Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family
Chapter 144: Picking Up the Bargain

Chapter 144: Chapter 144: Picking Up the Bargain

He only set her down after they entered the deep mountains.

The forest, likewise, was a complete mess.

"Hiss..." Gu Qingli drew in a sharp breath as she looked at a trampled Lingzhi mushroom. She carefully dug it out of the mud with her fingers.

It was already crushed beyond recognition.

She found several more nearby; a small one had luckily survived.

Just then, Da Bai, holding a large Lingzhi mushroom in his mouth, walked over and placed it in front of her.

Gu Qingli’s eyes lit up. This particular mushroom was of excellent quality; judging by its patterns, it had to be at least three hundred years old.

There are so many Lingzhi mushrooms here; it’s practically a whole nest! Da Bai had never brought her here before. Probably because a formidable beast used to live here. Now that the beast is gone, Da Bai dares to bring me.

She patted Da Bai’s tiger head. "Did a formidable creature used to live here?"

Da Bai nodded, then shook his head, and shyly nuzzled against Gu Qingli.

Gu Qingli was stunned. What does he mean by that? Is he shy? She playfully tugged his cheek. "Are you shy? Did a tigress used to live here?"

Da Bai gently nodded.

"Haha... Well done! You like tigresses, do you? How old are you anyway?" Gu Qingli gave Da Bai a thumbs-up. Lord Hu is truly something else.

She also found it amusing. When she adopted Da Bai, he was just over a month old. Less than a year had passed since then, meaning Da Bai was only about one year old.

A one-year-old tiger understands that sort of thing?

Gu Qingli chuckled again; the world of animals was truly beyond her understanding.

After she collected these, Da Bai led her even deeper into the forest. The harvest was incredible!

All she could do was click her tongue in amazement.

She even found thousand-year-old Ginseng.

If it weren’t for this impending disaster, she would never have had the chance to come here and gather so many precious medicinal materials.

Gu Qingli sighed; blessings and misfortunes truly did go hand in hand.

She also marveled at how the deep mountains and old forests were indeed full of treasures.

Gu Qingli didn’t return that night. She used a flashlight to search until she was exhausted, then she took Da Bai into her Space.

She planned to continue scavenging for treasures here the next day.

「Back at the village」

After the meeting, Gu Chang’an and the clan elders went to the Gu Family Ancestral Hall together.

The three of them lit incense and knelt, praying for their ancestors to bless the Gu clansmen and help them avoid this calamity.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

Just as they finished praying, the three incense sticks snapped in half simultaneously.

"Clan Elder!" Gu Chang’an exclaimed in shock.

The two clan elders’ expressions turned even grimmer. The ancestors are giving us a warning; this disaster is clearly no small matter.

"Anzi, hurry and organize the clansmen to leave tonight!" the eldest clan elder said sternly.

"Yes, Clan Elder."

Gu Chang’an was so scared his heart pounded violently, feeling as if it would leap out of his throat. He had never seen incense sticks break during ancestral worship before, and this time, all three had snapped at once.

Gu Chang’an ran back, trembling, and told his eldest son to sound the gong. He then began instructing his family to pack.

They packed gold, silver, and other easily portable valuables, along with dry rations, water, blankets, and some pots and pans—anything the ox cart could carry.

Their family of over a dozen people amassed quite a lot of belongings once they finished packing.

Meanwhile, those villagers who heard the call and were already prepared immediately began to gather at the village entrance.

「At Master Gu’s house」

Master Gu carried Ms. Hua out and told First Brother Gu to find a long bench. They would tie bamboo poles to it to carry Ms. Hua.

Seeing that he would have to carry his infirm mother, First Brother Gu was immediately reluctant. He said unhappily, "Dad, we’re fleeing for our lives! If two people have to carry Mother, how will we manage our belongings? We can’t abandon everything just for Mother, can we? If so, why bother fleeing at all? We might as well stay home and wait for death."

"You...!" Master Gu nearly fainted from anger.

This unfilial son!

Although Ms. Hua was immobile, her mind was clear. Hearing what her eldest son said, she was heartbroken, and tears streamed down her wrinkled face.

This was the son they had doted on and cherished!

As for their daughter-in-law and grandsons, they acted as if they hadn’t heard a thing.

Master Gu and Ms. Hua were filled with regret and bitterness. If only their second son’s family were here, they would have served them like ancestors!

First Brother Gu glanced at his parents, then walked into the house. He emerged with a large bundle on his back and had his two sons push a wheelbarrow, while Ms. Yun carried a stable lantern.

The family cast a cold look at Master Gu and his wife. First Brother Gu said flatly, "Father, Mother, your son will go on ahead. You two take your time."

With that, he turned, and the family departed.

Master Gu staggered and collapsed onto the ground.

WAH! He spat out a mouthful of blood.

Unfilial son! This is retribution! Master Gu cried out in his heart.

Ms. Hua, lying on the bench, could only cry out "AHH! AHH! AHH!" in distress, completely helpless.

It wasn’t completely dark yet. Coincidentally, Zhang Qiaozui’s family was just coming out. They saw the scene, shared a quick glance, and then walked on.

Zhang Qiaozui had learned her lesson. Ever since her lips had swollen up like sausages and after witnessing Ms. Hua’s current state, she hadn’t dared to gossip about anyone in the village. She had also strictly forbidden her son and daughter from behaving as she once had.

Seeing this now, she inwardly cautioned herself again to be careful with her words and actions, and to live honestly. A real-life example of the downfall of the wicked was right before her eyes.

「At Chen Erlang’s house」

Ms. Liu had finished packing their things onto the ox cart. When she saw Chen Erlang emerge carrying a bundle, she was astonished.

The man who never lifted a finger was actually carrying something today! The sun must have risen from the west!

Gu Qingmei followed behind him, holding only a small package. Chen Erlang, after placing his own bundle, immediately turned back to help Gu Qingmei.

Gu Qingmei smiled tenderly at him.

Ms. Liu stared, wide-eyed and utterly flabbergasted.

"What are you staring at? Hurry and get the things," Chen Lichun said impatiently. He caught sight of Ms. Liu’s foolish expression, became instantly annoyed, and bumped her.

Jolted back to her senses, Ms. Liu muttered under her breath about seeing ghosts.

Only Chen Dalang watched Chen Erlang and his wife with a somber expression.

His mother is such an idiot, he thought. Look at how carefully Gu Qingmei is walking; she’s most likely pregnant.

Once the family was ready, Chen Dalang took the driver’s seat. As Ms. Liu nimbly tried to hop onto the cart, Chen Lichun yanked her down, glaring.

Ms. Liu was baffled and furious. Just as she was about to unleash a tirade, she saw Chen Erlang place a cushion where she had intended to sit. He even smoothed it out before helping Gu Qingmei onto the cart.

Now, even someone as dense as Ms. Liu understood. Her expression shifted from dark to flushed. She hurried over, took Gu Qingmei’s hand, and asked, "Second Brother’s wife, are you... with child?"

Gu Qingmei instinctively tried to pull her hand back but couldn’t. She glanced at Chen Erlang, who gave her a gentle, reassuring nod.

Then, he looked at Ms. Liu. His cold, indifferent gaze made her heart tremble.

Ever since this son of hers recovered, he was like a completely different person. He treated her, his own mother, like an enemy, yet he cherished Gu Qingmei, whom he used to despise, like a precious treasure.

"Mother was just asking, just asking," Ms. Liu said hastily, quickly releasing Gu Qingmei’s hand with an embarrassed smile.