Mr. Gu paused and said, "Stealing things from the aunt is too serious a crime, it’s all because of poverty. In the past, when our village was suffering from famine, many families sold their daughters for grain to feed their sons, you’ve seen it yourself. If there wasn’t any other way, who would sell their daughter?"

Tong Huaqiong said, "Then why not sell the son? Since there’s no other way, why only sell the daughter and not the son."

Old Madam Gu proactively stood up to defend the men in the family and said, "How can a daughter be compared to a son? A son is the family’s legacy, if a son dies or is sold, we have no descendants. Daughters belong to other families. If there’s money, sons and daughters are treated equally; if absolutely necessary, a daughter should be exchanged for a son."

This is Old Madam Gu’s true attitude towards daughters and sons.

Tong Huaqiong looked at Gu Honglian with a sarcastic expression and said, "So Taohua was not wrong, today you can use Honglian’s satin to exchange for silver, tomorrow you can exchange Honglian for Gu Ruinian’s future."

Does Gu Honglian know? Her mother’s love is based on not needing to use her to repay Gu Youtian and the two sons for now. If selling Gu Honglian could turn around Gu Youtian’s situation or propel Gu Ruinian to success, Old Madam Gu would definitely not stop selling out Gu Honglian.

Old Madam Gu was angered by the truth being pointed out, "What nonsense are you talking. Do you think our Gu Family is like the Tong Family, using you to exchange for silver for Tong Fusheng."

Gu Honglian is her precious flesh, Tong Dajiao intends to stir up trouble between the mother and daughter with malicious intent.

Tong Huaqiong had a cold smile on her lips.

So Gu Honglian and Tong Dajiao are no different, huh.

"Alright, stop arguing."

Mr. Gu weakly sat up and said to Tong Huaqiong, "I still say this, a pen cannot write two ’Gu’ characters, no matter how we argue, we are one family. Jingzhe is now the most promising child in the family, Ruinian is also not bad, he just had bad luck this year, got injured after being thrown off a carriage before the exam. Jingzhe is studying at Wanliu Academy now, later he will become a scholar or a civil official, going into the career path, but he has no background and no connections, afraid it’s hard to rely on oneself. As the saying goes, father-son soldiers go into battle, and brothers fight tigers together, trust your brothers over others, Jingzhe and Ruinian are true brothers, fruits on the same branch, why not support Ruinian in studying too, to help Jingzhe later in his career, isn’t this better than relying on others? If Da Han and Dashi studied well, I wouldn’t ask this, but our big family only has Ruinian and Jingzhe studying. You are living well now, the eldest son if he were alive, wouldn’t ignore Ruinian’s studies. You just fulfill the eldest’s wish, consider this a request from me."

Tong Huaqiong thought, Mr. Gu is probing step by step.

First probing her to hand over the shop to the second branch, in vain; then probing her to get a position for Gu Fengnian in the county government, in vain; now starting to ask her to support the second branch’s son’s studies.

As long as Gu Ruinian still has hopes of studying, Mr. Gu is reluctant.

Tong Huaqiong almost refused without hesitation, saying, "Master, I don’t know if Da Han’s father’s wish included supporting his nephew’s studies, and no one can ask him directly. He didn’t mention supporting his nephew’s studies before he died, so I’ll take it as non-existent. The Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law are in their prime, supporting Ruinian’s studies is their responsibility. If I take it over, wouldn’t people point fingers at the Second Brother’s backbone?"

Tong Huaqiong’s refusal was in Mr. Gu’s expectations.

He is unwilling to give up.

In Mr. Gu’s heart, he is willing to do anything for Gu Ruinian’s success.

He looked directly at Tong Huaqiong and asked, "What conditions will make you willing to support Ruinian’s studies?"

Tong Huaqiong pondered for a moment and smiled, "Master, you know I am quite selfish, I don’t want to make clothes for others. Ruinian is just a nephew, hearts are separated by bellies, no matter how much you emphasize his conscience, I don’t believe it. What if I support him and he does not repay me, wouldn’t I end up empty-handed?"

"Unless..."

Mr. Gu hurriedly asked, "Unless what?"

In the corner, Gu Ruinian raised his head, his eyes filled with hope, and Mrs. Jia took a step inside from beyond the threshold.

They were all waiting for Tong Huaqiong’s terms.

Tong Huaqiong said, "Unless Gu Ruinian is adopted as the heir of the main branch."

The room fell silent.

Mr. Gu’s breathing became heavier.

Mrs. Jia first wanted to curse.

"Sister-in-law, what kind of joke are you making. The main branch has a heir and biological child, yet you want to take my son. What’s your intention?"

Mrs. Jia was emotionally agitated.

Loving the sister-in-law jealousy, her mindset remains unaltered.

Ruinian has the aptitude for study, his future cannot be lacking.

If she agrees, Ruinian later becomes the main branch’s son, no matter the honors received or care given has nothing to do with her.

All the glory goes to Tong Dajiao.

This equals cutting off her root.

Gu Ruinian slightly moved his lips.

He actually thought Tong Huaqiong’s suggestion was not a bad one, in this world, whose son to be isn’t important, what’s important is utilizing all available opportunities to become a person of importance.

Anyway, he is a solitary spirit from another world, Gu Youtian and Mrs. Jia are not his parents.

If he became the main branch’s son, Gu Taohua’s money-making ideas could be used by him, Gu Jingzhe’s future political connections would belong to him.

Not only would the main branch’s resources be his, but also those of Huang Yuanwai, County Magistrate Liu, and Government City Lu Family... All these resources would help him in the future.

He wants to agree, but alas, here he doesn’t have a position to speak, nor does he want to bear the negative reputation of abandoning his "biological" parents.

Mrs. Jia not agreeing is not a problem, the key lies with Mr. Gu.

Gu Ruinian’s eyes burned as he looked at Mr. Gu, wishing for Mr. Gu to agree for him.

Tong Huaqiong could see Gu Ruinian’s thoughts clearly, such a wolf cub, even if the second branch is willing to give him to her, she does not want.

But how would the second branch give up Gu Ruinian to her, for Gu Ruinian is the lifeblood of the second branch.

Tong Huaqiong said to Mrs. Jia, "Don’t question my intentions? Just answer whether you agree or not."

Mrs. Jia’s fingers trembled.

No one should try to make a move on her son.

Old Madam Gu regained her senses and burned with anger, siding with Mrs. Jia, "No wonder you don’t want to support Ruinian’s studies; you were waiting for this, huh. Forcing the second branch into desperation, then bringing Ruinian into your fold as your son. As long as I live, don’t even think about it."

Gu Ruinian sighed in his heart, women have limited vision.

Mrs. Jia is like this, so is Old Madam Gu.

Following the second branch, what benefits could he gain? No money, no connections, having to pawn his aunt’s satin and getting scolded by the aunt.

Why couldn’t they agree to him being adopted by the main branch, allowing him to utilize their resources for gradual success?

Gu Ruinian once again looked at Mr. Gu.

Actually, when Tong Huaqiong proposed this, Mr. Gu initially wanted to curse. But he held his ground, thinking over that adopting Gu Ruinian into the main branch might also be a way.

Since regardless of Ruinian being a child of the main branch or second branch, he is still his grandson.

Though considering Ruinian’s biological parents are still around, as a grandfather, he cannot make the decision, this should wait until Gu Youtian arrives.

Mr. Gu opened his eyes, then closed them again.

Finally, he sighed and said, "Your second brother is not home, we’ll decide when he returns."

Gu Ruinian was slightly disappointed, he hoped Mr. Gu could make the decision immediately.