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

Gu Kaiyuan spent all his time sticking to Bai Suihe's side after that. Sometimes even Granny Pang couldn't stand it anymore, so she would assign Bai Suihe her homework and then run away.

She's quite old now and can't appreciate the saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder," but the old man's behavior is truly unbearable to watch.

He spends all his time around the lady and young lady, especially serving the lady so well that she's practically disabled. He always insists on doing things first, and it's a win-win situation where both parties are willing to do it, and he's having a great time doing it himself.

Several times she took the young lady away to prevent them from corrupting the child.

Moreover, the young lady who used to cling to the lady has also become very clingy to her this time, and is willing to leave with her as soon as she greets her.

Gu Xingyang, “…” Waaah, of course she still loves her mother the most, but she doesn’t like the bittersweet feeling between her mother and father. She doesn’t understand love, but she knows she shouldn’t be a third wheel.

Gu Xingyang yawned, and Granny Pang thought she was going to sleep. "Miss is sleepy, then I'll take it back to you."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xingyang's eyes widened in shock. Go back? What for?
She felt she could go around again and listen to some gossip.

"Granny, are you sure you're not mistaken? Miss is still full of energy." Zisu looked at her young mistress's wide eyes and couldn't help but marvel at how such a small child could have so many expressions on her face. So adorable.

Granny Pang rubbed her eyes. Was she seeing things?
I've been accompanying my wife in her studies lately, and I might have strained my eyes, which is why I misread it.

Gu Xingyang tried her best to hold on, saying, "Father and Mother, your daughter is really going all out to create opportunities for you."

……

☆

Tokyo
Gu Baijiang picked at his ear. "Butler, what did you just say? Did I hear you wrong?"

The butler said expressionlessly, "Sir, the visitor outside says his name is Zhou Gang. If you don't see him today, he'll be waiting at the door."

Gu Baijiang laughed angrily, "This is unbelievable. I have no connection with him whatsoever."

He was also thinking to himself, "I've been in Lingnan for so long that I've forgotten all the etiquette. I didn't even know to send a visiting card in advance."

He completely forgot that he had done similar stupid things before.

"But he said that if the master doesn't come out or doesn't see him, he can't control the consequences."

The steward kept his head down. The Third Prince had sent him here to serve this family, but also to keep an eye on them. The Third Prince suspected that this man was being cunning and had not handed over all the silver.

However, it's understandable; anyone in that situation would probably hold back.

However, the Gu family was even more patient than they had imagined. So much time had passed, yet they preferred to remain poor rather than hand over their money.

This family has been making a fool of themselves ever since they arrived in the capital, so he wouldn't be surprised if they made another fool of themselves today.

“Then let him in,” Gu Baijiang thought of the money he owed and the note he had written, and couldn’t help feeling a little guilty.

If he hadn't lost his own money, he wouldn't have given it away, but the problem is he can't come up with it now.

Gu Baijiang had been watching the drama unfold involving Zhou Gang quite a bit the other day.

The family rushed back to the capital, only to find that they didn't even know which way their front door faced.

Later, after inquiring, they learned that Old Madam Zhou had directly refused them entry, stating publicly that the two families had already separated and severed ties. She added that Zhou Gang, a member of the clan who had been expelled, could have his opinions addressed to the clan head. Since Old Madam Zhou's return, the matter concerning their family had become the talk of the town.

Zhou Gang's actions along the way were neither concealed nor exaggerated, but widely publicized.

They, along with their fellow exiles, were frequently inquired about.

At the time, Zhou Gang had extorted so much money from them and even made them sign an IOU. Of course, the Gu family wouldn't cover for him; they even embellished the story.

Anyway, Zhou Gang hasn't even come back yet, but he's already a disloyal and unfilial vampire who's sucking blood from his stepmother and brothers.

Because of this incident, the Censor-in-Chief submitted another memorial, but His Majesty was impatient to listen and simply said that Zhou Gang was not a court official and that the local officials should give him a good talking-to.

Since Madam Zhou did not accuse Zhou Gang of being unfilial, the matter was dropped.

However, Zhou Gang's reputation was completely ruined. Even his hasty return to Beijing only provided more fodder for gossip.

As soon as Zhou Gang entered the door, he looked around. They had all been exiled together, but it seemed that every family that returned was living a better life than them.

The family is now renting a farmhouse outside the city, and they are barely making ends meet.

"Lord Zhou, what brings you to my humble abode today?" Since he was a guest, Gu Baijiang had no choice but to greet him, no matter how reluctant he was.

"Lord Gu is too kind. Your family is of such high status, how can you describe it as a humble abode? It is truly not easy to get an audience with Lord Gu." Zhou Gang came alone today, but his mouth was as foul as ever.

"There's nothing I can do, I'm busy with family matters," Gu Baijiang said, glancing at Zhou Gang's half-new jacket. It seemed Zhou Gang was also short of money.

Now that the weather is warming up, most people have taken off their coats.

"That's true. Lord Gu is different from us commoners. You've already sent your granddaughter into the Third Prince's harem. The Third Prince must be very important to you."

Ignoring the bitterness in his tone, Gu Baijiang led the person into the reception room, where tea was immediately served.

Zhou Gang felt even more resentful. He had committed a crime before, but it wasn't as serious as Gu Baijiang's. So why should he have to live a miserable life after returning?

Because of his stepmother's actions, he became completely unknown in the capital, and even when he wanted to rent a small courtyard, he had no way to get help and could only rent a farmhouse in the suburbs of Beijing.

This daily routine is not only time-consuming but also quite tiring on the legs. He leaves home early in the morning, and his legs are trembling as he walks this far.

Gu Baijiang has servants to attend to him, and he must have a carriage to get in and out.

"Have some tea," Gu Baijiang greeted him, without asking why he had come. After all, Zhou Gang couldn't possibly remain silent.

Zhou Gang was indeed thirsty. He downed a cup of tea in one gulp and refilled it himself without needing anyone to serve him. "I've been quite thirsty on this journey," he said.

"If I remember correctly, the Zhou family had an oxcart." Gu Baijiang didn't understand why the other party was going to force themselves to endure hardship, as walking from the outskirts of Beijing to here was no short distance.

Yes, it's no secret that Zhou Gang's family moved to the outskirts of Beijing and lived in Shangjing. As fellow exiles, Gu Baijiang couldn't help but notice them. Knowing that others weren't doing as well as he was, he felt at least a little more at peace with himself.

"Alas, there's no other way. We have limited money at home, so we could only buy a few acres of poor land in the village. Now my wife and children are working on the farm at home. The ox is the main source of labor, so I can't selfishly bring it to the city."

The truth is, even oxcarts can't travel on the streets when entering the city; they have to be parked in designated areas, and a caretaker's fee must be paid, which he neither wanted nor could afford. (End of Chapter)