Gu Baijiang looked worried, "Master, it’s already late at night, and these surroundings are all mountain paths. How about we set off tomorrow morning instead?"

This person must not make a mistake, or else all his previous schemes will come to nothing.

"I have made up my mind. Take care of yourself, Master Gu. I’m sure it won’t be long before we meet again," Rong Ruiyuan said reassuringly as he left.

Inside, Gu Baijiang was elated; perhaps he might receive a pardon decree before even reaching Lingnan.

An Tong quietly moved next to Gu Kaiping and tugged at his sleeve. Gu Kaiping comforted her with a nod, then stepped forward and said, "Master, how can you travel without anyone to serve you? How about letting this girl, An Tong, stay by your side..."

"Father..." An Tong’s voice trembled. She wanted her father to perform well and leave a good impression on the Third Prince so that her grandfather could be exonerated and her father reinstated.

Was her father treating her as a mere servant to attend to the Third Prince?

Gu Baijiang frowned and immediately scolded loudly, "Kaiping, what nonsense are you talking? Don’t forget our current status."

Liu Yun really wanted to kill her husband at that moment. She had never seen anyone degrade their daughter so much.

Cold sweat suddenly appeared on Gu Kaiping’s back. He must have been possessed to utter such absurd words.

Frightened, he quickly knelt, "It’s all my fault, a momentary lapse of judgment led me to speak wrongly. I hope the master will forgive me."

Rong Ruiyuan was momentarily moved, as An Tong had developed deep feelings for him, and he was not one to be unappreciative.

But Gu Baijiang’s words brought him back to reality. Given An Tong’s current status, it was unsuitable for her to stay by his side. If she were brought with him, she’d only be a maid, which would demean the Gu Family, and Gu Baijiang might feel uneasy about it.

"Miss Gu is a good girl, but it would be a wrong to have her serve as a maid or servant by my side.

But rest assured, Miss Gu will have a promising future."

After speaking, he cast a meaningful glance at An Tong until her face turned crimson with embarrassment before turning to leave with his guards.

As the people finally left, Liu Pingkang and the others went back to rest. Before leaving, he glanced back at Gu Baijiang, thinking that the Gu Family seems likely to rise again.

"Uncle, what do you think of this situation?" Gu Baijiang straightened up, no longer as cautious as before.

What if he was the clan leader? Wouldn’t he still have to rely on Gu Baijiang for a living in the future?

Gu Li could see the smugness of the person in front of him. He hadn’t promised the Third Prince anything and intended to continue his unfinished matters when Gu Kaiyuan went over to support Gu Li.

"Grandpa, everyone has worked hard today. How about we discuss matters later?"

Thinking of the two silver notes still warm from his pocket, Gu Li thought it best to give Gu Kaiyuan some face.

He waved his hand and said, "Let’s leave it at this for today. We can gradually address the issues later. But Gu Baijiang, don’t think this matter is over; the account is yet to be settled."

Gu Baijiang glanced at the two men and had an illusion that Gu Kaiyuan and Gu Li were the real family.

But today’s matters were numerous, and he felt exhausted. With the carriage emptied, he needed to lie down and think over what to do next.

Once Gu Baijiang left with the Gu Family, Gu Li turned to stare at Gu Kaiyuan, "Don’t think just because you helped me earlier that I will forgive your family. It’s not just my decision; it’s a clan matter."

Gu Kaiyuan, "Grandpa, you’ve misunderstood my intentions.

You probably guessed the relationship between my father and the Third Prince.

It’s an opportunity for the Gu Family and for us, the clan members.

If you exile my father now, it may ease everyone’s anger, but it won’t solve the fundamental issue."

"I’m interested in hearing what kind of reasoning you can provide,"

The other clan members also watched intently. After all, Gu Kaiyuan was Gu Baijiang’s son; who knew if the father and son were digging a pit together?

"Given the situation, the Third Prince will definitely help mediate for the Gu Family when he goes back. If pardoned, wouldn’t the entire clan benefit as well..."

"But your father is causing trouble, and even if he escapes this time, what about in the future?" Gu Li sneered, "You don’t naively believe that the Third Prince will surely ascend the throne, do you?"

Their previous experience with the brutal struggle for the throne was not forgotten, even by those living in remote mountain villages.

Gu Kaiyuan, "Grandpa, you’ve misunderstood my intentions. I think we could delay this matter.

Things couldn’t get worse, and you could wait until our status is vindicated before removing Gu Baijiang. This way, the clan remains untouched."

These words left the clan members surprised; Gu Baijiang was incapable as an official, and even failed in raising his son. Could these possibly be the words of a biological son?

"Are you sure you’re Gu Baijiang’s real son?" Gu Baihe examined Gu Kaiyuan. Although Gu Baijiang’s face had changed, he could still remember it was quite similar, especially the eyes.

"What nonsense is that? This boy looks just like your aunt," Gu Li defended Gu Kaiyuan, "But I am curious, why are you helping us?"

Gu Kaiyuan, "Grandpa, could we talk in private?"

Gu Li gave him a long look before waving his hand for the clan members to disperse. Once alone, he said, "You can speak now."

Gu Kaiyuan calmly explained that he felt undervalued at home, his wife was not loved by the family, and he was searching for an opportunity to completely separate from the Gu Family.

"Aren’t you afraid I won’t help you?" Gu Li didn’t believe him entirely, feeling Gu Kaiyuan’s approach was similar to Gu Baijiang’s.

"I have no choice; my father insists on getting involved in the royal disputes. You saw it, my elder niece will eventually enter the Prince Mansion. I just want a path for my wife and kids to survive."

"You don’t trust the Third Prince. What if your father succeeds?" Gu Li asked with his eyes downcast.

"Grandpa, you also said ’what if.’ My parents said I’m not scholarly and can never become an official. I just want to live a stable life.

I also wish to leave behind some legacy for my grandfather’s lineage."

Gu Kaiyuan’s final words finally moved Gu Li. He remembered his cousins and their spouses, and ultimately, he did not refuse outright.

He was well aware that Gu Baijiang was taking a huge risk that could bring down the entire clan. Gu Kaiyuan’s plan, though difficult, wasn’t entirely impossible.

After all, Gu Baijiang was still alive, and no matter how he intervened, it was inappropriate to bypass Gu Baijiang as the clan leader and make decisions for him.