Some people breathed a sigh of relief. The Sun family was a behemoth with all sorts of accounts. Some members of the Sun family had the opportunity and qualifications to manage a certain account book. The old lady and Sun Zhongshi were not particularly shrewd people. As long as they used clever fake accounts, it wouldn't be too difficult to fool them.
An elder, his eyes bloodshot, glared at Sun Yun. This rebellious woman had dared to alter the family genealogy without their permission! How outrageous!
Soon, Sun Yun turned to the clan elders. These men held great influence in the Sun family and were mostly indifferent to her. Out of respect for the elderly, she curtsied and said, "From this day forward, the clan elders will no longer have the right to make decisions on major family matters."
"Rebellious daughter!" These clan elders, who considered themselves scholars and learned men, were so angry that they couldn't even curse anymore. If they hadn't been supported by someone, they probably would have collapsed from anger.
Sun Yun ignored them and turned to look at her cousins. Most of them were young, like herself. Some were blindly loyal and filial, while others were clever and perceptive. One advantage of running a shop was that it made her more and more accurate in judging people. The Sun family was really in trouble, and there was no one who gave her the feeling that she could take charge.
Her gaze fell on her uncles, all of whom were mediocre talents. No wonder her grandfather was so determined to break with Lord Xie; she seemed to understand.
"Uncles and elders, on behalf of all the clan elders, will discuss important family matters with me. Those who disagree are free to leave now. You can form your own family; I won't stop you." She stated her decision calmly and nonchalantly, as if it were a spur-of-the-moment decision.
However, she had actually thought about this decision for three days. She couldn't handle the entire Sun family on her own; she needed someone to assist her, otherwise she would only face death and disgrace. But if someone assisted her, the situation could be balanced.
Of course, women's status was extremely low, but after those people were furious, they thought about how many sons and daughters they had to support, how many concubines they had to take care of, and how their sons and daughters had to get married and have children. All of these things required a lot of money. Without money, who would know that they were from the Sun family?
They're not Sun Tzu; they can't write "The Art of War"! They won't earn generations of respect. Besides, a true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm…
Lacking money and manpower, these people compromised in the face of reality.
"Since the family has been divided, I have a proposal: each branch should contribute 30,000 taels of silver to invest in some of the shops under my name. Monthly dividends will be distributed to each branch. Anyone who wants to get nothing but a free lunch should move out immediately!" The family still needs cohesion, and shared interests are the fastest way to bring people together.
Upon hearing that it was 30,000 taels, everyone immediately became indignant. The eldest son's family would get 50% of the family fortune! The rest of them would have to divide the remaining 50%, and based on the number of people, each person would be lucky to get 20,000 taels, let alone put up 30,000 taels as an investment! It was simply outrageous.
However, Sun Yun added, “My cousins are not young anymore. They should not spend their days eating, drinking and having fun with their cronies. They should also contribute to the family. Starting today, I will set up an inner and outer management hall, and the personnel will be selected from among my cousins, their wives and sisters-in-law.”
A family is like a clan; only the useful can live like human beings, while the useless live off their monthly allowance. They may act arrogantly outside, but at home they are nothing more than mangy dogs who have to live at the mercy of others.
Especially when the eldest son was in charge of the household, how much he was given and whether it would be withheld depended entirely on the eldest son's mood. Some of these cousins were two cycles older than Sun Yun. The men were better off; when they reached a certain age, Sun Ganzheng would arrange for them to become parasites in the court. But the women were not so lucky. Many times, they relied on their dowries to maintain appearances. Those who did not want to rely on their dowries had to curry favor with the eldest son and the person in charge.
Neither the monthly salary from the imperial court nor the dowry were the main expenses.
A single chopstick is easy to break, but a bundle of chopsticks is not easy to break. Chopsticks do not think and have no selfishness, but people are not easy to deal with!
Zhao Bi was astonished that Sun Yun had managed to tidy up the main branch of the Sun family so quickly, as if he were dreaming. Sun Si had always lived in the Sun family, and he would always come to visit and keep him company. Watching the Sun family change little by little, the light in his eyes also changed with each change. When the assassin came to report to him, he murmured to himself that he shouldn't have valued Sun Si's status as the eldest son. It shows that sometimes, one's background is not that important.
"Husband, I lost Jingxin Garden, and I also caused Father to lose the family property that the eldest branch should have inherited." Sun Si sobbed weakly, her face pale, her clothes plain, her hair simply combed into a single sideburn and adorned with two plain red hairpins. Her originally less than a third of Sun Yun's elegant temperament became refined.
Zhao Bi lovingly pulled her into his arms, his eyes full of tenderness. "What nonsense are you talking about? You are now the Fourth Prince's Consort, my wife. What is mine is yours. It's just a garden, nothing to worry about. If you want it, why shouldn't I give you the world? Besides, I know that you did all this for me."
"Husband." Sun Sisu placed her hand on Zhao Bi's lips, looked into his eyes, and her eyes filled with sweetness. "I only want you. I don't want any of those other things. It's just a pity that I can't help you."
Zhao Bi opened his mouth and put her hand in his mouth. "What more could a husband ask for than a wife like this? Don't do anything foolish again. If you get hurt again, it will break my heart."
Sun Si's cheeks flushed, and she nestled shyly in Zhao Bi's arms, her heart filled with joy. Her hands began to wander, her delicate hands slipping inside Zhao Bi's clothes. Zhao Bi's arms tightened around her, and his breathing became rapid.
Suddenly, Eunuch Ruan's voice rang out from outside the door, "Your Highness, the Fourth Madam has returned."
Zhao Bi said nonchalantly, "You dare to report to someone so insignificant? Go and receive your punishment!" With that, he bent down and kissed Sun Si.
Sun Si's expression changed upon hearing Eunuch Ruan's report, but as Zhao Bi spoke and acted, a happy expression returned to her.
However, how could a heart devoted to Zhao Bi not be delicate?
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