The household doctor was brought inside, and upon witnessing the scene, he was too frightened to let his gaze wander.

He tended to Gu Baijiang’s wound as instructed and was contemplating whether to examine the woman lying on the ground too, when the old lady spoke, "Treat the wound, then leave, and remember to keep your mouth shut."

The household doctor knew well about the many hidden secrets of the inner halls and dared not say more, turning to leave quickly.

Gu Baijiang, "Have someone carry Mrs. Li away; whatever is the matter, let’s discuss it behind closed doors; there’s no need for such a scene."

He had lost his dignity in front of his son but did not wish to disgrace himself further.

Xu Huizhen snorted coldly, accepting the situation; there would be time to deal with it later, she did not need urgency right now.

After Nanny Gu found several women to drag the person away, Gu Baijiang spoke to the sons and daughters-in-law who had gathered to watch, "You should all leave as well.

I will handle this matter with your mother and make sure to restrain the people in your own yard."

Bai Suihe and the others, even if they wished to stay and watch more of the drama, had no reason to, and thus had to leave as told.

Watching half the drama then suddenly being cut off in the middle was absolutely frustrating.

"Brother, what do you think will be done?" Out of the yard, Gu Kaichen quickly asked.

"How am I supposed to know what to do? Father was too careless; how could the news have reached the mansion?" Gu Kaiping stared at Gu Kaichen with eyes full of suspicion.

Could the second brother have leaked it?

"Brother, why are you looking at me like that? I have been in the academy all this time; today, I just got back coincidentally to fetch some stationery, unexpected to stumble upon this."

The two brothers never suspected Gu Kaiyuan. In their eyes, this younger brother was a marginalized figure, and in such secret matters, he was not qualified to know or to leak the news. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Could it be a mistake on father’s part? Yet he has seldom visited the mansion recently; indeed, it’s a bit excessive."

Gu Kaiyuan silently watched the two brothers, coldly laughing inside, truly worthy of being their mother’s wholeheartedly guarded good sons.

Xu Yulan, "Elder sister-in-law, what do you think mother will do with that disgraceful person?"

"What else can she do? In the end, she might have to accept it." Liu Yun had seen many concubines at the Marquis Mansion.

Even if the wife objects, what difference does it make? They are not the ones truly in charge.

Her worry now was, once the rules were broken, there would be no peace in the mansion later.

Judging from previous signs, both Kaiping and the second brother were evidently aware of this and even helped hide it.

Once someone sets an example, who knows if these two brothers have set up another household outside?

It seems she needs to investigate the people around Gu Kaiping; she can accept a concubine but not an outer chamber.

Life at the Marquis Mansion has made her clear that people must be kept under one’s watchful gaze to prevent them from causing trouble.

"No way? That was the rule set by father."

Liu Yun didn’t want to explain much to Xu Yulan’s stupidity, glanced at Bai Suihe, and turned away with her maid.

Bai Suihe found the look quite mysterious, standing there saying nothing, curious what kind of glance was that from her elder sister-in-law.

Gu Kaiyuan didn’t engage in the brothers’ speculations, supporting Bai Suihe, "You’ve been running around outside and are tired; I’ll help you back to the yard to rest first."

Without minding the surprised looks from Gu Kaiping and the others, he left directly.

That night, the main courtyard was far from peaceful; Gu Kaiyuan and Bai Suihe went over their plan in the yard, gathering what could be collected, leaving the rest as unfeasible.

Bai Suihe closed the storage door, looking regretful; it was filled with money... her money.

"If it really doesn’t work, take it all if you like."

"No need, if things are seized and nothing is found, everyone suffers." Bai Suihe knew she feared pain, and given her health, didn’t dare risk hastily.

Without a word that night, Gu Baijiang went to court with a slightly bruised face early next morning.

Though it drew curious glances, no one dared inquire further as today the courtroom atmosphere was not good.

☆

"If I haven’t guessed wrong, it’s today, right?" Bai Suihe couldn’t sit still when morning came; even with full preparation, she couldn’t face the moment calmly.

Gu Kaiyuan held her hand, "Don’t worry; since everything’s unchanged, the result shouldn’t be very different.

Take care of yourself the next few days; avoid conflicts with them."

Bai Suihe nodded, "I know it all; you too, with your two brothers around, don’t stand out."

In the past life, Gu Kaiyuan shielded Gu Baijiang in prison, whipped by the jailer, and lacking prompt medication on the journey, his wound rotted, causing disgust among Gu Family members who banished them at lodging points.

Gu Kaiyuan considered this too, his face grew cold, "With two filial elder brothers, how dare I stand out as a useless one."

To this implicit promise, Bai Suihe was pleased; she handed him some thin cotton-padded clothes made earlier, "Wear these inside; the prison air is cold."

Outside, thick layers couldn’t be worn or kept.

Gu Kaiyuan saw the garments and guessed what they were, putting them on without further ado.

Previously, Bai Suihe tried these warm cotton clothes, all tailored for them personally, and pure hand-crafted clothing felt different upon wearing.

While following the time limit, ruckus from outside was heard; among it were maid’s screams.

"Let’s go to the main courtyard," Gu Kaiyuan arranged Bai Suihe’s clothes neatly then helped her outside.

Taohua and Lihua along with other maids and wives stood cautiously outside the courtyard.

It was unexpected that what Miss had anticipated did happen; despite her advance arrangements, they still felt panic at the moment.

"Stay behind me, all of you," Bai Suihe sighed, "calm down."

Taohua nodded, leading a group of maids and wives, surrounding Bai Suihe and Gu Kaiyuan closely.

Gu Kaiyuan, "All good, no wonder you treat them so attentively."

Bai Suihe, "They were all meticulously selected by mother; who knows if we’ll meet again after today."

Gu Kaiyuan, "We will, one day I’ll bring you to visit your mother."

In the previous life, he managed to return to the Capital City with honor, and this time it would be no different.

Upon stepping out of the yard, it was apparent the entire mansion was in chaos, servants running everywhere, and screams were heard from maids.

"Don’t panic," Gu Kaiyuan shouted angrily, "find your masters."

Gu Kaiyuan’s command gave everyone some stability amidst the confusion.

At this moment, a steward ran hastily, "Third Young Master, something terrible happened, the place is surrounded by soldiers."

"Stop panicking, gather everyone in the courtyard and don’t run around.

Also, instruct the kitchen to hurry with meals; let’s manage to eat first.

Everything will be decided when the master returns."

Even knowing the outcome, Gu Kaiyuan couldn’t speak.