"Father!"

"Grandfather!"

When Gu Kaiping and his son saw Gu Baijiang, they gathered around him from left and right.

Gu Anliang held the steamed bun in front of Gu Baijiang, "Grandfather, this is a meat bun I specially bought for you, it looks very tasty." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Hasn’t Anliang eaten yet?" Gu Baijiang reached out to touch Gu Anliang’s head, a smile appeared on his face, though his fierce scar made the little guy almost retreat, but remembering his father’s words, he managed to suppress the urge.

"Not yet, neither Grandfather nor Grandmother has eaten, how could Father and Anliang dare to eat?"

Gu Baijiang was satisfied with the child’s words and nodded, truly his most cultivated eldest son and grandson, so filial.

The second son is still lacking, his vision is not broad enough.

"A good child." Gu Baijiang praised, his expression softened a bit when he looked at his little grandson, "You’re not bad either."

"But there’s no need for the steamed bun, Kaiping, you book a table outside, today our family will have a nice meal together."

Gu Kaiping’s heart tightened, "But..."

"Take it," Gu Baijiang directly handed him a silver ingot, speaking earnestly, "You are the eldest son of the family, it’s good to follow the family teachings and respect your wife, but you must also set boundaries, don’t spoil the family traditions."

Gu Kaiping felt a bit anxious, sensing his father’s dissatisfaction with the Liu Family, and quickly said, "Father, don’t worry, I will manage the Liu Family well."

"Go ahead, order some good dishes? We grandfather and grandson will have a drink tonight."

The overlooked Gu Kaichen was full of displeasure, what does it mean for you two to have a drink, is he just a decoration?

But at the moment, though angry, he dared not speak out, as he would still rely on his father and brother’s assistance, for his parents hadn’t secured a good marriage for him, leaving him here facing disdain.

But quickly, his eyes shifted, "Father, should we invite the third brother and others?"

"No need, they’re enjoying the good life, they won’t care for our meager meal." Gu Baijiang had already decided in his heart, when he returns to the court, the first thing would be to distance this disappointing son.

He likes to cater to the Bai Family, then let him be a son-in-law there in the future.

As for the Bai Family who looks down on him, they will need a reckoning later.

Thinking this way, he felt somewhat relieved, not noticing that Gu Kaiping and his brother hadn’t spoken up for Gu Kaiyuan.

Upon hearing they could eat meat today, Xu Yulan and others were quite happy. Xu Huizhen, who had been lying half on the bed, even put on her shoes to come out, "Then hurry and see, I want to eat something good today."

As for whether the money on Gu Baijiang was enough or how much was left, she didn’t want to pursue it for now, as long as she didn’t starve.

This post station does provide some meals, but the really good chefs are serving the nobles in the neighboring courtyard. As for convicts like them, even with enough money, they receive only perfunctory service.

When they saw the table of bland and tasteless dishes, the Gu Family looked extremely displeased.

"Waiter, are these the dishes we ordered?"

The waiter glanced over with impatience and said, "These are the dishes you ordered, no mistake in serving!"

"Is it about mistakes or not? Look at this braised pork, it’s all burnt." Xu Yulan pointed at the plate of blackened meat, then at the fish beside it, "Is this a fish? If it weren’t for the fishbones, I would have thought it was some paste."

"These dishes are what they are, even if you change them again they’ll be the same," the waiter was used to this scene, he wasn’t afraid of offending these customers.

These people already have crimes on their heads, could they really argue with honest civilians?

But really, the kitchen shouldn’t even make fish so ruined, when serving it couldn’t even recognize what it was.

He was kind enough to pick out the fishbones and place them on top, or else it really couldn’t be explained.

Gu Baijiang, looking at this table of dishes, lost his appetite. He expected a good meal, didn’t anticipate it turning to frustration.

More significantly, he couldn’t even vent his anger, afraid of having no table at all.

Should have learned from the eldest grandson to buy some meat buns earlier, though with little meat, at least it’s fine grain.

The waiter saw they weren’t arguing further, so he left triumphantly with his cleaning rag.

Here, despite serving, he didn’t feel inferior.

It’s far more relaxed than serving the nobility next door, though the rewards were less, the poor catching him for long, wouldn’t even tip.

"Eat up, after all it’s still meat," Gu Kaiping sighed, if the fuss continued, they’d only embarrass themselves.

Xu Huizhen picked up a piece of braised pork, daringly put it in her mouth, maybe having lacked meat for a long time, she found the taste not bad.

After a few bites of rice, she began eating on her own.

Seeing her behavior, the others slowly reached for chopsticks, soon joining the frenzy for food.

The waiter passing by showed a contemptuous smile, dismissed it earlier, now eating happily?

Though cooked by an apprentice, at least watched a master chef, if truly skilled, would’ve served in the noble courtyard long ago, instead of serving here.

Gu Kaiyuan also ordered a table of dishes, set in Liu Pingkang’s room, completely different from the ones below, not as refined as large restaurants in the capital, but with good color, smell, and taste.

"I really thank Mr. Liu on this journey, I toast you a drink," Gu Kaiyuan raised his cup to Liu Pingkang.

"Between brothers, no need for such politeness," Liu Pingkang, benefitting much, wouldn’t put on airs, "The way is far and difficult ahead, are there issues with your sister-in-law?"

"I will carefully take care of her, who knows what unforeseen calamity might fall..." Gu Kaiyuan looked distressed, "I am anxious all the time, luckily the Yue Family helped, otherwise I wouldn’t know what to do."

"This hardship will pass," Liu Pingkang, somewhat sympathetic, observed the identity shift for the once envied playboy, now suffering greatly, psychological gap must be huge.

"But regarding your father, the journey might remain unstable," Liu Pingkang upon speaking, kept his gaze on Gu Kaiyuan.

"All in the capital knew I wasn’t favored at home, now I’m still in confusion, not knowing why I suffered this calamity.

Years managed to survive only through the harvests of a few manors.

So I really don’t know who my father offended in court."

Gu Kaiyuan knew it was a probe, but knowing his persona, only had that much to share.

"What are your plans now? To remain far from family?"