Old Mrs. Mu wanted to teach Mrs. Lin a lesson, and Mr. Mu didn’t stop her. This second daughter-in-law did indeed need some discipline.

Otherwise, once Huang Bita entered the family, there would be trouble under the hands of the second daughter-in-law.

After a while, from Mrs. Lin’s room came the sound of things being smashed, mixed with a woman’s miserable screams.

Old Mrs. Mu beat Mrs. Lin half to death and ordered her to go apologize to Huang Bita at the Huang Family Village early the next morning and restore the marriage arrangement, or she would be divorced.

Mrs. Lin whimpered and sobbed all morning, but no one came to help her.

Not even Mu Dazhong, who initially pushed Mrs. Lin to call off the marriage between Mu Dalang and Huang Bita, comforted her.

Mu Dalang did want to go see his mother, but thinking of her actions, he decided not to bother for now.

He would wait until his mother came to her senses.

Who would have thought, Mrs. Lin was utterly stubborn, and together with Mu Dazhong, attempted to unite other members of the Old Mu Family in opposition to this marriage.

In a secluded corner of the Old Mu Family home

Mu Dazhong and Mrs. Lin gathered Mu Danian and Mu Dajiang from the fourth house to discuss the marriage between the Huang Family and the Old Mu Family.

"We’ve discussed this matter before, back when the fourth brother wasn’t around, and we didn’t reach any useful conclusions. Now that the brothers are all together, let’s revisit it.

This marriage for Dalang, I, Mu Dazhong, do not agree. My son Dalang learned his trade in town, and my elder brother is a scholar. If we let him marry a country girl, he’ll be a laughing stock.

Don’t think this doesn’t concern you all; this matter implicates everyone. My son marrying a country girl.

Old Fourth, those proposing for your Xiaxia are probably those big rough men, maybe even a widower who’s lost his wife."

Mu Dazhong, in order to gain support from the fourth house, spoke without restraint.

Mu Dajiang was furious, even the honest ones have their breaking point.

With a reddened neck, his head slightly forward, he bluntly asked, "Second brother, what do you mean? Can you talk without involving my daughter?"

"What’s wrong with me? I’m just giving an example to get you to support our Dalang not marrying that poor girl from the Huang Family, born from such a small household, why should she marry my son?" Mu Dazhong argued to Mu Dajiang with a look of innocence.

"Second brother, I’m not an idiot. The way you disparage my daughter, our fourth house. Do you not think I’d get upset?"

Mu Dajiang’s rebellious words were spoken with perspiration all over his face.

It was always Mu Dajiang who was overlooked, and Mu Dazhong and Mu Danian never believed Mu Dajiang would counter any of their words.

"You’re upset; what are you upset about? Let me tell you, your fourth house has the least say. If my son marries an unsuitable wife, your daughter can forget about marrying into a good family."

"You..." Mu Dajiang was about to speak when suddenly Mr. Mu, who had been lying in wait, jumped out to cut him off.

"Why all the arguing? Are you thinking this old man is dead? Old Second, I just told you, Miss Huang must be married into the family. Did you treat my words like wind in your ears?"

Mr. Mu simply did not trust Mu Dazhong.

He had refrained from talking about Huang Bita and Mu Dalang’s marriage affecting Wang’s Mansion, just to prevent Mu Dazhong from using this to harm Old Da.

Mr. Mu had been deeply considerate for Mu Dade.

"Father, I just can’t understand, what’s so good about this Huang Bita? She’s talked about even with Fifth, and she’s not from a wealthy household.

I think you are doing this on purpose. Knowing our second house is about to shine, you deliberately suppress us and let Dalang marry a woman who won’t benefit him at all."

Mu Dazhong’s remarks were enough to make Mr. Mu’s mouth crooked with anger.

The dry tobacco he held in his hand smacked onto Mu Dazhong’s arm unceremoniously, causing Mu Dazhong to cry out in pain.

"Dad, what are you doing? Did I say anything wrong? If you’re not intentionally letting my son face hardship, why insist on doing it?"

Mu Dazhong was determined to get to the bottom of it.

No matter how Mr. Mu explained, he wouldn’t listen, and Mr. Mu helplessly opened his mouth: "This matter is my decision with your mother. At first, we thought, having said to Fifth and then saying it to Dalang, if rumors spread, people would laugh at us.

But Matchmaker Sun said that girl from the Huang Family being with Dalang would bring prosperity to Wang’s Mansion. And isn’t the Eastern place where your elder brother resides?

Initially, we didn’t believe it; your elder brother’s journey was truly a near-death experience.

Sick midway, documents didn’t arrive, but take a look. Ever since agreeing to the marriage with the Huang Family girl, not only did the documents arrive, even now, your elder brother’s official position has been secured."

The intention behind Mr. Mu’s words was naturally to get the sons to support his decision.

Once the explanation came out, Mu Dazhong’s attitude immediately changed.

His mental calculations were clicking in rhythm.

Though the prosperity Huang Bita and Dalang would bring was for the big house, Dalang was his son, and Huang Bita would be his daughter-in-law, whatever he said, the two would listen.

When the time comes, he’d threaten his elder brother using both of them; if he wanted money, it’d be money.

If he wanted beautiful women, his elder brother would have to provide, without making a peep.

Mu Dazhong felt heaven was truly looking after him; the biggest chip of the Old Mu Family was in his hand.

Mu Dazhong chuckled, "Father, you really are! This marriage with the Huang Family girl and Dalang is for Wang’s Mansion, such a big thing you didn’t tell me.

If you’d said earlier, I would have agreed, and wouldn’t have let Gou Dan’s mother create a fuss, leading to family strife now. What can we do?"

Mu Dazhong’s change in attitude happened so quickly that even Mu Danian couldn’t understand it.

"You don’t oppose anymore?" Mr. Mu was full of surprise.

Impossible, when had this second son become so easy to negotiate with?

"Of course, no opposition now! Today, Big Brother is the family’s hope; you and Mother have told me about letting Big Brother attend next February’s Imperial Examination.

With Bita, the Imperial Examination is sure to succeed. When that time comes, if he enters the Palace Examination, he’d be the Champion Scholar."

Mr. Mu’s facial expression also softened.

Indeed, with Huang Family girl and Dalang, the Mu Family should directly go to the Capital.

"Father, how about we go with Big Brother to take the exam? Once Big Brother becomes a scholar, we don’t need to return.

We’ll sell the land, gather some travel expenses, then buy a small courtyard in the Capital, settle down directly, and make delicious meals for Big Brother to prepare for the Imperial Examination. What do you think?"

Mu Dazhong’s words undoubtedly tempted everyone present.

If Huang Bita truly brought prosperity to Wang’s Mansion, once Big Brother passes, it would be a sure thing.

Since that’s the case, why hold onto a few acres and a broken house? Of course, they should go to the Capital together.

The Capital is so bustling, isn’t it better than the county in Qingshan Town?

Ps: Worked overtime all day, tired like a dog... Owe three updates, will compensate tomorrow during the day!