After a while, he slowly opened his eyes and said in a calm tone, "You all know the details of your eldest brother's current situation. As for the purpose of your trip, I am also very clear about it. But today I want to tell you clearly that when the family was divided back then, I did not mistreat you in the slightest, and you should not have any improper thoughts today."

"Qinlan".

Old Master Gu suddenly called out.

Gu Qinlan responded, "Grandfather, your granddaughter is here."

With a deep gaze, Old Master Gu slowly spoke: "Among the many descendants of the Gu family, your status is the most illustrious. Are you willing to temporarily shoulder the responsibility of protecting this family business until your younger brother is able to stand on his own?"

Time waits for no man; he is now old and no longer able to protect the Gu family. The real threat to the Gu family is not those scheming illegitimate sons, but rather the covetous outsiders.

However, the next generation of the Gu family is not yet mature. If they don't plan ahead, by the time they grow up, the Gu family will probably have already fallen apart. At present, the only one they can rely on is Gu Qinlan.

This eldest granddaughter was intelligent, quick-witted, calm, and meticulous from a young age, possessing extraordinary business acumen. It's a pity she was born a woman; if she were a man, she would undoubtedly elevate the Gu family to even greater heights. Furthermore, now that she has married into the Duan Prince's household, inextricably linking the Gu family's fate with that of the Duan Prince's family, most people wouldn't dare to easily target the Gu family's businesses.

Upon hearing that Gu Qinlan was to take charge of the family business, Madam Song immediately became as anxious as an ant on a hot pan: "Father, Qinlan is already married, how can she interfere in her maternal family's trivial matters? Besides, the business world is like a battlefield, how can she cope with it?"

Grandpa Gu glanced at her impatiently: "Then tell me, who else would be more suitable? Is it your stupid, ignorant daughter who only knows how to cause trouble?"

Song was unjustly blamed, and her face immediately turned ashen.

She was about to retort when she saw a stern look from Old Master Gu, so she had no choice but to suppress her resentment and remain silent for the time being.

Grandpa Gu turned his head and looked at Gu Qinlan with gentle eyes: "Qinlan, what do you think?"

All eyes were fixed on her.

Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, her expression resolute: "I am deeply grateful for my grandfather's trust in me. As a woman of the Gu family, how can I stand idly by at this crucial moment? Please rest assured, grandfather, I will do my utmost to protect the Gu family's assets and will not allow any outsiders to have any chance to touch the Gu family's assets."

In the history of the Gu family's revival, the Jiang family's assistance was undoubtedly a crucial turning point. However, when the Gu family was reborn, they did not repay the Jiang family's kindness with gratitude. Instead, they maliciously plotted to cause the Jiang family's wife to suffer a tragic fate, the family business to be swallowed up, and family members to be forced into exile.

Although Gu Qinlan did not yet have conclusive evidence, she knew in her heart that the bloody truth was beyond doubt.

Therefore, she was determined to keep no outsiders involved with the Gu family, because she vowed to take back all that wealth and honor and return it to the Jiang family!

Gu Qinlan lowered her eyes slightly, deeply hiding her complex emotions, but on the surface she presented herself as an extremely filial and understanding young girl.

Old Master Gu's expression finally softened: "I'm glad you understand. You are a member of the Gu family. As the Gu family prospers, your future will naturally be even brighter."

He turned his head and swept his gaze over everyone: "You must all understand this principle! If anyone is dissatisfied with this decision, then leave the Gu family immediately!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Dingli and the other illegitimate sons, who had initially harbored resentment, immediately extinguished the flames in their hearts.

However, how could the Song family tolerate this?

Everything in the Gu family should have belonged to her son. How could she feel at ease letting Gu Qinlan take over the family affairs?

So, anxious and pale-faced, she said, "Father, please retract your order! Qinlan is just a girl; she has never been involved in the business world. How can she be competent for such a heavy responsibility? Although Dingli is still young, he has already begun his business studies. Please put in a little more effort and let him learn the ways of management from you. In a few years, no, just one year, Dingli will be able to handle things on his own..."

Old Master Gu's face darkened as he interrupted her, saying, "Even if I'm willing to give him time, will his competitors give him time? Forget about the future; can he even step up and solve this mess right now?"

Song turned anxiously to Gu Qinlian and asked, "Qinlian, where is your brother right now? Quickly send someone to deliver a message to him, telling him to come back immediately!"

Three months have passed since Gu Xun left with the silver to purchase grain, and he still hasn't returned. He had originally planned to return before winter, but who would have thought such a sudden turn of events would occur?

Gu Qinlian was also unaware of the grain collection team's current whereabouts; she had lost contact with the outside world since the refugee siege. The Song family's situation left her perplexed.

Seeing her expression, Madam Song was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, and scolded her: "I said long ago that I disagreed with letting him go, but you insisted. Now look what happened, what are you going to do!"

"Stop making a fuss!"

Gu Qinlan rebuked sharply, "Father is suffering terribly right now, yet you only care about the Gu family's wealth. This is truly disheartening. As expected, couples who are not the original spouses can never work together in harmony."

Enraged, Madam Song exclaimed, "Gu Qinlan, what do you mean by this! What do you mean by coveting the family fortune? According to the family rules, the Gu family's property should rightfully belong to my son, Gu Xun! If you didn't have ulterior motives, why would you interfere? You're just a married daughter; what right do you have to manage the Gu family's business!"

Gu Qinlan was speechless for a moment, then turned to Old Master Gu and said, "Grandfather, I think it's best to give up on the matter of maintaining the family business. I have no interest in the Gu family's wealth, let alone any intention to get involved. I'm worried that I won't be able to handle it and will end up being accused of usurping my mother's family's assets."

"You all stay here to discuss countermeasures, I'll go and keep my father company first."

As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Qinlan felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders, turned around and left without any lingering attachment to anything behind her.

Mrs. Song was extremely shocked. This spoiled woman had actually left?

Is she really indifferent to the Gu family's wealth?

This is the incredibly wealthy Gu family! It's a unique treasure in Jindu!

She found it hard to believe that Gu Qinlan would remain unmoved, yet the other party's resolute decision to let go, with a look of relief on his face, did not seem like an act.

Just as Madam Song was deep in thought, Old Master Gu suddenly called out, "Qinlan, come back."

Gu Qinlan stopped and turned around, saying, "Grandfather, please don't make things difficult for me anymore."

With a sorrowful expression, Old Master Gu pleaded, "Do you really want to see the Gu family divided up by others?"

As he spoke, he pointed to the other members of the Gu family: "None of them are capable of shouldering great responsibilities. The family's current glory is entirely due to the hard work of our ancestors generation after generation. You are a descendant of the Gu family, how can you tolerate the decline of the Gu family?"