TSWPF -Chapter 445 The Snatching

As soon as Liu Zhimou and the others left, the village chief’s second daughter-in-law immediately began sniping at the first daughter-in-law with a sarcastic tone.

She was furious that the County Magistrate’s wife hadn’t taken a liking to her son.

Her son was surely much better than Gou Sheng, wasn’t he? How could the County Magistrate’s wife not favor her son? Could it be that Gou Sheng had said something bad about her son in front of the County Magistrate’s wife?

The more she thought about it, the more certain she became. Her eyes bulged as she glared at Gou Sheng, demanding, “Did you say bad things about Gou Dan in front of the County Magistrate’s wife?”

When it came to her own son’s reputation, the first daughter-in-law couldn’t stay silent either. She pulled Gou Sheng behind her and frowned, saying, “Gou Dan’s mother, what do you mean by that? How could Gou Sheng possibly say anything bad about Gou Dan? Our son wouldn’t do such a thing.”

The second daughter-in-law crossed her hands on her waist and snorted coldly. “If Gou Sheng hadn’t said bad things about Gou Dan in front of the County Magistrate’s wife, how could she possibly dislike him?” She still refused to admit that her son was inferior to Gou Sheng.

“I didn’t say anything bad about Gou Dan in front of the County Magistrate’s wife. If you don’t believe me, we can go ask her to confirm.” Gou Sheng disdained such petty accusations.

“You…” The second daughter-in-law tried to argue, but the village chief cut her off sharply.

“That’s enough.” He frowned tightly and glared at her. “What kind of boy is Gou Dan? Don’t you, as his mother, know? Today he embarrassed our family in front of the County Magistrate and his wife. How have you and your husband been teaching your child?”

Just thinking about how Gou Dan had behaved in front of the County Magistrate made his face burn with shame.

It was utterly disgraceful. If they didn’t discipline him properly, it wouldn’t do.

Every mother thinks her own child is the best and doesn’t allow others to criticize them.

The second daughter-in-law pouted and said she thought Gou Dan was fine—handsome and well-educated.

In short, far better than Gou Sheng.

Her son couldn’t compare to Gou Sheng at all.

Seeing the daughter-in-law’s defiance, the village chief turned to the second son, pointing a finger at him. “Er Zhu, I’m telling you, if you don’t properly discipline your son and he gets into trouble later, you’ll bear the consequences yourself. Don’t drag the family down.” He had been frightened by the County Magistrate’s words.

He feared his family would end up like the County Magistrate’s wife’s household, losing their children because of carelessness.

The County Magistrate’s wife had married such a capable husband. Her grandparents must have regretted it terribly. He didn’t want to follow the same path.

The second son didn’t speak, so the village chief’s biased wife took the opportunity. “Old man, it’s not as serious as you say. What’s wrong with Gou Dan? Really…” Apart from his messy eating, Gou Dan was fine in every other way.

See, Gou Dan had been spoiled by them.

The village chief’s chest heaved violently, and he glared at his wife.

“If it weren’t for the County Magistrate’s generosity, do you think you’d still be standing here? You’d already be in prison. Do you still not understand how serious this is?”

“What? It… it’s not that serious, right?” the village chief’s wife panicked. “Gou Dan… he just ate a little too much. How… how did he offend the County Magistrate?”

Hearing this, the village chief snorted coldly, unwilling to explain further to a slow-thinking woman. “Give one or two silver coins to Da Zhu. Tomorrow, have him send Gou Sheng to school.”

Upon hearing this, the village chief’s wife acted as if her life were threatened, shouting that there was no money.

She glared fiercely at her eldest son, wondering if this had been his idea.

Seeing his mother’s expression, the eldest son felt bitter. He worked hard and handed over all his earned silver to her. Why, if he wanted to go to school, wouldn’t she give him the money?

At that moment, he reflected deeply.

Gou Sheng’s eyes lit up at his grandmother’s words but dimmed again.

He hung his head, frustrated, rubbing his feet, pouting almost to the point of tears.

He wanted to go to school too. Why could Gou Dan go but he couldn’t?

“Fine, if you won’t give it, that’s fine.” The village chief’s wife hadn’t yet rejoiced when the village chief’s next words made her break out in cold sweat. “I promised the County Magistrate’s wife that I would send Gou Sheng to school. If she finds out we didn’t, prepare to go to prison! Don’t expect me to save you then.” She needed a scare to understand.

“Old… old man, you’re just trying to scare me, right? The County… the County Magistrate’s wife couldn’t care about our trivial affairs?”

The village chief snorted again. “Believe it or not, we’ll see.”

Seeing his calm demeanor, the village chief’s wife backed down. She sulked back to her room, begrudgingly producing one or two silver coins and forcefully tossing them at her eldest son’s feet. “Take it.” Let Gou Sheng go to school and see what he can achieve.

