Chapter 221: Chapter 221: Speculation 2
Gu Kaiyuan also fell silent, considering whether such a possibility really existed?
In several places of exile, it seems that this line of Liu Pingkang could complete the mission every time.
Along the way, there were very few casualties, but whether the interests of these exiled criminals were damaged, no one pursued.
The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed. Gu Kaiyuan instantly felt he had lived an extra lifetime, yet couldn’t use the greatest malice to guess people’s hearts.
Bai Suihe saw his grave expression, feeling her earlier words had scared him. She quickly changed her tone and said, "This is just my speculation.
Even if the speculation holds true, how much does it relate to us?
After all, we don’t have to suffer. If things can be settled with money, then it’s not an issue.
I now hope there is a tacit understanding between them, as long as giving up some money each time is better than daily fighting."
Having seen all kinds of industrial chains in later generations, Bai Suihe couldn’t help but guess with the worst kind of malice.
Does it matter if it’s like that? It doesn’t. There are many injustices in the world, and it’s been this way since ancient times.
Gu Kaiyuan said, "I will look into it later. If it’s true, then Liu Pingkang is quite resourceful."
For someone like that, Gu Kaiyuan certainly wouldn’t become hostile, but would be sure to exercise some caution in future interactions with him.
"Why did you make such a guess?" Gu Kaiyuan was curious; Bai Suihe’s speculation seemed closer to the truth to him.
"This..." Bai Suihe didn’t know how to answer, recalling Mr. Lu Xun’s words, she blurted out, "Someone once wrote in a book, that I’ve always been unafraid to speculate about people planting flowers with the worst malice, yet I never expected, nor believed, that they could be so vile and cruel to this extent."
Gu Kaiyuan was puzzled. He could understand the words, but some terms were foreign and seemed to point to something unfamiliar to him.
Bai Suihe shook her head with a bitter smile. She was really bewitched; how could Gu Kaiyuan empathize when he hadn’t lived through that history?
"I’ll explain these things to you later when there’s a chance, but human hearts are very complex, and we shouldn’t easily trust anyone."
Now Gu Kaiyuan was very curious about what Bai Suihe had experienced in another world, and how much darkness she had felt.
Feeling more guilty, he thought, if he could have protected his wife and children in the last life, even if Bai Suihe couldn’t live a carefree life, she wouldn’t have had to endure such hardships.
Bai Suihe was unaware of Gu Kaiyuan’s train of thought, seeing his furrowed brows, she assumed he was contemplating Liu Pingkang’s issue, "You don’t have to be too entangled. If Liu Pingkang really has secret dealings with them, it’s actually quite normal."
Gu Kaiyuan, "..."
"Do you think he shouldn’t do it?" Bai Suihe didn’t wait for him to answer and continued, "Everyone has their way of survival. Liu Pingkang is trying to save his life, and he’s sacrificing a little money to save everyone.
Otherwise, do you really think those escorts could withstand so many bandits?
If you had to choose between sacrificing money or life, what would you pick?"
"Even if someone figured it out, they wouldn’t expose it." Now thinking about it, if it was true, Gu Kaiyuan certainly wouldn’t say anything.
"So, how to get along with others in the future remains unchanged? When others come to collect money, we follow along and don’t make any trouble." Bai Suihe, though speaking calmly, was subtly reminding Gu Kaiyuan.
Gu Kaiyuan nodded, "I do understand the wisdom of not creating trouble unnecessarily."
Recalling his foolishness in the past life, always charging ahead alone, it feels like he suffered his own doing.
The others sent to exile seemed to always hide behind the escorts and still lived well.
When he thought of the scars all over his body in the end, Gu Kaiyuan looked up at the sky, finding himself all the more laughable.
Bai Suihe also looked up at the sky, "I heard that when people are sad, they look up, blink a few times, and can push the tears back, though not sure if that’s true."
Gu Kaiyuan blinked his eyes, "..."
...
☆
"Father," Gu Kaiping couldn’t hold back any longer, pulling Gu Baijiang to a secluded place, "Is this Mrs. Xu really your old acquaintance?"
"At the time I was serving as county magistrate, and her father was a wealthy businessman in the county. The town is only so big, so of course there was interaction." Gu Baijiang spoke lightly, though his eyes evaded.
"I remember when you served as county magistrate, Mother was pregnant with my second brother and didn’t go with you to your post, nor did I." Gu Kaiping pondered. It made sense now; it must be the romantic debts from those days, now referred to as old acquaintances, perhaps he had taken a mistress behind Mother’s back.
Having been in officialdom, he understood the situation well.
Those merchant families often used their daughters as bargaining chips to find support, settling them in officials’ backyards or buying a small courtyard outside.
During the three years as county magistrate, Mother never went to the post.
Staring at his son like that, Gu Baijiang felt a bit guilty, "There were some matters back then, but my promise to your mother has always remained."
Gu Kaiping was now uninterested in listening, as it bore no meaning; Mother was gone, and even if she was still around, he still nurtured a mistress.
A man being a bit promiscuous is no issue, but trouble shouldn’t be brought home.
"Let’s not discuss this for now," Gu Kaiping said sternly, "The timing and location of those three women appearing were too coincidental. I think we should separate from them at the next post station."
Gu Baijiang, "That’s fine, but don’t give them the cold shoulder these days, I have other arrangements for them."
Gu Kaiping, "Father, are you aware of everything?"
Gu Baijiang, "I’m not confused, how could I not see the trickery behind this? I just plan to take advantage of it, to see who is scheming against me.
However, don’t change too much; just maintain the previous attitude, and tell An Tong as well. Don’t be too polite to those two girls.
After all, when one is young and impetuous, they might not hold back and reveal their flaws."
Gu Kaiping, "It has to be you, Father, who is farsighted, but I see the second brother is quite taken with those two girls, and I fear he..."
"It’s natural for men to be attracted to women. As long as it’s not excessive, let the second son be."
"Father, have you forgotten our family’s rules?"
"Rules are made by people. Our family has suffered so much, even if we return to the capital, our reputation will be vastly diminished.
If possible, we should find more strong marital connections."
Gu Kaiping, "... Father, do you mean...?"
"These matters still need time to consider, but our family cannot withstand any turmoil right now, and maintaining peace in the inner household is crucial. As the future head of our family, you need to keep things balanced."
