The Third Prince, Rong Ruiyuan, looked deeply into the distance. Is his Fourth Brother also about to reveal his fangs?

He wondered who was opposing him this time; could it be the Fourth Brother is involved as well?

As his younger brothers grew older, his competitors grew more numerous.

Next, the five, six, seven, and eight Princes were reaching the age to enter the court. The forces behind them should not be underestimated and thinking about it made him feel increasingly troubled.

Father favored Mother, the Consort, yet was unwilling to make promises, forcing his hand...

"Fourth Brother, speak cautiously. Vice Minister Gu’s case has long been closed. This is Father Emperor’s decree. Do you think Father Emperor made a wrong decision?"

"Third Brother, I didn’t say that. I merely expressed my doubts." Rong Ruibo looked earnestly at the primary seat above, "Father Emperor, the military funds are unaccounted for. They haven’t been seized from the Gu Family. Logically, Vice Minister Gu should be interrogated.

After all, he handled it; he couldn’t possibly know nothing.

I think the Gu Family should be summoned back to the capital and heavily interrogated; some breakthrough will surely come."

The Emperor glanced at the Third Prince. Were it not for Consort Liang’s favor, he too wondered where the missing silver went.

Yet, since it concerned his favorite’s son, he had to leave some dignity intact.

The silver Gu Baijiang kept should also have fallen into the Third’s private vaults, still within the royal family, hence he hadn’t pursued the matter deeply.

But now the Gu Family was being attacked repeatedly, and the Third Prince’s people continued to protect them, which held certain implications that required deep thought.

Could it be that the Third Prince hadn’t secured the silver?

Could Old Three be so foolish as to leave such an important thing with Gu Baijiang?

Re-interrogating Gu Baijiang was impossible. Leeway was originally given to spare the Third Prince some dignity.

If he summoned them back now, even if they were interrogated, it wouldn’t just be the Third Prince losing face; it would also embarrass the Emperor.

The Emperor didn’t wish to upset the balance before identifying the Crown Prince.

The Princes were all born to noble families. Only Consort Liang came from a low background, without any backing. This allowed the Third Prince to woo ministers and pile up family assets to balance with other Princes. Naturally, he didn’t wish to let this matter escalate unsightly.

"Enough. Since Gu Baijiang is no longer a court minister, this needn’t be discussed in court anymore. Order local officials to assist in solving the crime and ensure these villains are caught."

The First and Second Princes exchanged a glance, then turned their heads away.

Since the Emperor had spoken, the ministers dared not question further. Soon, the court’s focus shifted to other matters, with no one stepping up to speak for the Gu Family, leaving them in the cold.

When court adjourned, the four brothers walked out first, leaving in different directions, like strangers.

Following behind, the ministers watched the scene silently, knowing full well the peace wouldn’t last.

☆

Liu Pingkang received word from the capital, silently holding the letter before calling all the brothers together, "If black-clad men attack again, do your best, but don’t exhaust yourselves."

All the escorts breathed a sigh of relief, as long as they weren’t pushed to their limits.

With so little pay, it wasn’t worth it.

"How has the Gu Family been lately?" Liu Pingkang directly asked Ma Zhi, who was responsible for them.

"These days have been relatively calm. The Old Madam Gu has been staying in the ox cart the whole time, not sure about the specifics.

But her three sons seem filial, always attending to her.

It appears they’ve had continual broths these days, staying up late nightly; they should pass through this ordeal." Ma Zhi hadn’t troubled the Gu Family, not wanting to cause trouble, and for Gu Kaiyuan’s sake.

"Don’t meddle in their affairs for now. Keep an eye on others and avoid mishaps.

The upcoming stretch is relatively calm, but no more than ten days of tough terrain and potential hazards, so also watch for passing escort agencies and try to follow them."

The escorts agreed. Though tasked with escorting criminals, to brigands, even a small mosquito is meat, and such a large group offers one sheep fat enough for long enjoyment.

On the Gu Family side

Gu Baijiang rested his eyes, enduring the vile stench within the carriage.

Since getting injured, Xu Huizhen had been eating, drinking, and defecating within the carriage. Coupled with daily medicine and the decay of her wounds, the combined odors were as expected.

His eldest granddaughter and grandson huddled at the back of the cart, lifting the rear curtain to breathe fresh air through the small window.

Xu Yulan was full of regret now. Had she known earlier that her aunt was so hard to serve, she would’ve walked instead.

But her sister-in-law was too sly, insisting she should yield to her siblings, plus her two children were already inside, while she, outside, helped care for her nephew.

That was her own son; why would she need help? Moreover, Kai Chen was outside, while Liu Yun merely talked, yet painted herself as noble.

"An Tong, come help hold your grandmother; I’ll clean her up." After the old woman drank and defecated, and her father-in-law watched, she couldn’t shirk.

"On it," Gu Antong dared not speak but preferred the stinky feet over the foot scrubs; she’d rather stay inside.

Outside in the wind and sun, she’d hide inside, gloating at least her skin remained untouched.

Holding her breath, assisting Xu Yulan with Xu Huizhen.

Xu Huizhen was now awake, moaning intermittently with her aching wounds.

The movement almost pulled at her wounds as Xu Yulan maneuvered, "Can’t you be more gentle? It hurt my wound."

"Mother, you know my clumsiness, incapable of delicate tasks; maybe let Sister-In-Law or Third Sister-In-Law do it." Xu Yulan saw this as her chance, preferring peace outside, rather than serving this old woman.

"What, unwilling to serve?" Illness breed sarcasm, Xu Huizhen felt her daughter-in-law’s disdain.

I treated Xu Yulan so well, oppressing the eldest daughter-in-law while being strict with the third, yet always treating Xu Yulan like a dear daughter with never a grievance.

Merely asking for a few days of service, she sought to evade with excuses; how could that feel good?

Moreover, she wasn’t naive; living alongside the Liu Family for over a decade, she understood her eldest daughter-in-law thoroughly. Expecting care from her meant more suffering.

As for Ms. Bai, despite the previous cold shoulder, her current pregnancy meant carelessness wasn’t an option.