Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside

San Lang was truly furious; not only did Zou Hai try to sow discord among the families, but he even mentioned Xiao Yu's name, intending to pin all the blame on her and make Gu Dafu's family hate Xiao Yu.

As San Lang grew angrier, he turned around and gave Zou Hai another kick, then said to Gu Dafu: "Uncle Dafu, Zou Hai's words are clearly meant to alienate us and have you hate Xiao Yu, pushing things to an exterminable extent. However, your daughter's death has nothing to do with Xiao Yu; it was the doing of Zou Yuzhen, Zou Hai and their gang. You must not fall for Zou Hai's poisonous plot."

Gu Dafu, who had been shocked by San Lang's beating of Zou Hai, stepped back unconsciously as he looked at San Lang. He had originally thought that San Lang was a mild and polite child; he never expected him to be this ferocious.

Seeing Gu Dafu retreat, San Lang frowned slightly and took two steps forward: "Uncle Dafu, did you understand what I just said?"

If Gu Dafu were to fall for it and hate Xiao Yu, then don't blame him for being impolite.

Gu Dafu, looking at San Lang with a stern face, came to his senses and said: "San Lang, uncle understands what you mean. About Sister Mei's incident…"

As soon as Gu Dafu mentioned Gu Yumei, he choked up with sadness, but he insisted: "These past few days, I've been thinking a lot. Sister Mei had this disaster coming because… first, she was too naïve and got deceived by a golden hairpin; second, I failed to teach her well. If I, as her father, had educated her more to keep her thoughts smaller and be as obedient and honest as Sister Xiu, this wouldn't have happened."

Regarding Sister Mei's death, he only felt a brief discomfort when he saw Hui Niang. After all, both were captured at the same time: Hui Niang was unharmed, but his daughter died.

As for Xiao Yu, he never blamed her... After Lu Shuiwa and Wan Lifang told him about the events of that night, he was even worried that Dashan's family would blame Sister Mei. Sister Mei, after all, had brought Nanny Yao into the village for her own sake, attempting to capture Sister Xiao Yu.

Hearing this, San Lang's expression eased a bit, and he turned to Gu Dexing, calling out, "Brother Gu."

His voice, somewhat heavy, made Gu Dexing shudder and he looked up at him, assuring: "…San Lang, be assured, I will not fall for Zou Hai's poisonous scheme."

During these days since Sister Mei's death, he had pondered many things and had come to understand a lot. The things he used to care about now seemed trivial in the face of life and death.

And he understood that Zou Hai was trying to alienate the families, intentionally making those remarks earlier.

Gu Dexing looked at Zou Hai, charged at him, and started punching and kicking, shouting: "Our family isn't foolish, don't dream of exploiting us again, you beasts, bastards! Sister Mei was just exploited by you, leading to her death; do you think our family will be fooled again?"

"We may not be clever enough, but we won't let you exploit us over and over!" Gu Dexing was very agitated, beating Zou Hai and eventually, he knelt on the ground and burst into loud sobs, crying over his and Gu Yumei's stupidity, mourning for Gu Yumei's death.

Seeing this, San Lang believed that Gu Dexing would not blame Gu Jinli, and he felt relieved, helping Gu Dexing up and bringing him back to Gu Dafu's side.

With his schemes undone and having been beaten up, Zou Hai was crouched on the ground, wailing nonstop, his body covered in blood, looking extremely pitiful.

Zou Jiang, being ruthless, seeing Zou Hai's malice, stepped forward, staring at him and said: "You've never understood why Zou Youlian was so kind to you, so today I'll tell you the truth: he is your biological father, born from an affair with your mother. But he looked down on your mother for being promiscuous and indecent, so he never acknowledged you as his son; he bought you as a servant to stay by his side."

Zou Hai, stunned, couldn't believe this was true.

Zou Jiang, seeing Zou Hai's shocked expression, laughed again: "Look, you think you're clever, but your entire life has been a joke. Your own mother had an affair, and your own father despised you, not allowing you to be the master of the Zou family, but only a servant. You could have been like Zou Yuzhen, but your father didn't acknowledge you, letting you be trampled upon as a servant for decades."

Zou Hai, a proud man, crumbled completely under Zou Jiang's humiliating words, screaming: "Shut up, you old fool, shut up... What you said is false!"

Zou Jiang said, "I have no reason to deceive you. Zou Youlian has also lamented that it's a pity about you, but so many years have passed, and he has children and grandchildren. He doesn't lack a bastard child like you. Just let it be and continue to be a servant. After all, your basic needs are met. The only difference is, others can be young masters, but you can only be a servant."

Zou Hai, after hearing this, completely broke down, spitting out a mouthful of blood and then fainted.

Jiang Qi became anxious, "He isn't dead, is he?"

Qin San Lang stepped forward to check Zou Hai's breathing and pulse, then turned back and said, "Uncle Jiang, rest assured, he has just fainted."

Jiang Qi breathed a sigh of relief, and said to Gu Dafu and the others, "He has been checked, let's go outside."

Before leaving, he instructed the prison guard, "Find a doctor to take a look at him. Don't let him die."

"Yes." The prison guard responded and personally escorted them out of the cell.

Gu Dafu was teary-eyed all the way until he thanked County Magistrate Xu.

County Magistrate Xu, because of the relationship with the Jiang Family, Qin Family, Gu Family, as well as the Zheng Family and Shangguan Family backing them, personally met with Gu Dafu and said to him, "The crime committed by Zou Hai is undeniable. He won't survive. Rest assured, go home and arrange your daughter's funeral first."

Although it was September, the weather was still scorching hot, and the body wouldn't last long if kept out too long.

Gu Dafu was also concerned about this matter. After thanking County Magistrate Xu again, he headed back home from the county.

The Qin Brothers also went back with him. County Magistrate Xu still kept them, "Junior Minister Ming is expected to visit our county in these few days. You brothers have made several merits; you should stay to meet Junior Minister Ming."

This was a rare opportunity, missing it might mean waiting many years for another such fortunate turn.

However, Qin San Lang shook his head, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Sir. Our family fled here with Uncle Dafu, and now that his daughter has passed away, we need to return for the funeral. We'll pass on meeting Junior Minister Ming."

He continued, "We brothers have just done our duty, accomplished minor merits, and are not of significant age yet. When we are older and have more accomplishments, it will not be too late to meet such high officials as Junior Minister Ming."

They were hurrying back, wanting to avoid meeting Junior Minister Ming.

Hearing this, County Magistrate Xu was even more impressed with the Qin Brothers, praising them for not being greedy for recognition.

Qin San Lang smiled, bid farewell to County Magistrate Xu, County Captain Jiang, and Jiang Qi, and then took the Gu Family's mule cart back to the village.

Once back in the village, they shared the news that Zou Hai had been arrested and would soon be sentenced, which relieved several families. They promptly started preparing arrangements for Gu Yumei's burial.

Gu Dafu and Gu Dagui had been running to the county these days, procuring many items for Gu Yumei. Mrs. Chen applied the purchased rouge and face powder to make Gu Yumei up decently, switched her into brocade dress, and adorned her with the golden set before placing her into the coffin.

At the time of the burial, Third Grandma, looking at Gu Yumei's corpse, wiped away tears and said, "Although hers was a hard life, being able to hold such a funeral means her life wasn't utterly in vain."