Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Teaching a Daughter

Originally thinking it would take some time to uncover the inside story, I didn’t expect to learn a thing or two from Mother as well.

In her heart, Liu Yun made another note about Bai Suihe, still unsure how to face her own daughter, yet she paid such attention.

"The Bai Family is a wealthy family, no one knows exactly how many assets they own.

Your grandfather made it this far thanks to much care from the Bai Family.

Don’t be fooled by the Bai Family’s low profile. They are said to favor sponsoring these underprivileged scholars, and many officials in the court have benefited from them.

But the limited insight and resources of such scholars mean few can achieve high positions.

Your grandfather was lucky to be promoted to a second-ranked Assistant Minister, which allowed him to marry his legitimate daughter into the Gu Mansion."

"Even though the Bai Family is merely traders, when it comes to connections, the entire Gu Family is far from—"

"But why do they ignore Third Aunt?"

"Silly girl, do you think the Bai Family truly doesn’t care?" Liu Yun sighed. In truth, everyone already saw clearly, but there was no evidence.

"Do you really believe that your Third Aunt’s two maidservants are genuinely so loyal? Their indenture contracts have long been lifted, yet they still serve there?"

"The Bai Family merely changed the name without changing the essence, creating a facade that leaves others unable to criticize, and preventing the Gu Family from taking advantage of them again."

"Knowing all this, why not criticize them?"

Gu Antong felt discontent; she was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Gu Mansion, so why shouldn’t she enjoy the benefits when the Gu Family hasn’t split?

"How can we say anything? The household registrations and travel passes from Dong Mei and the others are genuine, and the escorts acknowledge them, yet we are now criminals. How could legitimate people be ordered around by us?"

"But Third Aunt..."

"That’s their chosen way of handling things, what can you say about it?"

Gu Antong’s shoulders slumped, "Really well schemed."

"Let them scheme," Liu Yun spoke at length, intending to stir Gu Antong’s fighting spirit with this issue, "As long as my child becomes successful, they can settle the accounts later.

I think Gu Kaiyuan wasn’t wrong; we shouldn’t try to solve our difficulties by ourselves, but should seek your grandfather’s help."

Gu Antong, "What can Grandfather do for us? Can he bring us a change of clothes or prepare some delicious dishes for us?

The Third Prince is struggling in the carriage with various discomforts, and even the quilt inside gives off a strange smell. At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if he leaves in just a few days."

"Do you know why the Third Prince came? And why your grandfather has been ambushed multiple times?

I’ve been speculating these days; your grandfather should have something that the Third Prince and the others want, and now it’s just a matter of negotiating terms.

This is also my child’s opportunity. If the bargaining chip in your grandfather’s hand can be used for you, there’s no fear of not soaring high."

Gu Antong’s eyes lit up, but she quickly returned to reason, "Mom, it’s not that easy. Even if Grandfather wants to help, he would help Father, Second Uncle, or Anliang."

Though she is pampered in the Gu Mansion, she knows well she cannot compare to the males in the family.

"Where there’s a will, there’s a way. How will you know without trying," Liu Yun expressed with full confidence, "These Princes have grown up, and the Third Prince’s mother, Consort Liang, is the most favored, so it’s not without a chance.

For the Gu Family to return to the court without a powerful in-law, it’s practically impossible.

But if bound with the Third Prince, it might be different.

As long as my daughter can bear a son or a daughter for the Third Prince, even if the Third Prince is only sealed as a Commandery Prince in the end, my daughter, as the mother of a Commandery Prince or Princess, can elevate our family’s status."

Hearing this, Gu Antong’s face turned shy; how could her mother bring up childbirth so casually?

Liu Yun was just about to comfort Gu Antong when Third Sister-in-law returned with a bucket of water, "Big Sister-in-law, you seem quite leisurely, leaving me to play the maid here."

"Second Sister-in-law, this was decided long ago; our wing is responsible for gathering firewood and cooking, and you’re responsible for other chores. How does that become such an injustice?"

"You’re only in charge of two things, while other chores are countless.

The master there orders me around non-stop, really treating me like a maid." Xu Yulan sat heavily beside them; seeing how leisurely the mother and daughter are, naturally, she felt unbalanced.

"He wants to rinse his mouth after eating, hasn’t done much all day, and still wants to wash up. I’ve already delivered water several times, just barely enough now.

We are in exile here, exhausted by the day’s end, and still have to be someone’s slave; life really isn’t livable for one more day."

"There’s no choice; after all, that is a noble. If you serve well now, maybe in the future, you’ll have more connections of that kind. Who knows, if he’s pleased, he might secure a good position for Second Brother or An Wei in the future, and Second Sister-in-law won’t suffer in vain." Liu Yun specialized in Promising Big, and there she went again.

"That’s all uncertain; I really don’t want to continue now, why not switch with me tomorrow, Big Sister-in-law?"

This time, Liu Yun didn’t refuse but instead unusually agreed, "I don’t mind, we can switch tomorrow if it’s possible."

Xu Yulan suspected, since when was Big Sister-in-law so accommodating? Could there be a trap here unknown to her?

"Let’s talk about it tomorrow," Xu Yulan didn’t believe Liu Yun would be so accommodating. Now without her aunt’s support, she was extra cautious.

"I’ve been working all day and I’m exhausted; you keep watch over the fire, and make sure to boil more water, who knows if he’ll need water in the middle of the night." Xu Yulan yawned, too tired to wash, anyway, she’s not in a rush to climb up like Gu Antong.

Next to the bonfire, she simply laid out the bedding, and Xu Yulan lay flat.

Gu Antong turned away with some disdain, and saw Gu Kaiping laying out tarpaulin, prepared specially for Grandfather and two brothers.

"Have a rest; you worked hard all day today." Liu Yun, not certain if Xu Yulan truly fell asleep, refrained from speaking further.

"Master," Ming Peifeng tidied the carriage before letting Rong Ruiyuan enter.

"Pei Feng, have our people not guard too tightly, it’s time to give others an opportunity."

"But, the Master’s safety?"

"Don’t worry, those escorts won’t just sit around; let our people act when vital."

"Isn’t this too risky?" After all, the Gu Family members couldn’t even perform decorative martial arts, how could they possibly ensure the Master’s safety? They might even hinder at crucial points.

"Rest assured, I have my measures, our time is limited, we must gain what we need in these few days."

The emperor assigned him a task; if not accomplished, he’d face attacks from several brothers on the court, and his standing in the emperor’s mind would plummet.

"No news from Shangjing yet?"

"Not yet, but it should be soon..."