Chapter 439: A Visit
Chapter 439: Chapter 439: A Visit
For the following days, Gu Kaiyuan was constantly glued to Bai Suihe’s side. Sometimes, even Nanny Pang couldn’t bear to watch and would slip away the moment she finished assigning Bai Suihe’s coursework.
At her advanced age, she couldn’t relate to the saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but the master’s behavior was truly too much for her eyes. He hovered around his wife and daughter all day long, especially treating his wife as if she were completely helpless. He rushed to do everything for her, and the two of them were perfectly happy in this dynamic, enjoying themselves immensely. A few times, she even had to carry the young miss away, for fear they might be a bad influence on the child.
Furthermore, the young miss, who used to cling to her mother, had now become quite attached to Nanny Pang as well. Whenever she called out to her, the little girl was more than willing to leave with her.
Gu Xingyang was utterly speechless. She thought, "BOO-HOO, of course I still like Mother the best! I just can’t stand the sickly-sweet atmosphere constantly swirling between her and Father. I don’t understand the complexities of romance, but I know enough not to be a third wheel."
Gu Xingyang let out a yawn, which made Nanny Pang assume she was sleepy. "The young miss is tired. Let me take you back to your room."
At those words, Gu Xingyang’s eyes widened in sheer panic. She thought, "Go back? Why would I go back?" She felt she could easily wander around for another lap, perhaps even catch some of the juicy gossip floating around outside.
"Nanny Pang, are you sure you aren’t mistaken? The young miss is still full of energy." Zisu looked at the little girl’s wide eyes, finding her incredibly endearing. She marveled at how such a tiny child could have so many vivid expressions on her face. She was just too adorable.
Nanny Pang rubbed her eyes, wondering, "Is my vision failing me?" She figured that spending all this time helping the madam with her studies might have strained her eyes, causing her to see things wrong.
Gu Xingyang tried her hardest to stay awake. She thought, "Father, Mother, your daughter is really risking it all just to create some alone time for you two."
Meanwhile, in the capital.
Gu Baijiang picked at his ear. "Butler, what did you just say? Did I hear that wrong?"
The butler replied expressionlessly, "To answer you, Master, the visitor outside said his name is Zhou Gang. He claims that if you don’t see him today, he will just stay right at the door."
Gu Baijiang laughed in sheer exasperation. "What the hell? I have no ties with him whatsoever." He muttered inwardly, "He really stayed in Lingnan for so long that he forgot all basic etiquette. He didn’t even know to send a calling card in advance." He completely forgot that he himself had pulled the exact same foolish stunt not too long ago.
"But he also said that if you don’t come out or refuse to see him, he won’t be able to control the consequences." The butler kept his head lowered. The Third Prince had sent him here to serve this household, but also to keep them under surveillance. The Third Prince suspected that Gu Baijiang was playing tricks and hadn’t handed over all his silver. However, it was understandable; anyone in his shoes would likely keep a hidden stash. It was just that the Gu family was much more patient than expected. After all this time, they preferred to live in apparent poverty rather than bring out their hidden silver. Ever since arriving in the capital, this family had been a constant source of ridicule, so the butler wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if they made a fool of themselves again today.
"Then let him in." Thinking about the silver he owed and the IOU he had written, Gu Baijiang couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. If he hadn’t lost his silver, he would have just paid it off, but the problem was that he simply couldn’t produce the money right now.
Gu Baijiang had actually enjoyed watching the drama surrounding Zhou Gang a few days prior. The man’s family had rushed back to the capital in a frenzy, only to find themselves utterly lost with nowhere to go. After asking around, they learned that Mrs. Zhou had outright refused them entry. She publicly announced that their households had already separated and severed all ties. Since Zhou Gang had been expelled from the clan, she declared that if he had any complaints, he could take them up with the Zhou Clan Leader.
Ever since Mrs. Zhou’s return, the scandals of their family had long been the talk of the town. She hadn’t hidden or exaggerated Zhou Gang’s atrocious behavior during his journey; she simply broadcasted it to everyone. Those who had traveled alongside them in the exile procession were frequently questioned about it as well.
