Chapter 312: Chapter 312: The News
Bai Suihe covered her mouth, thinking this truly wasn’t something deep-bourgeois girls should know.
"This," Bai Suihe’s eyes evaded slightly, "I read about it in storybooks."
Nanny Pang had been helping organize rooms lately, so she knew the young lady liked reading those storybooks to pass the time. "Is that so? Better read less of those storybooks lest you learn bad habits. There’s nothing in this world that’s truly impervious to all poisons; I’m just more tolerant to drugs."
Nanny Pang had read some storybooks too, most of which were about love affairs and were predominantly tales of poor scholars and fallen knights in romantic entanglement with noble young ladies. It was obvious they were written by pedantic scholars, reflecting their most sordid inner thoughts.
These people never considered other ways to advance themselves; instead, their minds were filled with shortcuts, thus writing such articles.
Bai Suihe quickly made a promise, "I was only bored before, using them to pass the time. In the future, I’ll surely read more medical books and I want to learn all of Nanny’s skills."
"Miss has great ambitions. Then let’s start with the Tàngtóu Song to see how long it takes for Miss to memorize it." If the young lady determined to learn, the old woman would willingly impart all her knowledge.
After all, she hadn’t taken on a disciple in her life, and she surely couldn’t take all her skills to the grave.
If Miss truly liked it and was willing to learn, that would be the best scenario.
Bai Suihe’s competitive spirit was instantly piqued, "I believe I have the talent."
To have a foothold in this world isn’t something that can be relied upon others; Bai Suihe still wanted to hold something in her own hands.
Nanny Pang’s presence opened a new world for her.
Since ancient times, medicine and poison are intertwined, and Nanny Pang was outstanding in this matter. Not working hard to learn would be her fault.
Nanny Pang acted swiftly; as she reached the room and drank a sip of water, she brought in books, marking the day the learning began.
☆
Calm, uneventful days passed this way, and Bai Suihe was nearing childbirth, having already invited the midwife to stay in the home.
Today, they followed the routine of strolling in the courtyard, checking on the cured bacon’s progress.
Then came Gu Kaixi from the elder uncle’s house, panting, "Kai Yuan, my grandfather wants you to hurry over."
Gu Kai Yuan asked, "Is something the matter?"
Gu Kaixi took a breath and continued, "Today, my father and the others went into the city and saw notices being posted as they were leaving.
They asked others and learned that due to the Empress Dowager’s grand birthday, His Majesty issued a nationwide amnesty. My father went to understand more, and people in our situation were included in the amnesty, meaning we won’t be criminals anymore."
Gu Kai Yuan and Bai Suihe exchanged glances, realizing there was quite a difference; the decree to right the past wrongs was gone, replaced instead by a general amnesty.
This is good, Bai Suihe and Gu Kai Yuan thought simultaneously; this way, the Gu Family couldn’t claim they took advantage.
Even if it was advantageous, it was through the Empress Dowager’s benevolence that they could regain civilian status.
"Don’t just stand there stunned, hurry over; my grandfather has things to discuss with you."
Gu Kai Yuan understood what it was about. The weather was nice today, so a group of them headed grandly towards the village entrance.
There, all the Gu Family clansmen were gathered, cheers and laughter coming intermittently.
Though here they worked the land too, every step needed reporting to the county; leaving the village sometimes meant enduring difficulties from the village chief.
Thankfully, the village chief here was benevolent; as long as they weren’t committing crimes or disrupting everyone’s life, he wouldn’t interfere.
What worried them most was taxation; with their current status, they continuously reclaimed land, finally nurturing it back, only to have it absorbed by the county authority. They had no land rights.
Now that they restored their civilian status, even if not returning to their homeland, with their diligent hands, they could live here.
Additionally, they could own their land. The land they opened now could apply for a red contract in two years.
Everyone saw hope for life, whether to return or not wasn’t significant.
Since erasing past wrongs wasn’t achieved, returning wouldn’t restore seized lands; many figured this out, opting not to stir things up, living anywhere had the same essence.
However, the Clan Leader had mentioned before that staying here meant organizing a return party to move ancestors’ graves, not leaving them there unattended.
But these were future discussions, requiring them to earn more Silver to fund the trip.
Seeing Gu Kai Yuan and Bai Suihe approach, the crowd made way for them to come before Gu Li.
"Greetings, granduncle!" The couple respectfully greeted, "Greetings, elders!"
Gu Li laughed until his eyes narrowed to lines. Though the outcome differed somewhat from what Gu Kai Yuan said, it was favorable to everyone.
"You’ve probably heard the news; calling you here is to ask your thoughts?"
Gu Kai Yuan raised his brows at the crowd, "This is immense good news for us; now we can restore our freedom, I wonder when the county will issue our new household registrations."
That’s the crux; only with new registrations would their past be truly left behind.
"See, how could you forget such matters?" Gu Li slapped his thigh, pointed at his eldest son, and scolded, "So big yet unreliable!
Did the notice say when these could be processed?"
Bai He shook his head, "Dad, you know I’m illiterate. I only asked others, and they told me roughly; I got excited and hurried back.
I didn’t know they needed reissuing for household registration. Should I go to the city again?"
Gu Li glanced at the sky, choosing instead to say, "Forget it, it’s late. Tomorrow morning we’ll go together."
He dared not rely on his foolish son for this; instead, he turned a kind gaze to Gu Kai Yuan, "Tomorrow, you come with us to see."
Since Gu Kai Yuan’s succession, Gu Li completely separated him from the Gu Family side; besides, this kid was grateful and revised the genealogy book the next day, personally sending over Silver notes saying they were to set up family foundations, proving his deeds far excelled Gu Baijiang’s.
"No problem, tomorrow at dawn, we’ll head to the city..."
While speaking, hearing other exiled families on the news arrived too; everyone confirming if the news was genuine?
But they rather trusted firsthand evidence, agreeing that tomorrow everyone would venture to the city together.
Bai Suihe saw so many high spirits; some already envisioned a beautiful future life, yet the Gu Family hadn’t appeared. Not knowing whether they missed the news or weren’t fond of it.
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