Chapter 339: Entering the City
Chapter 339: Chapter 339: Entering the City
Nanny Pang shook her head, "He asked someone in the village to bring the message, but didn’t explain the details. However, since he could send a message back, it shouldn’t be too bad.
Master, if you don’t want to go, why not let this old servant go in your stead, to first take a look at the situation."
Gu Kaiyuan had been a bit reclusive these days and couldn’t bear to take his eyes off Bai Suihe and the child, so asking him to leave the village would be a bit difficult.
Gu Kaiyuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "I should go myself. You’re more suited to stay at home than I am."
Although he was skilled in martial arts, he wasn’t arrogant enough to be complacent in front of Nanny Pang. Not to mention her medical expertise, he would be more at ease if she stayed at home.
Nanny Pang didn’t argue, "Then I’ll instruct them to prepare the carriage."
After speaking, she immediately went to make arrangements, not knowing if they could return today, and also prepared some of the master’s usual tools.
Gu Kaiyuan went back to his room to inform Bai Suihe and packed a set of clothes for himself before heading out.
Bai Suihe also wanted to go to town and could only watch him leave with envious eyes.
Gu Kaiyuan was amused by his endearing look, "Once your confinement period is over, we’ll spend some time in the county."
Bai Suihe replied grumpily, "You haven’t even acquired the house yet, and you’re starting to make promises."
"I have a feeling that this time, we’ll manage to secure a home in the county." Previously, they had bought a small yard, but it was small and left for Lin Hua and the others to handle their affairs and live in.
"I wish you success then," Bai Suihe sent him off with these words before closing his eyes to rest. She needed more rest to regain her health.
Returning to town after such a long time, Gu Kaiyuan noticeably sensed the strange atmosphere in the county town. The streets had fewer people, and everyone seemed to come and go in haste.
The once bustling marketplace now had only a few fixed shops open, and the small vendors were nowhere in sight.
"What’s going on here?" Gu Kaiyuan asked Lin Wei, "Has something happened in the county?"
"It’s all because of that person’s arrival, making everyone uneasy." Lin Wei, seeing no one around, lowered his voice and whispered in Gu Kaiyuan’s ear, "The county government’s officials are practically rooted on the streets, patrolling back and forth every day, not only for security but also to oversee sanitation.
Should anything, even a fallen leaf, drop to the ground, it must be picked up immediately, or the nearby merchants will be held accountable."
"Isn’t this a bit too exaggerated?" Huang Pingguo, who had entered the town with them, found it unbelievable, "Even the emperor wouldn’t make such a grand display. What does the Third Prince intend to do?"
Gu Kaiyuan shot him a glance, and Huang Pingguo quickly covered his mouth, "Master, my apologies."
"Remember what you can and cannot say when we’re outside.
If you really cross the line, we might not be able to protect you, and it could even implicate us."
Huang Pingguo quickly nodded, realizing he had lost his sense of discretion during these comfortable days.
Seeing he had acknowledged his mistake, Gu Kaiyuan didn’t press the matter further and turned back to Lin Wei with another question, "Were these orders from County Magistrate Xu?"
"No, Lord Xu hasn’t been to the office for days, claiming to be unwell.
Now the office is managed by Ming Peifeng."
Gu Kaiyuan, "Isn’t that ridiculous? Ming Peifeng is just an aide, how dare the Third Prince...?"
"Master, Ming Peifeng passed the same civil service exams, he can hold official positions."
To people like them, the whole country was like the Rong family’s, and it was all at the discretion of the Third Prince.
Even if Lord Xu was wrongly accused, he had to suppress his grievance; after all, the person he’s dealing with is the Prince.
Gu Kaiyuan asked, "When did this happen?"
There had been messages coming back and forth these days, how come he hadn’t heard any whispers?
"It was just yesterday. Before that, Lord Xu had been absent due to illness, but yesterday suddenly the entire office was taken over by Ming Peifeng, causing unrest in the county."
As people passed nearby, the two stopped discussing the topic and soon arrived at their small courtyard, closed the door tightly, and retired to the hall before continuing.
"The Third Prince initially wanted to win over Lord Xu and even intended to stay at the Xu Mansion, but Lord Xu declined, citing the simplicity of his home and arranged for him to stay in the county government’s back courtyard.
The Third Prince brought a cartload of gifts to visit, but the very next day, Lord Xu ’fell ill’ and hasn’t recovered since.
After that, the atmosphere in the county became subtle, but everyone still operated as usual, since they only needed to follow Lord Xu’s previous policies and orders."
Gu Kaiyuan quickly guessed the situation, thinking Rong Ruiyuan must have started trying to win people over, but encountered a tough opponent who didn’t give the Prince any face.
Ultimately, to express his displeasure, he even went as far as to cut off work, brazenly challenging the Prince’s authority, prompting the command for Ming Peifeng to directly take over.
The truth is, the Third Prince indeed holds some power; he was dispatched on an errand by imperial order, and if he could pin some charges on Xu Zitian, his position would come to an end.
"Our Lord Xu, after falling ill, truly has not appeared?" Gu Kaiyuan didn’t believe this person would so easily give up his position without a fight.
After all, it was through his mentor’s planning that he secured the position, and now that he achieved some results, someone else taking credit for it wouldn’t sit well; surely he was planning something big.
"No, today there was even a rumor in the county town, saying that Lord Xu has already been harmed, and some people have begun secretly joining forces, claiming they will seek justice for Lord Xu."
Gu Kaiyuan nodded with a smile, doubting that ordinary people would dare take such risks; surely, certain people must be maneuvering behind the scenes.
Let these demons and spirits wreak as much havoc as they wish, best if things blew up as it’d reveal the underlying problems.
"As for matters outside, our people shouldn’t get involved. By the way, where’s Lin Hua? Didn’t he mention a suitable house?"
Lin Wei quickly responded respectfully, "Lin Hua went to have a meal with Headman Tian, also wanting to discuss the situation at the county office.
However, the house he mentioned in his letter, I’m aware of it. That property is still with the brokerage, and we’ve all inspected it, it’s excellent."
Gu Kaiyuan asked, "Is it convenient to see the house now?" He was thinking about hurrying back to his wife and child.
"That’s definitely no problem; the brokerage is nearby." Lin Wei immediately agreed wholeheartedly, "It’s a three-entry courtyard, refurbished just last year. But the owner is old and, coupled with the recent instability in the county, decided to sell the house quickly to return to his hometown for retirement."
"We really should thank Rong Ruiyuan; his arrival helped us solve some problems. Keep a close eye on things recently, and if there are any houses or land up for grabs, let’s find a way to acquire them."
Lin Wei seemed like he wanted to speak but held back; as a trusted aide to the master, he naturally knew how much silver he had. The expenses along the way weren’t small, and he feared the silver used now was provided by the Bai Family. Was the master truly intending to marry into the family?