?”

Cui Pingzhou turned his wheelchair and handed a picture frame from the desk to Cui Yuanshan. “You married that woman just after Mom passed away. Do you still have the face to talk about this? You know how my grandfather died; do you need me to remind you?”

Cui Yuanshan glanced at the photo of a young, beautiful woman holding a small child, with her elder son standing beside her, smiling radiantly.

Later, that woman fell ill, twisted in pain, her face becoming ghostly. He could no longer bear to look at her. She had been sick for three years, and he had avoided entering her room, unable to confront her hateful gaze. It was Baoying who had carefully taken care of her, and he and Baoying had always maintained decorum, never wronging his ex-wife.

How could Cui Pingzhou marry such a woman, making him, as a father, feel disgusted, just to prevent Cui Duoduo from marrying into the Gu family?

He had promised Baoying that no other mistress would appear in this home, which is why he had driven the eldest son’s wife out of the military compound so early.

Cui Pingzhou still did not know that he had told the eldest son’s wife that living under one roof with her late husband’s younger brother would bring scandal, resulting in gossip that would tarnish the family’s reputation. Yin Qin was a refined lady who understood the need to avoid suspicion, so she quietly moved out.

The second son held a military rank, and Lin Wan could rightfully live here with his marriage. Baoying was not her legitimate mother-in-law; how could one expect her to be filial? This family had no room for anyone unnecessary.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning with the eldest son’s wife. You want to marry Lin Wan to protect Duoduo. My decisions will not change. Jiang Ci has no blood ties to the Cui family. I didn’t allow my third daughter to enter into this union, and neither can your stepdaughter. The only granddaughter of the Cui family is Cui Duoduo.”

Cui Pingzhou gently wiped the glass of the picture frame, feeling as though the sincere affection from his mother over the years had been wasted. He placed the frame back where it belonged, realizing he had someone to protect now whom he had never thought to fight for before.

“I have decided to marry Lin Wan, and I recognize Brother Chuan as my son-in-law,” he stated, lifting his gaze with a chilling light in his eyes. “Father, you’ve been away from the military for too long; the comforts of home have dulled your once indomitable spirit.”

He chuckled softly. “Did you think this was still twenty years ago when you called all the shots? This family is no longer under your control.”

“Don’t you realize that our old friends, former colleagues, and acquaintances no longer visit? How many people called you on your birthday? The guests at your birthday party were mostly people I wouldn’t bother with—petty opportunists. Do you really think our family’s network of relationships hasn’t been severed?”

“You… you?” Cui Yuanshan pointed angrily at his son. “You go out twice a week, not for therapy, but to eat away at the connections I’ve worked so hard to build. I never expected to raise such an ungrateful wolf!”

After over ten years, Cui Pingzhou had effectively usurped his father’s influence, leaving Cui Yuanshan powerless.

He picked up a paperweight from the desk and hurled it at Cui Pingzhou. Cui Pingzhou turned his head just in time, and the paperweight flew past him, crashing into the wooden floor behind him and leaving a deep dent.

The old man had quite a throw; it seemed he wanted to crack open his skull.

Cui Pingzhou pointed to the door of the study, instructing him to leave. “Everything in this house was left by my grandfather. The will clearly states you have no share. Will you compensate me for the damaged floor and the paperweight you broke? My grandfather bought it for fifty silvers, so you’ll also pay for that.”

Cui Yuanshan stumbled out of the study, where Jiang Ci whispered to Gu Qingchuan, “Chuan, it seems Uncle Cui just lost the battle. He should be looking for you soon. Are you nervous?”

Gu Qingchuan glanced at her. The little girl seemed to thrive on chaos. He shouldn’t have come today. “What do you think…”

Cui Pingzhou waved at Gu Qingchuan from the small reception room across the way, smiling warmly. “Chuan, I need to talk to you.”

“Once I marry Lin Wan, Xiao Ci will be my daughter. Don’t say I didn’t give you my daughter,” he continued.

With the wedding approaching, Cui Pingzhou was full of vigor. In contrast, the young man opposite him seemed to carry a hint of melancholy.

