Chapter 567: Decision
Chapter 567 -568: Decision
Rong Ruiyuan wrote the names of all the prominent, wealthy merchants on a piece of paper. Looking at the full list, he instantly felt as if wealth was about to roll in.
“I have quite a few guards by my side, but many of the stewards are already married. Will these merchants really be willing to part with their silver?”
“Prince,” an aide took a step forward, “even if they aren’t willing to cough up any silver, it’s no loss to us. In fact, Your Highness would be acting with great righteousness by helping the guards settle their lifelong marriages. That alone will spread your good name.”
Rong Ruiyuan thought about this scheme for a moment and genuinely couldn’t find any flaws in it.
His imperial father only forbade them from associating too closely with merchants, but the Emperor couldn’t interfere with the marriages of his subordinates. Moreover, when their master was facing difficulties, it was perfectly normal for these people to “lend” him some silver.
As for others seeing through it, so what?
He immediately made the final decision, ordering a few aides to make the arrangements. While they were at it, they were to check the Prince Mansion for any other unmarried men of suitable age. As long as they were loyal to him, what did it matter if he hosted a wedding for them?
With this plan in mind, Rong Ruiyuan felt that Gu Antong was no longer important. Using the excuse that the mansion was overwhelmed with chores, he even recalled the steward and several young, strapping laborers from the Gu Family.
When Gu Baijiang saw that the number of servants in his home had suddenly dropped by more than half—even the carriage driver had left—he immediately gathered the entire family together.
“Father, what did you just say? We’re going back to Lingnan?” Xu Yulan was the first to jump out of her seat. “We finally managed to return from that wretched place, and now you’re telling us to go back? Then what was the point of all our struggling? Isn’t this just a joke?”
“Shut up! I am informing you, not discussing this with you,” Gu Baijiang scolded coldly. “Go back and pack your things. We leave in a few days.”
“Father, this is too sudden. Besides, Anliang and the others are still studying at the academy, and their exams are coming up soon.”
“Have you forgotten that our household registrations are still in Lingnan?” Gu Baijiang had previously thought about transferring their registrations back to the capital and had been looking for connections recently, but who knew things would change so quickly?
Going back to Lingnan for the exams was actually a good thing; the competition there wasn’t nearly as fierce as it was here. Once they secured the Scholar degree, they could buy some land and be exempt from taxes, which would buy them some time to develop.
“Then we can just transfer our registrations back,” Liu Yun said anxiously. “How about I make a trip to my maiden family? My brother should be able to help.”
“There’s no need.” Gu Baijiang knew he had to explain this clearly, otherwise they would delay his plans. “We can no longer stay in the capital, so we must find another way out.
“Gu Kai is currently in Lingnan. In his last letter, he mentioned that he was doing quite well with his errands. Besides, Lingnan has developed significantly and isn’t as chaotic as before. I plan to buy a small courtyard there. We’re struggling to take even a single step here, so it’s better to settle down there first. We’ll wait until our two boys can climb their way back here step by step, without relying on anyone else.”
“Easy for you to say,” Liu Yun said irritably. “Are there even any decent academies in Lingnan? Those great scholars look down on that place. Going there will only ruin the children.”
“What shortsighted ignorance!” Gu Baijiang cursed. He looked at his only son present, Gu Kaichen, feeling a deep sense of frustration at his failure to meet expectations. Both daughters-in-law were at least voicing their opinions, yet his son just sat there motionless like a wooden block. Goodness knows what he was thinking.
Gu Kaichen might have lacked capability, but he wasn’t stupid. With so many people suddenly missing from the mansion today, he had picked up on some clues; there had likely been an incident with Rong Ruiyuan. Now that the old man was talking about moving to Lingnan, it probably meant they had suffered a complete falling out with Rong Ruiyuan. No matter how much of a scoundrel Gu Kaichen was, he knew this was detrimental to the Gu Family. Thus, he was already thinking that going to Lingnan wouldn’t be so bad. At least there, he wouldn’t be trapped in the inner courtyard.
“Master, you must at least give us a reason,” Xu Shuanghong, who had been silent all this while, finally stepped forward to ask.
Since arriving in the capital, they had only enjoyed a few days of glory before being trapped in this mansion. This was entirely different from what they had envisioned, and Xu Shuanghong was already feeling the urge to retreat.
“You want the truth? Then I’ll spell it out for you. I have offended the Prince Ning Mansion. If we don’t leave now, our entire family will be staying here permanently.” Since reasoning with them was impossible, Gu Baijiang didn’t bother arguing and simply revealed the harsh reality.
“How could that be?” Liu Yun didn’t believe it for a second. “Our An Tong is still at the Prince Ning Mansion.”
Gu Baijiang closed his eyes. “There’s something I haven’t told you. An Tong fell victim to some underhanded schemes in the inner courtyard. It’s only a matter of time for her now.”
Liu Yun’s face instantly turned deathly pale. “How can this be?”
Seeing her reaction, Xu Yulan felt deeply vindicated. Liu Yun bragged about Gu Antong every single day; let’s see how she could show off now.
Gu Kaichen’s sinister voice drifted into her ear. “Wipe that look off your face.”
Gu Kaichen wasn’t completely heartless. No matter how flawed Gu Antong was, she was still his niece, whom he had watched grow up. Hearing this news made him feel terrible. What pained him even more was that he had always banked on Gu Antong turning the entire Gu Family’s fortunes around, never expecting her to be the first one destroyed.
“So, are you leaving or not? It doesn’t matter if you choose not to; you can just stay here by yourselves.” Gu Baijiang extended his hand toward Liu Yun. “Hand the property deed over to me now. I will sell this place as soon as possible.”
Everyone’s eyes instantly fixed on Liu Yun. Hadn’t they been told that the Third Prince was only lending this residence to them temporarily?
“Liu Yun, why would you have the property deed?” Xu Yulan’s focus was, as always, entirely out of sync with everyone else’s.
“It was sent over along with the betrothal gifts at the time,” Gu Baijiang explained. “Prince Ning gave this to Gu Kai and his wife. It has nothing to do with you.”
“How does it have nothing to do with us? We haven’t divided the family yet!” Xu Yulan immediately protested. She could finally see the reality of the situation: aside from this courtyard, the Gu Family had absolutely nothing left. If she didn’t fight for her share now, she truly wouldn’t get a single thing.
“So what if we haven’t divided the family? I still have the final say in this household. However, if you want to split up, I suppose I can grant your wish.” Gu Baijiang had always wanted to kick the second branch out of the house, but he had held back for the sake of Gu Anwei.
“Then we get half the family assets…” Xu Yulan’s eyes lit up. Dividing the family would be fine, too. When the time came, they could take the silver, return to Xu Family Village, and buy some land. Living as petty landlords sounded quite wonderful.
“Keep dreaming!” Gu Baijiang saw right through her intentions. Given the combined intellect of this couple, any silver handed to them would likely be squandered in the blink of an eye. “According to the rules of the great families in the capital, the eldest legitimate son takes eighty percent. Moreover, I, your father, am still alive. Do you not have a duty to support me?”