Chapter 327: Purge
Chapter 327: Chapter 327: Purge
On this day, the entire Tian Village was in uproar as Zhou Gang, previously seen as living off Bai Suihe, suddenly changed his household registration to become in-law.
The villagers couldn’t understand; it was said that at the time, he was brought in with an eight-carriage bridal ceremony, so why change now?
How could a grown man be so frivolous? Where does this leave his family and clan?
Upon receiving the news, Gu Li, leaning on his cane and surrounded by clan members, hurried towards the end of the village.
Before reaching the village end, he smelled the fragrance in the air and heard distant laughter.
How joyous must this be, are they preparing a banquet to celebrate?
Gu Li’s face fell; if Zhou Gang was dissatisfied, he could voice it out, but how dare he act in such a manner?
The Gu Family had never set a precedent for a man to become in-law; Zhou Gang’s actions were trampling on their honor.
Previously, it was thought he was merely venting, but unexpectedly, the lad made it happen the next day.
Almost at the village’s end, he saw Gu Baijiang leading other Gu Family members, rushing over.
"Uncle," Gu Baijiang held back his anger, "We talked just the other night, it’s fine if Zhou Gang splits off, he was giving himself an out."
Now he’s quietly changed to become in-law, does Gu Baijiang have no face?
Today, he came to question Ms. Bai, about how Bai Family educated her.
Back then, they followed proper customs and brought her into the mansion with an eight-carriage ceremony; how could they insult Gu Family’s son like this?
"Zhou Gang is too stubborn; yesterday I only talked briefly with him, and he made such a decision." Gu Li explained, "Let’s go ask for an explanation now."
A grand entourage headed towards the village end, with curious villagers following along upon hearing the news.
Of course, Chen Dafu and Zhou Gang were present as well.
"Gu Family, truly never a dull moment," Zhou Gang gossiped, grasping Chen Dafu, "know why Zhou Gang suddenly decided this?"
"How would I know?" Chen Dafu shook off his hand, "But Zhou Gang had long distanced himself from them, perhaps Gu Dafu did something again; otherwise, how would a decent man be forced to become in-law."
Zhou Gang nodded in agreement; empathizing, he’d never endure such humiliation.
"Hang Bai Mansion at the gate," Zhou Gang solemnly handed Bai Suihe the contract, "From now on, our children will bear your surname."
Bai Suihe furrowed her brows, "No need for that, it doesn’t matter whose surname the child takes; as of now, we don’t even have a plaque outside, no need to go out of our way."
Previously, given their status and this being a rural area, they handled things simply.
Putting out a plaque now would be provocative; Bai Suihe feared Gu Baijiang would be angered enough to cause problems, complicating their return to the capital.
"Today is a happy day, though I’m afraid there’ll be unwelcomed guests later."
Bai Suihe, "..."
Zhou Gang, "Ran into some villagers on the way back, told them everything; by now, probably the whole village knows."
In such a small mountain village, there’s no such thing as secrets.
Zhou Gang didn’t want to hide; certain matters are better known sooner.
"Why are you in such a hurry? Did news come from the capital?" Bai Suihe sharply sensed, you changed registration alright, but why announce it?
Zhou Gang solemnly replied, "Chen Dafu is the emperor’s man; using this exile as a cover to investigate bandits and official collusion along the way. My people found out; the emperor sent troops to clear mountain bandits. The Third Prince took up this task."
Bai Suihe, "So, regardless of your father’s intentions, there’s no escape this time; we must return to the capital."
Zhou Gang nodded; sweeping along the way, though the journey is long, speed will be much faster.
Sending troops over to suppress and clear, the spectacle will be grand; where they go will be serene.
"The terrain here won’t be that easy, right?" Bai Suihe thought even with haste, resolving issues would take until after spring.
Zhou Gang, "With numerous men under the Third Prince, he won’t handle everything personally.
Someone else will execute these tasks; he’ll swiftly rush ahead."
Bai Suihe considered the costs involved in intercepting along the route, "It won’t be that simple; these people surely have backing."
"Naturally, I just received news; at the court, they’re restrained from announcing, bandit-suppression troops have been out for days, only now news spreads from the court.
Seems the emperor’s guarded against his ministers; likely many are involved this time."
Bai Suihe was confused, "Chen Dafu’s always been with the group in the middle, never seen him act out, how did he uncover this?"
Zhou Gang patted her head, "That’s on the surface; behind the scenes, he’s got quite a few moves.
The royal Hidden Guard, probably surrounding us all this time."
Bai Suihe instantly felt a chill, "Then, before?"
Zhou Gang held her hand reassuringly, "Don’t worry, we’ve always stayed inside the carriage, for just a moment each time, nobody would notice."
Throughout the journey, never brought anything conspicuous out; even if occasionally added small items, nobody paid attention.
In the eyes of the Hidden Guard, their status really wasn’t worth wasting manpower to shadow.
Bai Suihe sighed in relief but simultaneously warned herself to be more cautious going ahead.
"Why would the emperor assign this task to the Third Prince?"
Among so many princes, was only the Third Prince useful?
"This was requested by Rong Ruiyuan and Consort Liang, to personally escort Gu Antong back to the capital, mother and son put on a sentimental act before the emperor, portraying him as a prince who loves beauty more than power."
Bai Suihe, "Wasn’t Rong Ruiyuan previously favored by the emperor?"
"Times change; who knows what the emperor’s thinking now?" Zhou Gang, though reborn, wouldn’t claim he could predict the emperor’s thoughts.
By the time he died, the emperor was still alive, and the princes were still scheming, evident of their skill.
"Removing Gu Baijiang and them quickly is good; once I give birth, let’s spend some time elsewhere, return when settled."
Bai Suihe was satisfied with this place, coupled with the nearby mineral mine, they’d never abandon it.
To avoid Gu Family, they could temporarily live elsewhere, leaving people here to handle things.
In these ancient times, finding someone wasn’t easy, let alone in Lingnan, the emperor himself wouldn’t dare claim he could hold anyone in his palm.
"When our baby is born, a bit grown, I’ll take you all to explore the sea." Despite some distance from the sea, Bai Suihe often mentioned craving sea flavors, naturally needing fulfillment.