Proofread by Peter Gong
After Guo Qi left, Tian Ronghua still sat there. When Liu Jin was caught, he realized that the whole thing was like a thread and Tian family would be found out in the end. But it just… how did it get to this point? He thought about it a lot. At first, he just wanted to make his family stronger than Ma Family so that Tian Family could be the leader of the area. In that case, he would feel satisfied and unashamed to meet with his dead ancestors in heaven. But he couldn’t control his actions when his lust arose. There was something one could not change. Luckily, his brother had already grown up. After he died, maybe Tian Fugui could regulate the big family. Moreover, he had a good relationship with Ma Tian’en, so Ma Family shouldn’t attack him for the past hatred.
Tian Ronghua wanted to call over his brother but he was afraid that his brother would perceive some clue to his plan. He wanted to see his two kids but he was afraid that he would lose his determination to die. So he still sat in his study and got lost in his thought.
He thought about Guo Qi’s suggestions and he understood that Guo Qi was going to die to make Ma family get out of the control of Guo Family. If he survived because of the help of Guo Family, he had to be under the control of Guo Family and Ma Family would become the second victim. But if Guo Qi died, it was impossible for Guo Family to cooperate with Ma Tian’en whom they hated. Guo Qi treated others badly but treated himself worse. A small pawn was going to fight with the man who was behind the scenes with his life. It did not matter. Guo Qi could have the courage to die for Ma family, and he could die to protect his family, too.
Tian Ronghua stood up and walked to the bookcase. He took away a few books and found the secret compartment. He took out some account records and letters. That was the evidence of Hu Family selling lawless salt through Tian Family. If he handed them to the office and he died to atone for the guilt, Tian Family would survive.
“Butler, I feel guilty for you. Are you lonely in heaven? Hang on, I’m going to meet with you and atone for my guilt.” Tian Ronghua put those materials on the table in order and wrote two letters. After that, he took out a vial from the secret compartment and poured out some powder into the wine. Looking at the wine for a while, he didn’t hesitate anymore and drank it.
That was painful! The butler was dead with too much pain. That was retribution.
The next day, the servants couldn’t open the door of Tian Ronghua’s room and Tian Ronghua didn’t come out. So the servants went to find Tian Fugui to open the door straight.
Tian Fugui thought that his brother was strange recently. He had a bad feeling instantly. So he ran to the study and kicked the door. However, there was no sound in the study. He called a few servants to break down the door.
When he opened the door, he found that Tian Ronghua still sat in the chair, bending his head. On the table were some account records and letters in order.
Tian Fugui couldn’t help crying. He walked to his brother step by step. He could run there, but he was afraid. He felt that if he was slow to go there, maybe everything would be changed. His brother must be still alive.
That was not far. Even though he was unwilling, he had to face the truth. Tian Fugui moved to his brother slowly with his two leaden legs. He could see that there was blood on his brother’s mouth. He wanted to wipe the blood but he found the face was cold when Tian Fugui touched his brother. He found that the dead face of his brother was just like that of the dead butler. Maybe his brother wanted to atone for his guilt. Maybe he was ashamed and mentally painful. Tian Fugui hugged his brother tightly.
“Brother…..”, Tian Fugui began to cry. The servant didn’t dare to disturb, standing there quietly. After a minute, the eyes of Tian Fugui fell upon the account records and letters on the table that were left by his brother. He knew those materials were important, so he calmed down and asked the servants to retreat. Then he began to read them carefully.
There were two letters. One was written to the office. In the letter, Tian Ronghua said that Hu Family sold the lawless salt through Tian Family clearly. He had the account records and bills which could be the evidence of Hu Family selling the lawless salt. He was just a small potato, and he didn’t dare to fight with Hu Family. So today he reported that Hu Famiy sold lawless salt at the cost of his own life. He did not refer to Guo Family in the letter. He knew that Guo Family wouldn’t be involved or damaged in the case of Liu Jin. Guo family was still more powerful than Tian family. He couldn’t fight against them. His letter didn’t refer to Guo family and he bore all the guilt, so maybe Tian Family would survive.
The other was written to Tian Fugui. When he read the letter, he felt as if his brother were still sitting in the chair smiling and speaking to him, “Fugui, I treat you strictly because I hope you could have a bright future. I wish that you could be a scholar. And if you are lucky enough to pass the exam and become the official, you could bring honor to Tian family. But in the end, I have to make you give up studying and take over our family. I am not afraid of death, but I have much work to do. After I die, you should comfort our mother and make her happy. As for my two sons, please help me to look after them. Please treat them strictly. You could take the records and the letters to Ma Tian’en. She is the one who never forgets friends. She would help you. Since the officials haven’t found out Tian Family, you and Ma Family could take the opportunity to report on the lawless salt. So that you could do something to offer the office and atone for the guilt. In addition, I will die to atone for the guilt, so Tian Family maybe survive. Wu Zhong is not a common person, he will be classy and prosperous one day. You should keep a good relationship with them. I couldn’t take care of you, instead, you are supposed to take my duty. I feel guilty for you.” After he read the letter, he cried for a long while. “Brother, you protect the family with you life. You have fulfilled your duty. You needn’t feel ashamed. You shoulder the heavy burden of family for too long.” Tian Fuigui thought sadly.
Guo Qi was going to turn himself in, and then he would kill himself to atone for the guilt. But when he put the knife in his pocket, he heard the news that Tian Ronghua had died. He was shocked and he admired the courage of Tian Ronghua. Tian Ronghua had great fortitude that he should die before him. Tian Ronghua killed himself in order to inform the Hu Family. Even though Tian Family was guilty, Tian Family could survive because they reported about the lawless salt. Since he had killed himself, all the things would go away. The office wouldn’t arrest other people in the Tian Family. Even though his family would be fined, it could survive without the fatal damage. Tian Ronghua thought just the same way as he did. But Tian Ronghua stole his ideas and strove to be the first to carry out the plan.
It was not that he had deep feelings for Ma Family, but that he just didn’t want to be the tool of Guo Family. He was too tired. “OK, Tian Ronghua is not afraid of death, I, Guo Qi, do not fear living.”
When Ma Tian’en received the account records and the letters from Tian Fugui. He felt a great pity for him. Tian Ronghau died with no regret. And he has asked Tian Fugui to give him those important materials. She had to admit that Tian Ronghua was actually a shrewd judge of human nature. Although Tian Fugui was still young, he was firm as if he had grown up overnight.
“Don’t be too sad. Your brother has died. You are supposed to support your family. It seems that we are in the same situation now. ” Ma Tian’en sighed with emotion. Her father had just died. Tian Ronghua died after him. They were living in a world of chaos.
“I know. I will keep Tian Family safe. Don’t be worried. If one day we become competitors, I won’ t be a loser. ” Tian Fugui said. But Ma Tian’en punched him on the chest.
“Now consider first how to hand the letters and records to the office. But you know, I am a woman now. I couldn’t go to the office with you. My brother, who was the butler of your family, was not suitable, either. “Ma Tian’en felt embarrassed when she thought about that.
“Don’t worry. Give it to me. Qian Scholar has helped us give the previous evidences to officials who deal with the case of Liu Jin. Please give it to me too. “Wu Zhong said.
“I guess that’s why your brother let you come to me.” Tian Ronghua was clever. He thought about all the people before he died. He knew that Ma Tian’en must help Tian Fugui because it had to do with Ma Family. Therefore, Ma Family and Tian Family worked together and Ma Family wouldn’t rob the business of Tian Family. But it was a pity that he was too smart but he was not wise enough.