Gu Kaiyuan sent Lin Hua and Lin Wei out to the nearby estates to gather the recent harvest and store everything in the warehouse for him to use later.

The warehouse mostly contained grain, not causing much attention whether in abundance or scarcity.

After dispatching tasks, Gu Kaiyuan went to the small courtyard he had acquired before, changed into coarse cloth, and concealed his face before winding through alleys carrying a load. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Arriving at the end of the alley, he came upon the last house here.

The somewhat weathered door was tightly shut, and a seal was affixed outside.

Gu Kaiyuan knew this was merely a decoy; this courtyard was actually in Gu Baijiang’s possession, although an official case was filed, the exterior seal was left intact to create the illusion it remained under government control and deterred casual entry.

Circumventing to the back, a lock dangled on the corner gate; seeing no one around, Gu Kaiyuan directly leapt over the wall.

The backyard was overgrown with weeds, taller than himself.

Gu Kaiyuan quickly moved to the porch and, according to the information he received earlier, headed straight to the study.

This courtyard was confiscated property from a prior investigation but somehow circled around into Gu Baijiang’s hands.

The ownership of this courtyard wasn’t under Gu Mansion’s name, and only the main family was aware of this.

Even among blood relatives, there are levels of priority; this time, however, father’s schemes may fall through.

It remains to be seen what expression the Third Prince will wear when he discovers this courtyard has been emptied?

Not being able to witness it first-hand is indeed a pity.

Inside the study, apart from a few disordered bookshelves, there was nothing else; Gu Kaiyuan wasn’t deceived by appearances but crouched down, knocking and tapping on the floor.

Finally, he heard a different sound on the seventh board, took out a dagger, gently pried it, and the board popped out.

Seeing the buttons that appeared, Gu Kaiyuan pressed one without hesitation.

A resounding noise followed as a passageway opened before him.

Gu Kaiyuan didn’t rush forward, taking out a fire starter, discovered half a candle amongst the discarded shelves, lit it, and placed it ahead before cautiously entering the cellar.

The cellar was quite large, almost the size of their courtyard, densely packed with boxes.

Gu Kaiyuan opened two nearby boxes, revealing they were filled with silver ingots, bearing the National Treasury’s mark prominently.

He casually opened a few more boxes and found variations, clearly not stored from the same batch.

Some boxes contained pearls, gold bars, packed tightly.

It’s uncertain where these supplies besides military pay came from?

Gu Baijiang was indeed bold, placing such wealth here without any guards.

This counterintuitive action indeed eluded the Third Prince in the past; it was to protect this fortune that the Third Prince shielded them all along.

Unfortunately, human plans can’t match divine will; his return, coupled with his wife’s acquisition of treasures, serves as compensation for the previous life for this side of the family.

This time, if they cease to provoke him and his wife, Gu Kaiyuan will refrain from retaliation.

Yet, given their nature, is it likely?

Having circled around, Gu Kaiyuan exited directly, carefully restoring the exterior to its original state before quietly leaving the courtyard.

He left early in the morning, but by the time he returned, the sun had set.

As the gatekeeper opened the door, he whispered in Gu Kaiyuan’s ear, "Third Young Master, the master has returned to the mansion."

Gu Kaiyuan raised his brows, truly a rarity today; it’s known previously that before trouble erupted in the last life, Gu Baijiang was so busy that his feet barely touched the ground, resting in a courtyard near the Imperial Palace.

Under the pretense that it facilitated palace summons.

Only afterward did he learn there was a concubine hidden in that small courtyard.

This is the same Gu Baijiang who claimed to abstain from indulgence with women, establishing the rule against taking a second wife.

The entire Gu Mansion lived frugally under his lead, while the concubine lived comfortably, not having to serve the matriarch, and much of the embezzled riches were sent to that little courtyard.

Later when the Gu Mansion was exiled, the concubine sold the house, took the family assets, and glamorously married into a sixth-rank official’s house as the head matriarch.

Only after Gu Antong returned to the capital, bringing Gu Kaiping along with the account list to settle scores, did he learn of this.

He hadn’t delved into exact amounts, but now circumstances differ; an opportunity must be found to visit and ensure the main family isn’t benefiting this time.

"Here’s your reward," Gu Kaiyuan tossed over a silver piece before entering with the packed meal.

"Third Young Master, you’ve returned, the master is waiting for you." Just as he crossed into the second courtyard, there was a maid waiting.

"My father has returned," Gu Kaiyuan feigned surprise, "Good thing I brought back some food from the restaurant to honor the elder."

"You brat," Gu Baijiang came out of the study just then, "Your mother said you’ve been up to mischief again?"

"Father, that’s truly unjust, I only returned yesterday and went out early today, how could it be mischief?" Gu Kaiyuan chuckled coldly inside, with previous disdain for the gifts he diligently purchased, he didn’t send any, hence the blame.

"And I was out inspecting our industries, experiencing hardships, how did mischief come about amidst all that?"

"Your mother claims you’re not as dutiful as before," Gu Baijiang was fully aware that Xu Huizhen was talking nonsense, yet for family balance, someone had to make sacrifices.

"Ah, so that’s what father meant," Gu Kaiyuan understood, "Indeed, it’s not entirely my doing; before when I brought gifts home, you and mother said I was wasteful, not knowing to save, so I reflected thoroughly afterward, realizing you both were absolutely right.

Going forward, any demonstrations of filial piety should be conducted following my elder brothers, never overstepping bounds.

This was exactly what father taught me, to maintain harmony among brothers, but where have I faltered this time?"

Gu Baijiang was choked by these words; they were his previous admonishments to his son.

As the family head, he was certainly aware the money the third son spent purchasing gifts was earned through merchandise trade along his travels.

Mrs. Xu’s support for her maiden family wasn’t hidden; sacrificing for reputation meant he couldn’t disregard the Xu family, and the third son’s actions filled the gap perfectly, preventing Mrs. Xu’s excesses.

Yet someone had whispered absurdities to the brat, leading to his dramatic personality shift, now using his father’s words against him.

"But she is your mother after all, you should heed her regardless."

"I understand, father, henceforth I shall comply with my mother, modestly manage the family, and diligently contribute to building the family’s prosperity."

"Regarding this, I want to discuss with you; your mother mentioned it’s not suitable for you to constantly handle mundane family matters..."

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