Back then, Zhou Gang had extorted so much silver from Gu Baijiang and forced him to sign an IOU. The Gu family certainly wasn’t going to cover for him now; in fact, they eagerly added fuel to the fire. Even before Zhou Gang made it back to the capital, his reputation was already in ruins—painted as an unloyal, unfilial parasite who leeched off his stepmother and siblings.
The situation had escalated to the point where the Imperial Censor even began submitting memorials to the throne about it. However, the Emperor grew impatient with the endless reports, bluntly stating that since Zhou Gang was no longer a court official, local magistrates should just give him a firm warning. After all, Mrs. Zhou hadn’t officially sued him for unfilial conduct, so the matter was eventually dropped. But Zhou Gang’s reputation was thoroughly destroyed. Even though he had hurried back to the capital, his presence merely provided the public with more fresh gossip.
The moment Zhou Gang entered the gates, his eyes darted around, taking in his surroundings. They had all been exiled together, yet it seemed that every other family had returned to a much better life than his. His own family was currently renting a dilapidated farmhouse outside the city walls, barely managing to scrape by.
"Mr. Zhou, what brings you to my humble abode today?" As a host, Gu Baijiang had no choice but to greet him, no matter how reluctant he felt.
"You must be joking, Mr. Gu. Your residence is quite a grand mansion now; how could you possibly call it a humble abode? I must say, it’s quite a challenge just to get an audience with you these days," Zhou Gang sneered. He had come alone today, but his mouth was as foul as ever.
"I can’t help it, the household affairs are quite demanding." Gu Baijiang eyed the slightly worn winter coat Zhou Gang was wearing, realizing that the man must be severely strapped for cash. The weather had already warmed up, and most people had long since shed their heavy coats.
"That makes sense. You aren’t like us commoners anymore. Now that you’ve sent your granddaughter into the Third Prince’s inner courtyard, His Highness will surely place you in high regard."
Gu Baijiang turned a deaf ear to the obvious bitterness in his tone. He led the man into the reception hall, where servants immediately served tea.
Zhou Gang felt incredibly resentful. He thought, "The crimes I committed in the past weren’t even as severe as Gu Baijiang’s! Why do I have to live such a destitute life upon returning?" To make matters worse, his stepmother’s actions had completely ruined his reputation in the capital. He couldn’t even find anyone willing to rent him a modest courtyard, forcing him to settle for a farmhouse in the suburbs.
Traveling back and forth every day was not only time-consuming but also physically exhausting. He had left home bright and early that morning, and by the time he arrived here, his legs were trembling. Meanwhile, Gu Baijiang had servants to wait on him hand and foot, and undoubtedly had a carriage at his disposal whenever he went out.
"Have some tea," Gu Baijiang offered, deliberately not asking why he had come. He figured Zhou Gang would eventually spit it out anyway.
Zhou Gang was genuinely parched. He gulped down the tea in one shot, and without waiting for the servants, poured himself another cup. "I got a bit thirsty walking all this way."
"If I remember correctly, the Zhou family owns an ox cart." Gu Baijiang couldn’t understand why the man insisted on suffering unnecessarily. Walking all the way from the suburbs was by no means a short distance.
It was no longer a secret in the capital that Zhou Gang’s family had relocated to the suburbs. As a fellow formerly exiled official, Gu Baijiang naturally paid attention to such matters. Knowing that none of the others were doing as well as he was brought him a sense of twisted satisfaction.
"Alas, it can’t be helped. Our family’s funds are limited, so we could only buy a few acres of barren land in the village for now. My wife is currently working the fields with the children, and since the ox is our main source of labor, I couldn’t selfishly bring it into the city."
The truth, however, was that ox carts weren’t allowed to roam freely on the main streets of the city. They had to be parked at designated locations and required a hefty watching fee—an expense he was neither willing nor able to pay.