Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family
Chapter 116: The Crazy Gu Dahe 1

Chapter 116: Chapter 116: The Crazy Gu Dahe 1

As Gu Dahe spoke, growing increasingly frantic, the force he applied to the dagger intensified, and blood began to seep from Ms. Wu’s abdomen.

Ms. Wu could only weep silently. Seeing her husband’s heartbroken expression made her own suffering even more unbearable.

But she couldn’t move at all.

Xiao Yunjing, realizing a life would be lost if this continued, stepped forward. "You want our lives, don’t you? I’ll trade my life for my mother’s!"

"You?" Gu Dahe, having just vented his rage and successfully intimidated everyone, felt a grim satisfaction. Seeing Xiao Yunjing step forward, he instantly grew wary, tightening his grip on Ms. Wu, causing her further distress.

The hearts of the onlookers were in their throats.

Someone, unable to bear the sight, pleaded, "Third Brother Gu, let Ms. Wu go! If this continues, she’ll die!"

"Shut up!" Gu Dahe roared. "I’m here for their lives today! If anyone else dares to meddle, I’ll slaughter your entire family!"

The man could only fall silent resentfully, terrified of what the madman might do next.

"Third Master Gu is here!" someone in the crowd shouted.

Immediately, the onlookers parted, clearing a path. Master Gu walked in, his face dark. When he saw Gu Dahe, his mouth opened and closed a few times, but ultimately, he said nothing.

They simply stared at each other.

When Gu Dahe saw the aged Master Gu, a flicker of emotion involuntarily crossed his face. He wanted to call him ’Father,’ and his lips moved, but the word remained unspoken.

When he was in prison, beaten and humiliated, no one had come to see him. Why should he acknowledge this father now?

His expression hardened, and he glared at Xiao Yunjing. "You’re not good enough! Step back. Let her come, and I’ll make the exchange," he snarled, pointing at Gu Qingli.

Xiao Yunjing’s face turned ashen with fury. Taking a deep breath, he retreated a few steps, his mind racing for another plan.

He glanced towards the roof where his men were in position, but Gu Dahe was cunning, his back pressed against the wall, making an attack from behind impossible. A frontal assault was out of the question too. His only option was to use his internal energy to kill the madman, but Ms. Wu would inevitably be affected. Yet, even if Ms. Wu was harmed, Xiao Yunjing could not allow Li’er to walk into danger.

Gu Qingli, seeing that Gu Dahe refused Xiao Yunjing and demanded her instead, considered her options. It would be better for me to make the exchange for Ms. Wu. If this drags on, Ms. Wu might die from fright or suffocation from Gu Dahe’s hold. The child in her womb wouldn’t survive either. There’s no other way.

"Alright, I’ll make the exchange," Gu Qingli declared, stepping forward.

"Li’er!" Gu Dalin and Xiao Yunjing cried out simultaneously, trying to stop her.

"Sister, you can’t go!" Dashuang and Xiaoshuang also exclaimed at the same time.

Gu Qingli looked at the four men, a warmth spreading through her heart. Actually, making the exchange would be safest for me. I have the Space, so Gu Dahe can’t harm me.

"Miss, let me go instead!" Wuqing burst through the crowd, rushing forward. She had just returned from the mountain after feeding Da Bai when she heard that Gu Dahe was holding Ms. Wu hostage. She had raced over, only to hear her mistress planning to offer herself as a replacement, which terrified her.

How could this be? Miss doesn’t know any martial arts. How could she protect herself?

Even Ms. Wu, upon hearing this, weakly waved her hand at Gu Qingli, signaling her not to go.

Only Master Gu’s gloomy face eased slightly. Third wasn’t being stupid anymore. Holding Ms. Wu hostage was useless; capturing that girl might actually give him a chance to turn things around.

Gu Dahe felt a surge of triumph. So that wretched girl really did matter to so many people. Perfect.

"Stop dawdling! Get over here, now!" he ordered impatiently.

"Gu Dahe, don’t compound your mistakes!" Gu Chang’an spoke up at the right moment. He was deeply conflicted; he didn’t want anyone taken hostage.

