Carrying a Lucky Charm, I Thrive with My Husband on the Road to Exile

"What do you really want?" Gu Kaiping found himself somewhat unable to see through Gu Kaiyuan at this moment.

"I only want a promise from you, brother," Gu Kaiyuan stared into Gu Kaiping’s eyes.

"Tell me first, let’s hear it."

Seeing his eldest uncle not refuting anything, Gu Anwei knew that everything his third uncle said was true. He tried hard to control himself and not tremble. He was too excited. He thought he would become a laborer and start a hard life, but now he knew there was a large inheritance waiting for him; the feeling was truly incredible.

"It’s not up to me alone to decide this matter. We need our second brother to come too."

"You don’t want Dad to know?"

"Brother, if you want to let Father know, just go ahead and tell him.

I think Father would be very interested to know that you’ve long seen all his assets as your own."

"I didn’t..." Seeing the mocking look in Gu Kaiyuan’s eyes, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree, "Getting Kai Chen here to talk it over is a good idea." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Bai Suihe yawned, "Since you brothers have things to discuss, I won’t disturb you here, but don’t take too long; Dongmei and the others standing so far might feel a bit cold."

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to stay for the drama, but Gu Kaiping and the others certainly wouldn’t allow it, so it was better for her to suggest it herself.

Only then did Gu Kaiping notice the presence of Bai Suihe and the two youngsters.

He glared harshly at Gu Kaiyuan, wondering why some things couldn’t be said to him in private.

Gu Kaiyuan helped them into the shelter and drew the temporary curtains well; the small stove inside was always burning, making it warm and cozy inside.

After inspecting the chimney opening and confirming there was no problem, he returned to sit down again.

"Kai Yuan, why lower yourself like this?" Gu Kaiping somewhat looked down on Gu Kaiyuan for this behavior. A nobleman’s son ended up serving a merchant’s daughter, it’s quite lowering oneself."

"You don’t need to worry about that, brother. Let the nephew go and bring the second brother over," Gu Kaiyuan pointed at the pile of firewood to Gu Anwei and said, "I noticed you quite enjoy dragging firewood, go get some more, and tell your father that your uncle said so, and have him come and drag the firewood."

Why did Gu Anwei feel awkward hearing this?

He had bigger issues on his mind and didn’t dwell on it, grabbing two more large branches and running off quickly!

"Aren’t you tempted at all?"

"Even if I am tempted, would you give it to me?" Gu Kaiyuan looked at Gu Kaiping with a half-smile, noting still he was being tested.

"Don’t you want to know how much Father has hidden away?"

Gu Kaiyuan shook his head; he truly didn’t care. Every time he entered the space, he took some leisure to look around, and such simple joy could brighten his entire day.

"Could you give your brother a hint, what is it you wish to do?"

"I hope that after the Third Prince clears our family’s name, I can stand on my own."

Gu Kaiping, "...So you resent the family."

"Brother, you misinterpret my words. Where does resentment come into it? I merely wish to lead a peaceful life with Ms. Bai in the future, without having to live in fear or suffer guilt by association.

I’ve been relatively fortunate, enjoying an official’s lifestyle, but consider our kinsmen..."

Gu Kaiyuan leaned slightly forward, "Brother, when Father is no longer with us, I will simply be one of the clan. I don’t want to endure what they’ve had to endure."

"Creating a new branch would mean cutting ties with the entire Gu family and kin; when that time comes, you’ll be isolated, how will you stand in this world?" Gu Kaiping wasn’t concerned for Gu Kaiyuan’s wellbeing but was probing if he could recruit him to his side.

Though Gu Kaiyuan hadn’t entered officialdom, he was effective in many affairs, and with intelligence and the influential Bai family behind him, he could be a great asset.

"If I can’t live well, that’s my choice and my fate," Gu Kaiyuan wanted to discuss another matter, "As a younger brother, what I’m doing already shows ample regard for you.

In future, I won’t compete for anything at home, but I hope you all refrain from interfering in our lives.

Bai Suihe is heavily pregnant now, which isn’t easy, I don’t want her to worry about such trivial matters.

There’s much to deal with on Father’s side; we lack the strength to help and won’t be there to trouble you.

I trust you can explain everything to Father clearly, brother, don’t you think?"

Gu Kaiping, "The family hasn’t wronged you in any way..."

Gu Kaiyuan gazed at him steadily, as Gu Kaiping tried to make one last stand, "Living together as one family, some friction is inevitable. I know Father and Mother have been somewhat biased, and you’ve suffered grievances, but as a family, can’t we endure it?"

Gu Kaiyuan chuckled, "You’re the least qualified to speak those words, brother. Back when you enjoyed the sole attention at home, did you spare a thought for your brother’s troubles?

Father always extolled brotherly love and respect, yet from you two, I saw none; any misstep I made was a crime against the entire Gu family.

Brother, as a beneficiary, there’s no need to moralize from a high horse."

"I didn’t expect you had such eloquence, if you’d put it to proper use sooner, your achievements would hardly be lesser than mine," Gu Kaiping, teased by him, grew flustered and angry, retaliated sarcastically.

"Then, brother, tell me why I was branded as unruly and wayward back then?

Was it truly because I couldn’t study well?"

Gu Kaiping, "..."

Gu Kaiyuan pointed to his own face, "Because of this face, when Grandmother was alive, she constantly urged Father to make progress. If Grandmother hadn’t been pressing him, do you think Father would achieve such success?

Success doesn’t come without struggle; yet he misinterpreted Grandmother’s good intentions as coercion.

He achieved glory, but Grandmother never saw it; he vented all his anger on me. Destroying my scholarly path was indirectly retaliation against Grandmother.

As for Mother, it was also for this face, for Grandmother’s reluctance to let her into the house back then; Moreover, giving birth to me compromised her health, she could not bear more children, and she directed all her resentment towards me."

Gu Kaiping fell silent, surprised that Gu Kaiyuan knew all this.

This must have been told to him by kinsmen, which explains why Third Uncle was particularly lenient with Gu Kaiyuan, never resenting him, likely all due to the face.

He had mostly forgotten Grandmother’s image, remembered only a stern and loving old lady, whereas in his childhood, though displeased with Mother, she showed him, her eldest grandson, extraordinary affection.

But when did it change? He’d even forgotten the grandmother who cherished him, and on holidays, never offered a single incense.

"This is just your speculation," Gu Kaiping spoke after a long pause, "Nevertheless, they are still our parents."