Chapter 173

Seeing that more and more people were siding with Wang Yuan’er, Madam Hu grew increasingly anxious and resentful. However, she didn’t dare to argue further. After saying a few weakly defiant words, she left in a hurry.

Once she left, Madam Xie, who had initially supported her, didn’t linger for long either. She quickly followed suit—staying behind would only embarrass her further.

Wang Yuan’er had no intention of pursuing the matter or metaphorically ‘kicking someone when they were down.’ After they left, she addressed the remaining townsfolk in a loud voice: “It’s fate that we all live and share our days in the same town, and it shows that everyone finds Changle Town a good place to be. Since it’s a good place and we’re all neighbors, there’s no need to let a couple of troublemakers stir up discord and create divisions. Guarding against one another and throwing insults—what’s the point? It only hurts our harmony. Living in peace and harmony makes life meaningful, don’t you think?”

Someone in the crowd, a burly man, suddenly spoke up: “What the eldest Wang girl says is right. That’s how life ought to be. And it was me, Old Niu, being a fool earlier—after a couple of drinks, I got loose with my tongue and started spouting nonsense. Brother, don’t hold it against me. I’m just a rough fellow from the mountains, ignorant and clumsy!”

This burly man then put his arm around a slimmer man and apologized. These two had been arguing earlier, almost coming to blows, but now the burly man had conceded first.

The slimmer man, a local from Changle Town, laughed and said, “Ah, big brother, no hard feelings. They say you don’t truly know someone until you’ve fought with them. Let’s go grab a drink up ahead!”

The two walked off with their arms around each other.

Gradually, people began shaking hands and making peace, dispersing in small groups. Sister Shugen gave Wang Yuan’er a thumbs-up.

“They just… left?” Wang Qing’er was a bit stunned. Moments ago, it seemed like both sides were about to come to blows.

Wang Yuan’er tapped her on the forehead and scolded, “What else did you expect? Did you really want to roll up your sleeves and fight it out? You’re a grown woman now.”

Wang Qing’er stuck out her tongue, patted her slightly puffed-up chest, and said, “That scared me to death! I really thought a fight was about to break out!”

Hearing this, Wang Yuan’er felt like smacking her, but Wang Qing’er dodged with a cheeky grin. The two sisters playfully pushed and bumped into each other as they walked away.

Someone witnessed that whole scene on the second floor of a nearby teahouse. The individual, dressed in a long robe, held a teacup delicately and remarked with a smile, “She’s truly clever—turned a conflict into reconciliation with just a few words.”

“If she weren’t clever, she wouldn’t qualify, nor would she dare to board the third master’s ship,” replied the person sitting opposite.

The two speaking were Song San and his steward, Guan Fang.

Song San smiled faintly and said, “I’ve always enjoyed dealing with clever people. It’s quite rare—a small place like Changle Town, and yet a farmer’s daughter displays such wisdom and broad-mindedness.” He sipped his tea and asked, “I heard that Lord Tang has also made moves, aiming to start a merchant ship venture?”

“I’ve heard the same.”

“Another cat sniffing out fish! However, I wonder if he can establish this route. The Tang family seems desperate—they’ve even aligned through marriage with the Rong family, showing their urgency.” Song San traced the rim of his teacup thoughtfully. “But no matter how much they try, Tang’s second master has only climbed to fifth rank. From the start, he backed the wrong side; remaining unharmed is already a blessing. Any further scrambling might cost them their foundation.”

As he spoke, Song San suddenly remembered the news in his hand and furrowed his brows.

The Wang family—specifically that girl’s cousin—seems to have become a concubine in the Tang household. Thinking back to the hurried circumstances of her being taken there, one can only shake their head.

“As the old saying goes, ‘A dragon gives birth to nine sons, each different from the other.’ This principle applies even to ordinary families. The Wang family… fortunately, they’ve divided their household!”

Guan Fang remained silent and glanced at his master, wondering if Song San’s attention to the Wang family was becoming excessive.

However, Song San paid no mind to Guan Fang’s expression and was absorbed in his thoughts.

Meanwhile, back home, Wang Yuan’er was called into the main house by Grandma Wang. Her second uncle and second aunt were both present, with Madam Zhang’s face filled with smugness.

What was going on now?

As soon as Grandpa and Grandma Wang explained, Wang Yuan’er realized the source of Madam Zhang’s pride. It was meant to show off, to challenge her—essentially saying, “I don’t need you; I can still get things done on my own!”

Madam Zhang had been bustling about lately—visiting Wang Min’er in Dongshan and returning to her parent’s home—all because of the merchant ship investment that Wang Yuan’er had previously mentioned. She had even encouraged Wang Min’er to sweet-talk her husband, convincing the Tang family to also build merchant ships and invest in the endeavor. Now, the Tang family had actually agreed, and Madam Zhang, along with her husband, Wang Yuan’er’s second uncle, returned home intent on gathering funds, determined to invest a share.

Hearing that they intended to use the entire family’s savings, Wang Yuan’er felt her heart tighten and her brows furrowed deeply.

“Min’er managed to coax her husband into securing 200 taels. Father and Mother, if we can just raise another 300 taels, we can secure a share! Min’er had to go to great lengths to plead with her husband for this opportunity. Otherwise, the Tang family wouldn’t even glance at us!” Madam Zhang said excitedly, her eyes gleaming.

