Seeing the post station, everyone cheered, having had enough of the days of eating in the wind and sleeping in the open, they finally understood the allure of a shared bed.

The Gu Family members felt both delighted and conflicted seeing the post station. Now that they were here, they certainly had no excuse to ask Ms. Bai for things.

But everything here needed genuine gold and silver to exchange, which felt like cutting flesh from their bodies.

"Drive the carts to the backyard," a waiter was already there directing, "those needing feed go to the backyard to buy, line up one by one, no rushing, there’s enough space for everyone."

"This post station sure knows how to attract business," Bai Suihe had already entered the post station with the help of Gu Kaiyuan, leaving the carts for Zhuang Datou and others to handle.

"We need three upper rooms," Gu Kaiyuan directly tossed a silver note onto the counter, making the shopkeeper raise his head in surprise, "Aren’t you with them?"

"Yes, we are together, you can arrange for them next to us," Liu Pingkang walked over at this moment, "just put them next to our room."

The shopkeeper nodded without further comment, handing over three room keys, "If you need water service, just let the waiter know, there is an additional charge for that."

"Thank you, shopkeeper," Gu Kaiyuan took the keys and then said to Liu Pingkang, "Mr. Liu, would you like to have a drink together tonight?"

"I’d better not, with official business to attend to, I’ll wait for another opportunity to have a good drink together until we’re not sober." Liu Pingkang clutched the silver note Gu Kaiyuan had just slipped to him, feeling even better.

Throughout this journey, he hadn’t missed receiving good things, this trip was worthwhile even without additional benefits from others.

Once back in the room, Bai Suihe was curious about his actions, "Why are you so generous to those escorts? Aren’t you afraid of feeding their appetite?"

Gu Kaiyuan replied, "Consider it a prepayment, the journey ahead will not be smooth, mostly due to the Gu Family itself.

These escorts have been quite good, helping the Gu Family through many crises, in past lives, they’ve saved my life many times, so this is my way of repaying them."

Bai Suihe said, "...Then give them a bit more next time, it’s not easy risking your head in such jobs."

With private space available, Bai Suihe closed the door and brought Gu Kaiyuan into the space to rest well first.

Outside, the rice paddies had matured several times, but upon checking the warehouse, it seemed like the grain hadn’t increased much.

"When the time comes, we’ll go check to see if we can buy some items, and mix these in amongst them," Bai Suihe, even having silver, felt no inclination to splurge with so many supplies already in the space.

"That will work, I’ll buy a basket later, and you can just put the items inside," Gu Kaiyuan initially wanted to bring meals from the warehouse, but Bai Suihe stopped him.

"Chunxiang and the others will be back soon, let’s order a table of dishes at this post station."

If they ate too little, Chunxiang and others would worry.

Gu Kaiyuan didn’t insist, after washing up, both changed into clean clothes before leaving the space.

Upon exiting, they heard knocking on the door, Gu Kaiyuan opened it to find Liu Pingkang.

"Mr. Liu, anything you need?" Gu Kaiyuan stepped aside to invite him in.

Liu Pingkang stood firm, "Your parents are downstairs demanding to see you, wouldn’t you go down and say hi?"

As his identity made occupying an upper room inappropriate, causing a scene wouldn’t be good for them either.

"If possible, do care for your parents a bit, even with past grievances, it’s unwise to make too much noise, as it could damage your reputation."

Gu Kaiyuan smiled bitterly, "Mr. Liu, you should be aware of our family feud, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but I can’t afford to.

Their demands are endless, no matter what I give, they won’t be satisfied.

But I will fulfill my filial duties.

As for reputation, being criminals now, surviving is lucky enough, let alone seeking anything else."

Liu Pingkang sympathetically patted his shoulder, having witnessed how poorly Gu Kaiyuan was treated by his family. If it were them, they might have gone further.

But Gu Kaiyuan wasn’t heartless, with the commendable intention of rescuing his parents barehanded before.

It was hard to fathom why the Gu Family overlooked such a good son, while favoring two useless scholars.

"But they are your parents, go down and see them."

For this alone, Gu Kaiyuan couldn’t simply ignore it.

After Liu Pingkang left, Gu Kaiyuan asked Bai Suihe to rest in the room, turning back to go downstairs.

"Gu Kaiyuan, you unfilial son..."

As soon as he appeared, he was met with those words, Gu Kaiyuan waited for her to vent, then calmly asked, "Father, Mother, what do you need?"

"Find a room for us upstairs as well."

Gu Kaiyuan said, "Mother, I am also relying on the Bai Family, how about I come back and squeeze in with you?"

"...She, Ms. Bai, is our family’s daughter-in-law, I’m not feeling well, would you ask her to come down to care for my illness?"

Gu Kaiyuan dropped his eyes, "In that case, let’s start with my two sisters-in-law, the day after tomorrow I’ll have Suihe come to attend Mother closely."

"I believe the two sisters-in-law would set a good example for Suihe."

"Alright, stop this," Gu Baijiang chimed in again, feeling increasingly disdainful towards Xu Huizhen, always causing trouble, not realizing that the third son was getting impatient.

Their household now had to rely on the third son, preferably convincing those from the Bai Family to help them, making the journey smoother.

"You know your mother’s temperament, don’t hold it against her.

We are also quite exhausted this journey, see if you can ask the escorts to arrange an upper room for us as well."

"One room isn’t enough..."

Xu Huizhen wanted to speak, but a stern look from Gu Baijiang made her purse her lips and remain silent on the side.

"I’ll do my best, if not..."

"Middle or lower rooms will do," he was planning to meet Ming Peifeng that night too, living in the dormitory required passing through the escorts.

Gu Kaiyuan turned upstairs, and when he came down again, he was accompanied by Guo Baoshu.

Guo Baoshu, ready to rest, was sent on an errand again, naturally feeling irritable, "Who wants to check in? Quickly, come with me to the shopkeeper."

Gu Baijiang hurried to catch up, while Gu Kaiyuan stood silently in place and didn’t follow.

"Give him a lower room," Guo Baoshu told the shopkeeper.

"Sir, could we have an upper room?"

"Just a lower room, take it or leave it, or should I leave?" In contrast to Gu Baijiang’s demands, he held no respect, "Why not ask for a first-class room? Do you still think you are the esteemed Assistant Minister?"

This post station has many courtyards, exiled criminals like them could only stay in the lowest courtyard, and their current upper room didn’t even match the neighboring C room reserved for accommodating officials.