"Eldest Sister-in-law, the current status of the Gu Family won’t provide any assistance to An Tong.

The battles among the women in the inner residence, we’ve seen plenty over the years, let alone with the royal family." Xu Yulan continued her assertion, "If we don’t first resolve our identity issues, if An Tong suffers grievances in the future, or encounters any trouble, her fate would be determined by others."

Liu Yun shivered and looked at Rong Ruiyuan, who now seemed like a terrifying beast ready to devour her.

"It’s not that serious..." At this moment, images of past events from the Marquis Mansion flashed through her mind, where the ladies’ fight over honor could be life-threatening, not to mention the royal family.

Xu Yulan paid no heed, not that serious? Then don’t ask so uncertainly.

She wasn’t kindly reminding Liu Yun, but was hoping to get the elder branch to stand with them, making it easier to persuade the old man.

Look at how the Gu Family men are all surrounding the Third Prince, offering solicitous care. Aren’t they tired at this point?

Without much outside, Liu Yun cut some preserved meat and boiled it in water for the broth.

When a pot of steaming noodles was ready, the presentation was simply embarrassing.

"Why didn’t you buy some vegetables or eggs?" Gu Baijiang saw the meal today and was even less pleased than before.

"The eggs we bought before broke on the way, and we dared not buy more.

As for vegetables, we used them all up by noon, hoping to follow everyone today to see if we could pick some wild greens. Who knew it would already be dark when we arrived." Xu Yulan, seeing Liu Yun not responding, could only reply bravely.

"Lord Gu, no need to complain, I can just eat anything." Rong Ruiyuan had seen that meals made by other families were almost the same, just enough to be edible.

Moreover, the purpose of his trip has already surfaced, so he wouldn’t care about these details.​

"It’s truly poor hospitality," Gu Baijiang personally served a bowl of noodles, "once we reach the post station, I’ll make sure to buy more supplies."

Rong Ruiyuan accepted, "Everyone’s had a tiring day, let’s eat together."

Fortunately, prior etiquette remained, so even though everyone was quite hungry, they tried to maintain decorum, making for a relatively peaceful meal.

Bai Suihe originally thought they wouldn’t be involved today, having tidied and prepared for rest, but then an unexpected visitor arrived.

"Third Uncle," Gu Antong sneaked over quietly, and only when she reached them did Bai Suihe and the others realize.

"An Tong?" Kai Yuan was puzzled, they had distanced themselves yet Gu Antong still managed to find them, weren’t such direct approaches supposed to be made by her parents?

"Third Uncle, Third Aunt, are you preparing to rest?" Gu Antong saluted, "Your niece apologizes for intruding."

"If you know it’s an intrusion, why come?" Kai Yuan, seeing this adversary from his past life, did not want to continue pretending.​

"Third Uncle, your niece has come to ask a favor..."

"Please don’t, your Third Uncle is the most useless person of the Gu Family, can’t you refrain from remembering me for every little or big matter?

Isn’t it better to ignore my existence like before? You all did quite well then, just keep it that way."

Kai Yuan knew that the Gu Family never came to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing, and their every word meant trouble.

He could even guess what this good niece was about to say next.

But they overestimated his willingness, expecting him to be as easily manipulated as in the past life.

"Third Aunt?" Gu Antong was annoyed but had to seek help, looking to Bai Suihe, "Your niece knows there were misunderstandings with Third Aunt before, but as a young member of the family, I couldn’t be in charge of many things.

Antong believes she hasn’t done anything to wrong Third Aunt, I’m desperate now, and that’s why I’ve come to ask for help."

Bai Suihe was interested to hear what this leading lady intended, "An Tong, don’t beat around the bush with us, why are you here at this time?"

To build relationships? It seemed unlikely between them, right?

"Third Aunt, do you know who is with us now?"

"Heard your mother mentioned, isn’t it the Third Prince?" Kai Yuan naturally took over the conversation, not letting his wife take the forefront,

"What can he do for us? Can he help us overcome the current difficulties? 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

If you wish to honor him, that’s your affair, why drag us into it?

Your mother came for clothes before, what do you want this time?"

Despite her thick skin, for a moment Gu Antong was left speechless, having their intentions revealed so quickly, could she succeed this time?

No choice, to give the Third Prince a good impression, she really had to try.

"Third Uncle, you know Grandmother passed away in the carriage, the bedding absorbed the medicine scent, making it unsuitable to accommodate the Third Prince. Our Gu Family’s collective honor calls for Third Uncle to do something for us.

Could you tidy up your carriage so the Third Prince can rest comfortably?"

Next, noticing her coarse clothing, "Grandfather instructed me to serve by the Third Prince’s side, could you borrow two decent outfits for me?"

Bai Suihe blinked at Kai Yuan, the bizarre dynamics she sensed in the book now clarified.

No belongings, just asking directly, how is this different from outright theft?

Kai Yuan, the big antagonist, worked tirelessly hunting without resting time to ensure this family could live comfortably, even neglecting his pregnant wife and child.

The caught prey fed this family, or exchanged for goods with others, plumping them up while his pregnant wife became bony, tragically ending due to Gu Antong’s involvement, resulting in the death of both.

Remembering this, Bai Suihe felt tense, nearly forgetting the imminent life-and-death trial.

"Third Aunt?" Gu Antong urged, raising her voice, "Third Aunt unwilling?

Don’t forget your own interests, shouldn’t you think of the Bai Family’s?"

Bai Suihe took a deep breath, "Are you threatening us?"

"Your niece only wants you not to act foolishly, offending the Prince can mean disaster for a merchant family."

Bai Suihe, "So you’re determined to succeed on this trip?"

"It’s for the sake of the entire Gu Family," Gu Antong disliked personally making this trip, as it impairs her reputation, yet the Third Prince’s expression of disdain in the carriage was caught by her, as his future confidant, she must understand the Prince’s thoughts.

"You think the Bai Family’s huge estate in the capital is secured through good operations?" Bai Suihe sneered.

Gu Antong, "Wasn’t it because of your previous reliance on the Gu Family..."

"You got it wrong, the Bai Family had already established itself in the capital before the Gu Family entered the court..."