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

Chapter 165. The Shelter
Even before Gu Baijiang was convicted, he wouldn't have been willing to spend so much money. The entire household's income and expenditure on paper was probably only this much for a year, but all of this was to support the family's livelihood, so there was no way to save any.

“If Lord Zhou insists, then there is nothing we can do,” Gu Baijiang leaned forward slightly. “Lord Zhou, you should know about the relationship between the Third Prince and me. Are you sure you still want to harm my granddaughter?”

Zhou Gang: "Even princes are subject to the same laws as commoners. Your granddaughter hasn't even entered the household yet, so don't try that on me."

Although Zhou Gang was a little uneasy, he wasn't afraid or intimidated. There were plenty of beautiful women around the prince, and there were many young ladies with power, talent, and good looks to choose from in the capital. Every position around an ambitious prince was important, so how could he possibly leave it to Gu Antong?

He was also present that day, but the Third Prince didn't even turn his head, which shows that this Gu family girl was just a pastime for him in his spare time.

It was because the Third Prince gave Gu Antong the courage to harm her own daughter.

If he suffers this loss today, how will he establish himself in the world in the future?
"Giving you two thousand taels is already giving you face; otherwise, I would make your Gu family pay with their lives."

After Zhou Gang finished speaking, he stared at Gu Antong with a sinister look in his eyes, "If you don't want to pay compensation, that's fine too. I think your granddaughter is quite pretty. Let her come to my Zhou family to keep my daughter company. When my daughter calms down, I will naturally let her come back."

These sinners are not allowed to have their own servants, but it is permissible for young girls to keep each other company. If Gu Baijiang is really willing, he can treat them as his own wives and help train them properly.

“Don’t go too far,” Gu Baijiang said, turning to Liu Pingkang, who was watching the show from the sidelines. “We should find someone to make a fair judgment on this matter, instead of letting you and I decide.”

Zhou Gang didn't care at all, since his Zhou family was in the right anyway. "I have no objection, but if this matter is brought up, I'm afraid your granddaughter won't even be able to get through the Third Prince's side gate."

Actually, I'd like to find out more. My daughter is usually kind and gentle, never fighting or competing. I wonder what she did to offend Miss Gu. I'd appreciate it if you could help me ask her."

Gu Baijiang also had his doubts, but he couldn't fall into Zhou Gang's trap at this moment.

"It might have been a minor conflict between the little girls, and sometimes people can't control their emotions when they get carried away. I'll make sure my daughter Antong apologizes properly later, and I hope Lord Zhou will be lenient..."

"Lord Gu, don't play dumb. I've already laid out the conditions. Give me a straight answer on what they are."

"I really don't have that much silver..."

"Then let your granddaughter stay with us for a while..."

"That's going too far..."

The two sides exchanged views for a while, but neither reached a satisfactory agreement.

Gu Baijiang wasn't unwilling to pay, but he simply couldn't afford that much money right now.

Meanwhile, the onlookers, seeing that the two families wouldn't start arguing anytime soon, went back to their own business. After all, the wind was getting colder and the drizzle was getting heavier, and saving their own lives was the priority.

"Lord Zhou, how about this? I'll sign an IOU for you, and I'll definitely pay it back in full after some time."

Zhou Gang rubbed his fingers together, thought for a moment, and then said, "Then it won't be this number; it has to be doubled."

“…Alright,” Gu Baijiang had no choice but to agree. The money he had prepared for Gu Antong to accompany him into the mansion would have to be reduced. Gu Kaiyuan had no intention of dealing with them now. As long as they didn't cause trouble for them, they wouldn't go and join the fun. With the escorts here blocking the way, Bai Suihe's tragedy would definitely not happen again.

But he was still worried and was determined to stay here today no matter what.

Leaning against a large tree, the group began to build a simple shed. Although the carriage was quite comfortable, it was still warmer to be near the fire in this weather.

Bai Suihe had watched many short videos on wilderness survival before and knew how to build a shelter.

Holding a wooden stick and gesturing on the ground, Gu Kaiyuan and Zhuang Datou quickly figured out what was going on.

"We can put an oilcloth on the outside to block the cold wind and keep out the rain." Gu Kaiyuan thought it was feasible when he saw the simple ventilation opening. This way, a fire could be lit inside the small shelter, and the temperature inside would definitely rise a lot.

Using the tree hollow as a base, Zhuang Datou and his group cut down several large logs and got to work.

Although you can rest in the carriage, if you really follow Bai Suihe's advice, it would be even warmer inside than in the carriage.

Many hands make light work, and there were three strong laborers among them. Bai Suihe directed from the side, while Dongmei and Chunxiang slowly began to tidy up.

In less than half an hour, a simple shelter made of wood was completed. Gu Kaiyuan then laid a tarpaulin on the outside and secured it, and a place that could shelter from the wind and rain was ready.

The escorts saw that they had built a small wooden hut in just half an hour, and they all came over in twos and threes to take a look. After running around outside for so many years and following so many exiles of prisoners, Gu Kaiyuan really opened their eyes.

They built a house in such a short time, and they even went inside to test it. The temperature inside started to rise as soon as the match was lit. If it had been a little longer, it would have been very comfortable inside.

I used to think that having a carriage would allow me to take turns resting, which would at least be better than being an exile. But now I don't think it's so appealing anymore.

It was getting dark, and it wasn't cost-effective for them to build such a small cabin now. They secretly noted down their steps, planning to build one themselves when they went camping later.

Although we have to take turns patrolling at night, a good rest will make us more energetic during the day.

Some families with large households also came to learn, including Chen Dafu and his group.

Chen Dafu read it once and didn't ask any more questions. When he got back, he scolded his children and grandchildren, "Look at Gu Kaiyuan, he's just like you, not a scholar, but how come he's so smart?"
"It's fine if you can't bring glory to your ancestors, but at least you should be a little smarter. Think more, observe more, and learn more. Have you all figured out how Gu Kaiyuan and his group built that house?"

The Chen family's children and grandchildren all shook their heads; they weren't geniuses, how could they learn something just by looking at it once?

"They've shown you how to do it, and you still can't?" Every time Chen Dafu saw his children and grandchildren who only knew how to eat and were like wooden dolls, he felt a lump in his throat.

If it weren't for these brats, he wouldn't have to suffer like this at his age.

This time, we must get that reward no matter what, so that we can leave some wealth for these brats. At least each of them can buy some land and become a rich man.