"You old bastard, I told you not to get involved in this, but you wouldn’t listen to me. You helped Youtian bully the widow and orphan, how will you face your cousin when you’re down below?"

"Hurry up and apologize to your sister-in-law. Our family’s Daqiang is not capable of shouldering or lifting and is lame, who would take him to earn money? It’s only Aunt Dajiao who’s pitying him... boohoo..."

Before Fourth Brother could speak, Fourth Sister-in-law started cursing and crying first.

"Fourth Sister-in-law, please don’t say that. In our village, there aren’t many who can read, and I’d be worried if I handed this job to someone else." Tong Huaqiong said.

Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law thanked with tears in their eyes.

Leaving Gu Youtian with an unabashedly awkward expression that he couldn’t hide.

Tong Huaqiong continued, "Daqiang, I heard from Laifu that your son is diligent in his studies. He discussed with me yesterday and decided to waive his tuition fees in the future."

Gu Daqiang originally didn’t want to stand on the same side as Mr. Gu.

The other side forced him to return the land, and when talking to the clan leader didn’t work, and his grandfather, who was the clan leader’s blood brother, forced him to come.

Gu Daqiang was beaming when he heard Tong Huaqiong praise his son.

Upon hearing there would be no tuition, he was even more moved, thinking Aunt Tong was kind-hearted, understanding his family’s poor conditions, and waived his son’s tuition.

His son studied with the clan leader’s great-grandson, and the clan leader continually oppressed his son because he excelled academically.

"Aunt, I don’t know what to say. I’ll make sure my son studies hard and assists Jingzhe in the future."

Tong Huaqiong: "..."

That wouldn’t be necessary.

The Gu Family members in front of her seemed united with Mr. Gu and Gu Youtian, but in reality, they were a disorganized bunch, ready to disperse at any moment.

They had come for Mr. Gu’s promises, like their sons’ livelihoods, their grandsons’ education... you couldn’t say they were wrong, who wouldn’t plan for themselves in this world?

As long as she could win them over, Tong Huaqiong wouldn’t mind doing so; after all, she needed people.

Moreover, Tong Huaqiong knew that those she won over were naturally indecisive, neither siding with her nor Mr. Gu and Gu Youtian.

She recalled a famous saying from the future, about nurturing fewer enemies and more friends.

So Tong Huaqiong’s strategy caused the clan’s interest-based alliance to crumble.

"You know, Youtian, after so many years in the south, you don’t understand our Yan Guan Town’s situation, you better not run your sister-in-law’s business to the ground, otherwise, you’d be letting your brother down. I think you should just stay in the village and farm." Gu Ershu told Gu Youtian.

"Big brother, you’ve reached the age of knowing the mandate of heaven, don’t worry about whether your daughter-in-law is doing business or not, it’s not like you’re lacking food or drink, just enjoy your life." Mr. Gu’s cousin advised earnestly.

"Exactly, exactly. Ignoring or not hearing is wise for a family head. Even the Emperor of Shengjing ordered praise for Aunt Tong, can we be more capable than the Emperor? Clan rules can’t be bigger than the Emperor’s decrees, right?"

Those who wanted to cause trouble from Mr. Gu, Gu Youtian, and the clan leader, instead, under Tong Huaqiong’s benefits, stopped and even persuaded Mr. Gu not to make trouble.

Mr. Gu, Gu Youtian, and the clan leader’s faces were colorful as if they opened a pickle shop, their expressions extremely interesting.

In the face of real interest, the alliances dissolved instantly.

"Excuse me, my wheat needs watering. I must go. Dashi’s mother, my boy is ready to start work anytime."

"A hole’s broken in our chicken coop, I need to fix it. Dashi’s mom, call me if you need anything."

"Ruinian, you’re already a child student, do persuade your grandfather and father, your aunt is doing well in business, it would be bad if your father messed it up."

Everyone stood up one after another.

Fearing that if they didn’t leave soon, their sons’ hard-won livelihoods from Tong Huaqiong would be lost.

Soon, more than half of the people in the house were gone.

Only some stubborn ones remained by Mr. Gu’s side.

This group of stubborn ones had conflicts with Tong Dajiao in the past, forcing her to give Mr. Gu silver at his memorial.

They wondered if they could still side with Tong Huaqiong now.

Their families also needed silver, their descendants needed work, they needed to study.

But out of respect for Mr. Gu and Gu Youtian, they didn’t dare.

They resolved in their minds to stand aside, no matter what Mr. Gu and Gu Youtian did to challenge Tong Huaqiong next; if necessary, they planned to encourage her for favor.

Mr. Gu, Gu Youtian, and the clan leader’s faces grew particularly unpleasant.

Especially Gu Youtian, tightly clenched teeth, for he underestimated his sister-in-law’s tact.

"Clan leader, on behalf of our family, thank you for attending Dashi’s father’s memorial. It’s late, could I not keep you longer." Tong Huaqiong issued an expulsion order to the clan leader.

The clan leader was embarrassed, glued to his chair with an encouraging look at Mr. Gu, hoping he would pressure Tong Huaqiong using his father-in-law authority.

Even if unsuccessful, he wanted to create some trouble for Tong Huaqiong.

Yet Mr. Gu and Gu Youtian didn’t seem to receive the signal from the clan leader.

They knew today’s plan failed and had to strategize again later.

Mr. Gu stood up in silence and walked outside.

The other obstinate clan members saw Mr. Gu stand and hurriedly stood like receiving a great pardon, fearing any further delay might make them remembered negatively by Tong Huaqiong.

Eventually, only the clan leader, the Gu family’s old lady Gu Honglian, and Gu Youtian’s family were left.

"Ruinian, please accompany grandma home with your second uncle." Gu Jingzhe said to Gu Youtian.

Gu Dashu had already helped up the old lady and handed her to Gu Youtian.

The old lady, in confusion, followed Gu Youtian and Gu Ruinian outside.

Gu Ruinian looked up at Gu Jingzhe, who escorted him outside, momentarily puzzled.

This pure-blooded ancient man, where did his confidence come from?

During today’s seating, he confirmed Gu Jingzhe was purely an ancient man because to exhibit his talent among the clan, he recited many poems and songs, and Gu Jingzhe even asked him how he came up with them, with an expression genuinely unscripted. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Gu Ruinian resented Tong Huaqiong even more, and resented the clan members for being shallow-minded and easily swayed by greed.

The Gu family’s second branch saw everyone leaving, finding it unsuitable to stay longer, so they left too.

"Honglian, why didn’t you leave with them?" Tong Huaqiong noticed only Gu Honglian was left from the old house and asked.

Gu Honglian hesitated, still wanting to live at her sister-in-law’s home.

She blamed her father for not taking her words seriously, saying he shouldn’t have used the opportunity to ask her sister-in-law to let her stay. Her request wasn’t as excessive as her second brother’s, and now, a perfect opportunity had been wasted, with nothing gained for her brother.

"Sister-in-law, I want to live at your house." Gu Honglian quickly said, "Rest assured, I’m not greedy for your shop or your business, as long as I can live and feast at your house, I’m satisfied."

Tong Huaqiong thought to herself, who gave you the confidence to make such a request.