Chapter 318: Zhou Family Matters
Chapter 318: Chapter 318: Zhou Family Matters
Gu Kaiyuan reached out and held Bai Suihe’s hand, "There are also ways to defy fate."
Bai Suihe turned his head to look at him, "Then let’s wait and see."
"Since Mrs. Zhou has such a background, why does she still endure Zhou Gang’s disrespect."
"When the Eldest Zhou was alive, he treated Mrs. Zhou quite well, truly refraining from taking concubines and handing over the household authority to her.
The only mistake Mrs. Zhou made was not dismissing those who came as dowry with the former wife, letting them serve Zhou Gang.
Because the mistress of the house changed, many had their interests harmed, and naturally they had nothing nice to say about Mrs. Zhou.
A child grows up exposed to such influences and naturally harbors great resentment towards this stepmother.
No matter how well or fairly Mrs. Zhou acted, in his eyes, she was a sinner.
By the time Eldest Zhou realized it, the child was already spoiled, but since he was his own son, he could only try to please both sides."
Bai Suihe shook his head, perhaps Eldest Zhou’s heart was twisted too, otherwise a father’s influence should have subdued him somewhat.
"Mrs. Zhou might also feel guilty, believing that her negligence allowed those dowry servants to succeed, thus she endured in every aspect.
Especially after Zhou Gang married, she handed over the household management authority, setting herself at a disadvantage."
Bai Suihe, "Fortunately, she has understood now, but given Zhou Gang’s current nature, really letting him follow the First Prince might yet implicate Mrs. Zhou."
The emperor is gradually aging, and court struggles begin; getting involved now won’t just affect Zhou Gang’s small family.
"Rest assured, this time Mrs. Zhou will certainly find a solution when she returns."
Bai Suihe, "What solution?"
"The only path she can take is to report Zhou Gang for being unfilial..."
Bai Suihe was shocked, eyes wide, "If she really does that, then Zhou Gang’s career prospects are likely dashed for life."
"Do you think Mrs. Zhou is ruthless?"
Bai Suihe hurriedly shook his head, "I certainly don’t think so. There is cause and effect, and I believe as long as Mrs. Zhou does this, many will stand by her."
"If you ask me, Mrs. Zhou should have done this long ago," Bai Suihe didn’t know the inner details, but if it were as rumored, Mrs. Zhou’s passiveness only fueled Zhou Gang’s arrogance.
"When Zhou Gang first demanded the household authority upon marrying, that was the time she should have decisively split the household.
If that wasn’t possible, she shouldn’t have swallowed her pride. As long as the word was spread that Zhou Gang and his wife were unfilial, his career would be over, and many troubles could have been avoided."
"When Eldest Zhou was alive, he treated Mrs. Zhou quite well; Mrs. Zhou is a person of emotional commitment." Gu Kaiyuan often played with the young masters in various residences when he was young and was familiar with the news. "When mother was alive, she used to say Mrs. Zhou was a bit foolish.
If she were in Mrs. Zhou’s position, she would suppress Zhou Gang’s house to death."
Bai Suihe nodded, "According to your mother’s character, she would indeed do that.
That’s why being a stepmother is difficult; no matter what Mrs. Zhou does, it is wrong."
For the sake of reputation, she suffered herself and her children, endured so much bitterness, now she knows to resist, but in fear that eventually the winds will shift, and some will again stand by Zhou Gang’s side.
"Compared to reputation, Mrs. Zhou now just wants to protect her descendants." Gu Kaiyuan didn’t expect Mrs. Zhou to make such a decision, previously having only mentioned it to Zhou Ping. She made a decision quickly and acted, proving she wasn’t truly foolish.
"This way, if Zhou Gang causes trouble in the future, won’t they be implicated again?"
In ancient times, collective punishment was very common, even deciding the life and death of those around based on the severity of one’s crime.
Gu Kaiyuan, "That will depend on how the Zhou Clan acts.
Zhou Family’s fortunes can be said to have been completely squandered by Zhou Gang; if Mrs. Zhou returns to her maiden home with her two sons, the Zhou Clan wouldn’t have a reason to stop her."
Bai Suihe, "Will Mrs. Zhou do that?"
"Even if she doesn’t, if she is soft-hearted, her descendants won’t allow themselves to fall into danger again." Gu Kaiyuan smiled knowingly; sometimes one cannot help it, and holding one’s ground doesn’t mean things won’t change.
Bai Suihe, "Do you have a great objection to Zhou Gang?"
Gu Kaiyuan’s eyes glinted with laughter, Bai Suihe was indeed very clever, "You’ve guessed it?"
"I guessed it from your tone; you seem quite disdainful of Zhou Gang, and you also know Mrs. Zhou and them very well. There must be a reason."
Gu Kaiyuan, "In the last life, I once almost perished, it was Mrs. Zhou who helped me narrowly escape.
But later when Zhou Gang returned to the capital and got involved in the First Prince’s circle, after the First Prince failed to seize the throne, those who followed him met bad ends. The Zhou Family, who had just returned to the capital, were once again harmed by him, and the entire family was executed."
Bai Suihe was bewildered, the book only lightly mentioned the First Prince being outsmarted by the Third Prince and being the first to exit the stage.
It was only a brief mention, not realizing it involved so many lives.
"The Zhou Family was truly wronged," there truly was no shared wealth, but calamities never missed them. Having such relatives was indeed unfortunate.
Bai Suihe’s eyes suddenly widened, "Did the Third Prince later succeed in taking the throne?"
The book only mentioned dealing with the main villain Gu Kaiyuan and then gathering support, inserting his people on the frontier, and when the heroine gave birth to dragon twins, it directly concluded.
Gu Kaiyuan shook his head, "I don’t know either, however, several princes have already grown up, and it might not be simple for Rong Ruiyuan to get that position.
It seems unlikely the emperor would let Rong Ruiyuan monopolize power, and wanting that position possibly holds many ordeals ahead."
Gu Kaiyuan, while saying this, looked at Bai Suihe apologetically, "Unfortunately, in the last life I couldn’t avenge you, Zhou Gang wasn’t the main cause of your harm, but the matter originated from Zhou Family and Gu Antong, so I certainly won’t let them off easily."
Although in doing so, the Zhou family might escape a deadly fate, Zhou Gang might find fortune within disaster, but some debts can be gradually settled later.
He was clear in his grievances and gratitude; Mrs. Zhou had helped him, and this time, he had repaid it, but if they couldn’t sort things out with Zhou Gang, implicating innocents in the future, he wouldn’t need to consider them.
But he believes the Zhou brothers are clever, and perhaps this time they can use the situation to thoroughly put Zhou Gang down.
Bai Suihe watched his mournful and angry expression and couldn’t help but reach out to hold his hand in return, "Those matters are already past, and we needn’t rush the rest. As long as we live, there are endless possibilities.
More importantly now, is to completely sever ties with the Gu Family..."