He also felt that the whole mess was stirred up by Xu Erya, and that Mrs. Feng, truly was a culprit of squandering the family wealth. He slammed the table furiously, "Mrs. Feng, you and your daughter go back to your room. You are forbidden from eating today." Xu Erya was fuming with rage, her face ashen as she yearned to argue with the Old Master, but Xu Zhiyong quickly held her back, "Didn’t you hear what your grandfather said? Hurry back to your room with your mother." Anning has been grieving for the deceased Xu Zhiwen, making it difficult for Xu Zhiyong to pull her away. He really had no choice at this point. If he sided with Mrs. Feng and Xu Erya, people would surely say he couldn’t tolerate his widowed sister-in-law. But he also knew that Mrs. Feng and Xu Erya were not at fault, the blame was solely because Xu Erya misspoke, and thus invited such trouble. He sighed inwardly, bowing to Anning to apologize, "Elder sister-in-law, it’s all Erya’s mistake. She misspoke in the moment. You have a big heart, don’t stoop to a child’s level." Anning wiped her tears and her expression instantly changed. She supported Old Madam, "Younger brother has put it this way, if I said anything more, wouldn’t I be accused of not accommodating the child? Let’s just let it be. But you should really educate your sister-in-law and the child properly, and not just keep your head down working—only to let others squander your hard-earned home." Her words delivered a shock to Old Madam, who started thinking about something. Old Madam glanced at Anning, who winked back, and Old Madam understood. "Second son, come to my room after dinner. I have something to discuss with you." Xu Zhiyong nodded. Read complete version only at novel⁂fire.net After dinner, while Mrs. Li was cleaning up the dishes, Old Madam called Anning over, "Eldest child’s mother, do you know something?" Anning leaned in, "Mother, in this home, you are the most thoughtful, always planning for us young ones. The two sisters-in-law may not understand your painstaking efforts, but I do. I understand why you wouldn’t spend money on Erya’s matter. I also wouldn’t lend money to my sisters-in-law for the same reason... Just the other day, I saw my sister-in-law meeting with her mother in the village, I don’t know how much they exchanged. My younger brother works hard outside, and my sister-in-law does not manage the money well. Instead, she carelessly squanders it all on her maternal family. Mother, I can’t stand to see it." This resonated deeply with Old Madam. Her eyes reddened instantly. "People say I can’t accommodate my daughters-in-law, accuse me of watching my granddaughter die without doing anything. Only you understand that isn’t who I am. This time, I only wanted to pressure Mrs. Feng, but who knew that Second would start blaming me in his heart. Do you think it’s easy for me being a mother? He is my own flesh and blood. His wife doesn’t care for him, but I do." Anning sighed deeply, "I am a mother too, how can I not understand your thoughts, Mother? When my husband was alive, he always said you were the best, that you cared for us the most. Over these years, I have observed that the most reasonable person in the house is you, Mother. Otherwise, why would I consult you on every important matter? I dare not trust others, always trusting only my parents. That’s why I know you are stern with my sister-in-law just because you love my younger brother." With these words, Anning reached out to hug Old Madam, "Mother, you have lost weight recently, and I feel for you. Mother, let’s not dwell on this too much. Try persuading Second once more, and if it truly doesn’t work, then let it be, lest you end up being resented." Old Madam had been domineering all her life, and her children didn’t dare to get close to her. She softened when embraced and relied upon by Anning. She patted Anning’s hand, "Mother knows what to do; go back and look after the children. Just leave these matters alone." Only then did Anning stand up and leave. As she left, she distinctly felt a pair of hateful eyes glaring at her, the animosity unmistakable. Anning knew that Xu Erya was the one watching her. She curled her lips into a sly smile. You can’t withstand this already? There’s a long road ahead. Just wait; Xu Erya will face even more setbacks in the future. Anning took her two kids back to her room, reminding Ying Ge’er and Lan as soon as she entered, "You two, stay away from your Second Sister in the future. Don’t play with her, do you hear me?" Brother Ying nodded solemnly. Lan did not fully understand. Brother Ying whispered to her, "Today, Mother made things tough for the second branch. Mother is afraid that Second Sister might take revenge on us because she’s vindictive." Lan’s face paled at the thought. Anning patted her head, "Don’t worry, your mother is here. If I can’t keep an eye on you, go to Old Madam—she will take care of you." Anning returned to her room to tend to the children, while Old Madam called Xu Zhiyong to her room. As soon as Xu Zhiyong entered, Old Madam demanded, "Second son, how much money do you earn in a day now?" Xu Zhiyong mumbled and hesitated. Old Madam’s fury grew, "Even if you don’t speak, I know. You can earn at least one tael of silver in a month, yet over these years, your home has been utterly impoverished, not even saving one cent. Second, have you even thought about why?" Xu Zhiyong’s eyes widened as he looked at Old Madam, "Isn’t it because... Mother, didn’t you take it?" Old Madam was enraged, "Who’s been feeding you nonsense? Although your father and I don’t have much money, we’re both old and can’t eat much. What do I need your money for? Apart from the monthly food money, I’ve never taken a cent from you." Seeing Xu Zhiyong was still clueless, she spoke bluntly, "Your elder sister-in-law, a woman, has managed to save up more than ten taels of silver yearly from her embroidery work. Third doesn’t even work as diligently as you, yet the third branch manages to save money. Your family isn’t even making clothes, eating meals publicly, and raising kids who look yellow and malnourished, yet you haven’t saved money? Second, how can you be so foolish?"