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

Chapter 227. Adoption
Gu Kaichun was the first to see Gu Kaiyuan and whispered to everyone, "Gu Kaiyuan is here."

Gu Kaiyuan, “…” Why do I suddenly feel like I’m some kind of monster? Is this person guarding against me? I don’t think he’s done anything wrong?
"Grandpa, how have you been these days?" Gu Kaiyuan walked directly to Gu Li with a smile. The old man looked radiant and was walking around like everyone else.

The oxcart was filled with goods, but the passengers were all children.

Indeed, some of them are only knee-high; if you let them walk on them, they could easily get buried in the snow.

"It's been a while since we last met. Why did you think of this old man today?" Gu Li replied with a smile.

“I think about coming to pay my respects to Grandpa every day, but I was afraid of bothering you. Seeing that you are in such good spirits, I am relieved.”

"Don't worry, I'm still alive and kicking, of course I won't get into trouble." Gu Li said with a double meaning, "But your family is quite lively. Just how much wealth does your father have? He's not thinking about paying off his debts, but he still has the mind to support outsiders. It seems I was too lenient before."

Gu Kaiyuan said, "That's right. You are kind, sir. Why don't you go and discuss it with my father again? Money should be used by our own people, not given to outsiders."

When it comes to causing trouble for others, Gu Kaiyuan never shows any mercy.

The Gu brothers shook their heads inwardly. Gu Baijiang was truly unfortunate to have raised such a son. At the same time, they gave their sons a warning look, telling them to behave themselves.

Gu Kaishan and the others curled their lips. They had heard a lot about Gu Kaiyuan's affairs these days. It was clearly Gu Baijiang who was in the wrong, but these elders didn't know the difference between right and wrong.

They'll probably resist if they want to protect the source of income, but they probably won't have many thoughts about it; at most, they'll have a few big arguments.

“You should really watch your mouth. He’s still your father, after all. There’s a saying that family scandals shouldn’t be aired in public.”

Gu Kaiyuan said, "Grandpa, so family scandals shouldn't be aired in public? What about the grudges between you and my father...?"

"Ahem... You little rascal, I was telling you to tone it down a bit. It's perfect that you weren't coming today; I was going to send someone to look for you anyway."

This isn't the place to talk. Is your place convenient?

“Of course,” Gu Kaiyuan helped the old man to the side of the road. “Uncles and brothers, please rest assured, I will take good care of the old man.”

These words made several elders who wanted to stay by his side stop in their tracks, but they did not immediately agree. Instead, they looked at Gu Li.

Gu Lichong and the others nodded slightly, and then followed the group in front, but they kept looking back along the way.

“My uncles are worried about me,” Gu Kaiyuan said, supporting the old man and revealing his eight white teeth.

“That’s because they are filial,” Gu Li said, quite satisfied with his sons. Although they weren’t very successful, they were united.

Gu Baijiang is inferior to this old farmer in this respect. Even a family has to scheme against each other. I really don't know where all the books he read over the years went. No wonder, even if he became a high-ranking official, he would still be demoted.

"You're right," Gu Kaiyuan said, not caring about such things. They weren't familiar with each other, and the two families had a feud. It was just a matter of mutual exploitation.

When their oxcart arrived, Zhuang Datou had already stopped. Bai Suihe was surprised when Chunxiang mentioned things outside. Why did Gu Kaiyuan bring people here?

Without thinking much, she lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage first. "Mrs. Gu greets Grandfather."

Gu Li finally saw his reclusive grand-niece-in-law. He had heard that she had gone to see the commotion before, but he hadn't paid any attention to her at the time. "It's quite nice," Bai Suihe said. She didn't look like she was suffering in exile at all. She was served by two maids on either side of her. Her status was even higher than that of their county magistrate's wife.

After helping the people into the carriage, everyone took their seats. Gu Li also looked around the carriage. Everything inside was exquisite, and there was a faint fragrance. It was on a completely different level from the dilapidated people like them.

"If you want to separate from Gu Baijiang, there are two ways: either you request to leave the clan, or you marry into the woman's family."

There is another way: adoption.

Gu Kaiyuan had considered all these methods before, but marrying into the Bai family was not feasible. Not only could he not get over that mental hurdle, but the Bai family also did not need a son-in-law who married into the Bai family.

Leaving the clan? That would allow one to establish a separate household, but it would damage one's reputation. If future generations wanted to take the imperial examinations, those who recommended them would certainly be unwilling to do so for the sake of their reputation, which would really delay three generations.

"Adoption? Does Great-Grandpa have anyone in mind?"

Gu Li had guessed that he would ask this question, and directly took out the family genealogy he had prepared in advance from his pocket, "Our branch is quite prosperous, with more than 20 households starting from my grandfather."

Your great-grandfather was also a refugee. He was a remarkable person who was able to develop his family in dire circumstances.

It's a pity that we, his descendants, have brought shame upon him, losing the home he built.

As Gu Li spoke, he wiped away a tear. At his advanced age, he still had to leave his hometown, and he still hadn't swallowed his anger. Now he had to make plans for Gu Baijiang's son, and he could only keep his grievances to himself.

When he sees his grandfather, he must give him a good rant and not let him continue to bless Gu Baijiang.

It's so rare for ancestral graves to emit auspicious smoke, and this is the thing that pops up.

"We'll go back someday," Gu Kaiyuan said. If he hadn't stopped them that day, they would have truly lost all hope of returning to their homeland.

Gu Baijiang hasn't been forced to leave the clan yet, but once the imperial decree is issued, everyone can return to their respective places.

“You’re really not lying to me,” Gu Baijiang asked again, “Your father was corrupt, and the emperor really pardoned him?”

"Isn't there still the Third Prince? You saw what happened that day; the Third Prince was very protective of the Gu family."

"Then I'll take the gamble with you, old man. I hope you won't let me lose." Gu Baijiang opened the family genealogy in his hand. "Which of these twenty-odd households do you think is suitable? I'll step in and help you mediate."

Gu Kaiyuan looked through two pages and realized that each household had quite a few people, not including the married-out women; they were all men.

“I don’t know anyone in the clan,” Gu Kaiyuan pondered for a moment, then continued, “After being adopted, I will inevitably have to come into contact with people from simple families. I wonder if Grandfather has any good recommendations?”

"Simple family background?" Gu Li thought for a moment, then turned to one of the pages. "Gu Dazhuang's family is indeed simple. He is an only child, but his parents have already passed away. If you are adopted, there will be no elderly people to help you."

Gu Kaiyuan was somewhat tempted, but seeing that Gu Dazhuang had three sons and was a second wife, he thought about how there would be a lot of trouble with three sons and two mothers.

"Grandpa, I wonder if we have any families without descendants to carry on the family line?" Although it was somewhat unfair to ask this, it was what he wanted most.

(End of this chapter)