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

The Gu Family members had just finished buying their supplies and settled their bill. As they moved to their room, they heard a commotion once again.

Gu Kaiping went to investigate and discovered, just as Gu Baijiang had predicted, that prices had risen again, and he looked at Gu Baijiang with admiration.

"Dad, how did you guess that?"

"It was hardly a guess; with more experience, you’ll understand too.

Sometimes, to tame a situation, you have to use both kindness and severity.

Don’t be fooled by how easygoing Liu Pingkang and his group seem. They’re capable leaders accustomed to this path; they’re not simple vegetarians."

He patted his eldest son on the shoulder. "Observe and learn; the dynamics at court are even more complex than this."

No matter how confident Gu Kaiping was, he knew his weaknesses. He quickly followed Gu Baijiang like a sycophant, saying, "I’m not worried, after all, I have you watching my back..."

Seeing Gu Baijiang amused by Gu Kaiping, Gu Kaichen whispered with a pout, "Truly, he’s biased."

"You still have much to learn; the family’s future will depend on you. Check if there’s a doctor at this post station for your arm, and if not, offer some incentive to find one..."

Gu Kai was fuming from being ignored, starting to understand how Gu Kaiyuan felt when treated this way.

Yes, Gu Kaiyuan shouldn’t be allowed to live a carefree life.

Finally catching up with the father and son ahead, Gu Kaichen quickly asked, "Dad, should we still find Kaiyuan?"

"Wait a bit longer," Gu Baijiang replied, frustrated with his second son’s lack of savvy. Even without a doctor, that scar on his face wasn’t salvageable.

His prospects in officialdom, even a simple title, were likely out of reach.

The moment his face was scarred, Gu Baijiang internally gave up on him.

If the third son misbehaved, let him leave. If it became impossible, let the second one rely on the eldest for survival. To live well, he would have to obey.

Gu Kaiping wondered why they needed to wait.

But this time, he was smart enough not to voice it, worried the old man would deem him unreliable.

For the Gu Family, who just stumbled upon a windfall, the challenge of inflation was somewhat manageable.

However, the other Gu Family members sported bitter faces.

No matter how frugal they were, with so many mouths to feed, acquiring enough supplies for the future was an uphill battle.

"Dad, should we approach Gu Baijiang again?" Gu Baihe remarked with resentment, "I saw them buying plenty just now; they have no shortage of silver at hand.

Why can they still live so well while we suffer due to them, and they ignore us?"

"Yes, Clan Leader, Gu Baijiang should be responsible for our livelihood." After benefiting a few times, some people’s appetites grew.

They even believed it was owed to them by Gu Baijiang, and taking more was justified.

"But don’t push them too hard," Gu Li saw these people’s thoughts but knew it wasn’t the way to handle things. "Remember, if we want to shed our current identity, we still have to rely on Gu Baijiang. If we push too hard, and they sever ties or only save their family, where would we seek help?"

"Can’t we seek aid from Gu Kaiyuan..."

Gu Li shot a cold look at the family member who spoke, "Who gave you the courage to think of such ideas?"

"We’re all family..."

"After all this time, don’t you see? Gu Kaiyuan doesn’t even acknowledge Gu Baijiang. His father and brothers couldn’t gain anything from him, why would you think you can?"

The family member bowed his head, unable to rebut Gu Li’s scolding, though he wanted to.

They hadn’t slacked in gathering intelligence over these days, and they were thankful for Gu Kaiyuan’s help.

As a result, they paid extra attention, knowing better than the Gu Family that Gu Kaiyuan was the one not to be provoked.

A convict living so comfortably was truly rare.

Though he was a felon, with a name change, his life seemed unchanged.

To them, it was hardship; to Gu Kaiyuan and his wife, it resembled a wealthy family’s outing, even hiring two escorts for the journey. Who else would make such a splurge?

Even if someone wanted to cause trouble, there was no grounds, as the ox-cart and servants just happened to be traveling companions, and the escorts were fellow travelers making the arrangement impenetrable.

"Dad, don’t be angry," Gu Baixi quickly soothed him, saying, "Actually, I think Brother Zhu made a reasonable point; we can indeed seek Gu Kaiyuan’s help."

Before Gu Li could erupt, Gu Baixi quickly added, "Just now, I saw him greet Mr. Liu and then head to the inn next door.

This gave me an idea: perhaps we can entrust our silver to Gu Kaiyuan, letting him procure supplies for us from the outside.

Rest assured, we can promise him a ten percent commission."

Gu Li saw the hopeful eyes of the family and eventually nodded, "This is indeed an option, but we’re currently stuck here, so it may not be that easy."

Upon hearing Gu Li’s agreement, the Gu Family members all relaxed, since Gu Li was managing all the finances, and no one wanted to be the sucker here.

If Gu Kaiyuan could help them purchase cheaper grain, that would be ideal.

"Dad, I can ask Mr. Liu to pass on a message; they have ways to contact him." Everyone noticed the interactions between Gu Kaiyuan and Liu Pingkang, aware of the close bond between them.

Gu Kaiyuan staying at the inn across, without Liu Pingkang’s approval, would have been unthinkable.

"Then inquire and be polite; don’t offend him," Gu Li urged, leaving a special instruction.

Once everyone else left, leaving only Gu Li and Gu Baihe, Gu Baihe voiced his concern, "Dad, doesn’t Gu Kaiyuan have favors to ask from you? Why are you so worried?"

Gu Li replied, "I can’t figure Gu Kaiyuan out. I know he wants to use us to distance us from Gu Baijiang, hence his willingness to help us.

When it comes down to it, we actually know Gu Baijiang better, so don’t speak of family ties with Gu Kaiyuan; there’s none between us.

He wants to use us, but aren’t we also using him?

As long as both sides stay within bounds, things might work out well for both.

But if we push too far and demand too much, Gu Kaiyuan might discard us, leaving the whole family without this last chance.

How did a once-overlooked son know Gu Baijiang would have a day to rise again?

We don’t understand the intricacies, nor should we delve deep; time will provide the answers."