Chapter 254: Chapter 254: Drinking
When they reached Lingnan, the temperature did rise a bit, but the rain never stopped; even just stopping to eat was extremely difficult.
The rash on Liu Yun, which had previously faded with great effort, flared up again.
She now felt unbearable pain and itching all over her body every moment, but there was nothing she could do about it.
"Mother, just bear with it a little longer. At this moment, where are we going to find medicine for you?" Gu Antong saw her constantly scratching herself and felt particularly uncomfortable, quickly moving her head away after speaking.
"You didn’t even ask, how do you know you can’t find it?" Liu Yun was in excruciating discomfort, and even considered using a knife to scrape off her skin in hopes of reducing the pain. But unfortunately, she was afraid of both itching and pain.
"Who would willingly come near us?" Gu Antong pointed into the distance. "Everyone keeps far away from our family; nobody wants to be associated with us. Who do you expect us to turn to at this time?"
"Mother, I know you’re suffering, but while medicine for cold symptoms is available, who would spend silver preparing medicine for the skin?"
The previously purchased medicine had already been used up, and who could have known that the rash would come back with a vengeance.
"Sister-in-law, I think you shouldn’t trouble Antong," Xu Yulan also quietly moved away from Liu Yun a bit. "Why not have Big Brother boil more water for you? Maybe taking a few more baths will help a little."
Considering that they were both women, Xu Yulan felt this was a conscientious suggestion.
Liu Yun thought, "... Counting on Gu Kaiping is less reliable than doing it herself."
So she clutched at Gu Antong and her brother, asking them to help with chores.
Ever since Fan Mei Bao became a concubine for Gu Kaichen, the Xu Shuanghong mother and daughter had been under the control of the second branch, while only Xu Yulan could command them. The mother and daughter didn’t align themselves with them either.
Gu Antong actually knew that several assassination attempts had been directed at her, so at this time Fan Mei Lin dared not get close, hoping to avoid her as much as possible.
Gu Kaiping knew nothing about any of this; he was constantly at Gu Baijiang’s side. "Father, why don’t you quietly tell me the place? If something unexpected happens..."
Gu Baijiang paid him no mind, as this was his final bargaining chip; unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t tell anyone.
"When the time is right, you’ll know," Gu Baijiang said coldly. "Why is it taking so long for the food to be ready?"
"That Liu Family member isn’t feeling well, with her body all covered in red rashes, so she hasn’t been cooking. I’ll go urge them now."
Knowing that this attempt was again fruitless, Gu Kaiping dared not argue further and could only leave for now.
Seeing Xu Shuanghong and her daughters still busy at work, Xu Yulan sat beside them and pointedly commented, "Second brother’s wife, Father is already urging you, make them work faster."
Xu Yulan immediately raised her voice and said, "Did you hear that? What are the three of you doing? Lingering and can’t even handle small tasks properly. It’s really puzzling what use it is to keep you three idlers..."
Gu Kaiping did not pay attention to their disputes; anyway, he had already passed on the task, and his mission was considered complete.
Xu Shuanghong and her daughters secretly hated it; Xu Yulan was practically treating them like servants.
They hadn’t had a single good day since being with the Gu Family. Their previously well-kept, fair hands had become rough, with some small scars.
"You two sisters, stop pulling long faces and quickly bring the dishes over; it’s not Mrs. Xu’s decision in this household."
"Mother, why don’t we just leave, escape far away and find a place where no one can find us." Fan Mei Bao was about to cry; she was worn out from endless chores and endured harassment from Gu Kaichen, nearly driven mad.
"Yes, mother, every day there are so many attempts to assassinate us; we aren’t always going to be so lucky." Fan Mei Lin also wanted to give up; they wanted a better life but needed to ensure their own safety too.
"Don’t worry, days like these won’t last long," Xu Shuanghong said softly.
The two daughters were very disappointed; such days had to continue.
After setting up the dishes, Xu Shuanghong found an excuse to go out briefly, returning with a jug of wine in hand.
"Mother..."
Fan Mei Lin looked tense, knowing exactly where the wine came from — there was no need to ask. Mother couldn’t resist contacting that agent despite previous agreements not to expose themselves unless absolutely necessary; in an emergency, they might have had a way to escape.
"We’re already beyond retreat," Xu Shuanghong said as she organized things, hiding the jug in a corner.
"But how do we explain this?"
Xu Shuanghong placed the jug of wine in the farthest corner, a jug that the Gu Family themselves had stored, and Gu Baijiang occasionally brought it out for a sip.
Due to the longstanding bad weather, Gu Baijiang hadn’t felt like drinking, but she knew people couldn’t endure feelings of discontent for long.
"I see there’s only half a jug left; help me cover it up."
Fan Mei Lin and Fan Mei Bao dared not ask more, promptly took a quilt and blocked it from view.
The wine jug Xu Shuanghong had brought back earlier had quietly been disposed of in the roadside underbrush.
"Mother, are you really going to...?" Fan Mei Lin’s expression was complex, yet she couldn’t open her mouth to stop her.
"..."
Sure enough, that evening, Gu Baijiang didn’t immediately go back to rest after eating. Instead, he brought out the half jug of wine, pouring himself a small glass.
Gu Kaiping and his brother gave it only a glance before going to rest.
It’s not that they didn’t want to drink; even if they asked, Gu Baijiang wouldn’t allow it.
"Baijiang, why the dry drink? Why don’t I fry some peanuts to go with the wine?"
"Peanuts?" Gu Baijiang didn’t recall them having bought such things.
"We don’t have any here, but I saw Zhou Gang and the others bought some; I can ask them for a trade."
Gu Baijiang initially wanted to refuse, as he had some grudges with Zhou Gang and didn’t want to end up at a disadvantage over some food.
"Then take some noodles over," the words turned out like this. Each time drinking alone, the taste truly felt off; having some peanuts would add flavor.
"Alright," Xu Shuanghong acted quickly, indeed trading for half a pound of peanuts, dry roasting them in a pot and sprinkling some salt. It wasn’t long before the aroma filled the air.
"Given the circumstances, this is the best we can do," Xu Shuanghong said, holding the plate as she sat next to Gu Baijiang.
"Your skills aren’t bad," Gu Baijiang picked up a peanut and tossed it in his mouth, the crispy savory sensation causing his eyebrows to relax; this was the perfect accompaniment.
"It’s just that Baijiang doesn’t mind; frying peanuts just requires hands." Xu Shuanghong said after which she lifted the wine jug to refill his glass. "Sadly, I get drunk with wine; otherwise, I’d join you for a drink."
The saying goes, "Beauty looks tender in dim light," and now, in Gu Baijiang’s eyes, Xu Shuanghong overlapped with the memory of their first meeting years ago. His gaze turned dreamy, but he soon regained his senses, inexplicably saying, "What does it matter, if you get drunk, just sleep; accompany me for a drink."
