Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Eating Melon (Watching the Drama)

Bai Suihe smiled without answering and directly found a spot to sit down.

She came over for entertainment, of course, she must be on the scene to get the firsthand scoop.

"Father, you called me over, is there something to discuss?" Gu Kaiyuan helped throw two logs into the fire, always had to help with something since he was here, though the fire was already quite strong.

"You shouldn’t have exposed the Third Prince’s identity today." Gu Kaiping couldn’t help but be the first to jump up and criticize.

Gu Kaiyuan said, "Brother, did you get it wrong? What do you mean by exposing the Third Prince’s identity? Do you think the Third Prince’s identity can be concealed?

Don’t forget that so many of us came out of the capital together; a large portion of people recognize him."

Gu Kaiping was rendered speechless, but Gu Kaiyuan wouldn’t let it go, "It’s self-deception at best; how can you take it seriously?

I was merely acting out of urgency; we can’t just stand by and watch the Third Prince face the world’s disapproval over our family’s trivial matters."

"..." Gu Kaiping looked confused; how could this be beneficial for the Third Prince?

Gu Kaiyuan slapped his thigh, "Brother, don’t you understand yet? What we have with Great Uncle is a family matter, but with the Third Prince involved, it inevitably gives the impression of using power to suppress others.

National laws and family rules each have their own systems and regulations; even His Majesty can’t interfere in family matters, let alone the Third Prince, who isn’t king yet."

"Reckless," Gu Baijiang hurriedly glanced around before pointing at Gu Kaiyuan, "You’re getting more and more indiscreet now, trying to bring ruin to the whole family."

"Father," Gu Kaiyuan dismissed the concern, "You called me over just to criticize me, but when accused, shouldn’t I also have the chance to defend my innocence?

I’m thinking for our family, for the whole clan’s sake.

In that situation, whether angering the Third Prince or Great Uncle, it would be disadvantageous for us." Gu Kaiyuan spoke seriously although nonsense, "Father, instead of blaming me, you should talk to Brother properly; both our family’s reputation and my niece’s name are almost ruined by him.

Listen to Brother’s words earlier; he seemed to be eager to sell his daughter, as if our Gu Family’s daughter can be belittled at will."

Gu Kaiyuan spoke with genuine anger, even if he would break ties with the family, he would still be somewhat implicated.

Later his little darling shouldn’t be affected in the slightest.

Thinking of having a cousin who might become a concubine, Gu Kaiyuan felt violent inside, wishing to crush all possibilities.

To not be a main wife properly, but insist on being someone’s concubine, shows how well brother’s wife educates her children.

Gu Antong was also upset; her father really put her on the spot, not caring about her well-being.

Liu Yun sided with Gu Kaiyuan this time, Gu Kaiping was being truly unreasonable, speaking such words in that setting.

The second branch sat at the side enjoying the scene, happier the more the third and first branches clashed, to their benefit.

"Your brother just made an unintentional mistake," Gu Baijiang still defended his eldest son.

Gu Kaiyuan expected this result, feeling not sad, but rather looked sympathetically at Gu Antong.

Gu Antong was so enraged by the unexpected sympathy that her face turned red.

Did she need this reckless Third Uncle’s sympathy?

And what was Third Aunt’s expression? Was she watching the drama, mocking her?

If Bai Suihe knew, she’d likely shout injustice; she was indeed watching the drama, but truly meant no mockery, only sympathized with Gu Antong—ineluctable that under power, that thin family bond couldn’t shelter her, and she must be prepared to be exploited.

"As father says," Gu Kaiyuan said indifferently, "I fear my niece will not have a high status in the Prince Mansion and might need to be prepared for others’ condescension."

At that, Gu Kaiping finally looked apologetic, speaking to Gu Antong, "Tong Er, father was truly unintentional then; father only thought that if you could leave with the Third Prince, you wouldn’t have to suffer with us."

Gu Antong was visibly moved, "Father, I understand you meant well for me; I won’t let others easily sway me."

Bai Suihe winked at Gu Kaiyuan, see, your kind act in others’ eyes seems ulterior.

Gu Kaiyuan wasn’t disappointed, as he knew what kind of people they were; negotiating with them wears patience each time, thus slowly reaching his goal.

"Let bygones be bygones," Gu Baijiang had other matters to discuss with Gu Kaiyuan, "After we left, what did you speak with Great Uncle?"

"I see, Father is asking about that; actually, it’s nothing much, I was just telling Great Uncle about our hardships over the years.

Hoping they give father some time, a chance for us to make amends."

"Amends, isn’t it all in the past..." Gu Kaichen asked surprisingly, "Did they want any excessive demands?"

Gu Kaiyuan ignored him, "Father, since the whole clan lost their home and property due to our involvement, if there’s no explanation, this won’t easily pass.

Besides, I suspect Great Uncle is serious about expelling this branch from the clan; if it comes to that, how will Brother pursue his career?"

Gu Kaiyuan knew where to hit, making the Gu Family Brothers fall silent.

No one could bear that consequence, especially when they have sons who will eventually have grandsons, needing consideration.

"Did you not hint to them, informing them of our relationship with the Third Prince?"

Gu Kaiyuan looked puzzled, "Father, what relationship do we have with the Third Prince? Didn’t we temporarily travel together because his carriage was damaged?"

Gu Baijiang felt a sudden urge to strike him; Gu Kaiyuan, no matter how dumb, wasn’t that dumb; clearly, this was deliberate provocation, but these matters weren’t mentioned before, so couldn’t be retorted.

Bai Suihe lowered her head, puffed cheeks, and couldn’t resist lightly biting her tongue tip, suppressing a laugh.

"Oh, I understand," Gu Kaiyuan looked towards Gu Antong knowingly, "Antong might be included into the Prince Mansion later."

Bai Suihe pinched her arm, Gu Kaiyuan was hitting where it hurts by mentioning "include"; even without looking, she’d know how awful the first branch’s expression was.

Xu Yulan lacked Bai Suihe’s endurance, laughing outright, only stopped when Gu Kaichen pinched her, and she quickly straightened up, covering her mouth, "What’s with the smoke being so choking?"

...

"Grandfather, look at Third Uncle," Gu Antong couldn’t sit still anymore, covered her face, and ran back to the carriage, Liu Yun glared at Gu Kaiyuan, hurriedly chasing after to comfort.

Bai Suihe lightly patted Gu Kaiyuan’s back at this moment, "Husband, why do you speak everything truthfully?"