Chapter 626: Chapter 628: Making the Decision
Gu Dashishi couldn’t find an outlet for his anger and panted heavily. "Does my word not count as evidence?
I’m a cripple! Would I go out of my way to falsely accuse her? Besides, my legs are right here for you to see. Can’t you see them?"
Li Cuicui stood to the side and said coolly, "So, this is why you wanted to clear the room.
You really went to a lot of trouble. Frankly, even if you had said it all out in the open, what could I have done to you?
I admit we broke the clan rules for your sake, and there was some fighting. But that was understandable, and everyone in the clan knows it.
As for your claim that I was the one who ruined your legs, that’s a complete fabrication.
At the time, in front of everyone, two doctors came. They treated you and specifically warned you not to move your legs.
But who would have thought you’d actually roll over on the kang bed? I wasn’t anywhere near you then, so you can’t pin this on me.
If you don’t believe me, you can swear an oath in front of everyone. Do you dare?"
Gu Dashishi pointed at Li Cuicui, so furious he was speechless. "..."
Li Cuicui, however, curled her lip and said, "A person shouldn’t be so heartless. Ever since you were paralyzed on that bed, I’ve been managing everything, inside and out. You’re living a comfortable life now. It would be one thing if you weren’t grateful, but instead, you’re here making baseless accusations.
Thank goodness I was fortunate enough to raise a few good sons. Otherwise, who knows how you would have wasted my life away."
"You’re lying," Gu Dashishi finally roared after holding it in for a long time. "You’re just spouting nonsense! The bottom line is, my legs are like this because of you.
This vicious woman even starves me, always making me eat bland food. Look at my hands! They’re nothing but skin and bones."
Gu Dashishi held out his hand, straining to reach Ancient Wen Heng, but they were too far apart, and he had to give up.
Ancient Wenheng actually did glance over at his hand, but it wasn’t as bad as Gu Dashishi claimed.
Although he was a bit thinner than before, his hands had become fair and soft, without a single callus.
"You really don’t know what’s good for you," Li Cuicui said, slapping his hand down. "You’re old and have so many health problems. I was just following the doctor’s orders, deliberately giving you blander food so you might live a few more years. I never thought it would lead to this kind of misunderstanding.
In that case, starting tomorrow, I’ll serve you rich fish and meat every day. If you die young or feel unwell, don’t you dare come crying to me about murdering my own husband."
"See? See? This is her true nature," Gu Dashishi cried out, instantly agitated. "She can’t wait for me to die so she can find her next husband.
What kind of wife dresses so flamboyantly when her husband is paralyzed in bed? And she wears a different hair ornament every day! I tell you, she’s had ill intentions for a long time. You brothers really need to be on your guard."
"Don’t you try to apply your outdated standards to me," Li Cuicui said, touching a hairpin in her hair and smiling with immense satisfaction. "These were all bought for me by my daughters-in-law. Especially Seventh Wife—every time she gives a gift, she sends whole boxes of them.
If I didn’t wear a different one each day, I doubt I’d ever get the chance to wear them all in this lifetime.
And are the sons not filial to you? Don’t they provide you with expensive medicinal herbs and a full monthly allowance on time?"
"Nonsense! I haven’t seen any of it."
Li Cuicui said, "You don’t run the household, so you truly don’t know the cost of living.
Do you think your medicine is free? Hiring people to take care of you every day—that all costs a great deal of money.
Besides, even if I handed the money to you, could you even spend it?"
Ancient Wenheng stood to the side, his head lowered, trying his best to keep a straight face.
The truth was, he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from turning up.
’This old lady is just too amusing. Every sentence she says hits right where it hurts.’
Gu Dashishi knew that as long as this old hag was around, he would never be able to out-argue her.
"Seventh, you tell me..."
Ancient Wenheng looked at them with a bewildered expression. "This is a private matter between Mother and Father. It wouldn’t be right for me, as their son, to get involved, would it?
Father, you’ve been in the village for so long. Neither the clan nor my brothers have had any objections about the household. There must be a misunderstanding. Why don’t you two try to resolve this privately?"
"There is no misunderstanding. It’s a good thing you’re back today. Even if I can’t divorce this wicked woman, I want to formally separate from her."
At this, Ancient Wenheng stood up and brushed off the corners of his robes. "This is a matter for the elders. It’s not right for children and grandchildren to interfere.
You two should discuss it and come to an agreement before you bring it to the clan."
Ancient Wenheng turned to Li Cuicui. "Mother, your son has been rushing to get here and hasn’t eaten yet. It’s fine if I go hungry, but the two children are still small."
"Oh, my memory! The kitchen should be almost ready. I’ll go hurry them along. You should head out too. I’ll have someone bring you a bowl of the soup that’s been simmering."
As for Gu Dashishi, who was still fuming and glaring, the mother and son paid him no further attention, supporting each other as they walked out.
At that moment, how could Gu Dashishi not understand?
Ancient Wenheng was just like those old geezers in the clan—a fence-sitter. It seemed there was no hope of getting him to stand up for him.
The thought of spending the rest of his life like this made Gu Dashishi want to find something else to smash, but he found there was nothing left on the kang bed.
Just then, Luo Gang came in to sweep up the broken pieces. "Go get me a new tea set and a new kang table."
"Old Master, what you broke before was the last set we had in stock. The Old Madam said she would buy more when the market is open in a few days."
"Nonsense. In a house this big, you can’t find one? If there are no new ones, an old one will do."
Luo Gang silently finished cleaning the floor. "I will ask the Old Madam later."
"..."
He was about to curse loudly, but the man before him was like a block of wood; yelling would just be a waste of breath.
Besides, there wasn’t even a cup now. These people would surely let him go thirsty. He would have to wait until the meal was served just to get some soup. He had learned this lesson before and wasn’t willing to suffer through it again.
Meanwhile, Li Cuicui led Ancient Wenheng out into the courtyard, where they saw a table had been set up near the kitchen, already laden with hot food.
"Let’s not talk about other things for now. You all should eat something quickly.
As for the people who came with you, have your older brothers already arranged for them?"
In truth, Ancient Wenheng wasn’t hungry at all; he had just been looking for an excuse to get out of that room.
But upon seeing the familiar, home-cooked dishes, he didn’t put on airs. "It’s been a long time since I’ve had a home-cooked meal. Mother, won’t you join us?"
Li Cuicui shook her head. "We just ate not long ago. You go ahead and eat.
People from the clan will probably be coming by soon. You should fill your stomach first."
Ancient Wenheng knew that these social obligations in the village were unavoidable, so he nodded and took a seat.
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