Chapter 431: News
Chapter 431: Chapter 431: News
Fan Meilin was reminding everyone that leaving the Gu Family wasn’t up to them. Had they not been coerced, they never would have abandoned their comfortable lives to drag themselves into this miserable mess.
Previously, they thought that if the Gu Family could rise again, they could also live a good life. Who knew the Gu men were so useless? After returning to the capital, they just holed up in this small courtyard.
Left with no other choice, Fan Meibao eventually returned to the second branch’s courtyard. When Gu Baijiang heard the news, he simply turned away and went about his own business. That girl was already Gu Kai’s concubine now, so it was only right for her to live in the second branch.
When Liu Yun heard about it, she revealed a meaningful smile. She didn’t say much, simply instructing the kitchen to deliver Fan Meibao’s meals there as well.
Ever since they arrived in the capital, unless Gu Baijiang explicitly requested otherwise, everyone had their meals in their own rooms. If anyone wanted better food, they could buy the ingredients themselves and the kitchen would cook it for them. The current Gu Family’s relationship with these servants felt more like a partnership. Since they didn’t hold their indentured contracts, ordering them around wasn’t easy.
However, her slight sense of schadenfreude vanished when she remembered that she had sent her daughter’s maid back empty-handed. She wondered how much her daughter would resent her as a mother. She truly had no idea how An Tong was surviving in the Prince Mansion, or if the silver she had given her previously was still not enough.
As for Gu Antong, she didn’t fly into a rage when she saw Cai Hua return empty-handed. Instead, she sat in the courtyard for a long time. It wasn’t until night fell and the lanterns under the corridors were lit that she finally instructed her two maids to help her wash and dress up. She thought that since she could no longer rely on her maiden family, she would just have to make the effort herself. It was just securing a man’s favor, after all. She could do it.
Gu Kaiyuan had no idea that the Gu Family in the capital had plunged into deep misery over a shortage of silver. Even if he did know, he would only gloat from the sidelines. This was nothing! Compared to their tragic fate in their past life, the Gu Family was incredibly fortunate right now. After all, they were all still alive and in one piece.
They had just received a letter from Mrs. Bai. It stated that they had arrived safely and were already settled in. There was another piece of good news: taking advantage of this relocation, the Bai Family had divided their household assets. Whether adult or underage, all the children received their portions of the inheritance in advance. As for the concubines, they could continue staying in the inner backyard if they wished, or they could take their children and set up their own households outside.
Seeing this, Gu Kaiyuan couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up. "My father-in-law’s boldness is truly unquestionable. This is the first time I’ve ever seen an estate divided among such young children. But isn’t he worried that these kids won’t be able to hold onto their properties?"
Bai Suihe rolled her eyes at him. "Although the assets have been divided, as long as my father is alive, who would dare embezzle their properties?
"In the capital, the Bai Family might not stand out, but here in Lingnan, no one would dare lay a hand on them just by mentioning any of our in-laws."
As long as those concubines weren’t stupid, they would know what was most beneficial for them. If they wanted to rely on the main branch, they certainly wouldn’t receive much help. It would be a blessing just to not get stabbed in the back. Therefore, while the old master was still around, they would do everything they could to establish themselves. At this moment, those who had received their share of the family separation probably had no interest in vying for his favor; instead, they would be wholly focused on learning how to manage business affairs.
Bai Suihe actually felt that dividing the family now was for the best. At the very least, her father could keep a watchful eye on things and give these children an opportunity to grow. He likely had this very consideration in mind when he decided to split the estate now. He probably feared that her mother and two younger brothers wouldn’t tolerate these people in the future and would just dismiss them with a pittance.
Regardless, this was advantageous for their branch. By separating early, the recipes Bai Suihe provided would have absolutely nothing to do with Bai Jingwen’s Bai Family.
Bai Suihe unfolded her mother’s letter, which detailed the situation even further. Originally, Bai Jingwen had wanted to violate the clan rules. After all, he had so many concubine-born sons; dividing a mere ten percent of the Bai Family’s wealth among them seemed completely insignificant compared to the massive scale of the entire family. So, he proposed giving them twenty percent, with the condition that after he passed away, all remaining assets would have nothing to do with these sons.
Mrs. Bai merely looked at him with a smile, causing Bai Jingwen to immediately feel a guilty conscience. He was well aware of his first wife’s abilities and methods. If he really dared to do this today, his wife might agree to save face. However, he couldn’t guarantee that he would outlive her, nor could he ensure that after he was gone, these concubine-born sons wouldn’t one day need to beg the main branch for help.
Such a one-time deal might look like they were taking advantage, but it would offend the main branch to the core. After his passing, everything might just be taken back with interest.
Upon seeing his wife’s smiling face, Bai Jingwen instantly sobered up. He immediately invoked the family rules and dutifully distributed the entire Bai Family’s assets according to the standard ten percent share.
Her eldest younger brother was quite the talent as well. Just as they were about to finalize the distribution, he suddenly chimed in, "What should we do if more children are born later?"
Since that ten percent share had already been clearly demarcated, it was only the others who were put in a difficult position. Bai Jingwen naturally hoped for many children and grandchildren, but his other offspring didn’t share that sentiment. If more younger siblings were born, it would only dilute their share of the family property. What they were receiving was already small enough; no one was willing to give up even a fraction more.
"I’m not old yet," Bai Jingwen said. "I can still earn silver."
"Husband, you are trying to break the rules." Mrs. Bai wouldn’t let him deflect the issue so easily. "Then let’s set a portion aside first. If no more children are born later, they can divide it equally among themselves."
Being publicly embarrassed like that made Bai Jingwen quite displeased, especially since it was brought on by his own legitimate son. He looked at his two legitimate sons. "Jiannan, you are the eldest legitimate son, so you will receive seventy percent. Shouldn’t you two brothers take this opportunity to divide your assets as well?"
"I don’t mind either way," Bai Jianbei said. "I’ll listen to Jiannan. Even if he doesn’t give me anything, it doesn’t matter. I can earn my own living in the future."
"You silly boy, what are you talking about?" Bai Jingwen said. "What is rightfully yours won’t be lessened. Although you only get twenty percent, it is still far more than what the other brothers and sisters receive."
This was a blatant attempt to sow discord. Sure enough, the concubine-born brothers were all shooting jealous and resentful glares.
Before Bai Jianbei could even speak, Bai Jiannan preempted him. "There’s nothing we can do about it; it was destined from birth.
"Even if Jianbei only gets twenty percent of the family assets, as his older brother, I will never mistreat him."
After saying that, he looked at Mrs. Bai with an apologetic expression. "Mother, in the future, I will only take ten percent of your dowry. The rest can go to my older sister and younger brother."
Everyone’s expressions immediately changed. Mrs. Bai’s dowry was no less than the entire Bai Family’s wealth. He was handing over such a massive fortune just like that!
"Jiannan, that won’t do," Bai Jianbei said. "What is supposed to be, should be. Mother, we agreed before that the three of us siblings would divide it equally. I think that’s perfectly fine."
The other children of the Bai Family were so angry they wanted to curse. They were all siblings, yet these three had so much wealth they could casually offer it to one another!