Gu Kaiyuan took out all the silver notes and counted them, remarkably, there were seventeen hundred silver notes. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"It seems the Third Prince hasn’t fully cleaned up over there," Gu Kaiyuan didn’t consider this amount insignificant at all; for an average family, five silver coins could support a whole clan for a year, this was astronomical.

"I think the Third Prince might have sent a round number," Bai Suihe guessed that Gu Baijiang likely distributed silver to the other two houses, truly showing different treatment.

Gu Kaiyuan closed the box, "Since older brother and second brother both got their share, we’ll kindly accept these."

Bai Suihe directly picked up the cabinet beside them, "The expenses for the trip ahead are covered."

"Tomorrow morning I’ll buy more stuff. There will be fewer post stations along the way, better to prepare more."

Bai Suihe, "Have Zhuang Datou and his men handle those, we must remain discreet."

...

The next morning, Gu Kaiyuan got up early and joined Zhuang Datou and a few others bustling around.

They put all their luggage in the carriage and went to the post station to purchase some food supplies.

Just as they had loaded the items onto the carriage, members of the Gu Family came down with dark faces.

"Dad, shouldn’t we report to the authorities?" Gu Kaichen clutched his chest, where the silver was, feeling a bit of pain.

Father really should, with so much silver, sharing more with him and elder brother, it’s less likely to be taken all at once.

Now it’s worse, just when they thought things might get easier, they’ve reverted back to the past.

"Report to the authorities?" Gu Baijiang stopped and glared at him, "You go report?"

"I’ll go, just I’ll go," Gu Kaichen said loudly, "So much silver, not reporting is letting others take advantage."

"Kaichen, stop making trouble here," Gu Kaiping said impatiently, "What status do we have now? Which office would care about our matters?"

Even if they report, can they stop and wait until they catch those thieves?

Instead of complaining here, it’s better to quickly prepare more things, I just asked the shopkeeper, and it’ll take many days to reach the next post station, didn’t you see many people buying things early this morning?"

"Who has the mood now?" Gu Kaichen mumbled quietly, "With so many silver notes, giving some benefits to the escorts and they could have a comfortable carriage ride."

Gu Baijiang looked at the bustling people around him, all seemed like thieves to him.

"You two brothers stop arguing, we’re definitely going to suffer this loss. Also, keep an eye out for who spends silver extravagantly recently, don’t let me find out, or else I’ll certainly make them pay."

After leaving this warning, Gu Baijiang, feeling embarrassed for not securing the silver notes properly, went straight back to the carriage.

Seeing Gu Antong already sitting inside, "Has your illness healed?"

Even though she was his granddaughter, Gu Baijiang still had some disdain, worried her cold might spread to them.

Liu Yun had taken care of her all night the previous evening, her face looked a bit pale, but upon hearing her father ask, she quickly regained her composure, "Father, the fever has subsided, but the doctor advised continuing medication for a couple more days for strengthening."

Gu Baijiang, "Make sure to stock up on medicine and don’t be stingy with the silver."

Liu Yun, recalling the silver notes Gu Kai Ping brought back yesterday, felt more relaxed, "Don’t worry, Father, I’m about to consult the doctor yesterday and stock up on more medicines, but I’m not sure what to prepare?"

"Prepare as much as you can, remember to include ointments and fever-reducing medicines." After saying this, Gu Baijiang leaned into the corner and closed his eyes, having spent all day outside yesterday, he needed proper rest today.

Liu Yun dared not say anything more, told Gu Antong to rest well, and herself grabbed the silver and ran to the post station, found Doctor Huang and bought several prescriptions.

These medicines were really expensive, costing her several silver ingots.

But remembering what Kai Ping said yesterday, that the family wouldn’t lack silver in the future, she gritted her teeth and bought thirty meat buns from nearby stalls.

As the eldest sister-in-law, with her mother-in-law not present, she must hold this family together.

She’d have to mention to her father-in-law later that someone must manage this family!

Gu Kaiyuan coming in and out, also encountered members of the Gu Family.

It seemed there was a mutual understanding between them, treating each other as nonexistent.

Those hoping for more drama saw this scene and lost interest.

The convoy moved slowly, Ming Peifeng watched the scene with a hint of mockery, "They truly won’t budge without seeing results. The master has already stated his stance, yet he still puts on airs, utterly clueless."

"Lord Ming, what’s next?"

"We’ll continue to protect them, Old Gu’s life is incredibly valuable."

With that said, he turned and left, went downstairs, and directly boarded the waiting carriage.

Unbeknownst to them, shortly after their departure, several teams followed closely behind.

The next two days were calm, during his breaks, Gu Kaiyuan borrowed swords from Liu Pingkang and the others, often returning from the mountains with gains, leaving only enough food for themselves while sending the rest to Liu Pingkang.

Receiving the benefits, all the escorts helped keep things under wraps, allowing Gu Kaiyuan and his team to secretly live in comfort.

"Are the animals in the mountains really that easy to catch?" Guo Baoshu asked, gazing longingly at the mountain behind while gnawing on a rabbit leg.

"What are you fantasizing about? Without skill, you can’t catch these animals.

Even the old hunters I knew before never returned with such bounty, Gu Kaiyuan must have some abilities." Liu Pingkang drank wild chicken soup, finding the task enjoyable with no troublemakers around.

"But if he has such talents, why wouldn’t the Gu Family know?"

"That’s their family matter, but you all keep your mouths shut, don’t leak anything." Receiving favors, naturally, they would cover up for him.

The escorts nodded repeatedly, they weren’t foolish, if the Gu Family knew, wouldn’t they have to share the prey?

Moreover, witnessing the tension between Gu Kaiyuan and the Gu Family firsthand, they’ve already inclined towards Gu Kaiyuan.

...

The dishes on Bai Suihe’s table were also lavish, with braised rabbit, boiled mountain chicken, and stir-fried venison.

Gu Kaiyuan caught a small deer this time, keeping it for themselves instead of sharing with Liu Pingkang.

This meal was mostly consumed, the remaining half preserved with salt by Dongmei and others for use tomorrow.

"Miss, shouldn’t we send some over there?" Dongmei whispered in Bai Suihe’s ear.

After all, they’re the husband’s family, regardless of personal feelings, a gesture wouldn’t hurt.

Bai Suihe, "Things regarding the Gu Family are up to your husband; make sure to pack the food for Datou and the others, lest it gets cold."

Dongmei and the rest refused to dine at the same table, insisting there’s distinction between master and servant, unwilling to cross the line.

Tired of convincing them otherwise, Bai Suihe had to comply with their wishes.