Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1254: Paying the Price

Respected Brother An, possessing keen insight from witnessing dynastic shifts, relinquished any hope for Great Chu two years prior. He advised a southward migration to secure a haven for the Ouyang family's survival.

Brother An stated, "I cannot depart; my fate is intertwined with Great Chu. However, I cannot bear to see you and the Ouyang descendants perish within the Capital's confines. Relocate to the Northeast or South. Only with you, as an elder outside the city, will the younger ones have a plausible reason to exit the Capital should troubles arise."

This strategic foresight by Brother An was commendable. His penchant for extensive travel, often spending prolonged periods away, was widely known throughout Great Chu. Even the vigilant Emperor Jingyuan harbored no suspicion, assuming he was merely journeying again, unaware of the true intention: securing an escape route for the Ouyang family.

Consequently, regardless of his deep longing to see Brother An, he could not return.

Should the circumstances in Great Chu deteriorate, he would have to orchestrate the gradual withdrawal of the younger Ouyang generation.

Observing Master Ouyang's profound distress, Gu Jin'an perceived half the reason and began recounting an incident involving Brother Cheng. "Last year, on the student's eighteenth birthday, Brother Cheng presented two gifts. The first was all his pocket money, placed within a study inkstone. However, Xiao Yu remarked that the student possessed numerous inkstones already, and for Brother Cheng, the most doted-upon younger sibling, to offer another inkstone seemed merely a token gesture."

"Brother Cheng, witnessing the student meticulously carving a jade seal, grew impatient. He resolved to craft a birthday gift himself. Yet, his amassed funds were insufficient for quality jade. Ultimately, following Father's example, he found a tree root and fashioned a wooden seal for the student."

As Gu Jin'an spoke, he untied a pouch from his waist, produced a wooden seal, and presented it to Master Ouyang. "This is it," he declared.

Master Ouyang examined the item and scoffed, "This? It is utterly hideous. What manner of hands carved this wooden seal in such a crude fashion?"

The inscribed characters were indecipherable, and the cloud patterns sprawled carelessly, resembling untamed weeds.

Gu Jin'an chuckled, admitting, "It is indeed rough. Yet, it remains the student's most cherished birthday present. Upon receiving it, he felt immense pride, believing the younger brother he had nurtured had finally matured and become sensible. He felt that with continued growth, he would no longer need to fret over him in the future."

After a brief pause, he continued, "Although you cannot return to the Capital to be with Elder Ouyang, you could occasionally craft handmade gifts and dispatch them. Elder Ouyang would be profoundly delighted to receive such personal creations from you."

This sentiment exemplified the joy and pride experienced by any sibling.

Master Ouyang was taken aback, then smiled. "You rascal, employing such a roundabout method to convey this message. Very well, this old man shall remember and endeavor to send some handcrafted items to my brother."

This thoughtful gesture from the adaptable Brother An, intended to offer reassurance, was warmly received.

"You have toiled tirelessly for days. Return and rest; this old man is faring better now," Master Ouyang said, conversing with Gu Jin'an for a time. He felt significantly relieved, and his feelings of guilt towards his brother diminished considerably.

Gu Jin'an, being remarkably astute, perceived Master Ouyang's improved spirits. He rose and stated, "Yes, the student shall take his leave. Old man, please rest well."

Ah Song escorted Gu Jin'an to the door, bowed respectfully, and bid farewell. "Brother An, thank you. Without your intervention, the Second Old Master would have remained burdened by guilt for an extended period."

Indeed, prior to the drought plaguing Great Chu, the Second Old Master had returned to the Capital, intending to forgo his travels and remain by the Great Old Master's side until his final moments.

However, subsequent events, including the annihilation of Duke Wei's lineage, the drought in the Northwest, and Emperor Chu's inadequate disaster relief efforts – all calamities stemming from the prevailing circumstances – compelled the Second Old Master to depart the Capital and roam throughout Great Chu.

Since then, his disposition had soured, and he frequently suffered from sleepless nights.

Ah Song understood that the Second Old Master feared he might not be able to return in time to bid farewell to the Great Old Master should anything befall him.

The Second Old Master also recognized that once the new bank commenced operations, the Great Old Master would inevitably be summoned to meet the Emperor. It was the last thing the Second Old Master wished for – for his aging brother to debase himself before Emperor Chu on his behalf. Yet, there was no alternative, and he had secretly shed tears on occasion.

Tonight, thanks to the intervention of Brother An, the Second Old Master would not have agitated himself further.

Gu Jin'an responded with a shake of his head, "Brother Song, you exaggerate. Master Ouyang acted out of consideration for us."

The matter of the new bank transcends our current capabilities; not even Young Master Dou could manage it. Only Elder Ouyang possesses the influence to allay Emperor Chu's suspicions, transforming a matter of grave concern for the Emperor into one deserving of commendation."

Ah Song was sent away by Gu Jin’an to tend to Master Ouyang, but Gu Jin’an himself didn't depart immediately. He lingered, waiting until Master Ouyang had drifted off to sleep before returning to the residence that Magistrate Gu had prepared for him.

Young Master Dou resided in the same courtyard. Hearing the commotion, he emerged to inquire, "Is the old man alright?"

It would be quite troublesome if the old man were to collapse, as Dou Ke would then face repercussions.

Gu Jin’an reassured him, stating, "No problem, he has already fallen asleep."

"It's good that he's asleep. You should hurry and get some rest yourself; it's been exhausting," Young Master Dou said, yawning before retreating back to his own room for sleep.

Gu Jin’an, feeling utterly spent, soon succumbed to sleep as well.

While they slumbered peacefully, Shen Si, the Third Young Master Ying, and the Fifth Young Master Zongzheng were too incensed to find any rest.

"Ha, Ouyang Hu believes this move can sever our financial lifeline?" Zongzheng Qin scoffed, turning to Third Young Master Ying. "Brother Ying, with the Ouyang Family's interference, will your family persist in this venture?"

Third Young Master Ying let out a soft chuckle. Gazing out into the darkness of the night, he replied, "Whether the Ouyang Family intervenes or not has no bearing on the Ying Family's decision to continue this business."

The Ying Family harbored no fear of the Ouyang Family.

After speaking, he shifted his gaze back to Zongzheng Qin. "However, Brother Qin, does your family dare to continue this business?"

Zongzheng Qin responded with a huff, "Humph, why wouldn't we?"

The Emperor is perpetually short of funds. As long as the farmers can remit their taxes, the Emperor reaps the profits. A generous sum presented to the Emperor by his grandfather would surely be met with delight, dispelling any concerns about Ouyang Hu's accusations of usurping imperial wealth and land.

Currently, the highest-ranking official in the Ouyang Family was merely a Minister of Rites—an inconsequential post. How could such a figure presume to suppress them?

Let alone Ouyang Hong; the old man was well past eighty, liable to pass at any moment, and no longer wielded any real authority. What could he accomplish relying solely on his meager influence among scholars?

To address him respectfully was to call him Elder; without such courtesy, he was merely an ancient relic.

Upon hearing this, Third Young Master Ying offered a slight smile. "With Brother Qin's assurances, I am greatly relieved."

Yet, Zongzheng Qin and Third Young Master Ying, in their youthful arrogance, gravely underestimated Ouyang Hong's standing in Emperor Chu's estimation. Their schemes were destined for failure, and a heavy price awaited them.

Hearing their resolve, Shen Si chuckled. "Since the Ying Family and the Zongzheng Family have resolved to continue this business, then we must act with haste."