Chapter 827 - 830: Unreconciled

Chapter 827: Chapter 830: Unreconciled

The Wu family, led by Wu Nanping, had suffered the greatest losses. Having finally managed to catch their breath after all these years, they traveled to Shangjing alongside the other families. If it hadn’t been for Marquis Bai back then, Wu Hao wouldn’t have caused such a disaster, which resulted in the entire Wu family being subjected to years of blame and reproach.

"Marquis Bai, our Wu family has been wronged. We’ve come to Shangjing this time specifically to ask you to uphold justice for us," Wu Nanping said with an obsequious smile, forcing down the hatred in his heart.

Bai Jinglie raised an eyebrow. "What happened back then was the result of my subordinates acting on their own authority. I have already dealt with those two treacherous dogs. If you all still need to vent your anger, I can have someone take you to their graves."

"Oh, my, we are all relatives and friends! Let’s not just stand around here. I’ve already prepared wine and food; let’s eat and talk," Mr. Li quickly stepped in to smooth things over, seeing them at each other’s throats right from the start.

Bai Jinglie glanced at Li Yonghong. He knew that if this matter wasn’t settled, the Li family definitely wouldn’t entertain the discussion of taking a co-wife.

"I, too, wish to settle this old grudge. Mr. Li, please lead the way!"

Once they arrived at the side hall, they found the tables already laden with food and wine.

After dismissing the servants, Bai Jinglie sat in the seat of honor and said, "Speak. You went to such great lengths just to see me."

"You are as perceptive as ever, Marquis," Huang Mu’en said with a smile. "I imagine you have a very clear picture of what happened back then. All of this was brought about by a restless junior who thought he was being clever. Our families learned our lesson from it, but the price we were subsequently forced to pay was simply too heavy. In the end, we cannot accept it."

"Ups and downs are perfectly normal in the business world," Bai Jinglie said with a darkened expression. "As I recall, Mr. Gu didn’t pursue the matter with you too harshly back then. You can’t pin all your subsequent misfortunes on that incident."

"We aren’t unreasonable men," Meng Haotian said. "But the fact that we were relentlessly cornered afterward all stemmed from that event. However, we aren’t here today to hold you accountable, Marquis."

Bai Jinglie narrowed his eyes. "I’m listening."

"Mr. Gu is currently observing Ding You," Wu Nanping said in a low voice. "During these three years of mourning, many things can be done."

Bai Jinglie was amused by their massive appetite. "You don’t honestly believe that Gu Wenheng has just been a pushover during all his years as an official, do you? The political arena is nowhere near as simple as the business world you’re used to. Even if Gu Wenheng were bedridden right now, he still isn’t someone the likes of you can touch."

"That depends entirely on you, Marquis," Meng Haotian said with a smile, raising his wine cup. "I hear you’ve been suppressed at every turn these past few years. Don’t you want to stretch your legs a bit?"

"Oh? It seems you haven’t been slacking in your investigations over the years."

"We had no other choice. We expended an immense amount of manpower and wealth just to gather some information," Meng Haotian said, half-concealing his true depths. "Fortunately, we reaped some rewards."

Bai Jinglie remained impassive. "Tell me your thoughts."

"It’s quite simple, really. Mrs. Gu controls several businesses that bring in a massive daily income. I imagine many people are covetous of her," Huang Mu’en said. "Our families aren’t asking for much. We only want forty percent."

Bai Jinglie was momentarily speechless. "That’s quite a bold demand. Are you really that confident?"

"Back then, our families suffered greatly because we lacked crucial information. Over the years, we’ve steadily cultivated our own intelligence networks. It has paid off to some extent, and we now have our own people stationed everywhere." To negotiate effectively, one had to reveal some of their hidden cards. Meng Haotian’s face was filled with smug satisfaction.

Bai Jinglie sneered. "Oh, plenty of people in the imperial court have that kind of backing..." The implication was clear: that alone wasn’t nearly enough to qualify them to negotiate with him.

