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

This was at the palace gate, and who knew how many of the emperor's spies were still there. Even though the eldest prince Rong Ruixue was unwilling, he could only relent and say, "Third brother, you can go back in peace. I'll have someone send over the silver you owe Zhou Gang later."

He had someone deliver it personally, to see if Zhou Gang dared to accept it; if so, then the favor would be well done.

If Rong Ruiyuan were to ask for money now, it would likely be a one-way street, so he might as well do it himself.

Moreover, what kind of person is he? He only owes four thousand taels of silver, yet he wants to borrow ten or twenty thousand taels. Isn't he afraid of overburdening him?

"I won't trouble you, eldest brother. If you give me the silver, I'll have to personally go with my concubine to apologize. That's the only way to show my sincerity."

"Then I'll lend you four thousand taels of silver," he said, "there are people coming and going here, it's impossible for him to refuse to give you a single penny."

He never expected Rong Ruiyuan to be so shameless as to ask for money in public.

He made a mistake today, which led him into this huge pit.

The second and fourth brothers are cunning; they left him here all alone. I'll settle this score with them later.

“Look at what you’re saying, elder brother. When we go to apologize, we have to bring some generous gifts. When our royal family goes out, we represent Father’s face. If we’re too stingy, people will talk about us. I don’t think you want to see that either.”

"That doesn't need to be so much..."

"Then, elder brother, lend me ten thousand taels of silver to save your younger brother from this dire situation."

After Rong Ruiyuan finished speaking, he looked at the two soldiers guarding the city. Those who could guard this place were all his father's confidants. He was confident that his eldest brother would swallow this bitter pill in order not to leave a bad impression on his father.

Sure enough, with his back to the palace gate, Rong Ruixue gritted his teeth and had someone bring him ten thousand taels of silver notes. "We're brothers, but we have to keep clear accounts. Remember to pay me back as soon as possible. After all, this money didn't grow on trees."

“Of course,” Rong Ruiyuan took it personally and waved it in front of him. “Thanks to my eldest brother, I will bring my concubine to visit and express my gratitude later.”

Rong Rui gritted his teeth, "Then there's no need. I'll have your concubine learn some manners properly later."

It was truly frustrating. He had no idea who Gu Antong was, and the Gu family was so clueless about the situation. Yet today, he had become a sucker and helped them pay off this debt.

Rong Ruiyuan thanked him and immediately returned to the carriage, instructing them to return to the manor at once.

Upon returning to the manor, he immediately went to Gu Antong's courtyard. "You have rendered a service to me this time. Take this five thousand taels of silver note and prepare it first. Settle the debts of the Zhou family, and the rest will be your reward."

Gu Antong remained calm and composed as she accepted the silver notes, expressing her sincere gratitude, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"No need to thank me, I'll thank my elder brother properly later," he said with a laugh, "but after this incident, your reputation will be ruined."

"What does my little bit of reputation matter if I can help Your Highness solve your problems?"

"Oh, you're quite open-minded. Aren't you afraid of damaging the Gu family's reputation?"

"This is all because of my ignorance and terrible mistakes. I am truly sorry to Miss Zhou. If possible, I am willing to do everything I can to make it up to her." Gu Antong lowered her head, her voice full of remorse.

I just regret not being more patient back then. I could have found an opportunity to deal with her privately, and maybe even scratched her face while I was at it.

She was already being exiled, yet she was still dressed so extravagantly; it's her own fault that her clothes were ruined.

"Don't do such reckless things again." Rong Ruiyuan didn't care about the little girl's jealousy. "You should tidy yourself up properly. I'll have the steward prepare a gift, and we'll go to the Zhou family in a bit." "How could I trouble Your Highness? I'll just bring the gift myself to make amends," Gu Antong said. Although she had a thousand taels of silver, she wanted more.

Knowing that Zhou Gang's family was difficult to deal with, she didn't think about touching the money, but instead wondered if she could intercept the gifts.

“I have to make this trip. This matter has become common knowledge throughout the court. I’m doing this to show those stubborn old ministers in the court.”

Gu Antong felt a little regretful, but she didn't say anything more. "I wonder what His Majesty thinks about this matter, and whether it will have any impact on Your Highness?"

"Don't worry, Father Emperor values ​​matters of state most. He doesn't want to waste time on trivial matters in the inner quarters."

However, because of this, the eldest prince and his companions suffered a great loss.

As you said, they used this opportunity to impeach me, trying to convict me. We took the opportunity to push them further. Today in court, Father saw that the entire court was filled with voices supporting my eldest brother and his allies. Yes, not only will we let them off lightly this time, but we will also make them even more wary of us.”

As Rong Ruiyuan finished speaking, his gaze toward Gu Antong became even more amiable, and he reached out to pull her into his arms. "Consort Gu is truly my female strategist. Keeping you in this inner quarters is really a waste of your talent."

Gu Antong wrapped her arms around his waist, "Your Highness, you mustn't say that. Being able to stay in the inner quarters and offer advice is my humble contribution..."

Gu family
Knowing that the Third Prince had taken Gu Antong out of the city, Gu Baijiang sat in his study and smiled silently.

☆

Bai Suihe's shop business is booming, and her relationship with the other ladies is becoming increasingly close. She receives invitations every day, and Gu Xingyang's most exciting moment is going out of the mansion with them.

Gu Kaiyuan was depressed for a few days and began to have trouble taking care of himself.

A large number of powerful and influential people began to reach out to Lingnan, and people like Gu Kaiyuan, who held a lot of resources, were inevitably investigated.

These people came here to buy property, hoping to contribute to their families' prosperity, but they never expected that someone would get there first.

They came all this way, and it was impossible for them to leave empty-handed. So those with family wealth became the focus of their negotiations.

Gu Kaiyuan hid for a while, but he knew he couldn't hide any longer, so he started opening the door to greet his guests.

Instead of giving these powerful figures a chance to speak, all the assets they wanted to sell were laid out in the open. Using the method provided by Bai Suihe, they were allowed to look at them first, consider them, and then bid on them.

This novel approach silenced even the powerful and influential families who had initially expressed some objections.

At the same time, he became even more curious about Gu Kaiyuan and his wife, and had already thoroughly investigated their identities.

This is probably another idea that came up with by the eldest daughter of the Bai family.

Even a married daughter of the main wife has such insight and can come up with such a brilliant idea; no wonder the Bai family is a wealthy family.

It's a pity that the Bai family had always kept a low profile in the capital, and now they've moved their entire family. Otherwise, I really should have made some connections with the Bai family and received their guidance. Perhaps then their family's assets wouldn't have shrunk so much.

They would like to get to know this eldest daughter of the Bai family, but the timing isn't right now. They'll wait until they bring the women of their family over before proceeding. (End of Chapter)