Didn’t get the water, yet carried two quilts back, Gu Kaiping was angry but didn’t know how to vent it.

Liu Yun looked at Bai Suihe with some envy. Gu Kaiyuan might seem careless usually, but he really takes good care of Ms. Bai.

Throughout the journey, except for the period when he had to take care of Xu Huizhen, he had always been supporting Bai Suihe, and Bai Suihe didn’t have to carry anything, so no wonder she seemed unchanged.

Looking at Gu Kaiping, he only cared about himself, showing no concern for the mother and children.

Seeing him coming back hugging the quilt, staring at her, his intentions were obvious.

But she wasn’t willing to play along. Carrying a quilt herself was already tough enough, she even wanted to throw these quilts back at him.

"This water is really not drinkable," Xu Huizhen complained after finishing the last sip.

"Who’s to blame for that? I told you earlier to buy more canteens, otherwise, this wouldn’t be an issue." Gu Baijiang stood up looking around, unexpectedly spotting someone he knew.

It was Vice Minister of Ministry of Revenue, Chen Dafu. He remembered before he was taken away, Mr. Chen had no troubles.

"Mr. Gu," Chen Dafu also saw him, stood up and cupped his hands in greeting.

Gu Baijiang, "Why are you here as well?"

"This really is an injustice," Chen Dafu said bitterly, "The day you were taken away by the guards, the fire quickly spread to the Ministry of Revenue.

At that time, the military funds were handled by me. I indeed transferred them, but no one can say where things went wrong in the process.

I couldn’t prove my innocence, and so my family got dragged into this."

Chen Dafu looked guiltily at his family. He had always worked diligently, believed he had done nothing against His Majesty, yet His Majesty refused to listen or investigate, just sentenced him like that.

Gu Baijiang, "Indeed, I am wronged as well."

So much silver, he didn’t touch even a single tael, yet his whole family paid the price; truly a grievance.

"We’re in the same boat now; we should look out for each other along the way."

Chen Dafu was quite known in the court, rumored to have seven sons and five daughters with concubines, and with grandchildren, they numbered over forty.

Contrary to the pretense of austerity he put on, Mr. Chen was genuinely poor.

The whole family survived on his salary, and he gave the lightest gifts in courtly exchanges.

Despite whispers behind his back, no one spoke out, and because of his genuine poverty, he had a rather decent reputation.

Yet, even such a poor official could be accused of embezzlement by His Majesty, it was quite baffling.

Chen Dafu, "Of course, of course, I might have to rely on Mr. Gu’s care along the journey."

Gu Baijiang instantly regretted his earlier words, considering that Chen Dafu’s family was large and influential, thinking that together they wouldn’t be bullied.

But he forgot how truly poor this family was, unsure who would be aiding whom.

Gu Kaiyuan overheard the commotion, looking at Chen Dafu, realizing this Mr. Chen wasn’t as simple as he seemed.

By the time the Gu family had their names cleared, Mr. Chen had already returned to the capital with his family and even took over the Ministry of Revenue, becoming the new Minister of War.

"Everyone get up, time to hit the road." The escort, having had his fill, began herding them forward.

The air filled with groans once more, but no one dared to object, dragging weary bodies onward.

Only upon leaving the capital’s bounds might these people have their shackles removed.

After exchanging pleasantries with Chen Dafu, the two families slowly began moving together.

Gu Kaiyuan watched the two old men walk and chat happily, coldly smiling inside.

Two old foxes, when true troubles arise, neither could be relied upon.

"Hang in there; I’ll find a way to get a cart later." Gu Kaiyuan’s feet were burning, let alone spoiled Bai Suihe.

"We’ll see then," Bai Suihe wasn’t as optimistic, "With so many in the family, it might not be my turn."

Gu Kaiyuan, "..."

At this moment, he remembered the right carriage he rented with the silver mother-in-law gave him in the past life, only for Bai Suihe to end up squeezed in a corner, occasionally being forced out.

Lost in their respective thoughts, they walked on in silence.

Meanwhile, Gu Kaiping attempted several times to dump his quilts onto Gu Kaiyuan, only to be rejected due to "lack of time," suggesting the second brother could take his turn first.

Xu Huizhen initially felt sorry for Gu Kaiping but, recalling he refused to let her manage the silver, decided not to intervene.

Upon reaching the post station the next day, everyone was more battered; some using hands and feet to avoid a beating.

After having their shackles removed at the post station, Gu Kaiyuan approached Liu Pingkang, "Brother Liu, is there a chance we could get a private room tonight?"

Liu Pingkang looked troubled, "You know it’s still close to the capital, with so many people coming and going, if someone found out..."

Gu Kaiyuan grasped his hand, slipping a silver note into his palm, "Hope you can help, Brother Liu."

"Well, I suppose...," Liu Pingkang sighed, "The Bai family also asked that I look out for you along the way. Yet, a top room isn’t possible, at least not here."

"I understand the rules, just a lower room will do. I’ll organize a few dishes as my previous promise to reimburse you."

"You’re too polite," Liu Pingkang patted his shoulder, "At the next post, if you need an ox cart, just let me know in advance, and I’ll have someone pick a good one for you."

"Thank you, there’s one more favor," Gu Kaiyuan slipped him another silver note, Liu Pingkang promptly took him aside, and after whispering, both left contented.

With Liu Pingkang’s assistance, Gu Kaiyuan helped Bai Suihe obtain a lower room, finally securing some private space for them.

"I need to rest well, or my feet will be ruined." Bai Suihe was helped to the bed, feeling like his soles were numb.

"Rest more then," without saying much, Gu Kaiyuan began unloading the quilt onto the bed.

"Us staying here alone might provoke your family to say something."

"Let them," Gu Kaiyuan was pondering on the road, thinking that even if he pleased the Gu family on every occasion, they’d end up in the same rut as his previous life.

This time he wanted to be more spontaneous, as long as it looked acceptable from the outside.

If not for future children not bearing the stigma of being unfilial, affecting them, he would have preferred keeping away from this family.

"Do you think, given our current situation, they’d agree to split the family?" Bai Suihe had been pondering this, feeling it was the only path to truly sever ties.