"We don’t doubt that," Meng Haotian quickly followed up. "The things noblemen care about are completely different from what commoners like us focus on. However, small folk have their own kind of wisdom."

Bai Jinglie raised an eyebrow and looked at them. "It seems you’re quite confident. But you must understand that even while observing Ding You, Gu Wenheng is not someone ordinary people can easily scheme against. With an appetite this big, you’d better be careful not to bite off more than you can chew."

"We don’t plan on touching his businesses here in Shangjing." At Meng Haotian’s signal, Wu Lanping pulled a stack of papers from his robes. "Mrs. Gu’s businesses have grown increasingly expansive over the years. They even have merchant houses in remote regions. Please take a look, Marquis Bai. Consider this a show of our sincerity."

Bai Jinglie took the papers and scanned them briefly. "You do have some skills. But this alone isn’t enough to justify the risk. Remember, Gu Wenheng is not someone to be trifled with."

Currently, the entire imperial court was adopting a wait-and-see approach. Gu Wenheng’s work over the years had greatly pleased the Holy Emperor. A small faction of officials was already whispering in private, speculating that Gu Wenheng might be recalled from mourning early to resume his duties.

Bai Jinglie had been keeping his head down all these years, purely waiting for the new emperor to ascend the throne. When that time came, he planned to seek help from a few old friends to pave a new path for the Marquis Mansion.

But ever since the Emperor named the Eldest Prince as the Crown Prince, the Marquis Wu’an Mansion had grown even quieter.

Gu Wenheng was close personal friends with Marquis Zhou. Even if the new emperor ascended the throne, Gu Wenheng would undoubtedly be heavily favored. For Bai Jinglie, this was far from good news.

However, he lacked the courage to align himself with any of the other Princes. Besides, given his current predicament, no one was actively trying to win him over anyway.

"Do you really think the authorities above have absolutely no thoughts about Mrs. Gu holding such a massive amount of wealth?" Meng Haotian said in a low voice.

"How bold of you!" Bai Jinglie suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "Is this something a mere merchant like you has the right to discuss?"

Mr. Li and the others hurriedly rose to their feet. "Please calm your anger, Marquis. There are no outsiders here. As long as we keep our mouths shut, who will ever know? Besides, I believe what the Family Heads are saying is the truth. Who would ever complain about having too much silver?"

Bai Jinglie glared fiercely at everyone in the room and mocked, "How wonderful. It seems I, a Marquis, have less courage than the lot of you. The Li family claims to be a family of scholars and farmers, but I see you’re nothing more than mediocre opportunists."

"Are you truly resigned to your fate, Marquis? We heard that you used to manage the Holy Emperor’s private estates but were condemned to over a decade of obscurity all because of a minor mistake..."

How could he possibly be resigned? Bai Jinglie closed his eyes, the humiliations he had suffered over the years flashing before him one by one. Although his predicament had been brought about by his own greed, the Holy Emperor had disregarded their past ties, and Gu Wenheng had shown no gratitude for past favors. Why should he continue to suffer in silence? The sudden arrival of these men might actually present a rare opportunity. Only by choosing a new master would he ever have a chance to rise again.

***

News that Gu Wenheng’s memorial had been withheld in the palace without a response soon reached Gaoling Village.

"What is he planning?" Jin Qianqian asked. "Can’t he just give us a straightforward answer? In the past, whenever he dispatched you to various regions, there was never a moment’s delay."

Gu Wenheng let out a long sigh. "I doubt we’ll be able to avoid wading into these muddy waters. Fortunately, you and the child can take temporary refuge here. Try to gather all our people nearby so they can protect your safety if necessary."

Jin Qianqian paused. "Is it really that serious?"

"We have to be prepared in advance," Gu Wenheng said. "Of course, a smooth transition of imperial power would be the best outcome." His greatest fear was that the allure of the throne would prove too great, and certain people simply wouldn’t be willing to let it go.