Chapter 305: Chapter 305: News
Fan Mei Bao sneered but didn’t answer her. Although Xu Shuanghong had her own difficulties, compared to herself, the two daughters were nothing. She had already been pushed out as a sacrifice. She wanted to see how far her good sister would go.
But it seemed only her good sister could climb higher, leading the Gu Family to a worse fate.
Having figured this out, Fan Mei Bao immediately pitifully grabbed Fan Mei Lin’s hand, "Sister, you’ll avenge me, right?"
Fan Mei Lin reached out and held her hand, "Rest assured, I will seek justice for you. Those who bullied us won’t get away."
On the other side, once a bit of the snow melted, Gu Baijiang immediately took his son into the city.
Ming Peifeng, seeing him arrive, was already less enthusiastic than before, handing him a letter coldly, "This just arrived from the capital. Lord Gu, take a look first."
Gu Baijiang was completely focused on that letter and didn’t notice Ming Peifeng’s change in demeanor.
The Gu Family Brothers were also tense, as their father kept no secrets from them now, even sharing the master’s letters, hoping this contained good news.
Gu Baijiang’s expression changed, "An imperial pardon on the Empress Dowager’s birthday, and we are now commoners?"
"This is a blessing from the emperor," Ming Peifeng said, clasping his hands and bowing northward, "and congratulations to you, Lord Gu. Once the pardon is issued, you will be free to return to the capital..."
The Gu family father and sons’ heads buzzed; their crimes were forgiven, but not their status restored.
Even if they returned to the capital, they’d still be commoners, which was far from what they wanted.
Gu Baijiang was the first to recover, "Does the master have any other instructions?"
At the same time, making up his mind that as long as the Gu family wasn’t restored to its former glory, they must hold tight to their silver.
"He asked us to protect you all the way home. The Gu family’s confiscated properties have already been assigned to other ministers, but the master will make other arrangements."
The Gu family father and sons exchanged glances; the house was a minor concern, but how could they just return like this without accounting for all they had endured?
"It’s hard to reach here, and with the weather so cold now, we’ll wait until spring to talk about it.
Also, the pardon hasn’t been given yet. We can’t leave Zhang County," Gu Baijiang said, making excuses, indirectly expressing dissatisfaction with the outcome, deciding not to return to the capital without a satisfactory answer.
Ming Peifeng looked at him with a faint smile, "Lord Gu, you should know the master offended many people for your sake.
The emperor originally did not agree, but Consort Liang helped plead for leniency.
You must have seen in the letter, once you are back in the capital, the young lady of your house can enter the mansion."
This was another point of dissatisfaction for the Gu family father and sons, merely allowing Gu Antong entry without setting a status, meaning she could at most be a mistress of a lower status if they were just commoners.
For the whole Gu family, this offered little support.
Moreover, a concubine or maid in the backyard would easily be dealt with by the other women, likely disappearing before achieving any desired status.
"The master has good intentions," Gu Baijiang shook his head with a bitter smile, "but I’m afraid my granddaughter who grew up pampered isn’t suited for servitude."
"Do you intend to defy the master?"
"I wouldn’t dare. I’m just worried my granddaughter is clumsy and won’t serve the master well.
I will ensure my daughter-in-law educates her on the necessary etiquette, and once she learns those properly, then she can enter the mansion."
Swapping their wealth for a commoner’s position coupled with a concubine status was demeaning to themselves.
Luckily, they’d kept a backup plan, ensuring no one could trace the silver’s whereabouts without their say.
Ming Peifeng hadn’t expected Gu Baijiang to be so bold, daring to negotiate?
Didn’t he realize that without their protection, he likely would’ve been captured by other factions, facing an unknown fate?
If not for grabbing two bodyguards twice, Gu Baijiang’s life would have long ended from the numerous assassination attempts.
There was no problem with being selfish, but using family as shields was a matter of character.
With family so easily sacrificed, how much genuine care could he have for others?
Now, Ming Peifeng had no intentions to establish good relations, wanting only to complete this task and stay far away from Gu’s family in the future.
"Then may Lord Gu write a letter himself, and I will send it back as swiftly as possible."
No need for Gu Baijiang to speak further, he handed over two hundred taels of silver, "This is the last silver, and the master specially advised us to economize given his current difficulties."
"Is the master struggling that much?" Gu Baijiang was clearly skeptical; the Third Prince was royalty, and the emperor wouldn’t neglect his daily needs.
"Ever since thieves visited the mansion, Consort Liang has had to sell her jewelry to maintain the Prince Mansion’s expenses, but with most palace-gifted items registered, they’re hard to convert, and the silver we use was borrowed through master’s various means."
Part of it even came from borrowing from the ladies of the rear palace; if they knew these funds went to the Gu family, peace would be disturbed again.
Gu Baijiang thought further, believing Ming Peifeng looked down on them, feeling their only value might be that of commoners back in the capital, which was why he cautioned them so.
But it wasn’t the time to break relations, so he cupped his hands in thanks, "I’ve really learned a lesson today. Rest assured, we will practice frugality through this winter."
"We must buy New Year’s goods, so we won’t further disturb Lord Ming."
Saying so, he led his two sons out, and once outside, both sons seized his arms.
"Father, what happened? Didn’t you say the emperor would pardon us?"
"Yes, how is this pardon any different from no pardon?
Returning to the capital with this identity, won’t everyone trample over us?" Gu Kaichen didn’t want to go back and suffer humiliation, returning in disgrace was too shameful.
How could he flaunt himself in the capital afterwards? As a commoner, everyone could step on him.
"Enough, don’t talk about it here," Gu Baijiang shrugged off their hands and strode away, already troubled enough, and their lack of tact was like adding fuel to the fire.
Seeing Gu Baijiang heading towards the city gate, the brothers recalled their purpose for entering the city and quickly chased after him.
"Father, we can’t return yet; we haven’t bought anything."
"Yes, the children at home haven’t had meat in days, and we promised them."
Comments