Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Clearing the Air

Gu Kaiping had just received some frustration over at the Zhou Family’s place, and before he could vent it out, Gu Kaiyuan and his wife added to his troubles again, leaving him completely vexed.

At this moment, he particularly hated why he was so healthy.

If his health was just a little worse, he could just close his eyes and fall back, and by then someone would naturally deal with Gu Kaiyuan.

"Gu Kaiyuan, don’t forget, we’re family. You shouldn’t be gloating at this moment."

Gu Kaiping reprimanded, not even bothering to address Ms. Bai.

"Big brother, you’re falsely accusing us. When did we gloat? We’re just stating facts.

If you don’t believe it, go and ask around our team. Who doesn’t know about our family’s issues?"

Gu Kaiping closed his eyes, having to admit that what Gu Kaiyuan said was indeed true.

Their current situation was very different from before. Previously, they could close the doors and handle these trivial matters by themselves; even if there were issues, they could minimize the impact. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Now their every word and action was being watched by everyone, and there seemed to be no immediate solution.

"Big brother, I think you should quickly find a way to make amends," Bai Suihe followed in agreement, "Even if you’re determined to let An Tong enter the Third Prince Mansion, you should advise her to restrain her temper and not become upset at things that aren’t hers."

Bai Suihe believed that once she said this, Liu Yun and Gu Antong would definitely understand what she meant.

Previously, she had endured for so long, always suppressing herself in front of the Gu Family, but today she had survived a life-or-death crisis, and her life had changed, elevating her mindset.

Gu Kaiyuan, "Big brother should be aware, reputation isn’t as important to me, but as for big brother..."

"Alright, I didn’t come here to listen to your criticisms." Gu Kaiping thought if he let this couple continue talking, he’d start doubting himself.

"You have so much firewood here, it’s already dark, and we couldn’t find any nearby, so we’ll just take some from here."

Gu Kaiyuan, "Big brother, what are you talking about?"

"Father is still freezing over there, surely you aren’t heartless enough to..."

"Big brother, I can’t bear it," Gu Kaiyuan spread his hands, "but I’m not in charge here."

Gu Kaiping stood up in anger. "Gu Kaiyuan, what exactly do you want?

I’ve put up with you all along the way.

Obviously the Bai Family sent people over, yet you insist on using such excuses. Are you afraid we’ll take advantage of you?"

Bai Suihe rolled her eyes, everyone was well aware of the situation, even if it wasn’t said out loud, it was something to be acknowledged; why self-destruct?

Gu Kaiyuan, "Big brother, I can’t agree with you on this. Haven’t we helped the family?

The ox cart you all used, and mother’s medical expenses—when haven’t we tried our best?

As your younger brother, I’ve contributed no less than you."

Gu Kaiping really couldn’t argue, Liu Yun still had some silver notes with her, and in addition to the silver note father gave him before, actually, they were at a loss.

No, how did he get dragged into this by this brat again? "I’m not talking about that, you obviously have the means to let father live better..."

Gu Kaiyuan glanced at Dongmei and the others, and Bai Suihe immediately caught on.

With just a look, Dongmei and the others immediately stood far away, guarding each corner.

"Big brother, should we talk about the Third Prince...?" Gu Kaiyuan said through gritted teeth, "Let’s discuss why a noble prince would come all the way here."

"No one is a fool," Gu Kaiyuan didn’t care about Gu Kaiping’s shocked look, "Regarding the Holy Decree, it probably hasn’t slandered father, right?

I want to ask you guys, where is the silver father embezzled?

Shouldn’t these things be laid out in the open for us three brothers to partake in?"

Gu Kaiping’s pupils shrank, his eyes quickly scanning the surroundings. Seeing no one around, he breathed a sigh of relief. "How can you just spout anything you want?

Don’t you know if these words get out, our lives wouldn’t be spared."

Gu Kaiyuan, "We’re all insiders here, I’m not as easily fooled as the second brother."

After saying this, Gu Kaiyuan gave an intentional look at Gu Anwei. Although the lad was playing with a stick with his head down, Gu Kaiyuan knew he was listening intently.

Since he couldn’t stay out of it, and couldn’t shake off Gu Kaiping, he’d muddy the waters and have Gu Kaichen spar with him first.

"Father was truly wronged..."

"Big brother, do you dare to swear on An Tong and An Liang?"

"Nonsense, those are your own niece and nephew!"

"I never said they weren’t," Gu Kaiyuan watched as Gu Kaiping got anxious, crossing his arms and looking at him with a smiling indifference, "Let me guess, father probably only told big brother about this.

Both second brother and I are the unlucky ones, dragged down by you, and left in the dark, with not even a shred of benefit in the end."

Gu Kaiyuan was truly fed up; anything good on his end was targeted, now even the firewood, they wanted to snatch.

"Let me guess, that large sum of silver is the bargaining chip between you and father, the Third Prince would definitely try to pardon our family, and Gu Antong would serve as a bridge, to be taken into the Third Prince Mansion.

At that time, returning to the court, would be the time for us three brothers to separate."

Gu Kaiping’s little schemes within his heart likely wouldn’t succeed this time.

The biggest change here was that Gu Baijiang could no longer return to the court, meaning all hopes would be pinned on Gu Kaiping.

So the secret Gu Baijiang held now would know who to be entrusted to, and Gu Kaiping’s plans, could they deceive Gu Baijiang, or deceive him?

"I didn’t..." Gu Kaiping didn’t expect Gu Kaiyuan to know all of this, and even understand his innermost thoughts, making his denial seem lacking in confidence.

"It’s not like denying it makes it true," Gu Kaiyuan said, slightly taunting, "You can’t hide this for long, even I, this fool, know about it. What about second brother? I see things clearly and can detach myself from your disputes."

Bai Suihe, with bent brows and smiling eyes, they didn’t need to contest because it was all theirs.

Gu Kaiping looked up at Gu Kaiyuan, then at Bai Suihe’s smiling face, realizing that the root of Gu Kaiyuan’s transformation lay with Bai Suihe.

Yes, what they valued most—money—mattered least to the Bai Family.

Gu Kaiyuan wasn’t pursuing an official career, and with the Bai Family’s backing, he had every reason to claim he wouldn’t compete.

Suddenly, he felt resentful towards Gu Baijiang; why didn’t he arrange such a marriage for him back then?

Even though Liu Yun was a marquis’s daughter, she provided no assistance and had now been unilaterally cut off by the Marquis Mansion.

Gu Kaichen was different; he didn’t have the same support as the third brother, and with Gu Anwei present, it also meant the third brother would know.

Gu Kaiyuan intentionally spoke these words at this time for Gu Anwei to hear.