"Shuning, listen to your little uncle. Dad consulted all of us about this matter, and we all a—agreed."
The last three words were spoken in a much softer voice.
It had to be said that even though Shuning had a new appearance, the power of her gaze remained undiminished.
Xie Yu kicked his two sons.
Xie Buyan and Xie Jing glanced forward. Did this mean they were supposed to take the blame voluntarily?
Xie Buyan didn't say a word and was pulled by Yanran. Xie Jing silently took a few steps back.
Xie Yu glared fiercely at his two spineless sons.
Xie Jing murmured in a low voice, "I've seen Auntie's temper before. I don't dare to provoke her. Look, Sister - in - law has grabbed Big Brother. I'm not going to get involved in this mess."
Back in Yunmengze, the scene of being beaten up by Auntie when they first met still made Xie Jing feel a lingering fear. Even their father was afraid of her. How could they dare to provoke her?
"Shuning, if you want to blame someone, blame Grandpa."
Of course, Zhao Shuning wouldn't blame Grandpa Zhao. He was the elder she respected the most. Back then, she had worked so hard not only to clear her own name but also to make the Zhao family a prominent family in the Eastern Wilderness.
The Zhao Mansion was her home. Naturally, she wanted her family to live well.
"Grandpa, I don't mean to blame you."
"Shuning, you don't know that since the incident on the Divine Mountain, although the Zhao family has developed more and more rapidly and no one dares to provoke us, every time Dad sees your memorial tablet in the ancestral hall, he always feels extremely guilty. He always thinks that the prosperity of the Zhao family today was bought with your life. We and the younger generations of the Zhao family shouldn't enjoy this peace for free."
"What are you saying, Uncle? I'm a member of the Zhao family. The honor and disgrace of the Zhao family are closely related to me. Moreover, the great development of the Zhao family is not all my credit. If it weren't for Grandpa's fair handling of affairs, Uncle's management of the family's big and small matters, Little Uncle's shrewd dealings in the business world, and Mom and Dad's support, the Zhao family wouldn't have reached its current position. I'm just one person. I don't have that much ability to influence the rise and fall of the Zhao family."
"You child, you..."
She had clearly done the most for the Zhao family, but she always placed herself in a lower position.
Zhao Shuning saw that everyone had their heads down and didn't even make eye contact with her. She sighed. She knew she had spoken a bit too harshly. They just couldn't bear this prosperity and felt that they didn't deserve to enjoy it. Coupled with their guilt towards her, they had made this decision.
"Forget it."
"Grandpa, even if you were to give the entire Zhao family away, even if you included the Xie family, do you think Buran would accept it?"
"I... Shuning, Grandpa just thinks that the Emperor is the only one who was engaged to you. He is the most important person in your life. You are the most qualified to inherit this family business, and then it's the Emperor. The world you fought for the Zhao family should be returned to you."
Grandpa Zhao spoke earnestly.
Zhao Shuning stepped forward, took Grandpa Zhao's hand, and said, "Grandpa, I know your intentions. But just like I said, if you really regard me as your granddaughter and a member of the Zhao family..."
"Of course, you will always be my granddaughter of the Zhao family and a member of the Zhao family."
"Then, Grandpa, don't mention such things again in the future."
Grandpa meant well, but he didn't know that this way was actually another kind of harm to Buran.
"Grandpa knows. You're back. Let's not talk about the past."
Grandpa Zhao's eyes were filled with tears.
Zhao Shuning sensed Grandpa Zhao's implication and quickly said, "I don't want to deal with these things anymore. Grandpa, you know me. I like a care - free life. I can't handle the proper management of the family affairs. Moreover, I don't have any cultivation ability now. Not only will the servants not be convinced, but I can't even sit on the position of the head of the Zhao family with confidence."
Grandpa Zhao turned his gaze to Feng Xiaobai behind Zhao Shuning.
Feng Xiaobai looked up and happened to meet Grandpa Zhao's gaze.
"This child of yours seems to have good spiritual roots and comprehension."
It wasn't just good; it was against the heavens!
However, Grandpa Zhao had clearly miscalculated because Feng Xiaobai was obviously several times more difficult to deal with than Zhao Shuning.
"Your name is Feng Xiaobai, right?"
"Greetings, Ancestral Grandfather."
Feng Xiaobai bowed politely and obediently let Grandpa Zhao hold his hand.
"Good child, good child. If Ancestral Grandfather were to give the Zhao family..."
"Ancestral Grandfather, I don't want to be trapped in the Zhao family."
Grandpa Zhao's words were cut off by Feng Xiaobai.
Feng Xiaobai thought for a while and then said, "I have a younger sister. She should be a good helper."
Zhao Shuning looked at Feng Xiaobai. The younger - sister - scamming Feng Xiaobai was back! If Xiao Qiu'er came back and knew what he had done, she would probably chase Feng Xiaobai all over the mountain again.
Grandpa Zhao, who had been a bit disappointed, now had hope in his eyes after hearing Feng Xiaobai's words.
"Good, good..."
"What's your sister's name?"
"Feng Qiu'er."
Zhao Shuning couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Feng Xiaobai had sold his sister out completely. She leaned over and reminded, "Feng Xiaobai, Xiao Qiu'er may not like this 'gift' you're giving her. Think it over."
Feng Xiaobai replied in a low voice, "If Xiao Qiu'er doesn't like it, she can just refuse later."
Zhao Shuning was speechless.
"By the way, Mother, who is the Emperor they're talking about?"
"Your father."
"Really Father?"
So the things Mother had said before were all true?
"Once you meet your father, you'll know if what I said is true. Feng Xiaobai, you're so bold and unruly in front of me because I can't catch up with you and beat you hard. But once you meet your father, heh heh..."
Looking at the sly smile on Mother's face, Feng Xiaobai suddenly felt a chill from the bottom of his heart.
"Master, the opera troupe outside has performed another show. The guests are a bit tired and are waiting for you to go out and take charge."
Only then did Grandpa Zhao slowly stand up, with a smile on his face.
"The gifts they brought are all excellent. Dad should go out and take a look. There are also many heartfelt gifts from the younger generations inside."
Zhao Zheng also seemed to be in high spirits, smiling and putting aside his previous gloom.
Grandpa Zhao looked at Zhao Shuning and said with a smile, "On my birthday, the best gift God has given me is already here."
"Alright, everyone, let's go out together to receive the guests."
Everyone stood up, relieved.
Grandpa Zhao held out his hand to Zhao Shuning.
"Shuning, would you like to go out with Grandpa?"
Zhao Shuning looked at Grandpa Zhao's hand but instead stuffed the unprepared Feng Xiaobai into his hand. Then she gave a faint smile.
"Grandpa, I have something else to do."
"What important thing do you have?"
Zhao Shuning said, "I'm going to Hanshan Temple to bring your grandson - in - law here to celebrate your birthday. It's improper for the gift to arrive but the person not to."