As things settled down, Cui Pingzhou demonstrated his capabilities. After years of hard work, he had easily managed to suppress Cui Yuanshan’s authority with just a little show of strength.

Gu Qingchuan responded, “I’m not like Uncle Cui. I don’t have your abilities. If I can’t protect Xiao Ci, then I won’t delay her.”

The path he would take in the future was destined to be looked down upon, with the constant risk of being reported. The market in Heishui River had matured over the years and was now at a stage where it could be profitable, but the risks were greater than before.

Cui Pingzhou smiled. “My daughter doesn’t need protection from anyone. No one dares to lay a finger on her; all you have to do is marry her.”

Gu Qingchuan countered, “What if Cui Yuanshan demotes me? What would you have Xiao Ci choose then? To divorce and cut ties or follow me into suffering?”

Twenty years ago, Cui Pingzhou had been like this young man—youthful and insecure, afraid to pursue the one he loved, and that was no fault of his.

Since he could marry Lin Wan and be a father to Jiang Ci, he could protect this family. “As long as I’m here, no one will dare to touch my son-in-law.”

Gu Qingchuan thought to himself: ‘Is Uncle Cui trying to arrange a perfect family with a wife, daughter, and son-in-law all in one day?’

He turned his head, a stubbornness radiating from his core. “Uncle Cui, I want to protect her with my own abilities.”

“Good idea.” Cui Pingzhou said, genuinely impressed. “Kid, how about going to the army to toughen up a bit? Protecting the country—once you earn military merits, you can protect whoever you want!”

Gu Qingchuan felt every muscle in his body tense up. \

Joining the army?

How could he not want that?

Every ambitious young man dreamed of wearing a military uniform. If he could enlist, he would work hard to earn accomplishments like Uncle Cui, and then Xiao Ci would be a military wife, able to accompany him without anyone daring to bully her.

After thinking it over, he realized it was just an empty dream. “With my background, I wouldn’t pass the political review; I can’t enlist.”

“My family’s landlord status will never be erased, and my father intentionally ruined my family’s property with faulty blueprints. He’s labeled as a traitor. People like me…”

“Shut up,” Cui Pingzhou snapped. “Do you really believe your father is that kind of person?”

“I don’t believe…”

“If you don’t, then investigate!” Cui Yuanshan interrupted again. “Since you believe in your father’s innocence, go find evidence. As long as you find proof, your father can be exonerated.”

He lowered his voice slightly. “Uncle Cui can’t say much, but there are big movements going on recently. Your father can be cleared, and your family’s landlord label can be removed. Don’t forget your grandfather was also a prominent figure; your maternal grandfather donated all his wealth during the war as a patriot. You have a solid foundation. Otherwise, how could Cui Yuanshan arrange this marriage with your family? Just wait a bit longer; it won’t be too long. Don’t let Xiao Ci get upset during this critical moment.”

Gu Qingchuan felt a surge of excitement. Was there hope for his family’s vindication? He wondered if Uncle Cui was deceiving him.

“Uncle Cui,” Gu Qingchuan said slowly, “if I can live to see my father exonerated, I’ll come to propose.”

Their conversation in the study remained between them without anyone else knowing.

As he was leaving, Gu Qingchuan added, “By the way, Uncle, I broke Fourth Brother Cui’s leg for trying to bully Xiao Ci. You don’t mind, do you?”

Cui Pingzhou smiled. “I know; you truly are the son-in-law I’ve chosen. Just wait; I’ll send you to the military soon for some training.”

Gu Qingchuan could only respond with, “……”

Cui Rang was carried back, having reportedly spent the night drinking and falling off Heishui Bridge, breaking both of his legs. He lay unconscious on the stretcher, found by local villagers who brought him to the courtyard gate, where the guards carried him inside.

Mei Baoying, with disheveled hair, rushed in, pointing at Cui Pingzhou as she cried and scolded him. “It’s you! I know it’s you, you damned cripple! You can’t walk because you’re paralyzed, so you broke your brother’s legs! He’s your own brother! How could you be so cruel?”

