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

Chapter 606, Section 607: Dismissal
Seeing that they were sensible enough to leave, the three guards stopped keeping a close eye on them. They even helped pick up the two bags of pastries and stuffed them into Gu Kaichen's arms, teasingly saying, "Go back and have some good nourishment. You can't even walk properly."

The Gu family father and son felt greatly humiliated, but they were powerless to do anything about it. In the end, Gu Baijiang gritted his teeth and forcefully pulled the man away, staggering as they left the small fishing village.

Having been treated like this from the start, Gu Baijiang fell ill upon returning home and had not yet recovered when Gu Kaiping returned with a package.

"Father, I've been fired." Gu Kaiping's face was full of bitterness. He knew Rong Ruiyuan wouldn't keep him for long, but he didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

"What is the reason?" Although he had already guessed that this day would come, Gu Baijia still asked.

"That damned He Guangtian, he's so nitpicky. It's just a single word wrong in the contract, and he's been yelling at me for ages. I just couldn't take it anymore, so I snapped back..."

Gu Kaiping's voice grew softer and softer. If he had just held back a little longer, would this matter have been resolved?
Gu Baijiang sighed, but didn't blame him. Since things had already come to this, there was no point in saying anything more. "Since you're back, then get some rest and see if you can find something to do here later."

"Father, what could there be to ask in this county town?" Gu Kaiping's previous worries were finally relieved when he saw that Gu Baijiang didn't blame him at all. He slumped into his seat. "I'm not going to do the work of a shopkeeper or waiter. Father, how much silver do we have left? If all else fails, we can buy a small estate. That way we'll have some income."

“That’s not impossible,” Gu Baijiang said, now facing reality. “At that time, we can stay on the farm. Life will be a bit hard, but at least there will be hope.”

"Father, are you really willing to accept this? Our family has been destroyed because of the Third Prince, and now he is trying to wipe us out. Is there not even a place to seek justice?"

"Where can you go to reason with them? They're the royal family. If they want to deal with us now, it'll be like crushing ants."

"Don't worry, Rong Ruiyuan will reap what he sows in the future." Everyone has seen how much the Gu family has helped Rong Ruiyuan. Rong Ruiyuan only cares about the small benefits in front of him. Which of those old foxes in the court would dare to bet their fortune on him?

"But I'm not reconciled..." Gu Kaiping still harbored resentment towards Gu Baijiang. If he hadn't gotten involved in the royal power struggle that day, he wouldn't be a pawn today.

He clearly had a bright future ahead of him, but now it's all ruined.

But Gu Baijiang still controls the family finances, so even if she's furious, she can only suppress it.

"Alright, you must be tired now. Go back and get some rest. We can talk about it tomorrow."

After kicking the person out of the room, Gu Baijiang coughed incessantly, unable to spit out the phlegm stuck in his throat.

How could he not feel resentment? But now that the Gu family is in this state, what can they fight back with? Let alone seek revenge.

However, his words were not meant to appease Gu Kaiping. Rong Ruiyuan's actions could not be kept secret from everyone. Although he was not very popular in the capital, he could still write a few letters to complain.

He coughed a few more times before going to his study and starting to write. The tragedy of the Gu family must be known to everyone.

☆

Rong Ruiyuan now feels that nothing is going well, and different troubles come knocking on his door every day. Not to mention his brothers, who are constantly finding ways to accuse him and submit memorials impeaching him.

The inner quarters were also in turmoil. With the princess neglecting her duties, the two concubines began to shirk their responsibilities. The power to manage the household that they had once longed for was now something they couldn't wait to relinquish. "Your Highness, the storerooms in the manor are full of old stock. Winter clothes need to be made soon, and what kind of fabric is available there?" The left concubine now understood why the princess had abandoned her responsibilities back then; after all, she wouldn't be using any of her dowry money there.

Consort An quickly chimed in with her complaints, "Last month's allowance wasn't paid, and everyone in the courtyards has already been asking. If it's not paid this month either, I won't be able to explain it to my sisters."

"Can't you think of a solution to these problems? You used to think you were in charge, and now that I've given you this opportunity, you've managed things like this." Rong Ruiyuan was furious. He had already suffered enough in court, and now he had to deal with these trivial matters. What use were these women to him?

"Your Highness, even a skilled cook can't cook without rice. I asked the steward, and he said there's no money left in the public treasury. Where has your salary gone?"

Rong Ruiyuan almost spat out a mouthful of blood. His salary? The palace only gave him a few thousand taels of silver. What could that possibly do?
Even if he doesn't touch those few thousand taels of silver, can he support such a large family?

"Why don't you think of a way to pay me back later?"

The two concubines exchanged glances, neither wanting to take the first step, and the scene fell silent instantly.

However, Rong Ruiyuan saw it as a sign that neither of these women was capable of handling the situation, so he angrily retorted, "If you can manage it, then manage it; if you can't, then leave it to your princess..."

He thought that by saying this, the two women would stop while they were ahead, or even be fooled by him, and then the problems at home would be solved.

Unexpectedly, the two women's faces lit up with joy. They immediately instructed the maids and servants behind them to place the account books on the table, and then took out the keys from their waists, checked the cards, and said in unison, "We are foolish and should leave everything to Her Highness the Princess Consort to handle. After all, she is the mistress of this manor."

Seeing the two of them hand over power so readily, without the slightest hint of reluctance, Rong Ruiyuan felt increasingly frustrated. What was going on today?
"I was just...~"

"Your Highness, your reprimand is entirely correct," Consort Zuo quickly flattered. "You have a discerning eye; you saw at a glance that my sister and I are incapable of handling important matters. I will go back and reflect on my mistakes, and learn more from the old nanny."

Consort An quickly took two steps back, saying, "I am truly ashamed of failing Your Highness's trust. I will go back with my sister to reflect on my mistakes. I will take my leave now."

After saying that, the two concubines fled the study as if they were escaping; they didn't want to stay in this awful place for even a moment longer.

Since Prince Ning can no longer bring them children or any glory to their families, they are no longer willing to invest any more money in him.

Especially Gu Antong's tragic end made their previous conflicts seem particularly ridiculous.

Everyone knows how much the Gu family has helped Rong Ruiyuan.

At the time, Rong Ruiyuan's affair with Gu Antong really upset them, and they even caused trouble for each other.

But this was fundamentally a matter of stance. Back then, everyone was focused on vying for the emperor's favor and wanting to give birth to the eldest son as soon as possible. Fighting to the death was a common occurrence in the inner quarters.

But Rong Ruiyuan was different; he was the beneficiary…