Gu Baijiang knew the Third Prince was no good, but he didn’t expect Ms. Bai to be just as bad. Listening to them any longer might just make him die of anger.

Without looking at the eldest, who hoped for help in seeking justice, he said, "Since your granduncle likes talking to you, go and chat with him whenever you have some spare time.

You’re aware of our family’s current situation. We really can’t afford such a large amount of silver for the clan right now, but you can reassure your granduncle that when we return to the capital, I’ll repay them several times over."

Dealing with the clan members was something he wanted to avoid. Their looks were as if they wanted to tear him to pieces, and although he knew they wouldn’t dare, it still made his skin crawl.

And those few whippings still caused his back to throb with pain. If they were to happen again, returning to the capital alive would be very hard.

"Doesn’t that make things too difficult for me?" Gu Kaiyuan spread his hands. "You’ve seen what the clan needs most, and if I show up empty-handed now and then, I might end up being blamed too."

"Third Brother, at most you’ll get a few whippings; your skin is thick, it shouldn’t be an issue," Gu Kaiping said sarcastically. "Big Brother is already sacrificing his daughter for the family’s future; what’s a little grievance for you?"

Gu Kaiyuan said, "Big Brother, I can’t agree with that. Our family hasn’t fallen so low, has it? Ask Father if you don’t believe me.

And don’t talk about the family’s future. Even if we’re pardoned, I can’t serve as an official. You enjoy the benefits while I bear the blame?"

"We’re all in this together," Gu Kaiping gritted his teeth and said, "This is for the honor of the Gu Family."

Gu Kaiyuan said, "Big Brother, stop making empty promises. Even if we do return to the capital someday, you in the main house will be in charge of the Gu Mansion. At best, we’ll get two silver coins a month.

And when Father passes away, you might kick the two of us out. Who benefits the most here?"

At this point, Gu Kaichen and Xu Yulan realized too, yeah, Father and Big Brother always make promises, but how much benefit have they actually received?

"Third Brother is right; the Gu Family will be yours, Big Brother," Gu Kaichen said bitterly. "Surely you won’t want to share the family assets equally with us brothers in the future."

With Mother gone, there’s no one to speak for me. Father places the most importance on Big Brother. Is there really any choice?

At this moment, Gu Kaiping felt truly isolated, pinned by the two brothers he never thought much of.

He looked to Gu Baijiang for help but had no idea what Gu Baijiang was thinking, as his head remained lowered.

"You two are overthinking; Father decides the family affairs."

Gu Kaichen laughed coldly. When Mother was around, he could compete, but do we even need to say who Father favors?

Now he understood why the Third Brother had been rebellious lately; he was the one who saw things clearly.

He was almost blinded by Big Brother’s promises. That’s why he and his wife have been tirelessly serving the Third Prince. Why?

It’s all to pave the way for the main house, so in the future, they can climb higher and sweep us brothers out of the way.

The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Gu Kaichen’s gaze toward Gu Kaiping became increasingly hostile.

"Father?" Gu Kaiping nudged Gu Baijiang, feeling uncomfortable under the brothers’ gaze. "Is there something else you want to ask Kaiyuan?"

"I called you over to ask, how much silver can you contribute?" Gu Baijiang directed his question to Gu Kaiyuan but looked at Bai Suihe.

Bai Suihe sat steadily and, seeing Gu Baijiang’s glance, gave him a gentle smile.

Gu Baijiang was nearly infuriated, nearly falling backward. He had asked directly, but Ms. Bai was feigning ignorance.

Gu Kaiyuan wouldn’t let his wife be bothered; he was surprised that, after all this time, Gu Baijiang still wanted to use Suihe’s silver to solve the problem.

"Father, that’s a peculiar question. Don’t you know exactly how much silver we have?

We gave everything to buy your medicine before, and after buying food, we don’t even have two pieces of silver left now."

If they were truly shameless enough to demand even two silver pieces, he wouldn’t mind giving alms.

"Kaiyuan, we’re a family. This isn’t the time to hide things," Gu Kaiping urged sincerely. "You saw today how our granduncle genuinely wants to expel us from the clan.

This isn’t just about us; it’s about our branch of the family. You wouldn’t want your sister-in-law’s child to be born with the bad reputation of being rejected by the clan."

Oh, these two have learned something, threatening them with the child.

Bai Suihe caressed her belly, soothing the baby inside. Why did the little one wake up at this time?

"Baby, rest well. Your father and mother will handle things," Bai Suihe gently reassured in her heart.

Gu Kaiyuan quickly added in agreement, "Don’t worry, your father won’t let our family suffer. When you’re born, I promise you a bright world."

Bai Suihe blinked, unimpressed. Those were grand words.

In modern times, no one dared to make such promises. Hasn’t Gu Kaiyuan grasped this after a lifetime?

Gu Kaiyuan, "...I was coaxing the child, didn’t you know?"

Baby, "Father, Mother, I don’t care about reputation. As long as I’m strong enough, praise will surround me."

Bai Suihe said, "My baby is so smart."

"So, Father, Mother, don’t let them manipulate you," the baby thought. Upon waking, the baby stretched, causing a little bulge on Bai Suihe’s belly, and she smiled indulgently.

But to the Gu Family, it seemed like Gu Kaiyuan and Bai Suihe didn’t take them seriously, remaining silent.

"Kaiyuan, do you want to be expelled from the clan?" Without a response, Gu Kaiping pressed again.

Gu Kaiyuan finally looked puzzled, "Isn’t this something for Father and you to worry about? We can’t help much.

Maybe you should discuss it with Second Brother. He’s wiser and might find a solution."

"Third Brother, stop pretending," Gu Kaichen said enviously of Gu Kaiyuan’s good fortune. If he could get him to contribute some silver to solve this big problem, he wouldn’t mind adding a little fuel, "Big Brother wants you to come up with silver."

"Oh, you need silver," Gu Kaiyuan acted like he suddenly understood, and amid the Gu Family’s hopeful expressions, he reached into his pocket.

Under their expectations, Gu Kaiyuan pulled out a piece of broken silver and several copper coins, left from earlier shopping at the post station, "I’ve brought out everything we have. The rest is up to you, Big Brother and Second Brother."