The Gu Family didn’t know what he was up to, but they still placed their bowls on the ground as instructed.

Gu Kaiyuan walked over, holding the pot directly, and started pouring from Gu Kaiping’s side, ladle by ladle. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

His hand was steady, not a drop of porridge spilled.

However, the Gu Family quickly noticed something was wrong; the front bowls were all filled with rice soup, clear enough to see the bottom.

All the remaining rice grains were at the bottom of the pot, but their bowls couldn’t hold any more.

Only then did Gu Kaiyuan fill Xu Huizhen and Gu Baijiang’s bowls with a generous amount of porridge.

...

"Alright, since it’s all served, let’s eat quickly," Xu Huizhen was the first to pick up her bowl, for the first time feeling that Gu Kaiyuan was quite thoughtful.

"Why are you all looking at me? Aren’t you hungry?" Gu Kaiyuan looked bewildered, "Is there any dissatisfaction with my distribution?"

The first and second households felt a lump in their chests, having to clench their teeth and shake their heads.

What could they say? Should they say their parents shouldn’t eat well?

It was just two bowls of rice porridge, if they really minded, would the elders favor them in the future?

Gu Baijiang thought for a moment and decided to lift the porridge. It wasn’t that he was selfish, ignoring his descendants, but he had to maintain his health for the longevity of the family.

Gu Kaiyuan clapped his hands and left directly. This trip was indeed worth it, and the oilcloth and two pastries were not given in vain.

"Why so happy?" Bai Suihe and her group had also tidied up, taking an oilcloth to the foot of the mountain to set up a simple shelter.

Gu Kaiyuan shared his joy, amusing Bai Suihe as well, "This is an unexpected gain. Now, they probably hate you to death."

"Let them hate. Even if I did nothing, they wouldn’t like me." Gu Kaiyuan was already used to it, "Tonight, let the two maids take you to rest in the cart. I’ll squeeze in with the others over there."

"Master, you and the young lady rest in the cart, we can stay here." Zhuang Datou hurriedly refused, how could they let the master squeeze in with them.

"Alright, it’s settled then. The road ahead is still long. The ladies are delicate and cannot catch a cold." Gu Kaiyuan decisively decided, and led them to push the cart to the most corner, tying the ox in front to block some view and wind.

Primarily, he chose a dead corner that was some distance from the Gu Family, hoping not to get entangled with them.

As night fell, everyone except the night watch slipped into a dream.

The Gu Family did the same; they covered the top with oilcloth, with some sleeping under the cart and others on the cart, squeezing in tightly.

This family was truly carefree, not even leaving one person to keep watch.

The night guard escort yawned, listening to the snores, feeling his eyelids growing heavier.

None of them noticed a few shadows creeping closer, even carefully bypassing them to search family by family.

Suddenly, one of the figures made a gesture, and everyone gathered together.

"Is this the Gu Family?"

"It’s this family. I’ve seen them before."

"Take everyone away, especially Lord Gu. But be careful not to hurt him."

"Yes."

Just as they were about to act, a sudden scream pierced the air, "Thief!"

The nearby Chen Family jumped up, "Dad, where’s the thief?"

"Father, where’s the thief?"

Everyone immediately woke up and, by the firelight, saw the circle of black-clad figures surrounding the Gu Family.

Having experienced much, many instantly understood who they were targeting.

Gu Baijiang and his family also awoke, crowding together as everyone jostled to be in the center.

"Who are you? Get out of here." The escort, alerted by the commotion, rushed over, their voices arriving before they did.

The black-clad figures couldn’t confront these people, charging in and dragging the Gu Family outside. But the Gu Family wouldn’t go without a fight? They all struggled.

"Lord Gu, I advise you to be sensible, don’t force us to act. If blood is shed, don’t blame us." The lead black-clad figure whispered in Gu Baijiang’s ear.

"You’re outrageous. I never thought to make enemies. Why trouble me?" Gu Baijiang maintained a facade of calm, while his mind whirled, wondering whose work this was.

"Just tell us where to find what you have, and we’ll spare your lives."

The Third Prince was indeed unreliable, leaking such a secret. How would life remain peaceful for him after this?

"I don’t understand what you’re talking about," Gu Baijiang didn’t hesitate to feign ignorance. They might choose not to kill if he said nothing.

"Don’t play dumb with us. Be straightforward and reveal the location, and we may let you all live."

"But I really don’t know what you’re talking about. There must be some misunderstanding here..."

"Who are you? What do you want?" All the escorts drew their swords as Liu Pingkang pointed angrily at the black-clad figures.

Meanwhile, he cast a sharp glance at the Gu Family, thinking maybe these were their enemies?

"Stop wasting time, take Gu Baijiang away," having been discovered, the black-clad figures had no choice but to act.

Since Gu Baijiang wouldn’t cooperate, they intended to take him by force, grabbing his arm and pulling him away.

Gu Baijiang clung tightly to the cart, knowing he must not relinquish control or his fate would be determined by others.

This time, without Gu Kaiyuan risking his life to drive them away, he could only cast a pleading look at his sons.

Gu Kaiping and Gu Kaichen stood frozen, their legs trembling.

"Take those two young ones as well," the black-clad leader pointed at Gu Anliang and Gu Anwei, needing bargaining chips to negotiate with Gu Baijiang.

Gu Anliang screamed and struggled, but there was no escaping the well-trained black-clad figures.

"Dad, Mom, save me." Gu Anliang’s cries woke Liu Yun, and without hesitation, she lunged to protect him, only to be kicked to the ground by a black-clad figure, slamming heavily against the cart.

"Mom," Gu Antong, sensing trouble, quickly rushed over, hiding behind Liu Yun and helping her up, appearing as though Liu Yun was shielding her.

"Gentlemen, our Gu Family has never been at odds with anyone. Why make things difficult for us?" Seeing his father and son being taken away, Gu Kaiping mustered the courage to plead with the black-clad figures, "If we’ve offended anyone, we apologize here and hope you can show mercy."

"Enough talk, take them and go." The black-clad figures grew impatient, directing their command at the encroaching escort, "Wise ones will step aside, we’re not after your lives."