Seeing his wife’s distress, Xu Hanxiao knew she was not good at arguing and would not be a match for Wan Hua. He raised his eyebrows and said, “What are you talking about, sister-in-law? Big brother’s shop and workshop are managed well, but business isn’t just about good products. One must also interact with other shopkeepers. Big brother just sits in the shop waiting for customers. Hanxiao went to meet Master Zhang for tea and happened to see him considering buying silk from another vendor. After much persuasion, I convinced him to reject that vendor and purchase from our Xu family instead.”
The implication was that he had not stolen Xu Hanzhong’s business but had actually helped retain it for the Xu family.
Wan Hua, though sharp-tongued, did not understand business. Seeing that Xu Hanzhong could not refute these words, she became even more frustrated.
Yin Yianniang, watching the drama unfold, saw the awkward silence and decided to mediate: “Enough, we’re all family. Why make things so tense? Even if you brothers want to separate households, you shouldn’t argue over such a small business and disrupt the family peace. Don’t cause the madam to faint again.”
Yu Yi glanced at Yin Yianniang, understanding that while she appeared to be mediating, she was actually drawing attention to the possibility of household separation. Yin Yianniang had an illegitimate son, Xu Hanren, who was third in the family hierarchy. If Hanzhong and Hanxiao were to fight, Hanren could potentially benefit.
Xu Hanzhong naturally understood the implications of Yin Yianniang’s words and looked at her with disdain: “Madam Yin should first manage her own son Hanren. He’s out all night, every few days, who knows what kind of people he’s consorting with.”
Yin Yianniang’s expression changed, and she muttered under her breath, “Good intentions treated like donkey liver and lungs.”
Only Xu Shuzhi, sitting next to her, heard her quiet comment. She also whispered, “Mother, what big brother says is right. Third brother should indeed restrain himself.”
Yu Yi saw them arguing so uncontrollably that she shouted: “Shut up, all of you!
