Carrying the little lucky star, leading the villain on the road to exile

Chapter 146 146. Calculation
Gu Kaiyuan scoffed, "Brother, you've really been delayed for quite a long time. If I remember correctly, it's been more than ten or twenty years."

Did neither you nor your father think about it during this time?

That's not right, brother. Didn't you go back to your hometown to pay respects to your ancestors after you passed the imperial examination?

Back then, our family owned several farms and shops. If everyone was frugal, we wouldn't be completely unable to help each other.

Gu Kaiping said, "...At the time, I thought that my hometown was far away and I had many old friends to visit. I didn't have much vacation time, so I was delayed."

However, he quickly added, "I've already talked to my parents about this, and they have no objections, which is why I didn't go back."

Gu Kaiyuan nodded and gave them a thumbs up, "Big brother, you guys are really good."

My father got promoted and made a fortune, even bringing my maternal grandparents' family to the outskirts of Beijing. Yet he hasn't given back to the relatives and clansmen who helped him, and now they're even being implicated by us.

It's ironic, really. The Xu family has benefited a lot from them, but when the Gu family fell on hard times, the Xu family was able to stay out of it.

Don't say that all of this is due to Xu Huizhen. If Gu Baijiang is unwilling, can Xu Huizhen control him?

It was simply that the Gu clan saw his most pathetic side, and Gu Baijiang's inferiority complex was at play.

Gu Kaichen looked at his father and elder brother in surprise, "If people find out about this, how will you maintain your positions in officialdom?"

Gu Baijiang and Gu Kaiping both lowered their heads; nothing had happened all these years.

Gu Kaiyuan said, "If the people don't report it, the officials won't investigate. That's why, for so many years, no one in the Gu clan has ever said a bad word about our family outside, is that right?"

Gu Kaiping and Gu Baijiang lowered their heads even further, and Gu Kaiyuan couldn't help but sneer, "So, Father and my elder brother also care about their reputation, but why do they do this?"

"Father, I've heard that the mistress's household is extremely extravagant. Surely our family isn't that short of money."

Gu Baijiang felt the whip marks on his back burning and stinging even more, as if they were piercing his heart.

If he had known he would face this predicament today, he would have preferred to have his unfilial son intervene rather than be forced into a helpless situation.

He knew that saying more at this time would only lead to more mistakes, since so many members of the Gu clan were in front of him, and some things simply could not be concealed.

He was also hoping that Gu Kaiyuan could mediate or use his connections to get Liu Pingkang and the others to protect him more.

As for the Third Prince sitting in the carriage, Gu Baijiang dared not waste such a small matter on a favor.

Moreover, if this matter were to be brought up, the Third Prince would definitely harbor resentment in his heart, since no one would dare to employ an ungrateful person.

"There's no point in dwelling on the past. We're all in this together now, and we can't let them pursue this any further." Gu Baijiang understood this and looked up at Gu Kaiyuan, saying, "Go and discuss this with your great-grandfather and the others. Whatever conditions they set, I'll meet them as long as I can."

“Father, I think it would be best if you went forward to apologize. What would it look like if I were to act as a go-between?”

"If we anger Grandpa and the others, has Father considered the consequences?"

Gu Kaiyuan squatted down to be level with Gu Baijiang, who was sitting there. "I just told my great-grandfather and the others about the identity of the person in the carriage, which is why they temporarily let Father go. But do you think the person you're loyal to will continue to protect you?" "You guessed it all," Gu Baijiang didn't expect Gu Kaiyuan's mind to turn so quickly. "Since your great-grandfather and the others know, they should know even better what choice to make."

"But what does this have to do with them? Father has forgotten that it is our whole family who enjoy wealth and honor. They put in so much effort to support Father back then, but they have received such a reward. How can they not feel resentful?"
Although the Third Prince was born into a noble family, what did he have to do with ordinary people like them?
"This can only fool them for a while. What do you think they'll do when they finally understand?"

Yes, we can't expect the Third Prince to have all these people killed, can we? Gu Baijiang doesn't think he has the ability to command Rong Ruiyuan.

If it were him, who would be willing to destroy such a huge handle so easily?

"Then go and tell your great-grandfather and the others that when we reach the next stop, I will bring my whole family to visit them."

Remember to bring Bai Shi along. This time, we must win your great-grandfather's forgiveness no matter what."

Gu Kaiyuan said, "Let's forget about the Bai family. Our family is begging for our great-grandfather's forgiveness, not using a pregnant woman as a shield."

This old fellow is quick-witted. Making a pregnant woman kneel there is a gamble on the kindness of the clan. In other words, Bai Suihe suffers the punishment and is forced to play the victim, while the benefits go to this family.

“After all, we are family. How can we not go to see our elders?” Gu Kaiping understood Gu Baijiang’s intention and thought the plan was excellent. If something happened to Bai Shi in the meantime, the life in her womb could be used to clear their names.

"Afterwards, I will take Suihe to apologize to the elders. I dare not let Suihe, who is pregnant, coerce the elders. If word gets out, will we still have any reputation left?" Gu Kaiyuan was a little angry, and his voice rose a lot. People around them couldn't help but prick up their ears and look over frequently.

Gu Baijiang and his son truly hated Gu Kaiyuan's stupidity. Could this matter be made public?
Gu Kaiyuan didn't give them time to come up with a solution. As he walked away, he called out, "Father, I don't understand family matters, but I know I can't do anything immoral. You taught me all of this..."

"This rebellious son..."

Knowing that Gu Kaiyuan had guessed all his schemes, Gu Baijiang could only repeat those words over and over to cover up his guilty conscience.

Rong Ruiyuan leaned against the carriage, listening quietly to the sounds outside. The more he understood Gu Baijiang's character, the more uncertain he felt.

Looking at Gu Antong again, how could a bad bamboo produce a good shoot? Even if Gu Baijiang were to bring this person into his household, he probably wouldn't easily give in.

It seems that we can only exonerate them temporarily before discussing anything else.

Seeing Gu Antong fidgeting, Rong Ruiyuan asked gently, "Are you worried about your father and grandfather?"

"I don't have anyone to wait on here, why don't you go out and take a look?"

Gu Antong quickly agreed, "Thank you for your understanding, Master. Please feel free to let me know if there's anything you need."

She could only hear bits and pieces of what was happening inside, and she had no interest in trying to please Rong Ruiyuan. In order not to reveal any flaws in front of him, she decided to leave first.

After getting off the car, they realized that their grandfather and father were far away from the car, talking about something, while Liu Yun and the others silently followed beside the car.

"Why did you come down?" Liu Yun asked in a low voice, sounding a little nervous.

Could it be that the Third Prince was displeased by the Gu family's affairs, which is why he kicked them off the carriage?