Seeing Gu Li holding the pen in hand, Gu Baijiang knocked his head on the ground with a bang, "Uncle, please give our branch a way out..."

"Great Uncle, we beg you, from now on we will prioritize the clan in all matters."

Gu Kaichen, "...We are not here to discuss compensation, so why are we being expelled from the clan?"

Gu Kaiyuan glanced at him, it seems this person isn’t as foolish as he seems, quite sensible indeed.

Gu Antong’s face was ashen, these past few days she had sensed the Third Prince’s growing affection for her, and was keen on winning him over, but she didn’t expect her clan members to be a stumbling block.

Why? She hardly knows these people, they’ve apologized and are willing to compensate, why not let her go?

If expelled from the clan, will the entire Gu Family have any standing in the future?

Let alone entering the Third Prince’s rear courtyard, with this alone, she can only remain a lowly concubine forever.

"Wait," the Third Prince walked over leisurely, seeing the wailing crowd, he knitted his brows tightly, particularly moved by Gu Antong’s tearful face, which made her even more sympathetic.

"This is our clan matter; it doesn’t matter who you are, you can’t interfere." Although Gu Li knew the other party’s identity, as long as he didn’t reveal it, he wasn’t afraid.

What’s more, even if the emperor were here, he wouldn’t be able to interfere with their internal clan matters, let alone a prince.

"I am aware of the conflict between you," the Third Prince had come today intending to help Gu Baijiang, but now seeing Gu Antong’s adoring eyes, he felt even more that getting involved was the correct decision.

"I think you have some misunderstandings that require a mediator."

"That won’t be necessary," Gu Li was increasingly furious, it’s all because of this person that they are in this situation.

Gu Baijiang, since you are in office, you should serve the people, why get entangled in royal affairs?

We ordinary folks live with great difficulty, yet still suffer such undeserved disasters.

Speaking quickly, the pen just dipped in ink, ready to erase Gu Baijiang and others, but unexpectedly, with a single glance from Rong Ruiyuan, a knife suddenly appeared, chopping the pen Gu Li held, splashing ink all over him.

Gu Li’s hand trembled in anger, these damn influential figures...

Gu Kaiyuan dared not gamble on whether Rong Ruiyuan would cruelly deal with ordinary people, quickly stood up and shouted loudly, "Third Prince, don’t..."

Rong Ruiyuan’s pupils shrank, his presence was obvious to all, but being addressed so directly altered the nature of things.

Looking towards the sound source, it was an unfamiliar face, yet positioned behind Gu Baijiang, he remembered the neglected third son said not to be favored by the Gu couple.

"Bold," Ming Peifeng was seething, this shout of ’Third Prince’ nearly put the master on the spot.

The prince has a smooth path yet insists on associating with exiled people; it would be suspicious if there’s no scheme involved.

The alleged damaged carriage, at this moment, was clearly groundless as a squad of guards at the rear could escort him away anytime.

Originally planned to leave quietly tomorrow, such loud revelations might demand eliminating everyone present.

Rong Ruiyuan dismissed this notion immediately; if he dared to act as such, his waiting brothers looking for a flaw wouldn’t allow him an escape.

"So it is the Third Prince," Gu Li at this moment stood trembling, kneeling, "Our Gu Family members are wronged..."

With Gu Li leading, the spectators dared not remain standing, kneeling circle after circle.

Even Bai Suihe and others in the distance were implicated.

Bai Suihe utilized the skirt’s cover, squatting, questioning why the Third Prince exposed his identity?

Now there will be a dramatic scene to unfold, his relationship with Gu Baijiang was thoroughly intertwined, and the reasons are obvious to anyone with insight.

"Miss, do you know what happened upfront?" Dong Mei was curious, "Should Huang Pingguo go and check?"

Bai Suihe shook her head, "It was a matter of identity exposure, and I’m curious who was brave enough to commit such an act."

Gu Kaiyuan, "..." Haha, it’s your husband, I also...

"Will it affect us?" Dong Mei was a bit worried, "Will his reputation...?"

Bai Suihe, "Rest assured, every move he makes is under scrutiny, him revealing his identity is the safest for us.

But being the one to stand out is troublesome, he might hold a grudge."

Gu Kaiyuan noticed Rong Ruiyuan’s venomous gaze, realizing the matter is far from resolved.

But so what, past grievances from a previous life cannot be desire for reconciliation in this one?

"Please, Third Prince, be magnanimous, do not harm my clan," Gu Kaiyuan glanced at the broken pen tip on the ground, "This is a clan issue, please step back."

Gu Baijiang struggled to stand, stepping forward ready to slap Gu Kaiyuan, but unexpectedly, the kid dared to dodge, causing him to stagger and fall onto Gu Kaichen.

"Insolent son, you dare evade?"

Gu Kaiyuan, "Father, I thought there was another assassin earlier, unsure of my mistake, why treat me so?"

Gu Baijiang was stumped by this remark; was exposing the Third Prince’s identity wrong? Yet it had never been explained before.

Was defending the clan wrong? If he voices that idea, they would be despised nationwide irrespective of uncle’s verdict.

Indeed, as Mrs. Xu said, Gu Kaiyuan was born to collect debts, creating trouble that he must clean up.

Gu Kaiyuan stepped forward, assisting Gu Baijiang, whispering in his ear, "Father, the whole exile convoy knows the Third Prince was alone with our niece for a long time, Antong’s reputation is ruined; if he leaves, denies it, we must swallow this silent loss."

Gu Kaiyuan displayed an air of looking out for your interest, slightly calming Gu Baijiang, he pondered his intentions.

"Take this chance to reveal the Third Prince’s identity and force him to make a statement for our Gu Family.

Even as prisoners now, Antong was a virtuous family’s girl, for the sake of her reputation and the royal family’s honor, this matter truly should be escalated."

"But you shouldn’t act so recklessly..."

"Father, seize the opportunity, or it won’t come again, I’m achieving two ends in one means.

We can’t afford offending the Clan Leader, you must grant us brothers a path to live.

By protecting the family now, uncle should reconsider his decision on expelling us."

Gu Baijiang remained skeptical, "I know uncle’s temper well, this won’t pass easily."

"It requires a chance to ease tensions, and if successful?" Gu Kaiyuan comforted.