My parents don't pressure me; they just want me to be happy.

Hearing this, Young Master Wang felt a little sour; even girls from a small county town were more free than him.

"I am aware of your determination. Since you cannot sell, could I perhaps take a small stake? I am not particularly talented, but I own some businesses throughout the Great Yan."

How many shares do you want?

The current 40% share held by Fengyue Tower cannot be changed, so it can only be divided from He Qingzhu's own share. But Wang Buyou is right, it's good to have a powerful backer. If the Wang family of Beining were to back Huaxuetang, the goal of opening branches all over the Great Yan would no longer be out of reach.

"Two streams?"

"One share, sign the papers now."

Wang Buyou had never discussed business so quickly before. Usually, they would have a meal first, and then find a romantic place to spend some time together. If they were lucky, they could sign the documents at this point; otherwise, the documents would be signed a few days later.

The speed with which he could conduct business with a woman was astounding to Young Master Wang. He suddenly thought that it wouldn't be bad if there were more business owners like He Qingzhu, so he wouldn't have to drink with her or indulge in romantic escapades.

It saves trouble.

"Young Master? Young Master, snap out of it!"

The steward gently patted Wang Buyou twice from behind. The young man kept staring in the direction the group had left, lost in thought for a long time. No one knew what he was thinking. Young Master Wang closed the window, took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and got into the carriage.

"Whether you agree to a divorce or request to leave, it's up to you, but you absolutely cannot take Xiangxiang with you!"

“Zhongping has no children now, only Xiangxiang. Now you want to take Xiangxiang away. What are you trying to do, Madam Hou? Do you want my Cheng family’s Zhongping branch to die out?”

Lady Hou coldly swept her gaze over the people seated below her. A group of shameless old men in their forties and fifties were pointing fingers at a widow like her, without even feeling ashamed.

"Does Zhongping have no children?"

What about the child born to his concubine? Do they dare admit that the child was a cuckold's horns for the Cheng family? They don't dare, for the sake of that unfounded sense of face, they're afraid of losing face.

"That child died while you were gone."

The servants below couldn't speak coherently or make sense. Hou sighed. "The acting is really bad. They can't even make up a lie."

There was only one reason why these relatives didn't want Xiangxiang to leave: Xiangxiang was a girl, and she wouldn't be able to keep the family fortune when she grew up. They were determined to put all the money into their own pockets.

Cheng Zhongping has no money at all, just a pittance; Lady Hou wouldn't even look at him. She's a young lady from a respectable merchant family; she may not have much else, but she's got plenty of money.

"I already feel guilty for not observing mourning for him as his daughter-in-law. If any of the elders like anything Zhongping left behind, please take it. I will only take my dowry."

Upon hearing this, the people below suddenly fell silent, and then a woman screamed shrilly.

"No! Zhongping promised to give Xiangxiang to my grandson as his wife when he was alive. Xiangxiang can't leave!"

Hou's eyes narrowed. "A simpleton dares to covet my daughter?" Just as the woman was about to retort, a voice came from outside the door.

"Let's see who dares!"

The voice outside the door was deep and resonant. The old woman wore a dark green robe embroidered with lotus flowers, a light veil wrapped around her, a wide-brimmed hat for warmth, and crystal-clear emerald beads on her wrist.

A little girl followed behind her, and Hou Xiangxiang took her hand and led her into the main hall.

The visitor was the old lady of the prefectural governor's mansion, Cheng Zhongping's legal mother. The recently deceased prefectural governor was also born to a concubine, but since his biological mother had passed away early, he was raised in the main household.

The old lady did not have a good relationship with her adopted son. He had taken her man and was raising her son. What woman wouldn't resent that? She didn't care about the Cheng family's affairs and devoted herself to Buddhism, just to find peace and quiet.

Over the years, when Madam Hou was wallowing in self-pity at home, the little girl stayed by the old woman's side. When she copied scriptures, Xiangxiang would grind ink for her, and when the old woman offered incense and worshipped, Xiangxiang would obediently kneel and sit beside her.

In the Cheng family mansion, the only person whom the old lady dotes on as a junior is Hou Xiangxiang. Upon hearing that her granddaughter was to be married off to a mentally challenged man, the old lady, who had been a devout Buddhist for many years, immediately slapped her.

"How dare you ask my eldest daughter of the Cheng family to be the wife of a mentally challenged boy? Where do you get the audacity? Do you really think I'm dead?"

The old woman hurried to the head of the table and took her seat.

"If you can't even protect your own daughter, you might as well find a pillar and kill yourself."

This was said to Lady Hou. The old lady disapproved of her previous self-pitying behavior. "Can't you live without a man?"

"My mother's reprimand is correct."

She accepted the insult because she was confused.

“Zhongping is gone, and Xiangxiang is still young. Everything in the Cheng family belongs to Xiangxiang now. If anyone dares to touch it or have any improper thoughts, don’t blame this old woman for being ruthless.”

The old woman was a ruthless person when she was young. She was the undisputed leader in the Cheng family. Which of these relatives present hadn't been dealt with by her? They were practically skinned alive.

Seeing her relatives fleeing in a sorry state, little Xiangxiang's eyes lit up as she looked at the old lady.

"Grandma is amazing!"

"Our Xiangxiang will be even more amazing in the future!"

"Grandma, will you come with me?"

The old lady stroked her head and said kindly.

"Grandma won't be going with you. I've lived here for so many years, and I'm too old to trouble you anymore."

Besides, if she went with them, it would be difficult for Lady Hou to find another husband. The old lady knew what kind of person her adopted son was—using his wife as a stepping stone—and she looked down on him. So, if Lady Hou wanted to find another husband, wouldn't it be awkward for her to come along?

But I can't bear to leave my grandma.

Hou Xiangxiang wanted to take the old lady with her this time. It didn't matter whether the old lady was in the mansion or not, since she spent her days worshipping Buddha in the Buddhist hall.

“If Grandma comes with me, I will build you a bigger and better Buddhist shrine. You can arrange it however you like, and it won’t have these conspicuous things!”

The "eye-catching group" refers to the group of relatives mentioned earlier. The old lady always uses this term to describe Xiangxiang, and the child has remembered it.

"Does our Xiangxiang have that much money?"

"Yes! Didn't Grandma say she'd give me all the Cheng family's money? I'll use it all to build a Buddhist shrine for Grandma!"

"What a wonderful child!"

The old lady embraced her and looked at the Lady of the Marquis, saying...

"From now on, you must teach Xiangxiang well. If your next family can't accept her, send her back to me."

"Mother, come with us."

This mansion has confined this woman for too long; she should go out and see the world.

At least with Hou Xiangxiang by her side, her life is a little more colorful.

Lady Hou knelt before her and continued speaking.

"It was my fault before, I was confused and neglected Xiangxiang. My daughter is so grateful for her mother's guidance and companionship. Now that Zhongping is dead, I will take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days. I will have Xiangxiang break the pot and carry the funeral banner for you."

"I know you're reluctant to part with Xiangxiang. I have a small fortune; though it won't make us rich, it's certainly no worse than life in the Cheng family. Mother, come with me."

The old lady wavered somewhat, seeing the woman's repeated invitations and the little girl's eager waving of her sleeves beside her. She finally nodded and said...

Okay, let's go together.