Chapter 329: The Ledger
Chapter 329: Chapter 329: The Ledger
Gu Kaiyuan said, "So you’re here to talk to me about the debt of upbringing?"
Lin Hua, who was prepared, took out a ledger from his chest and respectfully handed it to Gu Kaiyuan.
"I have indeed kept records, including all my expenses from childhood to adulthood."
The Gu Family’s faces lit up; if this were truly accounted for, it would cost a lot of silver to raise Gu Kaiyuan from childhood to adulthood. Getting that silver would improve their lives.
"Let me see," Gu Kaichen wanted to take it, but he was blocked by Li Dazhuang and the others standing guard.
"I also have a list of dowries," Gu Kaiyuan took out a thick stack from under the ledger, "If we really need to settle the accounts, the losses caused by the Gu Family might also require compensation."
"That’s a separate matter," Yu Lan hurriedly said. "You should first account for the parental debt of upbringing."
"The ledger is here, and this is not the place to settle accounts," Gu Kaiyuan knew that the matter must be cleared up to avoid endless trouble in the future.
So he looked at the approaching Village Chief Zhu Ziqiang, "I need to trouble Village Chief Zhu, Mr. Chen, and the Gu Clan Leader to bear witness. Let’s go inside and discuss it in detail."
The ignored Zhou Gang was so angry that his face turned red. Damn Gu Kaiyuan, why didn’t he consult with me?
Chen Dafu said, "No worries, today, we happen to be here to witness as well.
Mr. Gu, why do you look so upset?"
Chen Dafu was clearly telling brazen lies; if Gu Baijiang really smiled, it would be even more terrifying.
Gu Li leaned on a walking stick to go inside, but the clan members following him were blocked by Huang Pingguo, "There’s no space for you inside."
Gu Li turned back to them, "Wait here."
It seemed they were well prepared; Gu Kaiyuan not only anticipated how many of them would come but also got the ledger ready in advance.
The same was true for Gu Baijiang’s side; apart from him, everyone else was stopped, and Gu Kaiyuan hadn’t spoken, showing it was all pre-arranged.
Such cunning, such composure; once again, Gu Baijiang regretted it, realizing he made a mistake years ago. He shouldn’t have allowed Xu Huizhen to meddle, turning the most promising son of the family into almost a stranger.
By the time they leave today, they might be even less than strangers, perhaps enemies.
When he saw them ready to lead him to the right wing room, his foot trembled involuntarily, recalling that night vividly. Entering that room nearly cost the Gu Family half their lives, and everyone had some after-effects.
This winter, he had to drink a cup of strong liquor every day to sleep.
Initially walking in front, he paused until the others went in, and then slowly walked inside.
Seeing this situation, Gu Kaiyuan raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
As soon as they sat down, Gu Baijiang asked to bring Bai Suihe over, since this matter concerned her as well.
Gu Kaiyuan directly refused, "She’s heavily pregnant now. It wouldn’t be good to disrupt the elders. I’m in charge of this household matter; just talk to me if there are any issues."
"You’re in charge?" Gu Baijiang sarcastically responded, "You’re a son-in-law brought into the family; what authority do you have at home?"
"The troubles I invite, of course I’ll handle them myself," Gu Kaiyuan smiled at him and Gu Li, "If you don’t want to talk properly, how about we do it this way?"
Gu Li coughed lightly, "Baijiang, calm down; we’re here to solve problems today."
At the same time, he looked at the two outsiders present; Village Chief Zhu didn’t concern him, but he couldn’t see through Chen Dafu.
"Actually, this is a private family matter. If there are misunderstandings, you father and son should sit and have a good chat."
Gu Kaiyuan said, "The Gu Clan Leader really knows how to talk. When you offered a letter of severance and wanted me out of the clan, then we were no longer family.
Now that I’ve changed my registration at the county office, our relationship is even more distant. Let’s interact like strangers; then everyone is better off."
"I brought you into this world..."
"I haven’t denied it," Gu Kaiyuan placed the ledger and dowry list on the table, "But the muddled account at home, if it truly needs settling, might not be easily cleared."
"Ms. Bai married into the family, and we didn’t mistreat her. As for her dowry being confiscated by His Majesty, what does that have to do with us?"
Gu Kaiyuan looked directly at Gu Baijiang, "I’m calling it the dowry list to save my father’s face; this is the debt owed by the Gu Family for years."
Gu Baijiang’s expression changed as he guessed what was involved.
How could this be? How could the Bai Family hand these things to Bai Suihe?
Did they want to sever ties long ago, or was it premeditated?
"Your Gu Family still has debts?" Chen Dafu asked curiously, about to reach for it, but Gu Baijiang pressed down quickly.
"Mr. Gu, debts aren’t something to hide; we’re here to help mediate, so we need to know the background."
Gu Baijiang quickly opened the back of the ledger and indeed found it was what he acquired from the Bai Family years ago.
His face was extremely ugly, and he quickly stuffed the ledger directly into his chest.
Gu Kaiyuan didn’t mind, "If Father likes it, take it back and look slowly; I have more."
This ledger can be copied as much as one wishes; if he wants, he offers it.
Gu Baijiang said, "Do you really want to settle this so clearly with me?"
Gu Kaiyuan shook his head, "Of course not."
Gu Baijiang was confused; if not settled clearly, then what was the purpose of these items? To play tricks on him?
"This account can’t be cleared, and I’m afraid with the current capability of the Gu Family, it can’t be repaid."
Even if returned to the capital, faced with that chamber not even visited by mice, there’s really no way to repay.
Faced with Gu Kaiyuan’s mockery, Gu Baijiang was unable to retort. He wanted to confidently tell this unfilial son he didn’t lack this silver, but looking at those present, he swallowed his words.
Ever since the exile began, he felt aggrieved, especially in front of this unfilial third child, with no fatherly authority.
"What’s being discussed now is your entering as a son-in-law, which you did without the consent of your clan and parents..."
Gu Li’s words were interrupted by Gu Kaiyuan, "Gu Clan Leader, repeating this over and over is pointless; everyone knows the situation.
You didn’t leave me a way out; can I not find a way to live on my own?"
Chen Dafu’s eyes turned between them. Previously, Gu Kaiyuan would respectfully call this Gu Clan Leader ’Grand Uncle’, but now he distantly addressed him as Gu Clan Leader, quite a change.
Why push Gu Kaiyuan so far?
This Gu Family is truly dim-witted; what’s in their brains? The stone from a latrine?