"Mother, I wouldn’t dare to have such thoughts. You’re my aunt; it’s only right to be filial to you." Xu Yulan would later rely on Xu Huizhen’s support, so she couldn’t afford to offend her.

Besides, seeing her aunt’s face look worse every day, she felt a bit scared inside.

If not for her aunt, who in the Gu Family would pay her any attention?

"I’m just afraid I can’t serve you well alone. An Tong doesn’t have much strength and no experience in caregiving. Why not let my sister-in-law come in, and we can serve you together?"

Xu Huizhen endured the pain in her body and ultimately agreed, "Then let Liu Family come in too."

"But this carriage is a bit cramped; one more person and it’s crowded. Perhaps Anliang can step out for a while." Between Gu Antong and Gu Anliang, Liu Yulan still chose to let Gu Anliang go out.

She thought her sister-in-law was pretty carefree. Even if the one being served was his own grandmother, there’s still a difference between genders for a ten-year-old who understands enough.

Although every time she changed her aunt’s clothes, Anliang would turn his head away, it was still uncomfortable.

She noticed that their father-in-law wouldn’t open his eyes unless necessary.

Unsure if he was truly asleep or pretending to be.

But Xu Yulan knew that their father-in-law must be aware of the situation inside the carriage.

"Go call Liu Family in," Xu Huizhen consented, having three people to nurse her should ease her suffering a bit.

Gu Anliang didn’t argue; if not for his mother’s disapproval, he would’ve long been unable to stay inside.

As soon as the ox cart stopped, Gu Anliang couldn’t wait to be the first to hop off.

Liu Yun hurried over upon seeing her son come out, "Why did you come out? Did someone make things difficult for you?"

"Sister-in-law, it’s Mother’s wish," Xu Yulan lifted the curtain, "I can’t flip Mother alone; she wants you to come up and lend a hand."

"Mother, I can stay outside. I don’t mind walking." Gu Anliang quickly added, feeling too stifled inside, coupled with that smell, he didn’t want to stay there.

Liu Yun wore a bitter expression; now the cart stopped, she had no choice but to go inside to care for her mother-in-law, well aware of the situation inside, yet it wasn’t a matter of willingness, she didn’t dare rebut.

Holding her breath, she entered the carriage, catching their father-in-law’s cold glance that left her apprehensive, as if all her little schemes were seen through.

Daring not to make any small moves, she proceeded to assist Xu Yulan in attending to Xu Huizhen.

At this moment, she felt unbalanced again; both were daughters-in-law, yet why were they the ones bustling here while Bai Suihe enjoyed the maids’ care in another carriage?

Several times she tried to speak, but Xu Huizhen’s groans interrupted.

"The wound hurts too much; I need a doctor." At this point, Xu Huizhen only wanted a doctor to relieve her pain and hoped to keep herself alive.

"We’re traveling through desolated places now, not even a village in sight, let alone a doctor." Liu Yun felt a bit impatient but had to remain tolerant.

"I think you just don’t want to serve me, wish to leave me here to die. My wound hurts; can’t you see? Go call Kai Ping; doesn’t he care for his mother?"

"You unfilial descendants are truly cruel."

"Is there no silver? If not, go ask master for it; he’s embezzled so much, surely he’s hidden some away..."

"Shut up, is your mind unclear?" Gu Baijiang opened his eyes, just among their family, but who knows if these two daughters-in-law might be persuaded by others.

He hadn’t noticed Gu Antong perk her ears, sneaking glances over several times.

"Telling me to shut up, then find me a doctor. I’ve suffered alongside you all my life, barely enjoyed a few years, only to be implicated by you.

If you hadn’t called me to block the door, would I have taken that stab?

Originally you were blocking the door just fine, why call me over?"

"Did you know these people would become ruthless?"

"Using my life as a pawn, and now unwilling to save it, what’s your plan? Is it to destroy evidence?"

"Gu Baijiang, you have no conscience; even considering the sake of your three sons, you shouldn’t treat me like this."

"Why did those people keep coming after you repeatedly? Why don’t they look for Mr. Chen?

Did you take something that doesn’t belong to you?

Even for our family’s sake, quickly disclose what you know to give us a way to survive, and give me a path to live, would you?"

"You have the means to support an affair but no silver for my doctor, isn’t that excessive?

Moreover, whether you have silver or not, everyone knows; if you’re willing to offer more silver, surely a doctor will come along..."

Gu Baijiang couldn’t believe Xu Huizhen’s speech became increasingly outrageous, eventually losing patience and kicking her directly, hitting Xu Huizhen’s wound.

Xu Huizhen didn’t even have the strength to scream, curling up holding her stomach, drenched in cold sweat.

Liu Yun and Xu Yulan widened their eyes, unsure how to react.

Gu Antong tightly covered her mouth, eyes filled with terror.

What happened to Grandfather? How could he be so ruthless to Grandmother?

She dared not make a sound, fearful Gu Baijiang might direct another kick towards her.

"I warn you not to be greedy," Gu Baijiang mercilessly swept his gaze over the others, then coldly spoke to Xu Huizhen, "There are things you shouldn’t blabber about if you don’t know. I have my reasons for what I did.

I’ve endured your antics to the extreme these days; you’ve thoroughly angered me."

Previously considering she endured a stab for him, he tolerated her ranting all the way. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Who would’ve thought his patience emboldened her brazen behavior, saying anything she pleased?

"You’d best keep what you just heard to yourselves, Xu is muddled, speaking nonsense."

Gu Baijiang’s threat made Liu Yun and the others lower their heads, answering respectfully.

Gu Baijiang snorted coldly, lifted the curtain, and had the eldest stop the ox cart, choosing to walk instead.

The noises from the ox cart earlier, they all heard, Gu Kaiyuan knew Xu Huizhen wouldn’t hold on much longer and had been diligently playing the filial son these days.

Just without him pulling his weight inside, the conflicts persisted.

The old couple died portraying a loving pair outwardly, but this lifetime mother discovered the affair, exposing Gu Baijiang’s biggest lie.

They’d often heard Xu Huizhen cursing outside, yet not a single one went in to intercede.

As sons, whichever side they took, they’d end up as outsiders, so the three brothers were unanimous in ignoring Xu Huizhen’s curses.

Though Gu Baijiang spoke quietly, those warning words reached the ears of all three brothers.