Chapter 377: Bai Family
Chapter 377: Chapter 377: Bai Family
Bai Suihe had been going out and about these past few days, giving her access to more sources of information. It finally provided a way to pass the time in this world devoid of entertainment.
When the couple returned home each day, they would share the news they had gathered outside. As it turned out, Bai Suihe’s worries were not unfounded.
"I just received some news on my end as well," Gu Kaiyuan said. "Lord Xu should have returned two days ago, but he was ambushed on the road. I heard he is heavily injured and currently recovering in Shao County."
"They were that brazen? He is an official of the imperial court!" Bai Suihe exclaimed. She knew very well that attacking a government official carried a massive penalty.
"Could it be him?" Bai Suihe made a subtle gesture.
"Not necessarily," Gu Kaiyuan replied. "It could also be someone else trying to frame him."
By now, the Third Prince should have returned to the capital, and his actions in Lingnan could not be kept hidden. If Xu Zitian were to be assassinated now, everyone’s suspicion would naturally fall on the Third Prince. Not only would this spark outrage in the imperial court, but the wrath of Grand Tutor Lu and his disciples alone would be more than the Third Prince could handle.
"Then what do you think?"
"I don’t think the Third Prince is stupid enough to target Xu Zitian at this juncture. Hasn’t he suffered enough setbacks already?
"I actually suspect the other princes. It’s the only scenario that maximizes their benefits."
Bai Suihe shook her head. "I really don’t understand what’s so great about fighting for that throne.
"Sure, an emperor holds the power of life and death over everyone. But they have to wake up before dawn, work like a dog, and stay trapped in the tiny confines of the Imperial Palace. What joy is there in a life like that?"
Right now, they were the only two awake in the room. Of course, there was also Gu Xingyang, who was sound asleep on the bed, chewing on her little hand as she drifted through some sweet dream.
Gu Kaiyuan was already used to her occasional shocking remarks. Fortunately, Bai Suihe knew her boundaries and only grumbled about such things to him in private. Hearing her put it that way, he thought about it carefully and realized she was absolutely right.
"It’s made it so that monarchs don’t act like monarchs, and fathers don’t act like fathers," Bai Suihe continued. "As for his so-called brothers, there isn’t a shred of brotherly affection between them. Even sworn enemies wouldn’t plot against each other this ruthlessly." She felt somewhat lucky that she hadn’t been reincarnated into the royal family, or else she wouldn’t have this leisurely life today.
"They were born into the royal family. If they don’t fight, they die." Gu Kaiyuan almost felt a bit of sympathy for the princes. "From the moment they were born, they had no way out."
Bai Suihe nodded in agreement. "That is true. As they say, heavy is the head that wears the crown. Do you think there’s a high chance the Third Prince will ultimately take the throne?"
With so many things having changed already, coupled with the Third Prince’s series of baffling moves, he had likely left a poor impression on the emperor. The fear was that the emperor might choose to groom a few of the younger princes instead.
"Who knows? Anything is possible." Gu Kaiyuan’s eyes turned slightly cold. "But if he takes power, it won’t be a good thing for us."
"How are your arrangements in Shangjing going?" Bai Suihe asked.
"Everything is proceeding as normal," Gu Kaiyuan said. "My mother-in-law has helped a lot, but there are many things I haven’t dared to let her get involved in. After all, the Bai family is already drawing too much attention."
Several of the princes were currently short on silver. Although the emperor disliked them associating with merchants and had explicitly forbidden it, the real fear was that these people wouldn’t dare act openly and would instead resort to underhanded tactics.
A flash of worry crossed Bai Suihe’s eyes. The Bai family was indeed a bit too conspicuous.
Currently, the emperor governed well, and with the good weather and bountiful harvests over the years, the National Treasury was not short of silver. But if another emperor were to take the throne, who knew what it would be like?
"Don’t worry," Gu Kaiyuan said, grasping her hand to comfort her. "I spoke to my mother-in-law before we left. Knowing how smart she is, I’m sure she’ll be prepared."
"Mother has always been the most formidable and wisest person in the Bai family," Bai Suihe noted.
People in Shangjing always said that Bai Jingwen had a great head for business, but Bai Suihe knew that Mrs. Bai also controlled a considerable amount of assets. When Mrs. Bai married into the Bai family, it was a match between families of equal standing, and she brought a massive dowry with her.
After so many years of managing businesses, Bai Suihe sometimes helped organize the account books, so she had a rough idea of the family’s true wealth. Some people were just born with a talent for business. No matter what industry they casually dabbled in, they could make money faster than anyone else. Mrs. Bai was exactly that kind of person.
"We’ve sent a few letters detailing these matters exactly as they are. I imagine my mother-in-law can glean some different insights from them," Gu Kaiyuan added.
Bai Suihe nodded absentmindedly. She tried hard to recall the future, but she seemed to have absolutely no memory regarding the Bai family. That was a huge problem. If this was truly her past life and she knew what would happen in the future, how could she not know anything about the Bai family?
Seeing her stare blankly at Gu Xingyang, Gu Kaiyuan couldn’t help but furrow his brow. "Suihe, what’s wrong?"
Bai Suihe shook her head. "I was wondering what happened to the Bai family later on. You should know better than I do."
Gu Kaiyuan knew she was asking about their previous life. "After I returned to Shangjing, I met with my mother-in-law a few times. She harbored grievances against me and largely gave me the cold shoulder.
"But I know she helped me a lot in secret. If it weren’t for her help, I might not have lasted as long as I did."
After all, he was up against the Third Prince, who already held absolute power, as well as his troublesome niece who was full of deceitful schemes.
"Before I died, the Bai family was doing perfectly fine," Gu Kaiyuan murmured.
After saying that, the couple fell silent, both wondering what the ultimate fate of the Bai family would be.
In their past life, Bai Suihe had taken ten thousand taels of silver from the Bai family and given it to the Gu family to manage. But given the Gu family’s nature, they certainly wouldn’t remember the favor. In fact, due to Gu Kaiyuan’s revenge, they might have later directed all their anger toward the Bai family. To fight for that throne, those princes definitely needed silver to support them. It was likely that the Bai family wouldn’t have known any peace either.
When Gu Xingyang woke up, Bai Suihe got her cleaned up, fed her milk, and immediately stared intently at her.
Gu Xingyang chewed on her little hand. She couldn’t remember doing anything out of the ordinary before going to sleep. No, she was just a baby right now. What could she possibly do? Did something happen while she was asleep?
"Mother, why are you looking at me like that?"
Bai Suihe held her in her arms and gently patted her back. "Baby, why do I barely have any memories of the Bai family?"
Gu Xingyang fell silent. An ominous premonition rose in the hearts of both Bai Suihe and Gu Kaiyuan.
"Did it end badly for them?" Bai Suihe asked, her voice dry.
"Maternal Grandmother helped Father a few times, but the Third Prince accidentally found out about it," Gu Xingyang said.
Hearing this, the couple’s ominous premonition grew even stronger.
"After Father..." Gu Xingyang skipped over the rest of that sentence. "The Third Prince found an excuse and pinned numerous crimes on the Bai family.
"Even though the Bai family had made all sorts of preparations and left themselves various escape routes, they were ultimately wiped out because of a traitor within their own ranks. All of the Bai family’s wealth became a powerful asset for the Third Prince in his fight for the throne."
Gu Xingyang explained everything in one breath.