These days, Gu Baijiang has been staying at the Ministry of War; even the emperor seems to have some whim and suddenly wants to investigate the National Treasury expenses.

Every department became busy, and of course, he couldn’t leave.

Today, the Third Prince sent someone to inquire about the whereabouts of the silver, but he managed to evade the question.

This is his trump card; even if he has to hand it over, he can only take out a part first.

Initially, it was the Third Prince who actively asked him to handle this, and now suddenly asking for it might indicate something has changed.

His entanglement with the Third Prince is getting deeper; he does not want to offend him unless absolutely necessary.

However, suddenly taking the silver now leaves him anxious, so he plans to delay for a while.

Just in time, with the Ministry of War’s busy situation, the Third Prince wouldn’t dare to openly contact him, giving him a few days of respite.

Yesterday, on a return to the mansion, he turned his attention towards the Bai Family.

Unfortunately, although the Bai Family wants to attach themselves to him, their dealings are still somewhat petty.

Letting Ms. Bai marry with a generous dowry, in the future, these dowries would also be inherited by the Gu Family descendants, but this would just be the foundation of the third branch.

His private silver stash is certainly hard to bring out; if he could manage Ms. Bai’s dowry, he could mix these silvers into the family’s foundation, slowly legitimizing them, and he won’t need to keep worrying.

I wonder if that brat can really take charge; seems like I’ll have to find a time to admonish him.

"Master Gu, the emperor summons." At this moment, a eunuch’s voice came from outside, and Gu Baijiang immediately stood up.

"Coming right away," he hurriedly tidies up his official robes and hat, then rushes out the door, coincidentally passing by the person sent by the Third Prince.

Gu Baijiang breathed a sigh of relief, once again able to delay for a while longer.

Gu Mansion

"Your father seems not to have returned for two days," Bai Suihe remarked after breakfast.

"Indeed, he hasn’t returned, I bet even during the house search, he won’t come back."

Gu Kaiyuan, not being part of the official circle, knows nothing specific.

But isn’t Big Brother in the Hanlin Academy, why hasn’t he brought any news?

Is it ignorance? Or naively thinking it’s not a big deal?

"Let’s just leave the mansion today," Bai Suihe knows there’s still a few days but doesn’t want to keep delaying.

Gu Kaiyuan, "I’ve prepared most of what should be prepared; for the rest, let’s think of a way to go out later."

Bai Suihe has also been brewing herbal medicine for two days, with the whole courtyard filled with the strong scent, making the maids and matrons steer clear; this made the third house even more secluded.

Gu Kaiyuan taking Bai Suihe out today faced no difficulty, Xu Huizhen even wore a smile and praised as well.

Bai Suihe recalled the expressions of her big sister-in-law and second sister-in-law, holding back a chuckle.

"If you want to laugh, just laugh," Gu Kaiyuan said helplessly once they were on the carriage.

"Your big sister-in-law is alright, but seeing your second sister-in-law’s expression was like she stepped in dog poop." Bai Suihe held back her laughter, "I bet they’re wondering in their hearts what’s wrong with the old lady that she is being so kind and gentle to us."

Gu Kaiyuan felt a bit down, "It truly was tough for you before."

"You don’t need to tell me that, the truly tough person is no longer here." Bai Suihe sighed; now they were more like cooperation partners, all for a better future survival.

"But keep in mind, the real evil has yet to appear."

Gu Kaiyuan understood what she meant, those cold-hearted, impossible to warm up.

Taohua and Li Hua wanted to follow along, lifting the curtain ready to hop onto the carriage, but Bai Suihe stopped them, "Today I’m going out with your Third Young Master, you don’t need to serve us."

"Please keep a close watch over the courtyard, don’t let anything go wrong."

Taohua and Li Hua looked towards Gu Kaiyuan.

Gu Kaiyuan, "I will protect your Miss; just help manage the courtyard well." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Only then did the two maids bow and retreat.

The carriage slowly drove out of the Gu Mansion, Bai Suihe’s mood much more joyful than the past couple of days.

The other day was rushed, today they could linger out for a whole day.

Most importantly, she could enrich her own space.

Her mood instantly affected the baby in her belly, "Mother, what’s making you so happy?"

"Mother is going out to gather some good things."

Gu Kaiyuan’s eyes softened, "Baby, awake now."

"Father, you’re here too," the baby cheerfully greeted, "Father, are we taking mother out for fun today?"

"Father and mother are going to retrieve the family fortune for the baby," Gu Kaiyuan’s mood was also great, thinking about cutting off the first branch’s future ascendancy with a beaming smile that he couldn’t suppress.

"Father, you give it all to mother, baby can earn for oneself."

"Such an ambitious little baby," Gu Kaiyuan coaxed quietly, "What your mother has, you will have too."

"Then father, prepare some treats for me, I like to eat."

Bai Suihe quietly listened to the father-daughter duo conversing; Gu Kaiyuan had been leaving early and returning late these past two days, usually chatting with the baby, today she didn’t compete with Gu Kaiyuan.

This father-daughter duo is quite interesting, no matter how unfussy the baby is, it cannot possibly eat those things right after birth; as if she listed roasted chicken, roasted duck, and roasted pork, better grow some teeth first.

"Father will go hunting, will take you up the mountain for hunts then."

Bai Suihe turned to Gu Kaiyuan, silently questioning why he dared to promise these things with an unborn child; shouldn’t he take her up the mountain, indulge her so much?

Looks like she must have control over the education later.

Gu Kaiyuan grinned, "Our baby is smart and clever, as a father, I know if or not she’ll find it appealing."

"Appealing, appealing, Father, we have a deal, once I’m out, you must fulfill what you promised."

Gu Kaiyuan, "Then stay well in mother’s belly, grow strong."

"Baby is strong already, and Father, I’m not a three-year-old, you can’t trick me."

Bai Suihe covered her mouth with a chuckle, "The baby’s right, you’re indeed not a three-year-old."

"Mother’s right, Mother understands me."

Gu Kaiyuan felt immensely relaxed now, almost laughing out loud.

Gu Kaiyuan took Bai Suihe to the small courtyard, telling Lin Hua and Lin Wei to get the previously reserved pastries and food before entering the courtyard.

Once Gu Kaiyuan and Bai Suihe closed the door, they instantly appeared in space; it took barely a second, both changed appearance standing in the courtyard.

"This belly is somewhat revealing," Bai Suihe dressed in men’s clothing, yet her belly still protruded.

Gu Kaiyuan, "...This signifies prosperity."

Seeing Bai Suihe still showed concern, fearing this belly might betray them, he quickly reassured, "Who would think a pregnant woman would disguise as a man; this actually dispels suspicion."