Chapter 251: Chapter 251: Lingnan
Everyone has been in a sorry state for days, especially those families who didn’t prepare raincoats. By the time they reached the next post station, they couldn’t find a single dry piece of clothing, and many fell ill because of it.
Everyone knew that upon reaching this post station, it meant they had arrived at Lingnan, and most of the journey was completed.
Originally, everyone should have been happy, but looking at the weather, no one could feel cheerful.
If this rain continues, not only will the journey be difficult, but it’s uncertain whether they’ll survive to reach their destination.
Perhaps it was anticipated early on; as they entered the post station, the air was filled with a rich medicinal fragrance.
Smelling the herbal aroma, everyone felt they should have a large bowl right now, as a priority to preserve their lives.
Gu Kaiyuan walked into the adjacent inn as usual, feeling terribly uncomfortable from the continual dreary rain despite all their prior preparations.
Having secured a room, he immediately instructed the attendant to promptly bring hot water, so everyone could freshen up properly and regain their vitality.
Bai Suihe stood under the eaves, watching the rain outside, seemingly heavier than when they first arrived.
"The road ahead will have similar weather, won’t it?"
Gu Kaiyuan replied, "Something like that. But once we go a bit further, we’ll hit the official road, which will be somewhat better."
Bai Suihe didn’t have much hope, "Didn’t we already travel a segment of official roads before? They were merely flat, not much else different."
It’s really just some dirt roads, which in this kind of rainy weather, are still muddy.
"The Gu Family has been quite lively these days," Bai Suihe thought, ever since the last black-clad man’s attack, every other day someone came to stir up trouble.
Because the Gu Family had Gu Antong as the mistress, they managed to avert danger each time. However, those accompanying them hadn’t been so fortunate, and now even Chen Dafu had taken his family far away from the Gu Family.
"It’ll get better after some time," Gu Kaiyuan knew these people were just warning Gu Baijiang; otherwise, the family wouldn’t just suffer but possibly be ruined.
"Is the Third Prince managing it?" Bai Suihe couldn’t understand why Rong Ruiyuan wouldn’t take action to get the Silver in times like this.
"Of course he is," Gu Kaiyuan, though not physically present, has been closely following news about the Gu Family, "You think that’s why what’s happening allows them to avert danger each time?"
Bai Suihe pondered, "I really can’t understand what these Princes want. Is this a cat playing with a mouse scenario?
If I were them, I’d just tie the person up and solve everything immediately."
Bai Suihe knew Gu Kaiyuan’s stance—the Gu Family held no reservations for him; he spoke his mind freely.
Gu Kaiyuan said, "It’s not that they don’t want to settle it swiftly, but circumstances don’t permit it. The emperor is inclined towards Rong Ruiyuan, protecting the Gu Family, implicitly agreeing to give this Silver to Rong Ruiyuan. As fellow Princes, why wouldn’t they resent it?
Moreover, they’re surely aware that the emperor has people planted in the situation, making them cautious not to go too far. However, causing trouble and venting anger at the Gu Family is still feasible for them."
Bai Suihe pursed his lips, somewhat puzzled by these thoughts.
"So Chen Dafu won’t keep watching, afraid of his master’s punishment?" Chen Dafu now devised ways to fall back, attempting several times to join them, but was blocked by the escort agency.
"It’s just that his younger ones got injured, although not too useful, Chen Dafu couldn’t watch them die because of the Gu Family. Keeping a safe distance is a smart move."
Not only the Chen Family but now everyone doesn’t want to walk alongside the Gu Family. Liu Pingkang and others had no choice but to push people forward, thus the Gu Family stayed more or less a head or tail’s distance from Bai Suihe and the others.
"Approaching Lingnan, any news from the Third Prince yet?"
Bai Suihe doubted nothing had come; they should receive the pardon decree before reaching exile.
"The Third Prince is currently engaged with his big wedding," Gu Kaiyuan showed a sneering expression, this news had just come from the capital and he just received it while out.
"Isn’t the Third Prince’s wedding normal? This was known before he left the capital," Bai Suihe said gloatingly, "Do you think Gu Antong knows about this?"
"No one will tell her," Gu Kaiyuan was unwilling to do such thankless tasks, "Even if she knew, what could she do?
Half a month later, there will be a consort entering the family, not to mention the concubines bestowed by the palace."
Having chosen this path, if one can’t accept even these matters, they might as well give up sooner.
Knowing Gu Antong well, Gu Kaiyuan understood this woman desired more than mere romance; even after entering the household, she was keen on giving counsel to the Third Prince and actively sought beauties for him, reflecting her character and ambition.
"What a pity..."
Gu Kaiyuan didn’t know what Bai Suihe was lamenting about, nor did he ask further as Dongmei and others brought in dishes with the attendant.
☆
A night of silence, Gu Baijiang gazed at the empty shared room, grinning mockingly.
He wasn’t sure whether to feel thankful these people were cowardly or to be relieved their fear granted his family a private large room.
"Father, when can the Third Prince bring us back to the capital?" Even the usually calm Gu Kaiping had grown restless amidst these sporadic assassination attempts, leaving them constantly anxious.
"Soon," Gu Baijiang could only say so. Despite frequent ambushes, they always managed to escape unscathed, indicating Ming Peifeng and others had been providing protection.
"But look at our belongings; they’ve been ruined almost completely, even the quilts are wrecked. If it keeps up like this, how long can we endure?" If it weren’t for acquiring new ones at the post stations, they wouldn’t know how to get by.
"What do you expect to do?" Gu Baijiang silently calculated the days; the Third Prince was undoubtedly preoccupied and unable to attend to them now.
"..."
The room fell into silence, and finally, Xu Shuanghong, having recovered, stepped forward to mediate, "Baijiang, I bought some buns and lamb soup, hurry over and eat before it turns cold. It’s cold outside; consuming something warm will warm your body."
Gu Kaiping coldly observed them. This Mrs. Xu was resourceful; in just a few days, his father had already allowed her to manage the household, oblivious to how many silver notes she had been given.
Despite having two daughters-in-law within the family, allowing an outsider to manage the Silver while overseeing purchases, Father was truly bewitched. Yet, this wasn’t something he could easily voice, so he simply turned to look at Gu Kaichen.
Noticing Gu Kaichen clinging to Fan Meibao, with that lecherous demeanor, Gu Kaiping realized this person was even less reliable.
Regardless, he couldn’t oppose a meal—having a hard-earned warm bite, especially with some lamb soup.
Just as they were all enjoying their meal, the door was suddenly kicked open, and everyone instantly recoiled like startled birds, looking warily toward the door.
