Xu Shuanghong took a deep breath, feeling like she was about to explode, but she still had to maintain a smile on her face, "Bai Jiang, look at your children, they are truly well-mannered."

"That’s as it should be, it’s all thanks to father’s good teaching," Gu Kaiyuan quickly interjected, "but we still can’t compare to Mrs. Xu, you’ve been so generous with so many of us."

Gu Baijiang lowered his eyes, thinking this third son of his was both cunning and clever. If only he had been diligent in his studies back then, he might have been worth grooming. Unfortunately, it was all too late; Gu Kaiyuan had already taken the wrong path.

As for Xu Shuanghong, it seemed she had brought some things, which actually saved him a lot of trouble. At the next post station, he wouldn’t have to spend Silver to buy things for them again.

Xu Shuanghong, suppressing her heartache, handed a gold leaf to each person, and then quietly nudged the two daughters beside her.

"Since both our families are here, let’s take this opportunity to get to know each other better.

Kai Ping and the others already know Mei Ling and her sister. Kai Yuan, this is your first time meeting them; this is my eldest daughter..."

Mei Lin and her sister stood up to pay respects, first and foremost to Gu Baijiang. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Gu Baijiang took out two pieces of broken silver from his pocket, somewhat shyly saying, "You are both good children. Take this and buy some treats."

Seeing that it was just half a tael of broken silver, the sisters were dumbfounded, realizing they had made a loss.

But they dared not say anything, respectfully accepting the silver and expressing their thanks.

Gu Baijiang felt he had suffered a loss. If it weren’t for Xu Shuanghong wanting to see Gu Kaiyuan, he wouldn’t have had to spend money—giving away over 50 taels of silver and parting with a hard-earned silver note. It was heart-wrenching.

Xu Shuanghong looked displeased; was this how you return a favor?

But the matter wasn’t over yet. Xu Yulan rushed forward, "Mrs. Xu, my sister-in-law and I haven’t paid our respects yet."

Named, Liu Yun had no choice but to step forward with Xu Yulan to greet them.

Currently, in the Gu Family, only Gu Kaiping hadn’t moved. Everyone had received a gold leaf from Xu Shuanghong, making her heart ache unbearably.

She wished she could slap herself. What was she thinking, wanting meat buns? With so many gold leaves, how many meat buns could she buy? They could bury her in them.

"Father, you called me back; is there anything you need to instruct me on?"

Gu Baijiang opened his mouth. He was now truly afraid of this son; every time he prepared something good, it resulted in financial loss. He wished he would just disappear from sight.

"I just wanted to get acquainted," Xu Shuanghong wasn’t willing to leave empty-handed, "I heard about you from your father and knew that you brothers are very filial. I’m curious now, and upon meeting you, you indeed stand out."

"Too kind, too kind," Gu Kaiyuan completely ignored the last words squeezed from between her teeth, "Since you’re an old acquaintance of my father and he’s willing to extend a helping hand, he’ll surely arrange everything for you and your daughters properly.

The day is getting late; I won’t disturb everyone’s rest. I’ll come to pay my respects to Mrs. Xu when I have more time in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xu was so scared she almost waved her hand, but restrained herself in the end.

At the same time, she was shivering internally. If just one greeting would cause such trouble, not having him greet would certainly be more peaceful.

"You’re very thoughtful, but we’re just country folks, not bound by these etiquettes. Let’s just get along like family, whatever feels comfortable."

Gu Kaiyuan gave a thumbs up, "Mrs. Xu really knows how to empathize with the younger generation. In that case, I won’t disturb everyone’s rest and will take my leave."

Xu Shuanghong nodded quickly, "Please do, please do."

Gu Kaiyuan took a few steps and then turned back to look at Gu Baijiang, "Is there anything else, Father?"

Gu Baijiang wanted to mention the matter of sending meat buns, but seeing the onlookers nearby, including Gu Family clansmen, he swallowed his words, "No, you can go back."

Gu Kaiyuan nodded to the surrounding onlookers, "I wish you all peace..."

No sooner had he spoken than the space around him instantly cleared...

"I just wanted to remind everyone, it’s cold, so go home and rest early..."

☆

Gu Kaiyuan had left, but the Gu family fell into a prolonged silence, with only Xu Yulan fiddling with the gold leaf in her hand, thinking about buying some delicious pastries at the next post station to reward herself for the hardships endured.

"Let me keep this for you," Gu Kaichen reached out, but Xu Yulan had quickly tucked the gold leaf into her own purse.

"No need to trouble you, husband. Maybe I should keep yours for you instead, so you don’t carelessly lose it."

Gu Kaichen replied, "Then we should each keep our own. I never expected Mrs. Xu to be so generous, even in distress she’s quite remarkable."

Xu Yulan rolled her eyes, "It’s just putting on a show. If it wasn’t for Gu Kaiyuan today, we wouldn’t have gained this much.

Did you say something to him?"

Gu Kaichen thought, "...What did I say?"

This foolish wife, speaking without considering the situation. Now both father and Mrs. Xu thought he was stirring things up in secret, their gazes almost slicing him alive.

Receiving the gold leaf earlier had been a delight; it had been a while since he had seen something so shiny. But now he realized it also meant getting on the wrong side of two beauties.

Feeling a bit reluctant, he thought that quietly returning the gold leaf to them later might not be a bad idea.

"What are you looking at?" Xu Yulan pinched his ear, "Don’t forget, I’m still here, and our family doesn’t practice taking concubines."

Xu Shuanghong’s face changed, thinking that this was an attempt to ruin her daughter’s reputation.

"Bai Jiang..."

Gu Baijiang finally spoke up, "Stop with the nonsense, it’s late; everyone, go rest."

This served to draw a line under the day’s events, and even if Xu Yulan was still angry, she didn’t dare say more.

But she didn’t just let it go, dragging Gu Kaichen aside by his ear, "I warn you, keep those little ’darlings’ at a distance, don’t think of following your father’s example and taking another wife. If you dare think that way, I don’t mind being widowed first."

When Xu Yulan said this, there was a fierceness to her, frightening Gu Kaichen into quickly waving his hands, "I wouldn’t dare think that way, how could you think that?"

"I’m only thinking what you’re thinking; don’t assume I don’t know your dark thoughts. I don’t want to end up like Aunt, giving way to others. If anyone makes it difficult for me, no one will have it easy."

Xu Yulan hadn’t stopped pondering these days. Though she wasn’t very smart, sharing a bed for so many years, she didn’t fully understand Gu Kaichen but could guess accurately about fifty percent, "From now on, we stick together, and no sleeping in separate beds. Starting today, we’ll keep each other warm."

Having been married for years, now’s not the time to act like some chaste and virtuous man, humph...