"Isn’t your brother still young?" Xu Yulan sat beside the fire, occasionally adding a small stick, which was considered doing something.

"I say, second sister-in-law, what time is it now, and you’re still arguing about age." Liu Yun couldn’t let her son suffer, so she immediately retorted, "Look at your An Wei, he’s tall and big, not shorter than his big brother, how come our Anliang does the work, but An Wei can’t?"

If that’s the case, then our Anliang shouldn’t work either, since he has his father and me."

"Look how anxious you are, sister-in-law; I didn’t say anything, if you want to protect your son and have him do more work, that’s your choice.

I’ve walked all day and I’m exhausted, unlike you, sister-in-law, enjoying the ride with our parents without even touching the ground."

... 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Gu Baijiang sat in the carriage brooding, unsure of where the people arranged by the Third Prince were. They said they would take care of this family, yet they haven’t shown up; how can they take care of us?

Could it be they’re settling it with just those two hundred silver notes?

This Third Prince isn’t such a stingy person; I expected at least five thousand.

Little did I know the Third Prince is already overwhelmed, his household ransacked, and he dares not let word get out.

If it spreads, won’t he lose face among his brothers?

But with so many people waiting to eat in the household, he has no choice but to seek aid from the harem.

Consort Liang’s background isn’t high, so the Liang Family naturally doesn’t offer much support; the palace’s luxury depends entirely on the Emperor’s favors and the Third Prince’s compensations over the years.

Items from the Imperial Palace are all marked, she can’t take them out. Enduring the pain, she had to pawn all the valuable items the Third Prince gave her over the years.

But it was only a drop in the bucket, barely keeping up appearances.

For this reason, the Third Prince had to rope in a few ministers, hoping they would bolster his support.

Yet, with Gu Baijiang’s issue, these people are slippery, and after so many days, not a bit of progress.

He’s anxious and desires the silver in Gu Baijiang’s possession, once again sending someone to urge Ming Peifeng to clarify things.

Ming Peifeng sat in the carriage, pondering over strategies.

Gu Baijiang hasn’t achieved his goal, surely unwilling to hand over anything.

Even if it were him, he’d make the same choice.

He knew this would be an arduous task upon setting out, but didn’t expect the Third Prince to pressure him so persistently.

"Master, there’s really no rush in these couple of days," nearby, a long-time attendant rolled his eyes, "didn’t you previously mention the road wouldn’t be peaceful, maybe give the Gu Family a lesson tonight?"

"I’ve considered this method, but I’m afraid of backfiring," Ming Peifeng mused, "have someone inquire when the eldest Prince’s people will arrive."

"Master, you intend to borrow another’s hand?"

"Shut up, how could I have such thoughts? Remember to order the preservation of Master Gu, ensure he isn’t in life-threatening danger."

"Yes, at your command." The attendant understood, "Should Master show up tonight?"

"I won’t go, remember to instruct the men to handle it beautifully."

...

Gu Kaiyuan returned not only with a bundle of firewood but also a wild chicken and a wild rabbit.

In fact, he hadn’t just caught these two; on his way back, he encountered Ma Zhi and his group, giving them two rabbits.

Previously, he’d heard that pregnant women shouldn’t eat rabbit, unsure if it’s true.

The remaining wild rabbit could be roasted by Dongmei and her group.

"Your brother was here just now," handing the game to Zhuang Datou and his group for dealing, Bai Suihe recounted the previous happenings.

"I remember we have some oilcloth stored, should we send them one?" Bai Suihe wasn’t about to show filial piety but rather wanted to earn a good reputation for the unborn child.

With so many people here, once done, surely someone would remember.

She didn’t care about societal views but considered the baby.

As for Gu Kaiyuan, the big antagonist, he certainly wouldn’t consider this point, perhaps secretly pondering how to rid of the family early, restrained for the sake of future generations.

"Put it in our bundle," Gu Kaiyuan didn’t refuse; he wouldn’t be so meticulous over an oilcloth.

The wild chicken wasn’t big, enough for a large bowl; Bai Suihe, fed by Gu Kaiyuan unknowingly, consumed most of it, leaving the rest for Gu Kaiyuan.

Smelling the fragrant roast rabbit, Bai Suihe couldn’t help but gulp, craving the tempting aroma.

This time, not even needing Gu Kaiyuan’s refusal, Dongmei and Chunxiang wouldn’t allow Bai Suihe to touch it.

"Miss, we’ve heard pregnant women eating rabbit isn’t good for the child, let’s bear it; once the little master is born, we’ll roast it for you." Chunxiang suggested.

"They say eating rabbit results in a child with a cleft lip?" Bai Suihe pursed her lips, really wanting to refute such nonsense, but didn’t know how to start.

"Oh, you know, Miss," Chunxiang’s face filled with admiration, "once, someone ate rabbit, ending with a cleft-lipped child, troubling the parents immensely."

Bai Suihe, "..."—It’s called a harelip, a congenital defect...decided against explaining further.

Gu Kaiyuan finished eating, Bai Suihe took out the oilcloth, giving him two pastries, "Since we’re displaying for outsiders, let’s be generous."

Gu Kaiyuan thought for a moment and accepted, deliberately cradling the items in his hands, walking towards the Gu Family.

"Father, mother, you haven’t eaten yet?" Gu Kaiyuan found several gathered around a pot of porridge, hesitant to start, feeling puzzled.

Approaching, he realized they forgot spoons, each holding a bowl, clueless on how to begin.

"Why are you back?" Feeling Gu Kaiyuan was mocking them, Xu Huizhen immediately snapped irritably.

"Afraid it’ll be chilly at night; I asked Chunxiang for an oilcloth, you can drape it over the ox-cart tonight for some shielding." Gu Kaiyuan placed the items beside Gu Baijiang, "These two pastries were saved by Suihe and me, father and mother, please fill your stomachs."

Seeing the pastries, Xu Huizhen’s face softened, "Considerate of you.

But look at us, just having porridge, if you have anything good, send it over; the whole family is hungry."

Gu Kaiyuan ignored her greed, "If I have something good, I’ll save it to honor father and mother; I won’t disturb your meal, I’ll take my leave."

"Wait, do you have a spoon there?" Gu Kaiping knowingly asked.

"Oh, so it’s this issue, big brother finding it difficult? That’s easy," Gu Kaiyuan said to the crowd, "Set your bowls out, I’ll help resolve it."