The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

If you can’t make it, then none of this matter.

Zhuang Yuanren’s future would be irreversibly obstructed.

Zhuang Ruman felt he cannot take this risk.

As for those two annoying girls who, after making money, only know how to look out for themselves, without giving a thought to their elders…

Well, well, fortunes alternate while circumstances rotate, let them celebrate for now, but they will cry eventually.

When Zhuang Yuanren passes the imperial examination, or even becomes an official later on, dealing with those two girls would be as simple as stepping on an ant, wouldn’t it?

Zhuang Ruman quickly assessed the advantages and disadvantages of the situation, cleared his throat and said, “Get up now…”

“If father docs not agree to this, I will not rise,” Zhuang Yuanren said, his head bowed low.

“Since you have laid out the reasons in front of me, am I not an ignorant fool, for not being aware of the intricacies involved?”

Zhuang Ruman said, “Hurry up and rise, and I will heed your words from now on.”

“Thank you, father.” Zhuang Yuanren finally stood up.

He had been kneeling for too long, and the uneven blue brick on the ground had caused his knees to throb with pain. When he got up, he staggered, and almost fell down.

Fortunately, Mrs. Song quickly supported him.

“Thank you, mother,” Zhuang Yuanren said.

“Why are you acting so formal with your own mother?” Mrs. Song replied, with an embarrassed smile.

She was the one who made life most difficult for Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui. Now as Zhuang Yuanren urged not to provoke those girls anymore, Mrs. Song did not understand the subtleties of the situation. But hearing Zhuang Ruman’s definitive agreement, she knew there must be a reason for it and dared not oppose. Afraid of being rebuked by Zhuang Ruman and Zhuang Yuanren for her actions, she couldn’t even raise her eyelids for confrontation.

“Regarding the past mistreatment of my sisters by my father and mother, uncle, the village chief is clearly displeased. Hence, we need to mend our relationship with my sisters and also clarify our intentions to the village chief.”

Zhuang Yuanren said, “Father and mother should visit my sisters, Qingning and Qingsui, to apologize, and also speak to the village chief. This would make the village chief understand our family’s attitude and our intentions.”

“It is indeed our obligation, however…” Zhuang Ruman pretended to get up, but immediately winced in pain, and lay back on the bed.

“Yuanren, I indeed agree with your words. We should apologize to Ning and Miss Sui. However, as you can see, I have this serious injury and can’t do it physically. If it really doesn’t work out, let your mother go.”

In the past, Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui never left home and faced only criticism; outsiders had no say in their affairs. But now that they’ve moved out and established their own households, they’ve become like tofu dropped in dust, in a vulnerable position, unable to take any hits.

And if we trace the root of this frustration, it was Mrs. Song’s harsh treatment that forced Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui to establish their own households and caused them to oppose their family.

In the end, it was all Mrs. Song’s fault.

Having caused such a huge mess, it was Mrs. Song’s responsibility to make amends.

Furthermore, Mrs. Song only cared about two things in her life: her happiness and Zhuang Yuanren’s future. Now that both were at stake, Zhuang Ruman was not worried that she might refuse or run into any mishaps during her visit.

She dared not.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Song was taken aback and reluctantly agreed.

Apologizing to those girls was even harder than getting punished.

But upon seeing Zhuang Ruman’s gloomy face and Zhuang Yuanren standing in front of her, she suppressed the reluctance in her heart and nodded, “Fine …”

You know how to behave!

Zhuang Ruman, upon seeing Mrs. Song agreeing straightforwardly, sneered internally.

On the other hand, Zhuang Yuanren wore a painful expression.

He was well aware of his mother’s temperament. She promised to apologize to Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui, but what she would do after going there was unpredictable.

Zhuang Ruman dared to risk, but Zhuang Yuanren himself did not.

Thinking about his classmates’ parents at the academy, and then looking at his own parents, Zhuang Yuanren secretly sighed in his heart.

Indeed, every family is different.

“Father, mother, let me go.”

Zhuang Yuanren suppressed his emotions and said to the surprised Zhuang Ruman and Mrs. Song, “Considering how you previously treated Qingning and Qingsui, they probably hold some grudges against you. If you go there now, they might be skeptical and may not accept your apologies. It’s better if I go.”

“If I go, Qingning and Qingsui might take into consideration my position as their elder cousin, resolve their grievances, and be willing to accept our family’s apology.”

“Yuanren is right,” Mrs. Song said, nodding her head continuously.

It was impossible for her to apologize to those girls. It would be more uncomfortable than death itself.

And those fearless girls, who could even use a vegetable knife against her, their aunt, probably would have to act respectfully in front of the future scholar, Zhuang Yuanren, wouldn’t they?

Zhuang Ruman considered Zhuang Yuanren’s words, believing the scholar and elder cousin, going to apologize to the two girls, would indeed hold some water and show that they had genuinely repented.

And if Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui continued to be rude to Zhuang Yuanren, that would be even better.

As the saying goes, ’Do not hit someone who has a smile on their face,’ especially if that someone is a scholar. If Zhuang Qingning behaved in such a way, villagers would criticize her for not giving quarter even when right, making them the ones to be pitied instead.

Zhuang Ruman, understanding this, nodded her head, “Do as you said, pay them a visit, and explain all this to them properly. After you’ve been there, go by your uncle, the village chief’s house for a visit.”

“Just a while ago, your uncle, the village chief, was missing you. He said it’s been a long time since he saw you and he’s very worried. Visit him, and have a good chat with him..”