Mrs. Qiao said to Wu Ren, "In the past, Tong Pandi was domineering because we didn’t use any means to restrain her."

Wu Na chimed in, "Mother is right, our methods weren’t strong enough. I heard that the wife of Blacksmith Zhang from Black Dragon Pond was domineering when she was young, and he disciplined her by branding her with a hot iron, and after a few times, she became obedient. Brother, you’re a man, and you can’t even handle a woman? Tong Pandi’s weakness is her two burdensome daughters; seize them, and she won’t have a choice but to bow her head."

Seeing Wu Ren’s hesitation, Mrs. Qiao continued, "Now, Tong Pandi has completely enchanted our son, delaying his marriage prospects, and how can we hope to have grandchildren? Why not bring Tong Pandi home as a concubine and find another match for our son?"

Wu Ren was being persuaded.

"But how could this be achieved? Her aunt, Widow Tong, is a fierce one; with her in the way, it’ll likely be troublesome."

If Tong Pandi gets divorced within the Tong Family and conspires with Tong Fusheng, it would be easy for them to get Tong Pandi back to the Wu Family.

Now that Tong Pandi is living with Widow Tong, the situation became much more complicated.

Wu Ren’s words reminded Mrs. Qiao and Wu Musheng that they needed to deal not only with Tong Pandi but also with Widow Tong.

"Uncle Wu, this matter is easy to handle."

Gu Ruinian came in.

"Uncle Wu, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on your conversation; I’m here to bring you some roast chicken."

Gu Ruinian noticed Mrs. Qiao’s displeased expression, aware she misunderstood him taking money from the shop to buy roast chicken, he casually explained, "I earned some money by doing some transcribing for people, bought two roast chickens, one to honor my grandparents, and one for Uncle Wu and Aunt Qiao."

Mrs. Qiao’s face indeed softened into a smile.

Wu Na took the roast chicken, feeling a surge of sweetness: earlier that afternoon, she mentioned wanting to eat roast chicken, and Gu Ruinian brought it that evening, surely using the pretense of gifting it to her parents to actually give it to her.

Wu Na said, "Ruinian isn’t an outsider, I heard from Aunt Honglian that Widow Tong is displeased with Ruinian’s ability to study, always comparing him to her successful son. Ruinian, like us, regards Widow Tong as an enemy."

Gu Ruinian felt discontent towards Gu Honglian for telling Wu Na everything.

Wu Musheng then asked Gu Ruinian, "What did you mean when you said the matter is easy to handle? Can you get Tong Pandi back to the Wu Family or make her willing to be my concubine?"

Gu Ruinian looked at Wu Musheng with disdain.

In this era of extreme gender inequality, Wu Musheng couldn’t even control a woman, truly incompetent.

Gu Ruinian glanced at Wu Ren, who amiably said, "Ruinian, do you have any good ideas?"

Gu Ruinian responded, "The method is already in Sister Wu’s words. Hua’er and Duo’er are Sister Pan Di’s darlings; if you seize Hua’er and Duo’er, the matter will be resolved."

The Wu Family only then realized Tong Pandi’s second daughter was named Duo’er.

Wu Ren asked, "How do we seize them?"

Gu Ruinian explained, "Even if divorced, Hua’er and Duo’er are still of Wu Family blood. Since they’re Wu Family blood, isn’t it perfectly reasonable for the Wu Family to want these two children to acknowledge their ancestors and return to the family? Surely, as long as the Wu Family wills it, no one can prevent your bloodline from being lost outside."

Wu Ren slapped his thigh, thankful for Ruinian’s reminder.

They hadn’t thought to use the two children as leverage because they considered the two burdensome daughters insignificant as Wu Family members.

For leverage against Tong Pandi, the two girls are more than sufficient.

