Chapter 260: Chapter 260: Involved
Bai Suihe’s unexpected involvement in the situation surprised both Liu Yun and Xu Yulan. Since the exile, Bai Suihe had always let matters unfold as long as they did not concern him, with Gu Kaiyuan taking the lead. Yet, they inexplicably felt that Bai Suihe was not someone to be trifled with.
No one expected that in this matter regarding the father-in-law, the couple would stand together with everyone.
Liu Yun thought it over and understood that if Xu Shuanghong were to legitimately stay by their father-in-law’s side, becoming his next wife, it would be detrimental for them, the three daughters-in-law.
They did not want to gain another mother-in-law, and Bai Suihe surely thought the same.
"Marriage has always been a major event for the entire family, involving formal documents, gifts, and astrological dates; we must follow the rules." Liu Yun immediately realized that Bai Suihe planned to use delaying tactics. Once they reached Lingnan or returned to the capital, there would be numerous ways to handle Xu Shuanghong and her daughter.
The trio of Xu Shuanghong looked at the Gu Family indignantly, "You’re bullying us, thinking I dare not report to the authorities."
Gu Kaiyuan, "Mrs. Xu, go ahead, anyway, my father is already burdened with so many accusations; having one or two more would just mean being exiled further away, which doesn’t make much difference."
It’s not a death sentence, and even if it were pursued, how innocent could Xu Shuanghong be?
The Fan sisters watched quietly—previously, Xu Shuanghong had instructed them not to get involved. Seeing the unfavorable situation, the sisters grew anxious.
Mom was confident before; why have things changed?
Xu Shuanghong, seeing the silent Gu Baijiang, knew their earlier plans had fallen through. Securing her status today was impossible.
Weighing the pros and cons, she softened her stance, "I was just speaking out of anger. With my relationship with Baijiang, how could I harm him?
If you indeed wish to wait, I can wait too. However, Baijiang, this mistake has occurred, and I need a guarantee from you. Write me a contract."
Gu Baijiang looked puzzled, "What contract?"
"Simply write out this morning’s events in detail and specify that you’ll take responsibility and marry me. Then, we can temporarily set this matter aside."
Seeing Gu Baijiang hesitating, she spoke softly, "I’ll accompany you on the road ahead; you can’t leave me without some reassurance."
After speaking, under the cover of her robe, she gently hooked her finger across Gu Baijiang’s hand, watching his eyes glaze over and his body inch forward, "Surely you won’t deny me such a small matter, right?"
Gu Baijiang thought it was just a piece of paper; he could indeed give it, so he nodded in agreement.
Pens and paper were easy to borrow, Ming Peifeng was not far away. Gu Baijiang often sought his help, and though annoyed at first, Ming Peifeng had grown accustomed to it. It was just pens and paper, which he promptly provided.
Gu Baijiang immediately wrote out a full piece. Xu Shuanghong recognized the characters but couldn’t understand it when they were put together. Only after Fan Meilin beside her nodded, indicating it was fine, did she carefully keep it away.
Gu Kaiyuan sneered, watching Gu Baijiang dig his own grave, leaving a significant handle, and didn’t bother to remind him. He intended to leave with his wife when Xu Shuanghong unexpectedly stopped them.
"We’re all family; why not have dinner together tonight?"
Bai Suihe curiously asked, "Mrs. Xu, are you in charge of the Gu Family now?"
Xu Shuanghong’s face changed; she had just received the contract from Gu Baijiang and hadn’t warmed to it yet, she was anxious, "Of course not, but that’s bound to happen sooner or later."
"Then let’s wait until that day," Gu Kaiyuan said coldly, "Since there’s nothing else, we’ll be going back."
With those words, he helped Bai Suihe leave.
Xu Shuanghong looked aggrieved, "Baijiang, I just wanted to take this opportunity to bring our family together."
Gu Kaiping glanced at them, took Liu Yun to find the children, as the Third Prince had wisely conveyed that, as of now, she was nothing. Until she truly became the mistress of the Gu Family, she could talk about such things.
"Really letting her be?" Liu Yun was puzzled; they clearly disagreed before. Why give the contract then?
"What else can we do? Truly let her file a lawsuit?"
"The Third Prince mentioned..."
"That was to scare her; if pursued, we might not head to Lingnan, but directly be exiled to Ningguta..."
Liu Yun shivered; they were already worn out coming this far. If they had to head further north, it would be the end.
"Just delay for now; once the Third Prince’s matters settle, an unknown woman could be easily dealt with." Gu Kaiping said coldly, "Not just anyone can become the mistress of the Gu Family."
Liu Yun, "Then how should we interact in the future?"
"Like before, nothing changes; she’s currently nobody."
Liu Yun understood, sighed in relief—not having the other party pointing fingers above her was a relief.
During this trip, Bai Suihe noticed the attitude people had towards them was peculiar, with many more greeting them.
"Since when have we become so well-connected?"
"Because of those two escort agencies," Gu Kaiyuan, familiar with these interactions, said. "Didn’t you notice how quickly these people responded whenever something happened, trying to get closer to us? Sometimes, even those escorts would help fend off attacks."
These two escort agencies trailing the group were no longer a secret, so everyone remembered this courtesy to Bai Suihe.
"Many things have changed," Bai Suihe recalled from the texts; these assassinations weren’t as frequent.
"That’s because the Third Prince’s identity got exposed earlier, and Gu Antong’s name had reached certain people. This hidden threat, those women in the Third Prince’s rear court wanted to eliminate first."
"Did she not enter the mansion?"
"That’s why it’s easier to handle; if she had entered the mansion, it wouldn’t be easy to deal with."
"A magnet for trouble," Bai Suihe clicked his tongue, "Hope she has great fortune..."
Bai Suihe wasn’t speaking ironically; only when Gu Antong entered the Third Prince Mansion would the Gu Family be tied down, allowing them freedom.
Now fully reached Lingnan, the roads become even more treacherous, and the so-called official path is narrow and steep.
Often, everyone had to get off to push the carts, increasing the workload for the escort agency. Although composed of burly men, the daily exhaustion left everyone considerably thinner.
One day, two escort leaders sought out Gu Kaiyuan, hoping he would lead them into the mountains overnight and hunt for some game to replenish everyone.
It’s not that they didn’t want to go themselves, but everyone had noted that whenever Gu Kaiyuan entered the mountains, he was luckier, rarely returning empty-handed.
Gu Kaiyuan thought it over and agreed to the request.
