Bai Suihe looked at Gu Kaiyuan’s expression and knew it was a misunderstanding, snorted coldly, "Some people won’t feel a sense of urgency unless they’re pushed."

The time spent together was too short, still not much tacit understanding. If she truly had to spend a lifetime with this person, she really needed to cultivate it well.

Bai Suihe didn’t believe that with her own strength alone, she could challenge the rules of this era. Many passionate love stories eventually only turned into familial bonds. Having struggled in modern times for many years, she saw things quite openly.

Every marriage and every family relies on management. Everyone has their own thoughts, and it’s impossible to become a puppet in someone’s hand.

She now defined herself and Gu Kaiyuan as being in an adjustment period, so this aspect still needed strengthening.

Moreover, her heart isn’t made of cement. These days, Gu Kaiyuan’s thoughtfulness and care haven’t gone unnoticed.

Possibly spending a lifetime with this person also means not letting one side bear all the contributions.

Gu Kaiyuan thought about this possibility carefully, surprisingly, Gu Baijiang’s character might really be pushed to desperation.

In the previous life, he didn’t have disfigurement and still had fantasies. But in this life, his path to Qingyun was cut off, and he had somewhat lost his bearings.

Even if his life could be preserved later, it was already quite different from the previous life.

"He does need some pressure..."

☆

Here, Gu Baijiang had just finished eating and was sitting by the fire roasting flames, when he saw his cousin leading a dozen men over.

He quickly stood up with a smile, "Big brother, is there something you need?"

He dared not let matters fall apart further, or there wouldn’t be the Third Prince coming as a mediator again.

"You seem to be doing well over here," Gu Baihe surveyed him, "When will you fulfill your promise to compensate the clan’s losses?"

"Big brother, my days aren’t going great either, but rest assured, my previous guarantee is indeed valid, one day I will definitely return to the capital." Gu Baijiang touched the scabbed wound on his face. Even though the Third Prince had sent Ming Peifeng with some scar-removing ointment, he knew it was impossible to restore it completely, just the face would look less terrifying.

He could already imagine, even if the Emperor showed mercy, he wouldn’t be able to return to the court.

All his hopes now rested on Gu Kaiping, plus his two grandsons, giving them a few years to grow, and the Gu Family could rise again.

"You say that’s for the future, but now everyone’s days are hard to sustain..."

"Big brother, isn’t that incorrect?" Gu Baijiang looked puzzled, "Previously, didn’t Kai Yuan send you some supplies, and ox carts."

If Bai Suihe were here, she would marvel at the sheer shamelessness of this family.

"What does this have to do with Kai Yuan? Those things were sent by the Bai Family to see our pitiful plight.

The things given were limited, not enough for so many people, we can’t let some suffer cold and hunger." Gu Baihe originally thought causing trouble like this was inappropriate, but now he saw clearly Gu Baijiang’s nature, he was no longer the pure scholar of past years.

"It’s all the same, all family," Gu Baijiang inwardly angry, only thinking how greedy his clan were, but outwardly smiling, "When we reach the next post station, I’ll arrange for more supplies to be readied for you."

Gu Baihe said, "You did mention getting to the next post station, these two are also your sons, since your third son expressed his filial piety, next time I will approach them.

We have few items for keeping warm over there, do you have any to spare us?" Gu Baihe wasn’t negotiating, but directly demanding, like other brothers said, this was something Gu Baijiang owed them, and should be repaid by him.

Words were laid bare, and Gu Baijiang couldn’t feign ignorance, having Gu Kaiping separate some of the bought cotton clothes and quilts, leaving just enough for the family to use.

Gu Baihe had some younger folks go over to move the things, anyway they had carts to carry goods, wouldn’t fear having too much stuff.

"Evaluate how much silver these will cost, keep record, and deduct from the compensation later."

"No way," Gu Baijiang quickly waved his hand, "These are my filial piety to uncle."

"Then I’ll accept your filial piety on behalf of my father." Gu Baihe finished speaking, then left with his people.

From the corner, Gu Kaiping and his brother finally walked over, "Father, why give them anything?"

"Yes, father, once will lead to countless times, we don’t have much ourselves, how can...?"

"What’s the alternative? So many are watching, and when they arrived so miserable, without possessions, if we truly gave nothing, would you keep your reputation?" Gu Baijiang would not admit he was scared, seemed necessary to give some pressure to the Third Prince’s side.

When he glanced toward Chen Family nearby, his eyes flickered.

"Father, we’ve brought the things back." Gu Baihe had folks load the items on carts and proceed puzzled, "Father, previously you thought of severing ties with Gu Baijiang, now why?"

The older gentleman had been upright his whole life, but this time unexpectedly went to demand from Gu Baijiang, contrary to his image of his father.

Really uncertain what kind of charm Gu Kaiyuan cast on him? To change someone so drastically.

Seems when Gu Kaiyuan comes again, he should keep a watchful eye...

Gu Li said, "I must consider future generations, can’t let them bear the identity of criminals forever."

Gu Kaiyuan was correct, given our current situation, how worse could it get.

But as long as Gu Baijiang can flip fortunes with the Third Prince, why not seize such opportunity.

Even if Gu Baijiang turns things around, he wouldn’t be the whole family’s reliance, now use this last chance to retrieve some interests.

He still carried the family registry, Gu Baijiang’s day of reversal would be when both sides sever ties, believed by then Gu Baijiang would think similarly.

Gu Baihe and others fell silent, hearts held grievances, yet enduring struggles along the way had resigned them somewhat, this journey’s fatigue also left them too weary to tussle further.

Now with hope, of course, they yearned for it.

If possible, they would even wish to return to their homeland, where everyone truly belonged.

"Gu Kaiyuan that boy looks cunning," Gu Baijiang’s son Gu Kailiang despises Gu Baijiang’s family, naturally has no positive impression of Gu Kaiyuan either.

"I feel he harbors ill intentions, grandpa, you mustn’t heed him."

"Is this your place to speak?" Gu Baihe directly slapped his head, "If idling, gather more firewood, help your mother and aunt with cooking."

With so many elders here, was it his place to clamor?

Gu Kailiang poutily sulked, Gu Kaiyuan is also a junior, even younger, why could he...