Free Web NovelChapter 229: Chapter 229: Stirring Up Trouble
After sending Gu Li away, when Gu Kaiyuan returned, if it weren’t for the cramped space of the carriage, he would have wanted to do a somersault.
In his previous life, he never managed to separate from the Gu Family until his death. This lifetime, his wish was about to come true. How could he not be excited?
"Why is the Gu Clan Leader being so accommodating today?" Bai Suihe doubted the other party was reciprocating kindness; they likely had ulterior motives.
Coming all at once to solve everything—no matter how you think about it, it felt off.
"This is because the Gu Family is about to have new members, and father couldn’t extract any benefits for a while, so he’s using me to watch the Gu Family’s excitement."
Gu Kaiyuan could understand the emotions of the Gu Family, but he didn’t agree with their methods.
If there’s truly an issue, you should confront the Gu Family head-on. Why bother him, a victim?
"Since they helped us, we shouldn’t treat them poorly," Bai Suihe was most afraid of owing favors. "Send a hundred taels over a bit later."
Gu Kaiyuan also agreed with this reasoning. "I have to go there tonight to copy the clan registry, so I’ll deliver it then."
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"Father, did that brat Gu Kaiyuan make you angry?" Gu Baixi asked, noticing the elder’s return with a disgruntled look, and his tone carried annoyance.
Gu Li replied, "I think I offended Gu Kaiyuan today."
Gu Baixi and the others looked puzzled. "Father, weren’t you helping him out? Furthermore, you’re the elder; how could you offend him?"
"I’m getting old and somewhat muddled.
Seeing that brat Gu Kaiyuan living his life comfortably, I couldn’t help but feel unbalanced, so I snapped at them, probably leaving the couple wondering how to be upset."
"It’s nothing," Gu Baihe dismissed. "You’re the elder, and it’s appropriate to reprimand him a bit. Besides, we all know what schemes that brat is up to. We’re all being used by him, so what else does he want?"
Gu Li looked at his sons and grandsons and felt a headache coming on. It’s one thing that his sons couldn’t match up to Gu Baijiang, but now even his grandsons were falling short. Was it true that a cowardly father breeds a cowardly brood? Perhaps it was due to his wife’s influence?
Yet Xu Huizhen seemed too foolish to produce such a clever son.
"Enough talking, actually, he has helped us more," if not for Gu Kaiyuan’s warning that day, they wouldn’t have gotten those few hundred taels of silver, let alone have hopes for a comeback in the future.
"Everyone has their own motives, but we must maintain our own baseline.
Taking others’ money requires resolving their woes; the same principle applies to reciprocating kindness.
Once we’ve helped Gu Kaiyuan, the matters between us should be clear, and in the future, everyone should strive to avoid further entanglements." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Seeing his third son’s dissatisfied look, Gu Li advised earnestly, "Gu Kaiyuan is full of cunning ideas; it’s best to treat him as a stranger in the future."
With these foolish sons and grandsons, if there’s a chance to return, they should honestly farm again. The Gu Family mustn’t produce another Gu Baijiang.
As for Gu Baijiang and his father, once these matters are settled, they will have nothing to do with the Gu Family anymore, letting them stir trouble on their own.
Gu Baijiang, although not fully content, excelled in filial piety and obedience.
When it was time to stop and cook or rest, Gu Kaiyuan arrived as promised, holding a large basin covered with a cloth.
"Granduncle..." Gu Kaiyuan greeted each elder before placing the basin before Gu Li. "Granduncle, this is brought by your grandnephew to honor you."
Gu Li nodded, and Gu Baihe hurriedly reached for it, "What’s inside here?"
"My wife made some meat buns during her leisure, specially sent over to honor Granduncle and the elders."
The words ’meat buns’ made even Gu Li glance at Gu Kaiyuan, considering they rarely had them even back in the village.
When Gu Baihe lifted the white cloth, plump meat buns appeared before everyone’s eyes, steaming hot. Gu Baihe hastily covered them with the cloth again.
But the scent made everyone involuntarily swallow, having gone a long time without tasting fine grain. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
"Since it’s their intention, you should accept it, and divide it among the elders and children," knowing Gu Kaiyuan’s favorable circumstances, Gu Li didn’t want to be overly polite. Since it was meant to honor the elders, he ought to give them due respect.
He pulled the clan registry from his pocket. "Take it, copy it, and remember to return it intact."
While instructed to copy it here, there wasn’t a stable spot for it, and should it fall or get dirty, it would be distressing just for him. Thus, Gu Li didn’t persist.
Gu Kaiyuan quickly accepted it with both hands, "Granduncle, rest assured, I’ll ensure it’s copied swiftly and returned intact."
Gu Li noticed the children’s impatience underneath and waved his hand, "Alright, you’ve got what you came for; hurry and go back."
Gu Kaiyuan nodded to the elders and then turned to leave.
He hadn’t gone far before hearing the children’s cheers, unable to suppress a smile.
The news of Gu Kaiyuan delivering a large basin of meat buns to the clan members quickly spread, soon reaching the Gu Family.
Chen Dafu brought the news, curiously observing Xu Shuanghong, who, although somewhat attractive, wouldn’t rank much if compared in the capital. What did Gu Baijiang see in her?
Uh, no, it should be the other way around. With Gu Baijiang’s ugly face, her fair features had no reason to favor him?
Now, with his own boys itching for marriages, the notions arose to suggest those Van Family girls for proposals. He really didn’t believe those girls would be easy to deal with; his kids approached out of a wish to strain relations.
"Mr. Gu, did you just eat these things today? It’s just dumplings, or are you mixing dough into the soup? It seems even gnawing a dry bun would be easier."
"Mr. Chen, if you’re idle, hurry back to gnaw your dry buns," criticizing while people eat, asking for trouble, right?
However, Gu Kai Ping, spotting Chen Family nearby, held back harsher words.
"Hey, you fathers and sons really don’t recognize good intentions, stop looking at me like that. After all, we’re colleagues, not enemies.
I saw Gu Kaiyuan deliver a big basin of meat buns to your clan, thought you might have some too. Came to see if I might borrow a few, but since you’re eating gruel, never mind."
While the Gu Family was annoyed, they understood that Chen Dafu was up to no good, wanting to see the Gu Family’s plight.
Only two children subtly swallowed, having gone days without eating meat, they craved it!