Everything was because of this marriage, all because of Jiang Ci. She charged at Jiang Ci, attempting to slap her. “It’s all your fault, you little vixen, you jinx! Everyone is suffering because of you! Why don’t you just die? You should’ve died when you fell off that mountain…”

Jiang Ci stepped aside, and Mei Baoying bumped into the glass cabinet in the living room, shattering the glass and cutting her face. Blood poured down her cheeks as she screamed in agony.

Seeing his beloved wife covered in blood and his youngest son unconscious, Cui Yuanshan rushed into the study, fumbling for a gun. He pointed it at Jiang Ci, his hand trembling uncontrollably.

His wife was right; it was all because of this girl, the root cause of everything.

Jiang Ci met Cui Yuanshan’s gaze without fear.

The diary had mentioned that today was not her day to die. Cui Yuanshan’s gun either had no bullets or would jam.

Cui Yuanshan, provoked by the girl’s fearless eyes, pulled the trigger, but the gun was empty.

Everything happened too quickly, sending everyone into a panic. Only Cui Pingzhou remained calm.

He told the guards, “Take Mei Baoying and Fourth Brother to the hospital. The old man has gone mad and is trying to kill someone. Fortunately, the gun was empty… just take them to the sanatorium. Inform the director that the old man might have another episode and could harm someone; it’s best to isolate him.”

“Cui Pingzhou, how dare you confine your own father? Why didn’t you die on the battlefield like your brother? Did you come back just to ruin your father’s life? I’ll kill you!”

The two of them had come to this point, and Mei Baoying played a significant role in it, but it wasn’t entirely her fault. During the last year of his mother’s illness, the old man started an affair with Mei Baoying. Nothing, including his wife and children, matters anymore when a man’s heart strays.

Cui Pingzhou waved his hand. The gun had been his preparation for the old man to shoot at him, but today, it had been used against Xiao Ci instead.

Although it was unloaded, he still felt guilty.

The guards, witnessing the old man crazily pulling the trigger at a young girl, thought he had gone insane. They seized the gun from his hands and loaded him into a military jeep, taking him to the sanatorium halfway up the mountain.

The room was a mess. Cui Pingzhou instructed the nanny to clean it up. Jiang Ci looked around and noticed that Gu Qingchuan had left without her noticing.

Cui Pingzhou was formidable, and Jiang Ci was ready to leave. “Uncle, I’m not getting involved in your marriage with my mother; I have things to do.”

She had many tasks ahead of her, and she needed to earn five thousand yuan within a year, which was enough to keep her busy. Next, she planned to check if the place she discovered in the mountains during her past life still existed.

“If it’s still the same by this time next year, earning five thousand won’t be difficult.”

Cui Pingzhou and Lin Wan escorted her to the door. Cui Pingzhou said, “I’ll go with you in the afternoon. Mom is going to get the certificate. Your mother is no longer part of the Jiang family, so your grandfather can’t control her anymore; he can only manage you. Can you handle it?”

Jiang Ci smiled, “My grandfather is a bit difficult to deal with. Uncle, you’re so capable; you can even handle Grandpa Cui. If my grandfather gets angry later, I’ll just lead his anger toward you.”

After leaving the military compound, it was still not yet ten o’clock. Jiang Ci went back up the mountain, following the path she had taken in her previous life, walking more than ten miles along the mountain trails.

She didn’t have many talents, but her sense of direction was the strongest; she could navigate out of a fog, or else the commune wouldn’t have trusted her as a guide during harvests in the mountains.

After passing through a dense grove of bamboo, she reached a valley with a hot spring. The climate was warm enough that it wouldn’t freeze even in winter.

Groups of wild chickens and ducks inhabited the area, and she planned to start a breeding operation there, bringing in some grains to increase their numbers.

As long as Jiang Dasheng helped her sell the mountain goods, she wouldn’t have to worry about earning enough to buy a large house within a year.

Kang Guixiang had no chance of taking advantage of the Jiang family.

She tested the water of the natural hot spring; it was quite hot. She felt tired after walking such a long distance, so she took off her shoes to soak her feet. Suddenly, she felt a hand patting her shoulder.

Jiang Ci was startled. Who else could find this place? She turned around abruptly…