stingy landlady

Chapter 245 Gui Hong Breaks Off the Engagement (1)

Du Teng went out with two of Manager Han's men, and returned in high spirits shortly afterward.

Du Teng said excitedly:

"Young Master! That stalker really got a good beating this time! I've warned him that if he dares to stalk me again, I'll beat him every time I see him. The kid was crying and screaming, and he scrambled back to his master!"

Gui Hong finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling particularly relieved. But a trace of worry followed, which she kept hidden in her heart.

When Madam Zhou learned that her servants had been beaten at Gui Hong's door, she felt as if she had been slapped in the face and was furious.

Madam Zhou did not think it was wrong to send someone to keep an eye on Gui Hong; on the contrary, she thought it was to protect Gui Hong and to prevent her from disgracing the Zhou family by not being a proper wife.

As it was late, Madam Zhou suppressed her anger. The next morning, after all the household matters had been arranged, she finally could no longer restrain herself and, accompanied by the beaten servants, went to Lirenfang to find Guihong.

Young Master Du arrived after breakfast and is currently in Guihong's courtyard, sitting at the stone table, drinking tea and waiting for Steward Han to come and pick him up.

Gui Xiang returned home the night before with her maid and Steward Han, while Gui Zhi stayed here with her maid.

Young Master Du asked about the cassia branch:

"Third Sister! What are you going to the prefectural city for? Is there anything I can help you with? How about I arrange accommodations for you in the prefectural city?"

How long are you planning to stay? How many people are coming? I'll arrange your food and accommodation.

Guizhi shook her head and said:

"No need to trouble Young Master Du! Thank you in advance! We have a workshop in the prefectural city, so we can stay there for meals and lodging. We don't plan to stay for too long, and we have a lot of things to do at home."

"Oh! By the way, Young Master Du! My fifth uncle is studying in the prefectural city. If it's convenient for you, Young Master Du, could you perhaps help look after him?"

"Alright! Tell me your fifth uncle's name and address later, and I'll go see him when I get back to the prefectural city. I wonder when he's going to take the imperial examination, or if he's planning to take it next year?"

"I really don't know! But I'll see him when I go to the prefectural city. I'll ask him again."

The two were chatting when they suddenly heard a commotion and angry shouts coming from outside the Lirenfang. Gui Hong could be heard among them.

The two hurriedly went out through the side door. As soon as Young Master Du peeked out, they heard a man scream:

"Madam! Madam! This is the young master! Miss Wang sees this young master every day, and the two of them are often alone in the room, I don't know what they're doing!"

The young master's servant beat the servant last night, and they're still here this morning. Could it be that they stayed here last night?

"Madam, this man and woman alone must be living under the same roof. No wonder there's been no movement all these days. I had someone beat this servant last night! They were afraid he'd find them living together!"

Madam Zhou stood at the entrance of the Lirenfang and snorted coldly:

"What good can an adulterous couple do when they're in the same room? They only hit you because they're afraid you'll discover their affair. They're afraid the Zhou family will send someone to catch them in the act!"

A crowd had gathered at the entrance of Lirenfang. Gui Hong, her face flushed red, shouted:

"Madam Zhou! I have always treated you with utmost respect because you are the mother of Zhou Shaoyu! Why have you come here to utter such vile words and tarnish my reputation?"

Madam Zhou also screamed:

"Miss Wang! I have tarnished your reputation? You are not a virtuous woman. Since you are already engaged to my son, you are still flirting with other men!"

"You won't even let this old lady teach you some manners! You're lucky you're lucky to have met such a charitable family; otherwise, we'd all drown you in a pig cage!"

Guizhi pulled back the young master Du, who was about to step forward to argue, and strode forward to say to Madam Zhou:

"Madam Zhou! I don't know what crime my second sister has committed to be drowned in a pig cage? Madam Zhou! Don't you think this nonsense will get you sent to the authorities?"

I've heard that government judgments are based on solid evidence, so how come in Madam Zhou's case, she can just make baseless accusations and arbitrarily slander others?

"Eloquent tongue! No matter how eloquently you speak, you can't stop the facts from speaking louder than words! Him!"

As Madam Zhou spoke, she pointed at Young Master Du.

"This is Wang Guihong's lover! He stayed here last night! Otherwise, why would he come out of the side gate of Lirenfang so early this morning!"

Guizhi asked Madam Zhou:

"Madam Zhou, are you sure this young master stayed overnight at Lirenfang? Then my maids and I also stayed here last night."

I didn't see this young master staying here. Doesn't that mean he sneaked in and was discovered by Madam Zhou?

"Then we must report this to the authorities immediately! For the sake of my and my second sister's reputation, we can't let this young man ruin our honor."

Just as Young Master Du was about to speak, Steward Han and Gui Xiang arrived in their carriage.

Manager Han alighted from the carriage and, seeing so many people gathered around the Beauty Pavilion, anxiously asked:

"Young Master Du! What has happened?"

Young Master Du pointed at Madam Zhou and said coldly:

"Manager Han is here! This crazy old woman, whoever she is, insists I stayed at Lirenfang last night. She's even trying to frame Manager Wang, but Miss Wang also stayed here last night."

I wonder what evidence this old woman has to prove I stayed here last night. I think if she doesn't have solid proof, Miss Wang might take me to the authorities!

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou was also uncertain. She was indeed making baseless accusations, trying to frame Gui Hong and then take the opportunity to break off the engagement.

Judging from this situation, this Young Master Du seems to be someone with connections. It's definitely not a good idea to offend him too much!

Young Master Du asked with a stern face:

"Madam, I won't say much more. You! Since you're so certain that I have a connection with Manager Wang, are you willing to come with me to the government office?"

Madam Zhou certainly didn't want to go to the authorities. Relationships between men and women are always a matter of both sides having their own version of events. What would be the point of going to the authorities? Wang Guihong wasn't her daughter-in-law; they were only engaged, and she could break off the engagement at any time.

Madam Zhou evaded the question, saying:

"How you want to get involved is none of our business, as long as Miss Wang Er breaks off the engagement with my son!"

Guizhi pouted and said:

"Fellow villagers! This Madam Zhou has resorted to methods that damage the woman's reputation in order to get her son to break off the engagement."

Mrs. Zhou! If you want to break off the engagement, just say it openly! Who would want to keep currying favor with your family?

When we first went to propose marriage, it wasn't our family that approached your Zhou family. Now, it's you who wanted to propose, and you're the ones who want to break off the engagement!

So you think girls are worthless in your family, and you can treat them however you want? They're not even married yet! And you're already torturing your future daughter-in-law?

How dare you smear someone's reputation!

A murmur of discussion broke out among the crowd. Everyone had their own version of what they were saying. Mrs. Zhou, with her sharp ears, overheard someone say:

"The Zhou family is the most snobbish and greedy! They've probably climbed up to a higher social class, which is why they're here to bully the manager of Lirenfang."