Bai Suihe inwardly mocked Gu Antong as being utterly unrealistic. As a smart merchant, how could one possibly put all their eggs in one basket?

Having her marry into the Gu Family was probably also a speculative move by Mr. Bai. Though her aunts married seemingly ordinary men, their families held certain influence.

"From the beginning to the end, it is only the Gu Family that needs the Bai Family. On the day your grandfather traveled to the capital for the exams, it was with the support of the Bai Family." Bai Suihe had to intimidate Gu Antong today to shatter her illusions, saving them from continuously causing trouble.

Initially, she was watching the show with interest, but as it happened repeatedly, Bai Suihe started feeling bored.

The whole family was like cockroaches that refused to die, quite annoying, but she couldn’t temporarily stay away.

Gu Antong didn’t believe it and looked at Gu Kaiyuan. Gu Kaiyuan nodded cooperatively, "If you don’t believe it, you can go back and ask your grandfather, or you can ask your father.

On that day, when your father wanted to marry your mother, the family couldn’t afford such a large betrothal gift, and it was the Bai Family that helped."

"Speaking of which, your father and mother being able to marry is thanks to the Bai Family’s generosity."

Gu Antong’s pupils contracted. The benefits she had hoped for were never realized, and instead, she found herself indebted to someone...

Bai Suihe added fuel to the fire, "Speaking of which, the principal consort of the Third Prince has some kinship with my Bai Family. Why don’t you go and ask the Third Prince?"

With the Bai family head’s means, wanting to establish a place in the aristocratic capital required multiple strategies.

The father of the original character prioritized interests, but he did not stop Mrs. Bai from helping her. Bai Suihe could not truly leave her unchecked, lest Gu Antong, if she gained power one day, would wildly bite like a mad dog.

In the book, it was recorded that when Gu Antong entered the Third Prince Mansion, there were many internal and external troubles. When that moment arrived, she would surely inform Mrs. Bai to be prepared.

Thinking ahead, at that time, Gu Antong would find it even more difficult.

Gu Antong only felt a stabbing pain in her chest. She had thought too simply before, only aiming to climb up to the Third Prince to change her family’s current situation and her own, unaware of the looming mountains above her.

Unless she never had any big ambitions in life and was content to remain unnoticed in the rear quarters.

But she had been taught by Liu Yun and knew that success required striving.

In an instant, she was filled with fighting spirit again. With her looks and talent, she didn’t believe she couldn’t forge a bloody path.

"Auntie, are you saying this because you don’t want to help me?"

Bai Suihe didn’t expect that even after speaking so plainly, Gu Antong was still muddling around. She looked directly at Gu Kaiyuan, "This matter is better left for you to handle. After all, they are your Gu Family people."

After Bai Suihe finished speaking, she returned to the carriage assisted by Dongmei.

"Uncle, aren’t you going to do something?"

Gu Kaiyuan, "How do you want me to intervene? I’m currently relying on others for a living. Or do you want me to go back with you? Is there a place for me?"

Gu Antong thought of the hardships her father faced today and immediately replied with a calm smile, "Uncle, what are you saying? Of course, there is a place. My father and second uncle were just talking about you."

Gu Kaiyuan, "Talking about me while pushing carts, right? I really appreciate you remembering me during the hardest times."

Gu Kaiyuan’s blunt words left Gu Antong at a loss for a response. Her skin was still tender and her character hadn’t evolved. The feeling of being seen through made her cheeks blush.

"As your uncle, let me give you a piece of advice: know your place and stay grounded.

If you truly desire something, instead of asking unrelated uncles and aunts, why not seek your grandfather? For the sake of the entire Gu Family, your grandfather might be willing to spare no effort for you."

After Gu Kaiyuan finished speaking, he added more firewood to the fire. Anyway, they had gathered enough kindling to burn until dawn.

Knowing the purpose of this trip couldn’t be achieved, Gu Antong left reluctantly.

As soon as she sat down next to the Gu Family’s fire pit, Liu Yun sighed, "Your uncle and aunt may be somewhat unkind, so don’t go to suffer again in the future."

"Mother, you say we’re all family. Why won’t they help us?"

"Silly child, not helping is their own loss. When you have a bright future, you can remind them of today’s actions and let them suffer the consequences." Was Liu Yun angry?

Of course, she was upset. She didn’t want Gu Antong to endure the cold stares of third uncle and aunt either. She didn’t stop her daughter from experiencing it firsthand, so she could discern who truly cared for her later on.

Uncles and aunts and the like, they’re all from different branches. The resources from the Third Prince’s side should all go to Kai Ping and Anliang in the future; they shouldn’t benefit outsiders.

Gu Antong was unaware of Liu Yun’s little schemes. She only felt vexed, "Mother, are you saying I can’t wear this outfit every day?

I really don’t want to wear those old rags anymore."

"But what can we do now? I have nowhere to buy them either." Liu Yun was now willing to spend silver, but the conditions didn’t allow it.

"Uncle said to ask grandfather for help. Do you think grandfather could find a way?"

Liu Yun’s eyes twinkled, "Your uncle speaks sense for once. You should talk to your grandfather about it."

"But the rules grandfather set before?"

"Nonsense rules," Liu Yun swore, feeling relieved, "Your grandfather set those rules just to secure a good marriage for your father and the others.

But unfortunately, these so-called rules are like a child’s play to the high-status families.

You were still young before, and I didn’t want to tell you, and your maternal grandmother, being in the inner quarters, didn’t catch all these schemes, which is why she was set up by the old marchioness discretely."

Speaking of this, Liu Yun’s face twisted, "What noble family, what scholarly family? They are essentially a bunch of paupers.

Once the bow is drawn, there’s no turning back. Even if I, your mother, regret it, there’s no way to change it.

After marrying into the Gu Family, I’ve been conscientious. If I weren’t shrewd, the dowry would have been entirely spent by now.

Sadly, despite all my calculations, it ended up benefiting the royal family.

I don’t even know where my dowry is now. Just thinking about it frustrates me; it took me so long to save up."

Seeing Gu Antong, Liu Yun suddenly realized she’d strayed off-topic again, "Do you think your second uncle married your second aunt because of your grandmother’s intention?

Back then, the Gu Family’s pretense was already obvious to everyone. With Gu Kaichen’s growing age and stagnating studies, your grandfather went along with the flow and let your grandmother decide."

"And third aunt?"

"That was also sought by your grandfather. Had your grandfather not been promoted to Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War a few years back, the Bai Family wouldn’t have paid him any mind."

Gu Antong immediately sat up straight, "Is there something to be said about the Bai Family? Why is third aunt so unyielding?"