Free Web NovelChapter 197: Chapter 197: Taking a Stand
An Tong, who insisted on coming along, saw that Gu Kaiping couldn’t persuade Gu Kaiyuan, so she stepped forward and softly bowed, "Third Uncle, my father also means well.
My mother and Second Aunt have been regretting these days, they shouldn’t have made Third Aunt suffer to avoid their own pain.
They want to make amends and mend family relations. If Third Aunt goes back, they will certainly take good care of her.
Look, Third Aunt’s belly is getting bigger, and the two girls by her side have never given birth — I fear they can’t manage.
But my mother and Second Aunt are different; they have experience. They can certainly take good care of Third Aunt."
Gu Kaiyuan glanced at her coldly, "These are not words a young girl should say. Stay out of the adults’ affairs."
As nicely as they put it, he would rather take care of Bai Suihe himself than let her return to the wolves’ den.
Yes, in Gu Kaiyuan’s view, where the Gu Family is, is where the danger lies.
An Tong’s expression changed, but she quickly regained her composure, offering a shy smile, "It was disrespectful of me. I was quick-tongued seeing my mother and Third Aunt caring for my brothers before and spoke too much."
Gu Kaiyuan said, "A woman should prioritize dignity and calmness. You’re not young anymore. Think carefully before speaking."
He then turned to Gu Kaiping, "Big Brother, hasn’t Sister-in-law always been proud of her origins from the Marquis Mansion? How come she hasn’t taught our niece her duties?"
An Tong was almost fuming. This Third Uncle was truly impervious, even as she and her father had already yielded first.
Doesn’t he realize that if they had no use for him, what value would they have in this world?
Gu Kaiping was equally annoyed, feeling that since they met, Gu Kaiyuan hadn’t given him any face as the elder brother.
Now he was criticizing his wife and daughter, clearly not respecting him.
"All these things have been well-taught by your Sister-in-law, no need for you to worry, Third Brother. As for my earlier proposal, what do you think?"
Gu Kaiyuan shook his head, "Forget it, let’s just maintain our previous way of getting along and not trouble you."
What needed to be said has been said. If the other party doesn’t want to accept, he can’t force them. After all, honest advice grates on the ear.
In her past life, An Tong never experienced anything like this, it seems the hard times have made her anxious now.
"Why talk about trouble among family..." freёwebnovel.com
"Big Brother, there’s no need to play dumb here. One could say that Bai Suihe and I were driven out by you. Isn’t it better to maintain this superficial peace?"
He had thought that revealing this information before could unite the brothers against outsiders and stop bothering him.
But he underestimated the desires of human hearts and the shamelessness of this family. Even now, they want to use his martial strength to secure their comfortable lives.
"Or does Big Brother want me to go back, only for our previous agreements to void, needing a new contract, splitting father’s possessions equally between the three brothers?"
An Tong’s eyes flickered. Her previous suspicions were now being further confirmed, but at the thought of sharing wealth with the third branch, she immediately turned to look at her father.
Gu Kaiping’s face turned ugly, as Gu Kaiyuan had previously said he was withdrawing, and now he goes back on his word.
"We are all brothers..."
Seeing Gu Kaiyuan’s half-smiling eyes, Gu Kaiping found himself at a loss for words.
He knew that this distance was best but still felt resentful. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
After all, the old man’s possessions are unseen and untouchable, while Gu Kaiyuan enjoys the benefits at hand.
"It’s almost time to leave. I won’t delay you any longer," Gu Kaiyuan said, seeing Zhuang Datou had already pulled out the ox-cart, and turned away to leave.
"And Lin Hua and Lin Wei?"
Seeing them again today, he was even less willing to believe Gu Kaiyuan’s previous excuses. Even if the Bai Family bought them back, it was certainly to gift them back to Gu Kaiyuan, their original owner.
In this way, the couple had six servants, just like before their exile.
In recent days, he had been taking care of the cattle with injuries and wished for help.
"Didn’t Big Brother see it all?" Unable to hide, and unwilling to, "They’ve returned to my side, thanks to my mother-in-law..."
Sitting inside the carriage, Bai Suihe heard him boast, feeling awkward for him.
Gu Kaiyuan was making living off a woman sound noble, entirely unashamed.
But now, this was the only rhetoric against the Gu Family, truly hoping for the Third Prince to help them escape from this family’s turmoil, away from the hardship, no need for daily acts.
Gu Kaiping was furious, recalling how his father married him to the Liu Family to connect with noble families.
Although Liu Family managed well, they did not bring much benefit to their household.
Even in the Hanlin Academy for years, his so-called in-laws never offered a hand, thinking marrying this wife was a true misfortune.
Gu Kaiyuan didn’t expect Gu Kaiping to use morality to bind him again, finding it odd. Seeing him about to speak, he quickly interjected, "Since they’re not part of our family, remember Sister-in-law once said: everyone arranged their own maternal family’s people. After all, the Gu Family isn’t relying on relative’s servants."
Gu Kaiping, "..." If he could turn back time, he’d return that troublesome wife.
Gu Antong, "..." Mother was indeed thoughtless. Even with more slaves brought by Third Aunt, managing a little monthly silver wasn’t impossible, and now, offended, this trip seems to have been in vain once more.
Before the father and daughter could react, Gu Kaiyuan no longer entertained them, turning back into the carriage.
As he lifted the curtain, they got a glance inside: it was warmly arranged, Bai Suihe lay there leisurely, a maid offering snacks, as if persuading something.
An Tong’s inner discontent reached its peak, feeling she needed to vent or the coming days would be unbearable.
Quickly stepping forward, blocking the way, startling Zhuang Datou to pull the ox back, "Miss Gu, what are you doing? It’s dangerous, if I hadn’t pulled back, the ox could’ve trampled you."
An Tong ignored him, loudly asking into the carriage, "Third Aunt, are you refusing to let Third Uncle return out of filial duty, just because of a small past conflict?"
Bai Suihe glanced at Gu Kaiyuan, this was how he said he’d dismiss people?
Gu Kaiyuan laughed in anger, preferring not to sully Bai Suihe’s reputation; this niece was as annoying as always.
"Sorry to have dragged you into this, madam..."