Gu Ruinian continued to fan the flames, "I heard that Sister Pan Di divorced because the upside-down heavens refused to admit she couldn’t bear a son, fearing her two daughters would suffer in the Wu Family. But does divorcing not impact the two daughters significantly? It’s a huge impact. Uncle Wu, let me ask you, which family would be willing to marry off their sons to daughters of a divorced woman? When Hua’er and Duo’er reach marriageable age and have no proposals, Sister Pan Di will realize how ludicrous it was to choose divorce. She’s probably realizing it now, but just stubbornly holding on."

"Now that you promise to let Hua’er and Duo’er acknowledge their ancestors, for the sake of her daughters’ future happiness, Sister Pan Di will make the right choice. Furthermore, blood ties can’t be severed, which daughter doesn’t yearn for her father’s care? Brother Musheng, as the children’s father, if you care more for them, surely the children would willingly come back. If the children are willing to return, what objection could Sister Pan Di have?"

Gu Ruinian then conducted a benefit analysis, mentioning that not only could Tong Pandi return to the Wu Family to fulfill Wu Musheng’s desires, but they could also use Tong Pandi to gather business secrets from Jufu Supermarket, achieving two goals with one move.

It must be said that Gu Ruinian’s persuasive tongue quickly incited the Wu Family to wish for nothing more than to have Tong Pandi return to the Wu Family that very night.

Gu Ruinian’s motivation for helping the Wu Family.

He wasn’t genuinely concerned; he purely wanted to gain further trust from Wu Ren and also to cause trouble for Tong Huaqiong.

Mrs. Qiao said, "Then let’s go to Qinghe Bay to visit the two children."

Gu Ruinian smilingly said, "No need to go to Qinghe Bay. Hua’er and Duo’er came to Pingchuan County the day before yesterday, and they’ve been at my aunt’s house these past few days."

The news of Hua’er and Duo’er being in Pingchuan County had not been kept from Gu Ruinian.

The Wu Family was overjoyed upon hearing this, thinking it was great they were in Pingchuan County; they could take the children away when the Tong Family weren’t watching.

Regarding Tong Pandi’s two children, the Wu Family only remembered Hua’er as a timid girl, especially afraid of Wu Musheng, her father; Wu Musheng was confident he could deceive her back home.

As for the second girl, Duo’er, she was wrapped in the carriage by Tong Huaqiong at birth, so they had no impression of her.

Judging by the time, this child was almost one year old.

Gu Ruinian was right, without the protection of the Wu Family, the two children’s future wouldn’t be smooth.

Though now living comfortably with Widow Tong, when it came time to discuss marriage, it would be difficult; who would want to marry the daughter of a divorced woman?

For Tong Pandi, who cherished her daughters like jewels, she’d surely be willing to plan for their future.

The Wu Family deliberated and decided to find a chance to see the two children.

The house in the county belonging to Tong Huaqiong wasn’t far from Jufu Supermarket.

The Wu Family watched for two days, and taking advantage of the time when Tong Huaqiong and others went to Jufu Supermarket, they sneaked to the house.

These past few days, Tong Pandi took the children out for walks and didn’t see any trouble from the Wu Family. Tong Pandi felt relieved, thinking the Wu Family was indeed cold and indifferent, treating the two children as if they were disposable.

However, that was also good, saving the children from yearning for the Wu Family in the future.

Tong Pandi gradually let down her guard.

On this day, Tong Pandi and Mrs. Hong were in the room coaxing Duo’er to nap, while Man Er, Xiao Long, Yaozu, and Hua’er sneaked out to play.

They went to a nearby cotton candy stall.

Even though Jufu Supermarket also sold candy, the freshly-made cotton candy from small vendors always held an irresistible allure to children.

"Four cotton candies, please."

Man Er took out money and handed it to the vendor.

The vendor started melting the sugar, soon pulling it into threads, using a small stick to wind it round and round into a snow-white cotton shape, handing it to Hua’er first.

"Hua’er."

Wu Na smiled brightly as she approached the vendor, giving Hua’er a smile.