Liu Yun felt even more bitterness within. If she had known the Gu Family would face such a day, she would have humbled herself to please the wife, even if she couldn’t secure the entire Gu Mansion’s innocence, she would at least try to save her two children from suffering.

"Quickly find someone to relay a message back, as long as they help our Gu Family through this crisis, I will ensure Kai Ping follows your father’s lead, with the Wei Hou Mansion’s support." Xu Huizhen grasped at what seemed like a lifeline. If the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion would truly speak up on their behalf, there might still be room for negotiation.

"Mother, you know I am just a concubine’s daughter, and with the Marquis Mansion in decline, my brother has no influence before His Majesty."

"How can you know unless you try?" Xu Huizhen felt Liu Yun was merely making excuses, not having tried yet to say it couldn’t be done, "You should think not only for yourself but also for Tong Er and Anliang."

"Yes, sister-in-law, this isn’t the time to dwell on personal grudges..."

"..."

Seeing the squabble begin, Bai Suihe crossed his arms and closed his eyes, beginning to rest.

At night, Bai Suihe was also taken away by the jailer, Xu Huizhen wanted to follow, but the jailer swung his whip, quickly making her comply.

She could only shout anxiously from behind, "Ms. Bai, remember to bring back some food."

Bai Suihe responded and left directly.

It was still the same cell, Wu Qingshui and Kai Yuan were already waiting there.

"Miss, tomorrow the government officer will escort you for exile, the lady will handle it well, do you have any other arrangements?"

Bai Suihe shook her head, "We’ve done all the necessary preparations, Nanny Wu, go back and tell mother, I’m well and she need not worry.

If you come to see us off tomorrow, make it as simple as possible."

Wu Qingshui glanced at Kai Yuan, and Kai Yuan also spoke up, "The lady’s intentions are aligned with mine, right now we mustn’t attract too much attention."

Nanny Wu nodded, "I will report to the lady when I return."

Another silent night, the next day at dawn, Bai Suihe and the others were led outside the prison before returning to their previous cells, where the Gu Family had been waiting.

"Third Young Master Gu," the jailer brought over the shackles, "My apologies, but all the men need to be shackled."

"Thank you," Kai Yuan cooperated willingly, as the jailer had been accommodating these past days, he couldn’t make things difficult.

"Gu Family members, come quickly, the escort officer for your exile to Lingnan is already waiting." The shouts rang out, bringing the family into the group.

As recorded in books, there were indeed many being exiled to Lingnan.

Apart from their family, there were many others, including those guilty of crimes, and corrupt officials.

Bai Suihe looked around; there seemed to be nearly a hundred people.

Kai Yuan, shackled, stayed close to her side, "If you tire, lean on me, don’t get separated from me."

"Don’t worry, I’m very cautious with my life." Bai Suihe noticed the worry in his eyes, "But, why are so many being exiled?"

The book didn’t provide detailed records, and Bai Suihe hadn’t paid attention to these aspects at the time.

"Every month people are exiled, we are merely lucky to be imprisoned at the right time without enduring much more of the prison’s suffering."

Kai Yuan began explaining the laws to Bai Suihe. Those found guilty from outside were sent to Shangjing for judgment.

Also included among the ranks were those deemed criminal by Shangjing’s yamen.

With so many offenders, there were numerous escort officers shouting for everybody to queue for headcount.

When called, one must step forward for identity confirmation, ensuring their presence in the group, then follow the leading officer onwards.

The Gu Family naturally stayed together, yet none seemed as restless as they were in prison, each lowered their heads, ashamed to be seen.

Bai Suihe had never seen such a scene, becoming curious and glancing about.

Kai Yuan found his wife’s reaction rather peculiar, "Aren’t you afraid?"

In a previous life, unaware of what he was doing, he likely had no face to meet others like his parents, not noticing his wife’s demeanor then.

"This is my first time seeing people being exiled, never thought I would be the lead.

We’re being exiled to Lingnan, are we criminals or commoners?"

"Criminals," Kai Yuan sighed, later the Third Prince for that missing silver tried to help, removing their criminal status, making them ordinary commoners.

This was after they reached Lingnan, whether this lifetime would see a change, he didn’t know.

Bai Suihe kept recalling what place Lingnan is, covering a broad range, unsure where they’d be exiled.

"Do you know where we’re being exiled to?"

Kai Yuan, "It’s said to be the border of Huguang, the specifics of where require local official arrangement and distribution.

When the time comes, I’ll strive to get us a better area."

Bai Suihe wouldn’t view the current Lingnan with modern eyes; back then, the place was heavily mountainous, many undeveloped deep forests filled with miasma, making life difficult even as laborers. People often struggled to acclimatize and perished quickly.

The Emperor favored exiling people to Lingnan, not without reason, wanting to supply the population there.

"Is the family still together?" Bai Suihe already considered the future path, the place being so harsh, less dragging from behind might ease the hardships.

"I’ll find a way," Kai Yuan already planned internally; if he didn’t intervene this lifetime, his parents would still perish on the journey due to illness and other causes, without them, they could split, saving him much concern.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help clenching his fists, it wasn’t that he lacked filial piety, but he’d been hurt too many times before.

Let’s see, the Gu Family wouldn’t easily settle down, another attempt, they’d squander those ties once more, especially when, with him, it was long gone.

After counting heads and organizing into a long queue, they were led outside the city, enduring much pointing and gossip along the way.

Among them, Kai Yuan saw many familiar faces, yet everyone merely watched the spectacle with some schadenfreude.

This time, unlike before, he didn’t keep his head down, acting timidly, instead carefully attending to Bai Suihe, gaining a few admiring glances from others.

"Rest for half an hour here," they arrived at the city gates, where many had already gathered waiting, all to see off people.

The escort officer provided this convenience, hoping relatives would offer some silver, aiding their journey’s success.

Holding a whip vigilantly nearby, vendors quickly approached after offering bribes, beginning to sell goods.