Kai Yuan understood that this was a way to give him a warning because he didn’t bring anything back this time.

It’s also to make him realize that, away from the family, he’s nothing.

It’s a pity that their calculations will not have a chance to succeed in the future.

"Son thinks Father and Mother are right," Kai Yuan said respectfully, even changing the way he addressed them, "The family business involves my elder brother in the future. It’s indeed inappropriate for me to interfere too much. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Coincidentally, Ms. Bai has her dowry shops and estates. She, as a woman, can’t go out and manage them, and leaving it to the servants is not a long-term solution.

Previously, Ms. Bai even complained to me, fearing that over time she might be deceived by those below.

Son wishes to take advantage of this opportunity to take over these businesses and see if I can find a new path for myself?"

Gu Baijiang’s eyes moved slightly upon hearing this, remembering how much the Bai Family helped back then, and indeed he owed them gratitude.

But that wasn’t enough to let a Bai Family woman in through the door; he valued the Bai Family’s wealth and Ms. Bai’s substantial dowry.

You ought to know, the third wife’s dowry business was more than the visible businesses of him, an Assistant Minister of the second rank.

With Ms. Bai entering the family, in the future, even if the life at Gu Mansion becomes excessively lavish, no one would dare fuss over it.

Now, Ms. Bai is willing to let the son manage the businesses, which is a good thing for him. Eventually, when all the businesses are combined, it will strengthen the foundation of Gu Mansion.

Thinking this way made him immediately more agreeable, "Ms. Bai is young, and it’s indeed possible for her to be deceived by those below.

As her husband, if you can lend a helping hand, of course, you’d exert yourself to help.

Since that’s the case, I’ll let the housekeeper handle the household issues for now, so you can focus on managing Ms. Bai’s businesses."

"Thank you, Father, for your understanding," Kai Yuan said respectfully, "Only for these businesses, I need Ms. Bai to take me out to make a handover with those shopkeepers."

"That’s indeed necessary," Gu Baijiang was not suspicious; he even supported it, wanting to do it early, before the Bai Family could react, and gather these things into their own hands quickly.

"It’s just about Ms. Bai leaving the mansion?"

"I’ll send someone to talk to your mother later. Before the handover of these businesses, you can take Ms. Bai out."

"Thank you so much, Father." Kai Yuan immediately followed up with another question, "I wonder if there are any other instructions from Father."

"Nothing else, just remember to pay respects to your mother in daily life. Although she doesn’t spare words, she’s wholeheartedly thinking for your good."

"Son understands, and knows many areas are lacking. In the future, I will definitely learn well from the two elder brothers, be like them, and become the good son that Father and Mother have in mind."

Gu Baijiang did not hear the implicit meaning in these words. In his heart, the eldest son was purely filial and was the future successor of the Gu Family.

The second son, although his studies were slightly lacking, with a few years of hard work, could also enter officialdom.

If all else fails, once he passes the scholar examination, I’ll find a way to sponsor him a position—in connection with myself and his brother, he will have a good future.

As for the third son, he’s the least like my son. Forget it; in the future, he’ll manage the family businesses, allowing the three father-son pairs to focus on their political careers.

"You should indeed learn well from your two elder brothers, instead of spending your days idly." Gu Baijiang gave another round of scolding before turning back to the study.

"Sir, didn’t the young master just say to bring vegetables to eat with you?" The attendant beside him asked with some confusion. The third young master was the most devoted; how come he took the vegetables away?

If the sir couldn’t finish eating, those below could help solve it.

Gu Baijiang felt a bit uncomfortable, thinking that scolding the son just now must have drawn his resentment; this personality is like his mother’s.

Only the first and second are like himself; in the future, still focus all mind and effort on those two, "It’s fine, the sir doesn’t lack this bit of food. Go instruct the main kitchen to send over some wine and dishes later."

"Yes," the attendant’s eyes flashed with joy. With the sir’s share, they wouldn’t lack either.

Kai Yuan couldn’t care less about Gu Baijiang’s reprimand; in a few days, he’ll understand the meanings in his words.

Originally thought these vegetables would be lost, but now it seems Bai Suihe is lucky.

In a cheerful mood, he came to the courtyard, finding several old women there keeping watch, seeing him come over, even appeared slightly nervous.

"So it’s the third young master," several old women visibly sighed with relief, "Greetings to the third young master."

"Is the third young madam inside?"

"Yes, third young master, you may go in." One of the old women seemed to hesitate, but eventually didn’t speak.

Kai Yuan didn’t notice, excitedly carrying things inside. The mansion’s meals, unless the household head is present, aren’t particularly rich.

"Madam, I’ve wrapped up roasted duck and signature braised meat from Dining Hall, tastes quite good."

Kai Yuan entered the inner courtyard, seeing Bai Suihe taking a stroll in the courtyard, quickly shook the oil package in front of her.

Bai Suihe, "You’re late; I’m already full." This is quite insincere, coming back at this time.

Kai Yuan brought things into the house, "Leave it there then, can have it later again.

Their flavors are fine, guarantee you’ll want more once you try."

"How’s the baby today? Behaving?"

Bai Suihe asked Dongmei and others to leave, then returned to the room; Kai Yuan followed, closed and locked the door.

The maid who hadn’t yet left, "..."

"What’s this all about? Just got back and being all secretive." Bai Suihe sat down and poured herself a cup of water, then casually poured one for Kai Yuan too.

Kai Yuan finished drinking the water and then said, "I’ve got good news, want to hear?"

Bai Suihe, "It’s nothing more than you’ve purchased everything, what else did you buy?"

"These are secondary," Kai Yuan felt today the old man finally did a good deed, "In the following days, you can leave the mansion with me."

Bai Suihe, "...You mean indefinitely?"

Kai Yuan recounted the previous conversation with Gu Baijiang, then self-deprecatingly said, "Family plans for me to live off them."

"Living off others isn’t bad, at least nourishes the stomach." Bai Suihe casually replied, "You’ve known them not just today, could it be you still hold any expectations of them?"

Kai Yuan, "...Madam really doesn’t know how to comfort people, this has hit me right in the heart."

After saying, even clutching his heart, "Each poke is spot on."

Bai Suihe, "There’s just one thing I must tell you too; today, I fainted again."

Kai Yuan quickly stood up, inspecting Bai Suihe, her complexion still looked good, "What did the doctor say?"

"Said I need more rest, can’t overexert myself."

"Mother targeted you again." Kai Yuan immediately figured out the reasons, "But you can’t joke around with your health, what did the doctor say?"

"Still the same, prescribed some fetus-preserving medicine," Bai Suihe’s lips curled into a mischievous smile, "But every time it’s like this, I don’t feel assured, planning to go outside and consult another doctor."