She didn’t believe he could study properly.

The eldest son clenched his fists, slightly bent over to pick up the silver, but Gou Sheng grabbed it immediately.

“Grandma, I’ll study hard.” He wanted to prove to those who looked down on him that he wasn’t useless.

The village chief’s wife snorted and didn’t even glance at him.

Gou Sheng’s eyes reddened. Why did his grandmother favor another grandson over him?

“Gou Sheng, study hard. If you do well, Grandpa will support you all the way,” said the village chief, rubbing Gou Sheng’s head, then looking thoughtfully at Gou Dan.

Encouraged by his grandfather, Gou Sheng nodded firmly. “I’ll work hard. I won’t let you down, Grandpa.”

The village chief smiled, then looked at his wife with a serious expression. “Da Zhu’s wife, come with me.” He turned and walked back into the room, hands behind his back.

The village chief’s wife had never seen such a stern old man. Her heart fluttered. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her back and followed him in.

The eldest son’s family also returned excitedly to the room, discussing Gou Sheng going to school.

The second daughter-in-law scoffed. “I want to see how long the County Magistrate’s wife will remember him. Just a little kid—why would she care? Dream on!”

But two hours later, she was in for a rude awakening.

Seeing a guard at the courtyard gate, she asked, “Who are you looking for?” Her eyes flicked to the gift box in his hands, curious about what was inside.

The guard replied, neither humble nor overbearing, “By order of the County Magistrate’s wife, I’ve come for Gou Sheng. Is he home?”

“He’s not home. Why are you looking for him? I’m… his second aunt; I can pass the message.”

At that moment, Gou Sheng ran out. “I’m home.” He looked at the second daughter-in-law with displeasure. “Uncle, what are you here for?” He didn’t recognize the man before him.

“You are Gou Sheng?”

“Yes, I am Gou Sheng.”

The guard held out the gift box. “These are the Four Treasures of the Study from the County Magistrate’s wife. She instructed you to study hard. Next time she comes to Wutong Village, she will test you.” He paused. “The lady also said, if anyone dares to snatch your things, tell her. She will help you settle it.” Although Gou Sheng didn’t fully understand, he repeated the words.

Excitedly, Gou Sheng took the Four Treasures, held them carefully, and bowed to the guard. “Un… uncle, please thank the lady for me. I… I will study hard and won’t let her down.” Yes, he would not disappoint her.

It was thanks to the lady that he could go to school. He would cherish this opportunity.

“All right…” The guard patted Gou Sheng’s head and turned to mount his horse, but the village chief called after him.

“Sir…” For a moment, he didn’t know how to address him, and he didn’t seem like a regular official.

The guard recognized the village chief’s hesitation. “I am a guard from the County Magistrate’s residence.”

A guard?

He had heard that the County Magistrate’s guards protected the Imperial Tutor.

The village chief became even more respectful, addressing him as “Sir” and inviting him in for a drink.

The guard shook his head. “No, I must return and report to the lady.”

With that, he mounted his horse and quickly rode off.

Gou Sheng, cradling the box like a treasure, approached the village chief. Excitedly, he said, “Grandpa, Grandpa, look! The County Magistrate’s wife gave me the Four Treasures of the Study.” He was overjoyed, unable to believe she had given him such a precious gift.

The village chief’s hands trembled slightly as he opened the box. Seeing the contents, he gasped. Even without much knowledge of these treasures, he could tell they were valuable.

The second daughter-in-law peeked at his reaction and saw for herself that Gou Sheng’s Four Treasures were far superior to her son’s.

Her eyes shifted, and she reached for it. “Gou Sheng, you don’t need such fancy treasures yet. Exchange them with Gou Dan! My son has never had such fine things.”

“Gou Dan’s mother,” the village chief snapped, slamming the lid shut. “These are Gou Sheng’s.” He had little patience for petty grabbing.

Gou Sheng hugged the box tightly, wary of his second aunt, and shouted, “Second Aunt, these are the Four Treasures of the Study from the County Magistrate’s wife. No one is allowed to take them! If they go missing, I’ll tell the County Magistrate’s wife!” With that, he dashed back into his room.

He shut the door firmly and showed the first daughter-in-law, who was weaving, “Mom, look! Look! These are the Four Treasures of the Study from the County Magistrate’s wife.” If he hadn’t been listening outside, the second aunt might have snatched them.

“Ah?” The first daughter-in-law quickly put down her weaving, looked at the exquisite box, then at her son. “Gou Sheng, you mean… these are from the County Magistrate’s wife?”

Gou Sheng nodded and gently opened the box to show her.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she murmured, “The County Magistrate’s wife is such a kind person.”