Free Web NovelChapter 212: Chapter 212: Left Behind
The two maids helped Bai Suihe take off his boots, and Gu Kaiyuan had already wrapped his legs in a quilt, "There are quite a lot of onlookers, but no one is foolish enough to take them in."
Unexpectedly, the slap in the face came so quickly; before the carriage had traveled far, Ma Zhi brought them news.
Bai Suihe took a long time to regain his senses, "Was your father like this before?"
Gu Kaiyuan knew what she was asking about and shook his head, "Perhaps there’s a deviation or unexpected change somewhere; let’s quietly observe the situation first."
Logically, such poor acting would probably fool someone like Gu Kaichen, but not father and eldest brother.
After giving Ma Zhi a piece of dried meat, they finally sent him off.
"Now there’s going to be some good drama to watch," Bai Suihe rubbed her forehead, feeling a little uncomfortable after a sudden gust of cold wind, but curiosity piqued her; she really wanted to know what the Gu Family was like now.
Gu Kaiyuan also didn’t want some variables to bring instability, so he quickly gave some instructions and hurriedly left the carriage.
Bai Suihe knew it would take some time to reach a conclusion, yawned, leaned on a soft pillow, and fell asleep again.
Dongmei and Chunxiang stayed nearby, closing their eyes to rest.
By nightfall, they received news that the mother and her two daughters were actually acquaintances of Gu Baijiang.
It was said that they knew each other from when he was the County Magistrate, and could be considered old friends.
Bai Suihe laughed meaningfully, "Are they really your father’s old friends? I wonder in what way."
Gu Kaiyuan replied, "I’m afraid it’s not that simple; what a coincidence that they met on the road to exile.
And it’s such a coincidence that they were thrown out by their husband’s family."
"I’m afraid your father isn’t that foolish," Bai Suihe thought there must be more to this; if Gu Baijiang were really that easily fooled, he couldn’t have climbed to the position of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War.
"It’s their own business," Gu Kaiyuan was even more determined to stay far away from the Gu Family in the coming days.
But Bai Suihe didn’t think so, "Don’t speak too soon; when it comes to the Gu Family, any good things don’t involve you, but whenever there’s trouble, you’re the first they think of."
Gu Kaiyuan replied, "...Can’t my wife have some pity for me? Don’t stab at my wounds."
Bai Suihe was amused by his pitiful appearance, "Actually, you don’t need to worry so much; though they like to find you whenever there’s a problem, it seems they’ve never taken advantage of you."
Aside from the few dozen silver taels given at the beginning, it wouldn’t amount to over a hundred taels, and they gained a good reputation from it.
What’s least important to them is certainly silver.
On the other hand, the Gu Family thought they were guarding a treasure trove but ended up with nothing.
"What my wife says makes sense," he thought his wife should be pampered.
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Things were indeed lively on the Gu Family’s side; the small space became even more cramped with three additional people, creating an awkward atmosphere.
Let alone Gu Baijiang and Xu Shuanghong, who were exchanging glances and expressing old affection.
Liu Yun once again glanced at Gu Baijiang’s grim face, intensifying her vigilance towards Xu Shuanghong.
Look at her acting skills; she keeps casting these charming glances at that face, showing such seductive expressions. It must take a great appetite.
Gu Antong cautiously observed the Fan sisters; ever since they got on the carriage, these two sisters had been rather well-behaved, sitting quietly beside Xu Shuanghong, without much expression.
Only when their mother and grandfather were chatting happily did they occasionally look up.
With their pitiful appearances and their beautiful similar faces, Gu Antong couldn’t help but feel thankful that they encountered this pair of sisters now; if the Third Prince saw them, he might also be tempted.
Everyone in the carriage was preoccupied with their own thoughts, and Xu Shuanghong had already taken her daughters’ hands, "Baijiang, these are my two unfortunate daughters; because I couldn’t give birth to a son for the Fan family, we’ve suffered a lot.
In my life, I have no other hope but to find a good family for them.
I am worried now and do not know how my family is; it’s been so many years without contact, will they still be willing to accept us?"
As Xu Shuanghong spoke, her eyes reddened again, and Gu Baijiang quickly comforted her, "Your two brothers are quite decent; they certainly won’t let you suffer."
Then Gu Baijiang asked, "But if I remember correctly, weren’t you living in Shidong before? You’re taking the wrong direction by going this way."
"It’s correct; ever since you were no longer the County Magistrate in Shidong, our family didn’t stay long and moved. Father took us back to our hometown, though it’s not a good place, located in Lingnan."
"I really forgot where Boss Xu’s hometown is; what about the business in Shidong?"
"All sold. You know our business did well because of your support, but after you left and a new County Magistrate came in, he supported new businesses, which made things awkward for us. We had to move to continue surviving.
Later, my parents decided that eventually, we would return to our roots, so they took us back to our hometown."
"Then why did you marry so far?"
Xu Shuanghong looked at Gu Baijiang, lost in thought, "My reputation in Shidong was ruined; my parents couldn’t bear to look at me. On the way back, they found me a family."
A look of guilt flashed across Gu Baijiang’s eyes; it was because of him she suffered.
Listening to the gossip in all this, Xu Yulan didn’t mind having three more people in the carriage and actually perked up her ears.
Liu Yun and Gu Antong exchanged glances and became even more wary of the mother and her two daughters...
"Is it really that bad?" Gu Baijiang sighed, "If I remember correctly, the Xu family had some assets; how did you end up in such a situation?"
"Without relying on my family, it’s already good that I could take my daughters out; how dare I hope to take my dowry." Xu Shuanghong immediately knelt with her daughters in front of Gu Baijiang, "Baijiang, my worthless life doesn’t matter, but these are my only two daughters. We have nowhere to go; I ask you, in honor of our past, to take us along.
As your daughter-in-law said, we cannot harm you by becoming your servants, but if there is a next life, I will definitely repay you."
Xu Yulan was deeply engrossed in listening and never expected to be put on the spot. When she caught Gu Baijiang’s unfavorable gaze, it sent shivers down her spine.
Liu Yun and her daughter simultaneously noticed a fleeting smugness in Xu Shuanghong’s eyes, making them even less inclined to underestimate her.
"Don’t say such alienating words; since we’ve met, I obviously can’t ignore it. free𝑤ebnovel.com
In the future, just stay with us; I can’t promise much, but feeding and clothing you is not an issue."
Hearing this, Liu Yun’s face turned unsightly. With the journey being expensive as it was, now they had to support three idle people with ulterior motives. How would they manage in the days to come?
