Ch 185: Taking Action

Gu Kaichen glared at Bai Suihe, believing his third brother had been corrupted by this woman.

Previously, Gu Kaichuan had been so obedient and filial, but now? His heart and eyes were solely focused on this woman.

Father should never have allowed this woman to enter the family; look at the state they have reduced his family to.

If Gu Kaichuan had remained with them, perhaps Mother would not have been injured and died, and their lives would not be so difficult.

“Must you remain so obstinate and unrepentant? Even if you don’t consider your third brother, consider the baby in your belly. Do you intend for him to bear a tarnished reputation from birth?”

Gu Kaichuan and Bai Suihe’s faces turned cold simultaneously. Troubling them was one thing; they were waiting for the right moment to sever ties with the Gu Family, but he should never, ever have used their baby as a bargaining chip.

“Gu Kaichen,” Gu Kaichuan stood before him, his expression unfriendly, calling out his full name, “You’re asking for death.”

“What did you just call me?” Gu Kaichen’s face changed. He felt his authority had been challenged. “Don’t forget, I’m your second brother.”

“Do you act like an elder brother? What are you trying to do? Threaten and intimidate me?”

“I’m doing this for your own good,” Gu Kaichen looked at his taller brother, feeling somewhat timid, but remembering his purpose, he boldly continued, “Third brother, dare you swear on your conscience that none of this was prepared by the Bai Family?”

“So what?” Gu Kaichuan sneered. “If you’re so capable, have your wife’s family help you. Oh, I forgot, they’re just leeches, only taking and never giving.”

“Don’t forget, that’s your maiden family.” Even if he resented the Xu Family, Gu Kaichen couldn’t lose face. “Is that how you honor Mother?”

“Don’t use Mother,” Gu Kaichuan coldly snorted. “Both in life and in death, I’ve fulfilled my filial piety as a son, no less than either of you two elder brothers.

Don’t overstep your bounds, second brother. Don’t covet what isn’t yours.”

“Don’t forget, we haven’t divided the family yet.”

Gu Kaichuan chuckled twice. “Divide the family? My dear second brother, what’s left in our family?

Oh, you mean Father’s…”

Gu Kaichen tried to cover Gu Kaichuan’s mouth in alarm, but he dodged. “If you don’t want me to lay everything bare, second brother, you’d better remember your place and not meddle in what doesn’t concern you.

I thought we three brothers had already reached a consensus, but I was mistaken.

Since second brother is so enthusiastic about this, I promise to visit Father daily to show my concern…”

“Third brother, must you be so ruthless? Is it necessary for a woman?”

Bai Suihe raised an eyebrow at Gu Kaichen. Stirring discord in front of the couple; should she say he was foolish, or praise his courage?

Gu Kaichuan let out a cold laugh and punched Gu Kaichen in the stomach.

“Ah…” Gu Kaichen felt a sharp pain in his abdomen and staggered back before falling to the ground.

Seeing Gu Kaichen doubled over, Gu Kaichuan walked over and looked down at him. “Second brother, your belly is full of bad intentions, so let this brother help you cure it.”

He kicked him again, a wail echoing in the night with the wind, somewhat chilling.

Those originally huddled around a fire under an oilcloth now braved the cold to peek out.

Constables grumbled as they approached. “Which bastard is causing trouble on such a cold night instead of hiding away…”

Seeing the two brawling men, they were puzzled. These brothers hadn’t interacted for a while, how had they gotten into a fight again?

“What are you doing, not resting on such a late night?” Ma Zhi, responsible for this area, walked over with a whip, but stood by Gu Kaichuan, pointing the whip at Gu Kaichen. “Want a beating?”

Gu Kaichen never expected Gu Kaichuan to strike him so forcefully. His face turned pale, and sweat beaded on his forehead from the pain. “Official, this isn’t my fault, he’s the one who hit me.”

Gu Kaichuan said, “Official, this is just some brotherly playfulness. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

Gu Kaichuan patted Ma Zhi’s shoulder and then, in front of Gu Kaichen, slipped a silver ingot to Ma Zhi.

Ma Zhi pocketed it. “Since it’s just between brothers, settle it yourselves; don’t make a scene.”

He led his men away, urging everyone to get some rest and stop watching.

Once they left, those who had withdrawn reappeared.

Gu Kaichen watched Gu Kaichuan bribe the constables, nearly grinding his teeth.

Their large family was frugal, barely making ends meet, yet Gu Kaichuan was so generous. He wouldn’t believe it if it weren’t for Bai Family’s support.

“Gu Kaichuan, you’re quite something.”

“I’m just learning from my two elder brothers. You taught me the meaning of ‘self-preservation is paramount.’ I’ve already withdrawn, not competing with you, so why are you still hounding me?

Oh, is it because you disdain Father’s family fortune?”

“Don’t talk nonsense, what family fortune do we have left?” Gu Kaichen, while not brilliant, wasn’t stupid; such things shouldn’t be discussed openly.

Gu Kaichuan nodded with a smile. “Then there’s nothing for us brothers to fight over. We’ve been stripped of our property, even my wife’s dowry is gone. Demanding money from my wife is unacceptable.”

The onlookers were astonished. Although everyone knew about the Bai Family’s two maids, for a brother-in-law to target his sister-in-law was wrong.

“Is he desperate?”

“Desperate? More like clever.”

“Right, Old Master Gu had people make contributions, he must have a lot of money on him. They clearly can’t stand the sight of Gu Kaichuan and his wife, and won’t stop until they’ve squeezed them dry.”

“I say, Gu Kaichen, that’s enough. If you want money, tell your wife to ask her family. Shame on you, a scholar, to open your mouth like that…”

For the first time, Gu Kaichen understood the meaning of “humiliated and enraged.” No better description existed.

“Shut up, what business is it of yours?” Unable to bear it, he roared at those around him, “This is family business, what concerns you?”

“Then don’t make a ruckus here in the middle of the night. We need rest if you don’t.”

“Yeah, this isn’t your manor, you can’t stop us from talking.”

“We weren’t going to bother you; we were about to sleep, but you woke us all up with your yelling…”