Chapter 18: Leaking to the Authorities

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“Upon learning that the merchant had indeed received one hundred taels of silver, he went straight to the merchant’s home, demanding they return the money.”

“Of course, the merchant refused. The deal was already settled; there was no reason to give the money back. He ignored the old man entirely, no matter how much he made a scene at his doorstep.”

“Some onlookers even cursed, saying ‘no merchant without trickery,’ but this was truly a voluntary transaction. The merchant might have taken advantage of the old man’s ignorance, but he paid the money—silver for goods, and there was a written contract as proof. Even if they took the matter to the authorities, the government couldn’t intervene.”

Zhou’s heart clenched with every word, and she couldn’t help but ask, “So, in the end, did the old man give up and return home?”

Gu Lizong shook his head. “The old man’s disappointment was unbearable. Unable to find peace, he dashed his head against the merchant’s gate and died.”

Hearing this, everyone’s expressions grew complicated; they didn’t know how to judge the old man’s actions.

“After a death occurred, it became impossible to ignore. The authorities finally stepped in and ordered the merchant to return the extra ninety taels of silver.”

“But what good was the money if the old man was gone? His family was already plagued by misfortune. Though he was dead, the silver should have benefited the next generation. Yet, when a plague swept through the village, claiming countless lives, his entire family perished. The silver recovered from their home was confiscated.”

Gu Lizong fell silent, memories of the brutal plague that had taken so many loved ones weighing heavily on his spirit.

Everyone listened to the tale in somber reflection.

“And what became of that Emperor Crab? Was it eaten?” Gu Qinghe asked, curiosity piqued. With such a name, who would dare to eat it?

Gu Lizong shook his head. No one knew where the Emperor Crab ended up—not him, nor anyone in the village.

Having lived decades longer than the children, he naturally had firmer convictions.

“Wife, bring out all the silver we have at home.”

Gu Lizong left the household affairs to Zhou, but for matters like this, she naturally obeyed him. She returned to their room and brought out the silver she had been hiding—money earned recently from selling wild boar and fish.

“Darlang, tomorrow take two fish and borrow the village chief’s ox cart again.”

Gu Lizong handed the silver to Gu Qingbai.

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“Second brother, you come with me to town and sell those three barrels of fish. Most are still alive; we should get about two taels. Afterward, have your eldest brother return the village chief’s ox cart. With the money from selling fish plus this silver, buy an ox cart. Then take it to the county and quietly inform the authorities about the Emperor Crab. Remember, keep a low profile!”

Gu Qingsong and Gu Qingbai nodded gravely. Gu Lizong’s plan was to have the government purchase the Emperor Crab. They would handle the money discreetly, and no one would know. How the authorities dealt with the crab was no longer their concern.

After giving these instructions, the Gu family opened the courtyard gate and went about their tasks in order.

Zhen Mier fetched hot water in the kitchen and helped Gu Tingzhi take a warm bath. After he finished, she bathed herself, finally feeling some of the chill dissipate.

Zhou still felt uneasy and personally brewed a pot of ginger soup. Watching the three of them drink large bowls, she finally felt satisfied.

By the time they tidied up, dinner was on the table. Seeing they had so many fish again, she decided to prepare a nourishing meal. She cooked two whole fish—one braised, the other stewed with tofu.

She also instructed Lin Huiniang to fetch a pound of wild boar meat from the cellar to stir-fry with mushrooms.

The Gu family rarely ate meat; even their vegetable dishes were modest in quantity. The big men usually filled up on rice porridge mixed with sweet potatoes.

In these days, their meals had noticeably improved, and the thought of better days ahead filled them with renewed vigor.

Yet Gu Tingzhi immediately began to look around the table. “Hmm? Where’s the crab?”

When he realized it was missing, his eyes reddened with disappointment.

Zhou hated to see him wronged and quickly comforted him, “Third son, eat your vegetables first. Mother will steam the crab for you right away.” She rose and headed to the kitchen.

None of the daughters-in-law could sit still. No family had a mother-in-law cooking while the daughters-in-law just ate at the table. They all rose and followed to the kitchen. Gu Tingzhi had wanted to follow Zhen Mier but was pulled back by Gu Qingbai.

With many hands, they soon selected nine crabs, scrubbed them clean, and steamed them with scallions, ginger, garlic, and their homemade chili sauce. The kitchen filled with the fresh aroma of crab meat.

Zhen Mier and Su Hehua swallowed hard, while Gu Qinghe repeatedly came close to lifting the lid, only to be stopped by Zhou.

“Ugh…”

Suddenly, a retching sound came from the kitchen. Everyone turned to see Lin Huiniang.

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She frowned deeply, covering her mouth as she convulsed violently in a corner.

Lin Huiniang frowned; she had felt unwell when the mother-in-law was preparing fish but hadn’t reacted so strongly.

Seeing their worried looks, she waved them off. “It’s nothing. Maybe the recent cold weather got to me.”

Zhou, however, was not convinced. She glanced at her eldest daughter-in-law’s flat belly and began to suspect.

“Tomorrow, after Darlang sells the fish, have him bring a doctor from town to take a look.”

The others looked at her, puzzled. This village was unlike the affluent households in town; minor ailments were endured without expense, and only childbirth or serious illness warranted a doctor.

Childbirth?! Lin Huiniang’s eyes shone, her pale lips trembling speechlessly. She looked at Zhou, seeking confirmation.

Zhou smiled gently. “It’s likely, but it’s just a guess. We’ll only know for sure after the doctor examines her pulse tomorrow.”

Lin Huiniang’s eyes glistened with tears, nodding repeatedly.

Zhen Mier and Su Hehua shared in her joy. The eldest daughter-in-law had been married into the Gu family for four years without bearing children. Although her mother-in-law never complained, the village gossip was harsh. The daughter-in-law had been deeply troubled by this, and pregnancy would bring her peace at last.

Gu Tingzhi, however, didn’t catch the mood in the kitchen. He poked his head in and, seeing no one paying attention to the pot of crabs, grew anxious. “Mannan, the crabs are ready!”

Zhen Mier lifted the lid and glanced at the color of each crab—they were perfectly cooked.

The crabs were about the size of a grown man’s fist. She arranged them neatly on a large platter and carried them to the main hall.