Chapter 357: Zhou Family Matters
Chapter 357: Chapter 357: Zhou Family Matters
Gu Kaiyuan doesn’t have much power now, but he knows how to leverage strength.
Even if he left the capital, he hasn’t completely detached himself. Those who stayed in the capital will collect as much information as possible from there.
He doesn’t have power or influence now, but having fought with the Third Prince for so long in his past life, he knows some of his weaknesses and hidden forces. He believes the other princes will be very interested.
He hasn’t revealed this earlier because of their connection with the Gu Family. Now that the Gu Family hasn’t successfully resumed their duties, only getting the same pardon as everyone else, this is a pleasant surprise for him.
As long as the Gu Family doesn’t return to court, even if they get involved with the Third Prince, the implications won’t be so widespread.
Previously, Chen Dafu came over, probably out of good intentions, wanting to advise him to hide his identity or move elsewhere to avoid further troubles.
"What about Zhou Gang?" Bai Suihe couldn’t help thinking of someone else. In her past life, she lost her life due to the Zhou Family, and although the initiator was Gu Antong, they were not innocent either.
"That fool," Gu Kaiyuan mentioned Zhou Gang with disdain, "he’s already dancing on the brink of self-destruction; a conclusion will come soon."
The Zhou Family really doesn’t matter much in his eyes, "Do you want to know their end in the last life?"
Bai Suihe, "I know all about this. This family had bad luck. On their way back to the capital, they encountered wild beasts descending from the mountains, leaving no remains of their bodies."
Next, Bai Suihe looked up at Gu Kaiyuan in shock, only to see him nod slightly, "This family really is quite together."
Bai Suihe blinked, indeed they were quite together.
"What about this time?" Bai Suihe was curious what good arrangement her husband had for them?
Gu Kaiyuan, "News has come from the capital. As soon as Mrs. Zhou and her party returned, they sought out their maternal family and turned to the Zhou Family."
The crime Zhou Gang committed wasn’t that severe, so only their branch of the family was exiled, while the rest of the family is still in the capital.
Bai Suihe, "Is Mrs. Zhou determined this time?"
To maintain the reputation of being a good stepmother, Mrs. Zhou has suffered a lot.
"Yes, after all, Mrs. Zhou’s maternal family has significant influence, and the Zhou Family has declined. Previously, only Zhou Gang held any official position in the entire Zhou Family."
Now, even that advantage has been squandered by him, rendering the Zhou Family wholly silent.
Bai Suihe was somewhat curious, "What did Mrs. Zhou do?"
Given Mrs. Zhou’s nature, she shouldn’t be able to make such ruthless decisions.
Gu Kaiyuan, "This time, it was her father who took charge, presenting Zhou Gang’s accumulated crimes over the years to the Zhou Clan, each one indisputable.
The Zhou Family Elders already didn’t want to deal with Zhou Gang’s mess anymore. Since he became an official, he hasn’t brought any benefit to the family. Instead, with his bizarre actions, they’ve almost got no foothold in the capital.
Ironically, to demonstrate his integrity, he would write reports to impeach others at the slightest stir.
Everyone from princes to the lowest government officials has been implicated."
Bai Suihe couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up, "The Zhou Family has indeed been pitiful over the years, suffering ostracism for someone so muddleheaded."
It does seem so. Ever since Zhou Gang became an Imperial Censor, the women of the Zhou Family seemed to retreat from social circles in the capital. Bai Suihe hardly remembers them.
"Mrs. Zhou’s father merely hinted at it, and now that Zhou Gang has sided himself, a few of the elders immediately decided to expel Zhou Gang without consulting the family.
To prevent Zhou Gang from causing further trouble, they immediately enumerated a series of crimes, which were quickly recorded in the governmental archives."
Gu Kaiyuan spoke with some schadenfreude, "Mrs. Zhou’s two sons even pooled money to quickly send an urgent document. It will probably arrive any day."
Bai Suihe knows what happens when someone is expelled from their family and has a long list of crimes against them.
"Are the Zhou Clan willing to do this?" What if Zhou Gang succeeds in taking advantage, aren’t they afraid of autumn backlash?
Gu Kaiyuan sneered, "Zhou Gang fails in human relations. He always believes everyone means him harm, which has made his character so extreme.
All his actions and the tumult he’s caused are enough to make the Zhou Clan tremble.
There used to be concerns, but this time, with Mrs. Zhou leading, there was no way they’d refrain from crushing him.
Even if Zhou Gang miraculously succeeded, with such a reputation, his career is over.
The First Prince hasn’t shown any reaction to this movement, probably having already given up on him."
Bai Suihe clicked her tongue, "Now, even if he has ability and is willing to be someone else’s tool, no one dares to use him."
This means Zhou Gang’s path is completely severed with no road to recovery.
Bai Suihe doesn’t think this manipulative villain would easily let things slide.
Knowing what the other party cares most about and taking that away might only be the beginning.
Gu Kaiyuan faced Bai Suihe’s scrutinizing gaze and flashed a toothy smile, "Wife, do you think I look more handsome today?"
His wife has amnesia, so to regain her affection, Gu Kaiyuan has been very attentive to his appearance.
He grooms himself meticulously every day, presenting himself neat and tidy.
These days, running uphill every day has caused his face to wrinkle somewhat from the cold wind, so he specifically asked Nanny Pang for some skincare cream, and it worked wonders—his face is even smoother and fairer than before.
"Your skin has thickened a bit," Bai Suihe rolled her eyes at him, "Are we going to keep living here then?"
Though Bai Suihe likes it here, in her consciousness, it’s the same wherever they live.
"Once the baby is a bit older, I’ll take you southwards. I know an island currently unclaimed."
In his past life, while driving away pirates, he discovered that treasure.
The island is several times the size of Tian Village, with fresh water, only it was used by those pirates as a foothold.
Later, those pirates were thrown into the sea to feed fish by him, and he stationed troops there.
Now he doesn’t plan to sacrifice for the Rong Dynasty but it doesn’t stop him from claiming that piece of land.
Most importantly, it has become a transit point for those pirates, with loot they plundered left there.
In his past life, he arrived too late; the treasures were all moved, but this time, he won’t let them have it easy.
Bai Suihe’s eyes sparkled; she couldn’t even dream of owning her island before.
"Once the baby completes the full moon, we’ll set off."
"Speaking of which, to go to sea, we need a ship," Bai Suihe was instantly filled with determination, "I’ll go draw up plans right away."