Lu Yang’s inner thoughts were so loud that Gu Xingzhao, who couldn’t ignore the rapidly increasing offering value, was left momentarily speechless.

“Who else gains offering value like this?” She thought. She had assumed Lu Yang was a food lover, but it turned out he was completely devoted to his wife. Even with a grown up daughter, he could still get this excited just from holding hands—how utterly hopeless!

Finally, Lu Qing couldn’t hold back his curiosity and asked the ancestor, “Ancestor, what exactly is happening?”

Having lived nearly seventy years, the shock he felt tonight was unlike anything he’d ever experienced before. In comparison, heating pads, crane and even the lamps seemed ordinary.

Moreover, how did the Xu family suddenly become connected with Madam Liu, and why were they using divine items from the ancestor?

Gu Xingzhao had already prepared an explanation and told the old man, “After your Lu family fell into trouble, the Xu family’s business also suffered, plummeting to rock bottom.”

Lu Qing sighed inwardly. He had suspected as much. After all, the Lu and Xu families were in-laws, and when they left the capital, the Xu family came to see them off. It was inevitable that they would be targeted or shunned in the business world.

Gu Xingzhao continued, “I thought that if the Xu family could win first place at the Lantern Festival, awarded by the government, their situation might improve. It could also help Madam Liu and her daughter earn some money to secure their position in the capital.”

“If the Xu family recovers, it might also benefit your Lu family in the future.”

Lu Qing was deeply moved. “Ancestor, you have always looked out for us. We, your descendants, truly don’t know how to repay your kindness!”

In just one short month, the ancestor’s favor toward the Lu family had been more than they could repay in several lifetimes.

As the offering value continued to increase, Gu Xingzhao realized that the fireworks had brought more than just emotional shock and gratitude to the Lu family.

He counted the offering value gained that night—a total of 235. Faced with Lu Qing’s gratitude, Gu Xingzhao felt tears welling up. “No need for words of thanks. We’re all family.”

If anyone should be grateful, it should be her. Thanks to them, she had achieved financial stability at a young age, with a fully paid car and tens of thousands of yuan in her bank account—things that might have taken her decades of hard work to achieve, but she now had them within a month.

With the latest increase, her offering value now totaled 400, enough to repair two more artifacts! Gu Xingzhao couldn’t have been happier.

Hearing the ancestor’s words, Lu Qing was even more touched, tears streaming down his face. People often say that deities are detached from the mortal world, but their ancestor still considered them family. How could Lu Qing not be moved?

Lu Xingyan, too, heard the ancestor’s words. Knowing that the ancestor saw them as family warmed his heart.

Although the other Lu family members couldn’t hear Gu Xingzhao, they were affected by the old man’s emotions, and several discreetly wiped away tears, their gratitude to the ancestor reaching its peak.

Outside the tent, those who heard the commotion inside couldn’t help but feel curious. Hadn’t they been told that the ancestor would punish them? So why did it sound like everyone inside was celebrating?

Their curiosity was piqued—could something good have happened?

At that moment, a few people came out, still smiling, and patted the shoulders of those outside. “We’re switching places with you. Go in and see for yourselves.”

Though they hadn’t had enough of the experience yet, they knew they had to consider those keeping watch outside.

That’s what it means to be family.

Meanwhile, back in the present, Gu Xingzhao selected a jade porcelain vase and a broken purple clay inkstone from her storeroom. “System, I want to repair these artifacts.”

[Artifact restoration consumes 200 devotion points per item. Please select the artifacts you wish to repair.]

A series of images appeared before her, and Gu Xingzhao immediately chose the jade porcelain vase and the inkstone, planning to give the restored inkstone to Uncle Lu.

[Artifact restoration in progress… Deducting 400 offering points. Remaining devotion points: 15.]

[Restoration in progress…]

A bright flash, and the jade porcelain vase, once cracked and worn, was restored to its original condition. The broken inkstone was also mended, looking as it had before it was shattered.

Gu Xingzhao picked up the vase, marveling, “Yu Heng really has some incredible items.”

She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret as she thought about the treasure trove she had seen at Yu’s residence that day. If only she had brought all of it back, she’d be rich by now!

She silently vowed that next time she had such an opportunity, she wouldn’t hesitate. She’d take everything she could—anything less would be disrespectful to the value of money.

The next day, a plaque reading “Number One Under Heaven,” granted by the imperial palace, was delivered with great fanfare to the Xu family, drawing a large crowd of onlookers who congratulated them.

The official who delivered the plaque had not witnessed the previous night’s spectacle and couldn’t resist asking Boss Xu, “Boss Xu, what exactly happened last night? Even the nobles in the palace were alarmed, and they want to invite you to the palace to recreate the scene!”

Boss Xu smiled modestly. “It was just some trinkets we happened upon by chance. I didn’t expect to disturb the nobles—it’s entirely our fault.”

After exchanging pleasantries, the palace envoy realized he wouldn’t get more information from Boss Xu, so he returned to report back.

Boss Xu then went to see He Zhen, his excitement barely contained. Were it not for the propriety between men and women, he would have clasped her hands tightly in gratitude.

“Mrs He, your fireworks have truly saved my Xu family!”

He Zhen smiled. “I should be thanking you, Boss Xu, for trusting me.”

The two sat in the main hall, where Boss Xu placed a small box on the table and opened it. “Mr. He, this is a token of our gratitude for last night. Please accept it.”

He Zhen looked inside and saw ten banknotes, each worth a thousand taels—a mere token of thanks for last night.

The Xu family truly was wealthy!

She pushed the box back toward him. Seeing Boss Xu’s puzzled expression, she explained calmly, “To be honest, these fireworks were made by an acquaintance of mine. Her intention is to open a market for fireworks in the capital, so last night was a mutually beneficial arrangement. We won’t be taking any money.”

Boss Xu was delighted. “Mrs. He, to be honest, I’m very interested in these fireworks. Even though you won’t take any money, I can’t take advantage of you.”

“How about this: I’ll provide a storefront and staff for your use, and we can sell the fireworks under the Xu family’s name. This will also benefit you, and my Xu family will take none of the profits.”

He Zhen was slightly taken aback. Selling the fireworks under the Xu family’s name was indeed a good idea. After all, doing business in the capital wasn’t just about having a good product—the biggest risk was attracting jealousy and suppression, leading to trouble.

But why would Boss Xu offer a storefront, staff, and his family name without taking a share of the profits? What was in it for him?

Seeing her hesitation, Boss Xu smiled. “There’s no need to decide right away, Mrs. He You can take your time to think it over.”

After returning home, He Zhen immediately told Gu Xingzhao about the proposal.

Gu Xingzhao narrowed his eyes. “Merchants never act without profit. Now that fireworks are in full swing and the Xu family has taken the lead, there will be plenty of people wanting a piece of the pie. The Xu family certainly won’t be the only ones.”