Investing 500 taels for a share might not mean much to the Tang family but for the Wang family…

Did the Wang family even have 300 taels of silver? Moreover, did the Tang family have a concrete plan for the merchant shipping venture? Was the eldest master of the Tang family truly skilled in this area?

What if it all went south, and the investment was lost? The Wang family would lose everything—down to the two elders’ funeral savings.

“We couldn’t scrape together 200 taels even if we sold everything we own. And you’re talking about 300 taels—where are we supposed to get 300 taels? Pick it up off the street?” Grandma Wang glared at Madam Zhang.

What nonsense! This daughter-in-law had really stirred up quite a mess. Did she think business was so easy?

“Father, Mother, don’t we have a carpenter’s shop? If we sell it, then we’ll have enough!” Madam Zhang suggested again.

So that was it—the reason Wang Yuan’er was called here was because of the shop. They wanted to sell it. But how could that be allowed?

“No way!” Wang Yuan’er immediately voiced her objection without hesitation.

Madam Zhang’s face darkened, and she said coldly, “Why not? What’s the big deal? Yuan’er can partner with others for business, but we can’t? Is this how it is—you’ve made something of yourself and now can’t bear to see us succeed?”

“Who Second Aunt decides to partner with is none of my business, and I don’t want to interfere. But the carpenter’s shop has been passed down in our Wang family for generations, and it’s also the shop we rely on for a living. If it’s sold, what will we live on in the future? Second Aunt, don’t forget, this shop also belongs partly to our branch of the family.” Wang Yuan’er pursed her lips and said, “This shop cannot be sold. I don’t agree!”

“Huh, you little girl! Don’t you know your place anymore? Your grandpa and grandma are still around, and whether to sell the shop or not is up to them. If you’re entitled to a share, then take your share. Who’s after your part, anyway?” Madam Zhang said angrily, gritting her teeth. She added, “Father, Mother, our carpenter’s shop doesn’t make much money in a year. It’d be better to sell it and take a gamble. If this merchant ship business succeeds and brings in profit, we could buy not one but two shops. Father, an opportunity like this won’t come again!”

Wang Yuan’er became anxious and said, “Second Aunt, investing always comes with risks, and maritime ventures have even greater risks. What if there’s a loss? If the investment is gone, so is the shop. What will your family live on?”

“Bah! Look at your crow’s mouth. You’re the one talking about losing! If you think it’s such a risk, why did you invest a year’s profit yourself? Is it because you think you have too much silver? Clearly, you just can’t stand to see us doing well!” Madam Zhang snorted coldly.

This is utterly unreasonable. She calculated meticulously and partnered with the Song family to secure a share and is about to make a fortune. Yet, she won’t allow them to join in, claiming losses. Bah! What kind of intention is this?

Wang Yuan’er sneered, “Second Aunt, my investment was from one year’s profit, but I didn’t drain all our savings. Even if there’s a loss, I still have a fallback. At worst, I’d endure a year. But now, you want to strip the Wang family’s savings entirely, cutting off your own escape route. Yes, even if there is a loss, you could start over again, but what about daily expenses? Also, this shop has been operated for generations. Grandpa, can you bear to see it end in your hands?”

She didn’t care who Madam Zhang partnered with, but selling the shop was completely unacceptable. That would block their escape route entirely—such foolishness!

Madam Zhang was rendered speechless, her face flushed with anger, and she said, “Fine! Who doesn’t know you’re capable? Go on, show off! We’re all one family, and you only care about yourself while refusing to let others thrive—even your own Second Uncle. Bah!”

“Just say less. Father and Mother haven’t made a decision yet!” Wang Er pulled on her sleeve and glared at Wang Yuan’er.

Glare all you want. No matter what, I won’t agree to sell this shop!

Grandpa Wang was deeply hesitant. His granddaughter was right—the Wang family had been running this carpenter’s shop for generations. If it were to end in his hands, how would he face the ancestors underground in the future?

“Father, selling the shop is just a temporary measure. Once we earn some money, we can buy it back!” Madam Zhang, noticing that Grandpa Wang was wavering, anxiously added another line, fearing he would disagree.

“Shut your mouth! Your father-in-law hasn’t even spoken yet. What are you rambling about? Go to the side!” Grandma Wang was most annoyed by Madam Zhang’s chatter, which made it hard for anyone to have peace.

“Wife, what do you think…” Grandpa Wang turned to look at Grandma Wang.

“When it comes to major decisions, I always follow your lead,” Grandma Wang replied without even lifting her eyelids.

“What do you think, Second Son?” Grandpa Wang had no choice but to turn to his son.

Wang Er glanced at Wang Yuan’er and said, “Father, I think this investment is worth pursuing. Once the profits are recovered, if you still want to run the shop, at worst, we can just buy it back!”

“Second Uncle, can you bear the risks? The livelihood of the entire family depends on this…” Wang Yuan’er was somewhat incredulous. However, given Madam Zhang’s confident advocacy, it was evident that Second Uncle agreed with her.

With this in mind, Wang Yuan’er turned her hope toward Grandpa Wang and said, “Grandpa, this shop is your life’s work. If it’s sold, it’ll truly be gone forever.”

Madam Zhang, hearing this, wanted to argue, but Wang Er stopped her. She could only sulk bitterly on the side, though in her heart, she cursed Wang Yuan’er countless times.

Wang Yuan’er, meanwhile, regretted her decision. Had she known things would turn out like this, she wouldn’t have disclosed her merchant ship investment to them in the first place, avoiding this entire mess.