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

Chapter 380. Playing the Act
The people serving here are all trained by the Third Prince. Ming Peifeng didn't say much, but still had to flatter and praise him, "His Highness is very considerate. All the supplies here have been prepared in advance. If Lord Gu needs anything, just tell the steward in this mansion."

At this moment, the butler who had been following behind also stepped forward at the right time, saying, "Master Gu, please feel free to give any instructions."

It seems the butler knows the Gu family well, as he didn't address them as "sir" like Ming Peifeng did.

"Then I'll have to trouble you," Gu Baijiang said. He didn't dare to be arrogant in front of these people, but he was short of money and couldn't give them any rewards. After saying that, he turned to Ming Peifeng and said, "Lord Ming, you must be tired from the journey. Why don't we all go down and freshen up first, and then we can talk again after we've rested?"

After such a long and arduous journey, his old bones were already starting to give way.

Ming Peifeng had no objections. He had done everything he could and could do, and now he would leave the rest to fate.

Returning to this bustling capital, the eldest son was overjoyed; this was a good start.

They went back to their rooms to rest, finally enjoying the good life of being waited on hand and foot again.

Gu Antong looked at the coarse cloth skirt she was wearing and instantly felt a bit disgusted.

Carrying his bundle back to his room, he found two old women carrying buckets in, but no one else.

Her expectant gaze dimmed. Yes, what could she possibly hope for? The Third Prince couldn't have prepared in advance. She picked out a rather plain dress from her bag, but she was still somewhat dissatisfied with it. However, it was the best she could offer.

They were trapped in this courtyard for two whole days before the Third Prince reappeared.

The three princes had just finished exchanging greetings when the third prince led Ming Peifeng and Gu Baijiang into the study. A short while later, Ming Peifeng came out with a pale face and was walking with a limp.

Gu Kaiping hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't help but step forward to help him.

If it weren't for Lord Ming's help along the way, the Gu family's graves would have been overgrown with weeds long ago.

"Master Ming..."

Sensing the worry in Gu Kaiping's tone, Ming Peifeng grasped his hand, "Young Master Gu, we'll have to trouble you to stay by the master's side from now on."

"Where are you going?"

"The people who are going to arrest me are on their way. I'm safe from the fall, but this time it's my turn to be exiled."

Gu Kaiping was stunned. "How could it be this serious? Is it really that bad?"

My father's crime at the time was embezzling military funds, but Lord Ming only served as a county magistrate for a few days, and it was at the behest of the Third Prince.

"Young Master Gu, we have some acquaintance. I dare not ask you for anything else, but I only ask that when His Highness succeeds, you mention me to His Highness. I would be grateful."

He wasn't afraid of being exiled; that route in Lingnan had already been cleared out, and there wouldn't be so much nonsense going on now.

Moreover, the Lingnan region has been demonized by everyone. After visiting it myself, I realized that it wasn't as terrifying as the legends say.

The Third Prince will definitely not give up such a large territory. Sooner or later, he will send his own people there. As long as the Third Prince is willing, he will have to use them, and things won't be too bad.

Gu Kaiping immediately patted his chest and assured him, "Lord Ming, don't worry, the Third Prince will not forget you, and we will also remember your kindness."

As the two were talking, they arrived at the gate, where several officials were already waiting. Ming Peifeng stepped forward, introduced himself, and was immediately taken away.

Gu Kaiping sighed, regretting that he didn't have much money now, otherwise he would have done his part.

After putting on a show, he realized he wanted to help but was powerless to do so, so he sighed and turned to return home. To show his concern, Gu Kaiping would ask about the steward every now and then. At first, the steward only maintained a superficial politeness towards him, but later he was gradually moved and was willing to tell him about things happening outside.

"Lord Ming has been exiled to Lingnan this time. The area needs people to develop, so we sent his whole family and clan there. If Lord Gu misses us in the future, he can ask His Highness for information. We have our own people there."

The steward now felt that this young Master Gu was quite kind; even though Ming Peifeng was in trouble, he still remembered him so well. Besides, there was nothing to hide; the Gu family already knew about it.

So on that day, someone excitedly brought him new news: "Lord Ming and the others are setting off tomorrow. You can go and see them off."

Gu Kaiping, “…” He just wanted to create a persona for himself, but he really didn’t expect…

He agreed with great gratitude, "Thank you very much, butler. I will definitely see Lord Ming off tomorrow."

Gu Baijiang knew all about what his eldest son had done, but he had no time to care. After the Third Prince left the palace, he had already made an agreement with him that once things had calmed down in a few days, he would take people to retrieve the items.

These days he's been restless, with a constant feeling of foreboding.

The day to collect the silver was approaching in a few days, and he was anxiously and reluctantly parting with it when Gu Kaiping pleaded with him.

"Dad, what do you think we should do? I've already made the announcement, so it wouldn't be right if I didn't go and give them a gift or show my appreciation."

Gu Kaiping rubbed his hands together. If you're going to put on an act, you have to go all the way. You can't just send someone off like this. The Gu family is currently the focus of a lot of people's attention.

If this weren't his own territory, Gu Baijiang would have kicked this rebellious son out. "Then you should go and see him off properly."

"Father, but I don't have any silver on me." Gu Kaiping did have some loose silver, but it wasn't enough to show off. He couldn't let his hard-earned reputation go to waste.

Gu Baijiang pulled out a fifty-tael silver note from his pocket. "This is the last bit of silver I have. You can decide what to do with it."

Fortunately, they didn't have to pay for anything in this mansion, otherwise he really wouldn't have been willing to spend the money.

"Father, can't we take out our family's silver?"

We also owe Lord Ming some money; how about we take this opportunity to pay it back?

Gu Kaiping wasn't that generous; he just wanted to use this opportunity to test the waters.

Gu Baijiang: "These things are none of your concern."

Thinking about the large sum of money he was about to give away, Gu Baijiang felt a tightness in his chest and hoped that the Third Prince would remember this favor in the future.

"How is An Tong doing? Let her rest well these next couple of days. His Highness the Third Prince has requested an imperial decree, which should be issued in the next couple of days."

Gu Antong's dowry consisted of the silver he had hidden away, which would accompany her into the mansion.

"The old nanny His Highness hired a few days ago is giving her lessons. I heard from Madam Liu that the nanny is extremely strict, and An Tong has already lost weight."

Gu Kaiping wasn't feeling sorry for his daughter; he just wanted the old man to know how hard the eldest branch of the family had worked.

As expected, the old man nodded with satisfaction, "Strictness is good. Royal rules must not be violated."

"Have Liu prepare some good food for you later, so you can take good care of your health."

(End of this chapter)