Chapter 265: Fate
Once Gu Kaiyuan and others left, Gu Baijiang sat there blankly, not knowing what he was thinking.
Liu Yun sneered and pursed her lips, having long wanted to drive the Third Prince out. Why bother to make such a gesture now? This Gu Family is truly cold-blooded.
An Tong, who had been unable to speak earlier, now felt vaguely uneasy; things should not have turned out this way, though she couldn’t quite articulate why.
"Father, have we decided where to settle first—should we stay with the clan or keep some distance from them?" Gu Kaiping noticed the queue was getting shorter and worried all the good spots might be gone.
"I’ll go find Lord Ming." Gu Baijiang tidied his attire and headed towards Ming Peifeng.
"Lord Ming, where do you think we should settle?"
"Lord Gu, it makes no difference where you settle; it’s just a transitional period. Once the Holy Decree arrives, we’ll escort you back to the capital." Ming Peifeng’s attitude towards Gu Baijiang was notably good now, as the Third Prince had been courting officials in the court, making it clear he fiercely protected his people—even if they made mistakes.
News came from the capital that many chose to align with the Third Prince due to this matter. As the first batch of supporters, their association had naturally formed alliances during this time.
He’d been away from the capital for quite some time, and surely more people now surrounded the Third Prince. Forming an alliance with Gu Baijiang and others provided a good avenue.
Even though he was ordered to protect, he counted as a lifesaver to the Gu family, naturally forming a bond. He certainly hoped for the Gu family’s well-being.
"Thanks to your auspicious words, Lord Ming, we owe much to your assistance. We will surely repay the kindness when the opportunity arises.
I borrowed considerable silver from you earlier and will repay it double upon our return to the capital..."
Lord Ming was pleased with this last statement from Gu Baijiang, knowing Gu Baijiang had plenty of silver and wouldn’t default on this debt—his trip was worthwhile.
"It’s no trouble at all. But just now, why did things seem so lively on your side? It was all your family, so I didn’t want to intrude. Is there something that needs assistance?"
From previous indifference to current enthusiasm, Gu Baijiang showed no calculation outwardly, simply stating, "No choice, the elders spoke. Despite reluctance, I had to adopt out my youngest son."
"Lord Gu is magnanimous," Ming Peifeng praised while internally cursing this fool for adopting out his most talented son, certain of future regret.
"Rest assured, your uncle’s spirit will protect you—a truly harmonious family."
Gu Baijiang smiled and nodded, "My uncle now has an heir, fulfilling desires of my father and grandparents."
"You were at such loggerheads before, yet misunderstandings with the clan and son are dispelled now. I think you might as well stay together so you can care for each other if anything happens."
Ming Peifeng’s suggestion was partly to see if Gu Baijiang would regret.
Considering the suggestion, Gu Baijiang hesitated, knowing the benefits of staying with the clan. In numbers, they avoided bullying from the locals.
"Lord Ming, what about your plans?" If Ming Peifeng wished to reside with them, finding a separate village might work better.
"I cannot accompany you further as I must await news here. But rest assured, I will arrange covert protection."
Thinking further, Ming Peifeng continued, "About matters regarding your eldest granddaughter, folks in our lord’s household know of it. Some of those assassinations were incited by them—I have reported this to our lord, who specifically instructed to ensure her safety."
"Lord Gu, you may have to rely on her care in the future."
Gu Baijiang felt uneasy hearing this. Frankly, he had long noticed but refused to admit the Third Prince valued Gu Antong more than him. Would he have to rely on this granddaughter in the future?
"This is all due to our lord’s favor, and Tong girl’s good fortune. But my granddaughter is innocent, unaware how to evade harm. If not for her bond with the Third Prince, we would rather have her be peaceful and untroubled."
Ming Peifeng smiled silently, knowing if one truly cherished their granddaughter, they wouldn’t place her near the Third Prince.
Though it was mere self-aggrandizement, Gu Antong’s reputation had already spread throughout the capital.
Various tales were circulating, especially those featuring bards in teahouses recounting love-and-hate affairs with the Third Prince—without names, yet everyone guessed.
This was all thanks to his third son for exposing the Third Prince’s identity. Otherwise, even if aware of the Prince’s escapades, they wouldn’t have the audacity to draft such tales openly.
When the Third Prince faced hardship, he preferred to huddle with the exiles rather than departing immediately with guards, exposing him to other lords’ attacks.
The Third Prince left the capital for official business, yet dallied along the way—such a perfect scandal used keenly by those lords.
The most absurd was when they parted dramatically, believed by the manor women as a matter of life and death.
Indeed, Gu Antong was a true victim of these rumors.
But such details weren’t shared with Gu Baijiang, fearing he might sacrifice his granddaughter for self-preservation and not anger the Prince Mansion’s nobles.
Especially since the Third Prince precisely named her for protection—no mistakes allowed.
"Thus, I shall stay with the clan for now, though I must trouble Lord Ming to intervene."
He wasn’t sure how much silver he would need, but for Ming Peifeng, the Third Prince’s relative, it was just a simple word.
Seeing Gu Baijiang’s little scheme, Ming Peifeng didn’t expose it, readily agreeing.
The next day, as everyone packed their belongings and took new residency permits, Gu Kaiyuan saw the Gu Family, whom he thought they could finally leave behind, once again standing with them.
Bai Suihe couldn’t help but mutter, "... after all this, still can’t shake them off?
Must there be this dead weight?"
Gu Kaiyuan had gone out to check the situation, returning with a dark expression, "Seems they’re truly persistent. Should I find someone to switch villages?"
Bai Suihe, "... Let’s watch first—changing now will seem deliberate and could easily offend.
We’ve just arrived; let’s avoid being contentious."
