Chapter 363: Current Situation
Chapter 363: Chapter 363: Current Situation
This time, he hadn’t intended to let Xu Zitian leave Zhang County alive. Who knew his subordinates would be so ineffective, allowing the message to be sent out.
Little did he know, Ming Peifeng also had his troubles. He saw a bright future laid before him, yet he still missed the opportunity.
It really wasn’t his fault. Coming all this way to protect the Gu Family, the capable people he had trained were almost all lost, and the Third Prince’s men were unmovable, thus losing the advantage.
Now that things have come to this, he accepted it. Who’s to blame for his poor luck, for not having that kind of destiny?
However, along this journey, he was on edge, knowing that on this return trip, he was sure to take the fall for his master, and he feared that he might not be so lucky as to get away with exile like Gu Baijiang. He worried that the lives of his entire family might be implicated because of him.
Now seeing Gu Baijiang’s ugly face again, Ming Peifeng could hardly resist the urge to stab him a couple of times.
But he couldn’t do it. Instead, he had to curry favor with the other party. Perhaps if Gu Baijiang could be persuaded to hand over all the silver willingly, the Third Prince might change his mind.
"Your Highness has truly worked hard. You are of such noble status yet must endure such labours. Certainly, His Majesty will see your efforts..."
After a bout of flattery, the two had arrived at the post station.
This was not the shabby wing of a post station they were exiled to but a lodging for official duties. Not only was the station chief waiting, but even local officials had arrived early to await them.
As soon as the group entered, the area was filled with people kneeling and voices greeting them filled the air.
Rong Ruiyuan gave a glance around and then spoke, telling them to rise. "Where are the rooms? Let us rest first."
The local officials did not dare to disturb them and quickly arranged for servants to escort them to their rooms to rest.
The prepared rooms even had hot water ready. By the time everyone freshened up, the meal had been delivered to the room.
Upon inquiring with the attendant, they learned that the Third Prince had instructed everyone to dine in their respective rooms today.
The reception they received along this journey and seeing so many people prostrate on the ground made Gu Antong’s ambition swell. She too wanted to wield great power and control over life and death.
To walk this path and reach the pinnacle, Rong Ruiyuan was her only hope.
Now, thinking about the hardships of the day, what did it matter? Only by enduring the bitter can one become superior. She could wait...
Gu Baijiang was already sprawled on the bed. Throughout this journey, though he had pressed all the bedding under himself to lessen the bumpiness, his old bones still suffered. Having just finished bathing and lying down, he didn’t even feel like eating.
Just thinking about taking a nap, he didn’t expect a knock on the door at this time.
Feeling somewhat impatient, but fearing it might be the Third Prince needing something, he reluctantly stood to open the door. Seeing it was his eldest, his face immediately darkened, "Why are you here instead of resting in your room?"
Can’t whatever it is wait until tomorrow in the carriage? Doesn’t he know these old bones need rest?
"Father, I have something I want to discuss with you." Gu Kaiping squeezed into the room, shutting the door and speaking in a low voice, "It’s inconvenient in the carriage. There are things we need to clarify now."
Gu Baijiang, "What could you possibly have?"
The family affairs have always been handled by me, and the eldest only needs to obey.
"Father, are you really going to hand everything over to the Third Prince once we return?"
Gu Baijiang, "Do I have a choice?"
"But, are you going to give all that silver?" Gu Kaiping was anxious. In the past, with his father taking the brunt, he naturally didn’t feel much.
But since being exiled, he understood the importance of silver.
"Our family is now dirt poor. If it’s truly all given away, how can we survive?"
Gu Baijiang glanced at this foolish son, worrying about the wrong things. Didn’t he understand these dilemmas?
"Rest assured, I’ve already made two preparations." How could all the eggs be placed in one basket? The portion he set aside had long since been secured in a safe place separately.
"You better keep this matter to yourself, now return and rest well. We have to continue traveling tomorrow."
There was truly no energy left to deal with this foolish son, who would only chuckle foolishly upon hearing his words.
"Scram, scram, quickly scram," Gu Baijiang was already impatient, lacking any sense.
"Father, take good rest," Gu Kaiping finally put down the heavy weight in his heart, as long as something was set aside.
As Gu Baijiang lay back down, he couldn’t fall asleep no matter what.
In just a few days, he would reach the Capital City, facing those former colleagues once again. Unfortunately, now he was merely a commoner, with no idea how much ridicule awaited.
What was even more troubling, the Third Prince had only promised Gu Antong a concubine’s position, not mentioning any official position for Gu Kaiping. Without support from her natal family, Antong alone in the back court might find it hard to stand firm.
If she couldn’t establish a foothold in the imperial family, how could she then support her natal family?
He also noticed that the Third Prince’s mood on this return trip was off; the whole person was particularly somber, so he didn’t dare to speak much.
This was far from his initial expectations; it might not go smoothly as planned.
Suppressing his joy, Gu Kaiping returned to the room, closed the door, and then broke into a silent smile.
"Aren’t you tired? Going out like this." Liu Yun, who was already resting, didn’t want to move. During the carriage ride, all the bedding was pressed under her father-in-law. They wobbled, not knowing how many times they were bruised, their whole bodies in pain. Had it not been for the noise, she wouldn’t have bothered to open her eyes.
"You rest assured," Gu Kaiping didn’t want to discuss these things with this woman, walked over, and lay down fully-clothed. How could he not be tired? But without clearing things up, he wouldn’t sleep well tonight.
Only now that things were clear, it seemed like he couldn’t fall asleep.
Every time he closed his eyes, boxes of silver flew before him, and he began to speculate on how much the old man kept aside.
"Husband, do you still know this road we traveled today?"
"Stop bringing up nonsense, why wouldn’t I know this road? We took this road before." Gu Kaiping’s illusion was broken, and his tone turned nasty.
"Did you forget where our mother was buried?"
Gu Kaiping, "..."
"If I’m not mistaken, just up ahead is our mother’s grave. Do you think we could stop to pay our respects?" Liu Yun wasn’t so earnest; she just wanted to show filial piety in front of Gu Kaiping and his father.
Gu Kaiping glanced at Liu Yun, his expression indeed softened significantly. "Judging by the Third Prince’s eagerness to travel, he probably wouldn’t agree to stop. In the future, when we have the chance, we’ll move mother’s grave back with grandeur."
After all, she was the mother who always favored him, and deep down, he felt a bit uncomfortable. Leaving their mother on this journey, unable to pay homage even when passing by, indeed seemed unfilial.
Thinking it over, he suggested a compromise. "Tomorrow when you reach the place, remind me, and we’ll bow to mother through the carriage."
Liu Yun, "Alright, I’ll remind husband then, and after we settle down, we’ll bring our mother back with fanfare."