Chapter 222: Chapter 222: Too Salty
Gu Kaiping returned to the fire, his thoughts in disarray. He knew that the Gu Family was about to change, but whether this change was for better or worse, he couldn’t tell.
"Husband, what are you thinking about?" Liu Yun, having witnessed the father and son murmuring earlier and now seeing Gu Kaiping so lost, grew even more curious about what they were discussing.
"Nothing," Gu Kaiping said, scrutinizing Liu Yun. The once radiant and captivating little lady of the Marquis Mansion now seemed no different from the rural women he had seen before.
Thinking of Bai Suihe, even along the road of exile, she kept herself neat and tidy, while Liu Yun looked disheveled, seemingly not having properly washed for ages.
If it’s the family’s rules that are changing, that’s fine. Otherwise, facing such an old face every day, he might also learn by example and find a mistress outside, at least having someplace to vent.
"What were you talking about with Father just now?"
"You’re a woman; just take care of the children and mind your own business. Don’t pry into outside matters."
Liu Yun’s face changed. She could clearly feel the malice radiating from Gu Kaiping, and since the exile, his attitude had worsened by the day.
Was he planning to turn hostile now that she no longer had the Marquis Mansion as her backing?
Or did that old man just say something to him, making him look so sullen?
Thinking of this, she also began to resent Gu Baijiang. If good days were over, then everyone could suffer together.
When dinner was served, it was just a bowl of dough-drop soup for each person. Barely after taking a sip, Xu Shuanghong immediately paused and looked at everyone.
Not until Gu Baijiang frowned did her expression ease a bit; it seemed it wasn’t directed at her.
"Who made the dough-drop soup today? How much salt did you put in it?"
Xu Yulan glanced at Liu Yun, lifted the bowl and took a small sip. If she weren’t starving, she would have spat it out. Had they used up all the salt they bought before?
Liu Yun said with embarrassment, "I accidentally added too much salt when seasoning. Once the salt is in the soup, it can’t be saved, so let’s just make do for tonight."
Gu Antong took a sip and looked at Gu Anliang, noticing he was doing the same. The siblings quietly took half a step back with their bowls.
"How can we make do with this?" Gu Kaichen, seeing the two beauties frown, momentarily forgot that Liu Yun wasn’t a servant he could command, "You can’t even handle such a simple task; I think you did it on purpose."
Liu Yun retorted, "If Second Brother is so dissatisfied, then why don’t you and your wife take over the kitchen duties from now on?"
She then turned to look at Gu Kaiping. "Are you a dead man? Look at how your brother treats me, his sister-in-law.
Since marrying into the Gu Family, I have been managing the household with utmost diligence, fearing even to wrong a single person. Yet, just because of this one mistake, your brother nearly shouted in my face. Is this the Gu Family’s upbringing?"
Gu Kaiping gave Gu Kaichen a cold look. As lacking as Liu Yun might be, she was still his sister-in-law. Seeing his brother venting on Liu Yun, it was clear that he had no respect for him as the eldest brother.
"I think your sister-in-law is right. Everyone makes mistakes. Yet you’re all clinging tightly to such a minor issue. If you think it’s doable, then you do it."
Xu Yulan really felt like kicking Gu Kaichen hard. He’s the least competent in the family, so what right does he have to be picky?
Besides, what’s a little extra salt anyway? You can just add some water; it’s the same, no need to take on extra work.
"Sister-in-law, don’t take it out on him; he doesn’t know any better.
It’s better if it’s salty; it gives us energy for the journey.
Besides, it’s not excessively salty. If anyone finds it too much, they can add more water; that way, you can eat more too." Xu Yulan felt there was nothing to make a fuss about. Back in their village, when the salt was too much, they just added more water. Getting full on water was fine too.
It’s about to get dark, everyone needs to rest—why eat so much?
Even if this soup was too salty, she had to eat it without flinching. If she were truly in charge of cooking, she’d rather hand out two buns a day, much simpler for everyone.
With this thought, she took another sip of the soup—so salty! Almost spit it out, but she forced it down.
"I think it’s alright. If everyone finds it salty, just add more water," Xu Yulan said, forcing the words out.
Gu Antong and Gu Anliang, under the surprised eyes of others, finished the dough drops without changing expression and even drank the soup.
"See? I told you there’s nothing wrong with the soup. Let’s eat," Xu Yulan said, walking to the side with her bowl, planning to secretly pour it out when no one was looking.
If she had to finish this bowl entirely, she’d definitely be holding a bucket of water all night.
Seeing her own mother say so, Gu Anwei cautiously tried a sip; no problem at all. His aunt’s cooking was as average as ever, but still better than his mother’s.
He suspected his father was being difficult, holding his bowl and slowly eating beside Xu Yulan.
Xu Yulan almost spoke up several times—how could this silly son be so earnest? Drinking such salty soup might not kill him, but it would certainly be uncomfortable.
Gu Baijiang glanced at them and sighed, "We’re family. Let’s accommodate each other. It’s just a bit salty; don’t pick bones from an egg."
After saying that, he too wanted to taste what the issue was with today’s soup. Taking a sip—perfectly fine. Liu Yun’s cooking might be average, but they’d grown used to it; certainly not as salty as Gu Kaichen claimed.
Seeing Gu Baijiang eat, no one else could comment. They could only bite the bullet and eat.
Gu Kaiping paused several times, even scanning the surroundings to see if there were suitable places for him to dispose of the evidence.
What on earth was Gu Kaichen’s problem? Why was he staring at him instead of eating?
Gu Kaichen said, "...Brother, why aren’t you eating? Is it bad?"
"No, I’m just not hungry yet. I want to wait until I’m hungrier."
"Brother, you’re being childish. If you wait, you’ll complain it’s cold and need it heated again. It’s a tiring day, yet you make trouble for everyone.
You’re not some woman; just settle it quickly. Finish eating so Yulan and the others can wash up, end the chores early, and get some rest."
Gu Kaiping didn’t want to engage further, so he quickly finished his dumpling soup and placed the bowl aside.
Xu Shuanghong and her daughters exchanged glances, steeling themselves to finish their bowls.
After all, the host family hadn’t complained; as outsiders depending on them, they had no right to be picky.
Liu Yun, seeing everyone had eaten, slowly picked up her bowl and publicly finished her portion.
