Gu Kaiyuan remained silent, standing quietly to the side.

After nearly half a stick of incense, Gu Li finally spoke, "I cannot directly intervene in this matter. I can offer you a few families, but I can’t do much beyond that."

"Grand Uncle, you’ve misunderstood my intention. I want to inquire if my branch can stand independently?" Gu Kaiyuan did not want to acknowledge another group of ancestors.

"You want to establish your own clan?" This idea was quite bold, but implementing it was not easy.

After all, Gu Kaiyuan was not someone without roots — doing this would mean betraying the main clan, akin to what Gu Baijiang did.

Gu Kaiyuan said, "I don’t dare have such thoughts; I merely wish to establish another branch within our clan, with no plan of adoption."

"This... I need to consider it and see if there’s any precedent."

"However, can you tell me how you plan to persuade Gu Baijiang and the others to agree?"

Gu Kaiyuan said, "This will take time, and I’ll look for another opportunity."

Today’s opportunity has been accomplished; now, the Gu Family doesn’t have as much ill will towards him as before, nor do they blame him for Gu Baijiang’s actions, which is already a significant progress.

Gu Li didn’t say much more and let Gu Kaiyuan go back, promising to inform him once there’s some development.

☆

Bai Suihe listened to Gu Kaiyuan’s colorful narration, supportively serving tea and water on the side. Once he finished, she remarked, "The Gu Family will surely dislike you even more now."

Gu Kaiyuan was indifferent, "Wasn’t it always like this before? No matter what I do for them, they never liked me any better, and it doesn’t matter anymore."

"They might not have understood at first, but by now they’ve probably figured it out, and it won’t be long before they call you back."

Bai Suihe had just finished speaking when Gu Anliang arrived, unlike his father and uncles, he was quite courteous.

"Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Grandfather wants to see you both."

"Go back first; I’ll come over shortly." Gu Kaiyuan nodded, and Bai Suihe’s words turned out to be true.

After Gu Anliang left, Gu Kaiyuan straightened his clothes, preparing to meet the Gu Family. Unexpectedly, Bai Suihe followed him.

"It’s always good to show my face," Bai Suihe said graciously, knowing that firsthand participation beats hearing reports second-hand.

"It’s been a while since I’ve seen my father-in-law; as a daughter-in-law, I must pay my respects."

Gu Kaiyuan smiled and shook his head but did not refuse her this time.

Without letting Chun Mei and others follow, Gu Kaiyuan supported Bai Suihe, walking slowly toward the Gu home.

The Gu Family was a hot topic now, attracting attention wherever they went.

Chen Dafu wanted to approach to say hello, but his wife caught him by the arm.

"Don’t go over now; they surely have no mind to acknowledge you."

"I just want to say hello..."

Mrs. Chen looked at him quietly; no one believes that, not even herself.

Chen Dafu watched people leave and sat back down in disappointment, "Do you think I should find a merchant family for our child’s marriage?"

"You’ve stopped being aloof?" Mrs. Chen had suggested this before, but those self-important scholars had called her shallow at the time.

"When have I been aloof? I just worried those merchants value profit and might exploit me for their gain."

"And now you’re no longer worried?"

"Now the Bai Family sets an example; look at Gu Kaiyuan, with the Bai Family supporting him, he fares well even during exile."

"But Ms. Bai is ungrateful; the Bai Family provided so much aid, yet she didn’t care for the Gu Family." Mrs. Chen, as a mother-in-law, found Bai Suihe lacking in filial duty.

"Such shortsightedness typical of women with long hair. If you were in Ms. Bai’s position, what would you do?"

"I..."

"Think carefully before you speak," Chen Dafu interrupted her, "I have several brothers too..."

Mrs. Chen sneered, "...but over the years we’ve helped your brothers and your family plenty, unlike the Gu family..."

"No point in talking about that; soon, you’ll see my brothers come around. Based on everyone’s circumstances, our family is better off than theirs. Are you willing to offer our family’s silver to help them all?"

Chen Dafu finished, patting his leg, "I misspoke; not all of it, just a portion."

Mrs. Chen kept silent, aware of her husband’s miserly nature; she suspected him of intentionally testing her patience.

"Women like you, anxious for in-laws’ generosity as daughters-in-law, then commanding obedience from them as mothers-in-law.

I may be miserly, but I know there must be reciprocity.

The family supported me, and my brothers upheld me. I’d help them as much as possible, but excess demands I’d weigh carefully."

Mrs. Chen couldn’t refute him as his words were accurate.

She went from being a daughter-in-law to a mother-in-law, learning firsthand that even with surface equality, preferences and biases persisted. Despite Chen Dafu’s official status, he showed her little favor, causing resentment. Now that she is in a similar role, she’s even less successful than her predecessor.

Chen Dafu hummed a tune, confident in his authority within the household.

However, Ms. Bai’s circumstances provide a reminder: the supposed dignity of scholars is but conceited self-importance; life involves toil for material gains.

Once this task is complete, he’ll diligently seek suitable matches for his of-age sons, aiming for partnerships that support his boys, and praying for divine favor.

Better to seize tangible silver than aim for unattainable ideals.

He won’t touch his daughters-in-law’s dowries, but those dowries remain within the Chen family legacy, to be inherited by his grandchildren.

☆

Meanwhile, as Gu Kaiyuan and Bai Suihe approached the Gu home, they found everyone idly gathered around the fire.

It was awkward; though all saw their arrival, no one greeted them proactively.

Disregarding the cold reception, Bai Suihe warmly saluted Gu Baijiang, "Greetings, Father."

She proceeded to greet Gu Baiping and others, ignoring the younger generation entirely.

Gu Baijiang could remain stern with Gu Kaiyuan, but with the daughter-in-law, no matter his displeasure, family matters confined his criticism.

Indeed, with the matriarch gone, who would discipline the daughters-in-law?

"No need to come over with your big belly," Gu Baijiang said stiffly. "You didn’t come when needed, and now you’re here to mock us?"