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

Chapter 232. Etiquette
Xu Shuanghong took a deep breath, feeling like she was about to explode with anger, but she still had to put on a smiling face. "Baijiang, look at you kids, you're all so well-mannered."

“That’s to be expected, it’s all thanks to Father’s excellent teaching,” Gu Kaiyuan interjected, “but it still can’t compare to Madam Xu. We’ve all come together, and it’s been too much for you to spend money.”

Gu Baijiang lowered his eyes. His third son was quite a troublemaker and clever. If he had studied hard back then, he could have been a key figure in cultivating him. Unfortunately, it was too late. Gu Kaiyuan had already gone astray.

As for Xu Shuanghong, it seems she has some things on her, which saves him a lot of trouble. When they reach the next post station, he shouldn't have to spend money to buy them anything.

Despite her heartache, Xu Shuanghong gave each person another gold leaf before quietly nudging her two daughters beside her.

"Since both of our families are here, let's take this opportunity to get to know each other properly."

Kaiping and the others all know Meiling and her sister. This is the first time we've met, Kaiyuan. This is my eldest daughter..."

The Fan sisters stood up and bowed, with Gu Baijiang being the first to do so.

Gu Baijiang took out two pieces of silver from his pocket and said somewhat shyly, "You are all good children. Take this and buy something to eat."

Seeing that it was only half an ounce of silver, the two sisters were stunned. It turned out that their family had made a losing deal.

But they didn't dare say anything, and respectfully accepted it while thanking the purse.

Gu Baijiang felt he had lost out. If Xu Shuanghong hadn't wanted to see Gu Kaiyuan, he wouldn't have had to spend over 50 taels of silver at once. Some of the silver notes he had worked so hard to get were gone, and it pained him.

Xu Shuanghong's face turned ugly. Is this how you return a gift?
But the matter wasn't over yet. Xu Yulan rushed forward again, "Madam Xu, my sister-in-law and I are still here. We haven't greeted you yet."

Liu Yun, whose name was called, could only take two steps forward and greet Xu Yulan.

Of the entire Gu family, only Gu Kaiping hasn't taken any action yet. Everyone else has received a gold leaf from Xu Shuanghong, which is causing her immense heartache.

I wanted to slap myself. Why did I have to want to eat meat buns? With so many gold leaves, how many meat buns could I buy? I could bury her alive.

"Father, why did you call me back? Is there anything you need to tell me?"

Gu Baijiang opened his mouth, he was really afraid of this son now. Every time he saw him preparing for a wedding, he would lose money as soon as he arrived. He wished he could disappear from his sight as soon as possible.

“I wanted to get to know you,” Xu Shuanghong said, unwilling to leave empty-handed. “I’ve heard your father talk about you and know that you and your brothers are the most filial. I was curious, and now that I’ve met you, you are indeed extraordinary.”

"You flatter me, you flatter me," Gu Kaiyuan ignored the last words squeezed out through gritted teeth. "Since you are an old friend of my father's and he is willing to lend a helping hand, he will definitely make proper arrangements for you and your mother."

It's getting late, so I won't disturb your rest any longer. I'll come to pay my respects to Madam Xu another time!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Xu was so frightened that she wanted to wave her hand, but in the end she managed to hold back.

At the same time, I felt a chill run down my spine. It was such a huge expense to pay my respects just once; I could only feel at ease if I didn't pay my respects at all.

“You’re so kind, but we’re just country folk, we don’t care about these old customs. From now on, let’s treat each other like family and do whatever makes us comfortable.”

Gu Kaiyuan gave a thumbs up, "Madam Xu is so considerate of her juniors. In that case, I won't disturb your rest any longer and will head back now."

Xu Shuanghong nodded quickly, "Let's go back, let's go back."

Gu Kaiyuan took a few steps, then turned back to look at Gu Baijiang, "Father, is there anything else you need me to do?"

Gu Baijiang originally wanted to talk about sending meat buns, but seeing the crowd watching the scene not far away, including members of the Gu clan, he had to hold back. "It's alright, you can go back now." Gu Kaiyuan nodded to the surrounding onlookers, "Alright everyone..."

The moment he finished speaking, the space next to him suddenly became empty...

"I just wanted to remind everyone that it's getting cold, so please go home and rest early..."

☆

After Gu Kaiyuan left, the Gu family fell into a long silence. Only Xu Yulan was turning the gold leaf in her hand, thinking that when they arrived at the next post station, she must buy some delicious pastries to reward herself for her hard work during this period.

"I'll keep this for you," Gu Kaichen said, his hand empty, but Xu Yulan had already quickly put the gold leaf into her purse.

"I won't trouble you, my husband. How about I keep it for you? It'll be a shame if you lose it because you're always so careless."

Gu Kaichen said, "Then let's each release our own. I didn't expect Madam Xu to be so generous. It seems that even in her current predicament, she is still quite remarkable."

Xu Yulan rolled her eyes. "It's just putting on a brave face. If it weren't for Gu Kaiyuan, we wouldn't have gotten this today."

Did you say anything to him in the past?

Gu Kaichen, “…” What did I say?

That stupid woman, she doesn't know when to speak. Now look what's happened, her father and Madam Xu both think she's the one causing trouble, and they're looking at her like they want to tear her apart.

He was quite pleased when he received the gold leaf, since he hadn't seen anything so shiny in a long time. But now that he's awakened, he's offended two beauties.

I felt a little reluctant. If all else failed, I would quietly return the gold leaf to them later.

"What are you looking at again?" Xu Yulan grabbed his ear. "Don't forget, I'm still here. Our family doesn't have a rule about taking concubines."

Xu Shuanghong's expression changed; this person was trying to ruin her daughter's reputation.

"Baijiang..."

Gu Baijiang then spoke up and scolded, "Stop talking nonsense here. It's getting late, everyone go and get some rest."

These words brought the day to a close, and even if Xu Yulan was still angry, she dared not say anything.

But she didn't give up. She grabbed Gu Kaichen's ear and pulled him aside. "I'm warning you, stay away from your two little darlings. Don't even think about remarrying like your father did. If you dare to have such thoughts, I don't care if I become a widow first."

Xu Yulan's words carried a fierce edge, startling Gu Kaichen, who quickly waved his hand, "I wouldn't dare to have such thoughts. How could you think that?"

"Of course I think what you think. Don't think I don't know the dark thoughts in your heart. I don't want to give way to others like my aunt did. If others don't let me have a good time, then no one will have a good time."

Xu Yulan had been pondering this for days. Although she wasn't very smart, after sharing a bed with Gu Kaichen for so many years, she could guess about half of his thoughts, if not know him perfectly well. "From now on, you'll be with me everywhere, and we won't share a bed at night. Starting today, it'll be warmer for the two of us to be together."

They've been married for years, and now they're putting on this act of a devoted and chaste husband? Pshaw...

(End of this chapter)