Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity
Chapter 34 - 30 Lin Lize

Chapter 34: Chapter 30 Lin Lize

He had no idea why Lin Liuliu acted this way, but there must be some reason behind it. Lin Wu truly is malicious, trying to hit two birds with one stone. Poor Fourth Brother is just an eleven-year-old boy; he rarely goes out, so how could he understand all these complexities? He sincerely believed he must have done something wrong and was disliked by his mentor and their family.

No wonder he’s been acting strangely in the past few days when coming home daily. At that time, we just thought he was tired and didn’t pay attention. This matter must be handled well; it seriously impacts his reputation.

"Second Brother Lin, before my Fourth Brother came to your house for apprenticeship, my father already told him that my Fourth Brother was here to apprentice, and Second Brother Lin would be his master from now on. My Fourth Brother should treat Second Brother Lin like his father, should not cheat or be lazy in his actions, and offering tea and doing chores goes without saying. My Fourth Brother is an honest character; he always admired Second Brother Lin’s virtues and skills, and he follows my father’s words. Today, even when he burned his leg, he still insisted on boiling water, feeling guilty now for not doing such a small thing well and angering his master. I saw with my own eyes that Fourth Brother’s leg was scalded, making it inconvenient for him to work, and if he spills water again, it won’t be drinkable. Second Brother Lin, let me boil the water instead?" Gu Chengyu, despite being small but of high rank, couldn’t hold back his disdain for such people, yet words for appearances couldn’t be lacking.

Just as he finished speaking, the crowd started murmuring again. Yes! Fourth Brother Gu injured his leg yet still wanted to boil water, showing his filial piety. This kid is honest, injured without uttering a word. Moreover, these are all small matters; if he can’t do it well today, he can be taught tomorrow. It’s already getting late; they should let the kid go home, right? Lin the Second seems too harsh.

"How did he get injured? Why didn’t he say so earlier? I was inside and didn’t know. Since his leg is hurt, let him go home, and come back tomorrow." Lin Wu noticed the crowd’s opinion shifting, realizing he wouldn’t gain any advantage today. He thought to deal with it later, as long as Fourth Brother Gu remained his apprentice, he’d find a way to manage him. Nonetheless, this Fifth Child of the Gu Family shouldn’t be underestimated; such words from someone just five years old?

"Just spilled some water on his pants? How bad could it be? I think he’s just trying to be lazy. A mud-legged peasant, still acting precious like a poor ghost?" Lin Liuliu curled her lips, full of disdain.

Gu Chengyu couldn’t help wanting to give a thumbs-up in praise; those words came at the right time! Initially, he planned to use the Truth Powder hidden in his space, but now it seemed unnecessary, and he was reluctant to use it anyway. The way she spoke, as if her family wasn’t a rural household. As expected, voices of criticism rose from the crowd, some quite loud.

"Lin family’s girl, what do you mean by peasant? Poor ghost? We’re all farming families from Shangling Village, and neither do we have money, so who are you scolding?" Aunt Wang, being straightforward, couldn’t hold back. Wasn’t the village chief’s family part of Shangling Village? Even if they had two people who studied and earned decent livelihoods, they shouldn’t look down upon the villagers, right? Everyone chimed in agreement.

"Liuliu, you as a girl, meddling in things here, don’t you have any rules? When adults speak, how can a child interrupt?"

Gu Chengyu squinted his eyes; those words were skillfully spoken! They overtly scold Lin Liuliu, while covertly criticizing him for interrupting. Looking towards the speaker, the curtain of the main house slightly moved, revealing a man entering the courtyard, around his father’s age. This person was starkly different from ordinary farmers, wearing a finely cottoned blue straight robe, with a smooth rosewood hairpin on his head.

This person must be Lin Lize, who had studied for several years before but failed the imperial exams. At that time, Uncle Gu and Lin Lize were both scholars, but Lin Lize had more years of study than Uncle Gu, and although he didn’t pass the exams, he was certainly capable of doing transcription work and such.

"Dear villagers, the child doesn’t understand; I apologize on her behalf and promise to strictly discipline her in the future. Please disperse now! Fourth Brother Gu, since your leg is injured, go home first. Resting for two days is allowed, too." Speaking of the last sentence, Lin Lize glanced at Gu Chengyu while standing with his hands behind his back. He had listened for a while inside; initially, it was just a small matter, and he thought not to appear, but then his granddaughter foolishly spoke up, and he couldn’t let his family’s name be tarnished. This kid, at such a young age, speaks in a way that cannot be underestimated.

Seeing Lin Lize apologizing, everyone felt obliged to show face and prepared to head home.

Gu Chengyu saw everyone ready to leave; this wouldn’t do, the matter wasn’t concluded yet! He quickly stepped to Gu Chengchi’s side, "Fourth Brother, let’s go home!"

Gu Chengchi’s leg was indeed hurting! Gu Chengyu saw it, pained in his heart; this silly boy! He quickly reached to support him, pinching his waist simultaneously. "Ah! Fourth Brother, what happened? Can’t you walk because of the pain?" Gu Chengyu turned his head anxiously, inquiring, "Uncle Li Zheng, my Fourth Brother’s leg pains tremendously, can he stay in your courtyard to be examined by Doctor Li?"

"Since it’s severe, better have Doctor Li come over!" Lin Lize frowned.

Gu Chengyu wanted to add fuel to the fire, and with Gu Chengchi blocking, provocatively glanced at Lin Liuliu, who happened to be looking at him, mouthing silently: "Compensation!"

"What? I’ve just accidentally spilled a little water. How serious could it be? Could you dare ask for compensation from our family? My grandfather is the village chief; do you dare?" Seeing this, Lin Liuliu immediately jumped in anger, fuming, thinking these mud-legged peasants were trying to extort money from them.

Upon hearing this, everyone realized, so the injury was caused by Lin Liuliu scalding him? What’s more, it was boiling hot water! This girl’s mind truly is malicious! Their gaze turned to Lin Liuliu, showing disbelief; at such a young age and already so venomous, who would dare propose to her in the future? And she’s rampant just because she is the village chief’s granddaughter.

"Hey~ Xiao Bao, Aunt Wang will fetch Doctor Li; scalding isn’t a minor issue." Aunt Wang, noticing the two kids’ plight, felt the Lin Family was too bullying and quickly went to fetch the doctor. Gu Chengyu hadn’t even had the chance to thank her before Aunt Wang dashed away like the wind.

Lin Lize sensing things weren’t going well, immediately commanded coldly, "What talk is this? You accidentally overturned the kettle, causing it to spill, and now that it spilled onto Fourth Brother Gu, it should be examined by the doctor. You young girl, who let you interrupt? Wife, take Liuliu back inside quickly?" Lin Lize was genuinely angry this time; his granddaughter spoiled by his wife and eldest son’s wife was uttering brainless words, constantly attracting resentment.