"I understand."

Gu Dahuan sincerely said to Mr. Gu, "I will bring this up with my mother."

Gu Dahuan initially wanted to refuse, but faced with Mr. Gu’s plea, he softened.

After all, it was his own grandfather, the father of his deceased father.

Anyway, grandfather didn’t demand anything excessive, he just wanted to rent the family’s land.

After Gu Dahuan left, the other family members looked at Mr. Gu with varying expressions.

Mr. Gu felt quite embarrassed, having to ask his grandson for something as basic as food.

His true intention was not about renting the land, but to slowly take control of the main family’s land through the renting process.

Mr. Gu, feeling upset, said to the clan leader and others, "I actually wanted to ask for everyone’s help. You all know my eldest son is gone, and my eldest daughter-in-law is not filial and not aligned with our Gu Family. She doesn’t participate in family matters. I want to discuss opening the ancestral hall to make her hand over the land, cake business, and pig farming business. My son You Tian has been doing business for years. Don’t look at how his current business is losing money, it’s because he was sabotaged by others. In truth, he has always done quite well in business and has the ability to take over the eldest house’s business. You Tian taking over the business is beneficial for all of us."

Gu Youtian sat steadily beside Mr. Gu, with a proud look of having seen great business opportunities.

He was unwilling to just farm in the village.

The clan leader was just about to speak when Gu Ruinian raised his head slowly and said, "Grandfather, I went to town today to see the shop that belongs to my eldest aunt’s family. The business was good, and many people came to buy cakes. I saw Sister Taohua and Sister-in-law Yue Er all serving customers in the shop, even aunt was there. Honestly, it brought tears to my eyes seeing our family’s women showing their faces and earning money outside. I heard people gossiping around, saying that’s why no one is proposing to the Gu family’s daughters, and my heart tore apart."

"Grandfather, let me offer some advice, don’t open the ancestral hall yet. You and the clan leader should first talk to my aunt privately. She might understand reason. It must be hard for my aunt, a woman, to support a family after my uncle passed away. It’s normal for her to have grievances against us, so we should be more understanding of her. Grandfather, please be patient with her; when she confronts you, be more forgiving. Make her see that we’re not trying to steal her shop but to help her expand it. Let her know that even if Dad takes over her shop, it’s for the sake of her and the Gu Family’s daughters’ reputation, so she can enjoy her life at home in the future."

Without waiting for Mr. Gu to speak, Gu Ruinian continued to say to the clan leader, "If Brother Dahuan wasn’t so honest, if Brother Dashi could stand tall, if Brother Jingzhe could support the family, the main house wouldn’t be forced to rely on a few women to hold up the household. The girls from our family still need to get married. Aunt, Sister Taohua, Xiao Xue, and other girls in the clan still need to find husbands. Everyone admires the courage of the women from the main house in doing business, but when it comes to proposals, who wants a strong-minded daughter-in-law? What do you think, clan leader?"

Indeed, Gu Ruinian hit the mark, and the clan leader nodded, falling into deep thought.

Gu Jingzhe’s words made the other members of the clan see him in a new light. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

My goodness, after so many years, the second son of the second house has become so promising.

The words were reasonable and analyzed the pros and cons, and they supported Gu Youtian taking over the main house’s business not out of force, but for Tong Dajiao herself and other girls in the clan.

Gu Ruinian smiled indifferently, as his eloquence swayed most of the clan members to their side.

Mr. Gu said, "Youtian is mindful of the clan. When Youtian becomes in charge of the shop, we will set up some sacrificial land for the clan and support the children in their studies. As long as our clan thrives, everyone benefits."

This was like a strong tonic for the clan leader and other influential members present, getting their full support for Gu Youtian.

Thus, it was decided to discuss the shop matter with Tong Huaqiong three days later.

The reason it was set three days later is because it was Old Mr. Gu’s memorial day.

On the day of the memorial, everyone in the clan would be present, and under the clan’s pressure, there was no fear that Tong Huaqiong wouldn’t compromise.

When Tong Huaqiong returned home in the evening, Tong Pandi had already made dinner.

Gu Dahuan took the opportunity to tell Tong Huaqiong that Mr. Gu wanted him to ask about leasing their land.

Tong Huaqiong then asked Gu Dahuan, "What do you think of this matter?"

Gu Dahuan cautiously said, "After all, he is grandfather, an elder. He’s not asking for our land, just to rent it. Since he asked, why not lease it to him."

Tong Huaqiong knew about the kindness of her stepson.

If he held grudges, given Tong Dajiao’s past attitude towards him, he would have long been at irreconcilable odds with Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t dislike Gu Dahuan’s sympathy for Mr. Gu, thinking kindness was better than malice.

Moreover, for an inherently traditional person like him, defying his grandfather was somewhat beyond expectations.

Tong Huaqiong said, "If you agree to lease the land to your grandfather, I won’t oppose. But, I have a condition; the land at the West Mountain cannot be leased to them. Just lease the five acres by the riverbank to them, which is enough for their consumption for a year. Whether to take rent in silver or in grain is your decision."

Tong Huaqiong understood Mr. Gu’s intention.

To gradually encroach on the fifty acres of fertile land at the West Mountain Foot through leasing.

Just five acres, Tong Huaqiong could afford to lose it.

If they didn’t lease to Mr. Gu this time, there’s no telling how he might pester Gu Dahuan next.

She also wanted Gu Dahuan to see Mr. Gu’s encroachment firsthand, so he would not be swayed by Mr. Gu’s plea.

"Take this bowl of meat over there and mention the leasing of the land to your grandfather in passing."

Tong Huaqiong handed a bowl of meat to Gu Dahuan.

The Gu family’s old house was just about to start dinner, the family gathered around the table discussing something.

When they saw Gu Dahuan come in, they all fell silent.

"Dahuan is here." Mr. Gu coughed.

"I have come to bring food for grandfather and grandmother," Gu Dahuan said.

The dining table at the old house was rather simple.

A bowl of pickled vegetables, a bowl of cabbage, and a pot of porridge in front of the old lady Gu, who was scooping porridge with a ladle.

The men ate the thicker part, while the women ate the watery part. Only the family’s hope, Gu Ruinian, had the privilege of eating substantial food.

Gu Dahuan glanced and felt rather disdainful, as the clan praised Gu Ruinian to high heaven, yet he was not even as good as the former Gu Jingzhe. Even the selfish former Gu Jingzhe wouldn’t let his mother and sister eat thin porridge while he ate thick porridge.

Gu Honglian took the meat and placed it in front of herself.

It was a bowl of pork, oily and shiny, with an enticing aroma.

Despite having had a bellyful of oily food at noon, Gu Honglian couldn’t resist the fragrance of the meat.

This time, the old lady Gu didn’t pamper Gu Honglian but rather placed the meat in front of Gu Ruinian, saying, "Ruinian is going to the provincial capital for exams soon; it’s been tough on his mind with all the studying, so he should nourish himself well."

Gu Ruinian naturally took some pork with his chopsticks and stuffed it into his mouth, making Gu Dahuan feel even more disdainful.