"None of your damn business! If anyone else dares to keep blabbering, I’ll kill this bitch right now!" Gu Dahe spat towards Gu Chang’an. That old fool, not helping his own kin, but siding with a picked-up bastard.

Gu Chang’an was furious, glaring at Master Gu.

Master Gu kept his head bowed, not even lifting his eyelids.

Gu Chang’an felt helpless. Gu Dahe had already been expelled from the clan and was no longer considered a Gu clansman. How could he possibly ask Master Gu to intervene and tell Gu Dahe to release the hostage? Even if he did ask, Master Gu wouldn’t be willing. At this point, Master Gu probably wished Gu Dahe would kill a few more people. Ugh! What a mess! Wasn’t he supposed to be locked up in prison? How did he get out and start wreaking havoc again?

Gu Chang’an was thoroughly disgusted by Master Gu. Fortunately, he had already sent his son into the city to inform the County Magistrate.

Gu Chang’an looked at Gu Qingli, silently pleading with her not to go.

Gu Qingli shook her head at him, then met Xiao Yunjing’s bloodshot eyes and nodded reassuringly. She patted Wuqing’s arm and said to Gu Dalin, Dashuang, and Xiaoshuang, "Don’t worry, I’ll be fine."

She turned and walked towards Gu Dahe.

"Li’er!" Xiao Yunjing clenched his fists. No matter how skilled he was in martial arts, he couldn’t rescue Ms. Wu without endangering her. If he were to disregard Ms. Wu’s life to prevent Li’er from taking the risk, Li’er herself wouldn’t agree to it.

His eyes blazed with fury, murderous intent radiating from him.

"Don’t act rashly," Gu Qingli sensed his murderous aura and quickly warned him.

If he did something crazy, the consequences would be irreversible. A scumbag like Gu Dahe wasn’t worth Xiao Yunjing risking his own life for.

"Alright," Xiao Yunjing reluctantly agreed.

Seeing Gu Qingli approach, Gu Dahe didn’t release Ms. Wu immediately. Instead, he pressed the dagger to Gu Qingli’s neck, then kicked Ms. Wu away. With his left hand, he seized Gu Qingli, holding her neck in the same manner.

"Mother!"

"My wife!"

Gu Dalin, Dashuang, and Xiaoshuang rushed forward to catch Ms. Wu, who collapsed limply into Gu Dalin’s arms.

"Dashuang, quickly, go get Doctor Li!" Gu Dalin ordered anxiously.

"But Sister..."

"Dashuang, hurry!" Xiao Yunjing interjected. Dashuang immediately turned and ran to fetch Doctor Li.

Gu Dahe, triumphant, let out a few arrogant laughs. "All of you, back off!" he yelled at the onlookers.

They had no choice but to retreat.

Seeing the crowd fall back, Gu Dahe kept the dagger pressed against Gu Qingli’s neck and slowly walked towards the courtyard entrance.

Gu Qingli understood his intention. He’s heading for the mountain. Good. Once we’re on the mountain, I can find a way to escape.

She subtly gestured to Xiao Yunjing, signaling him not to make a move.

Xiao Yunjing was nearly spitting blood from anxiety. He was worried sick, yet Li’er appeared so fearless. How could she be so bold?

He could only order his men to hold their positions and await his command.

Gu Dahe, holding Gu Qingli hostage, ascended the mountain step by step. The villagers below could only watch helplessly until the two disappeared from sight.

Xiao Yunjing, Wuqing, Eldest Brother Xiao, and Second Brother Xiao had already begun to ascend the mountain quietly from another direction.

Once on the mountain and seeing that no one was following, Gu Dahe’s tense body relaxed. His eyes fell on Gu Qingli’s fair neck, and the faint, feminine scent of her wafted into his nostrils.

His heart stirred. A bold idea began to form in his mind.

He pushed Gu Qingli, quickening their pace.

「Meanwhile, Wuqing said to Xiao Yunjing, "Young Master, you keep an eye on Miss. I’ll go find Da Bai."」