Xie Xinlian turned her gaze to Zhu Shunyao, her tone firm as she issued a final warning. "Let me make this clear. You are not to offer any advice or schemes. This is a matter strictly for the Fourth Branch. They worry about having no male heir, but they already have Nan Hong. Even if Nan Hong is a girl, does Zhang Qiaolian guarantee the baby in her womb will be a boy? I certainly don’t believe that. Besides, if they choose to ignore the policies and defy the authorities, they must bear the consequences of their own actions. I forbid you from bringing other people’s troubles into our home. Don’t even think about it, do you understand?"
"Rest assured, wife. You underestimate your husband," Zhu Shunyao laughed, offering a comforting smile to Xie Xinlian. "Moreover, I am no longer the eldest son of the Fourth Branch. I am the heir of the Third Branch. To the Fourth Branch, I am merely a relative. If we are close, I might help out. If not, maintaining surface-level politeness is enough. Why would I interfere? Besides, we have plenty of our own matters to attend to. You need to learn clothing design and processing. I plan to open a factory. Once the land approval comes through, we must build a new house. An’ni needs to prepare for high school. Ani hasn’t returned yet, and when she does, she needs to prepare for middle school in the city. And our Doumiao wants to follow her sister’s path and attend primary school, so we must prepare for that too. We have enough on our plates to keep us busy. We have no energy to manage other people’s affairs. Each family handles its own business. I have no interest in meddling elsewhere." Zhu Shunyao knew her own life was far from easy; she had enough on her mind.
"Good that you understand," Xie Xinlian said, relieved that Zhu Shunyao had a clear head.
Meanwhile, at Zhu Guifu’s house, Gan Juhua informed him, "Shunyao’s family has returned."
"Returned, have they?" Zhu Guifu puffed on his dry pipe, lost in thought.
"Is Fourth Grandfather at home?" Zhu Yanli entered, carrying local specialties. She had originally intended for Zhu Shunyao to come, but Xie Xinlian had stopped her. She worried about what Zhu Guifu might say to Zhu Shunyao. Although Zhu Shunyao had promised not to agree to anything, she could not predict the thoughts of the people in Zhu Guifu’s household. It was best to avoid unnecessary trouble. However, out of politeness, they still needed to make the gesture, so she sent Zhu Yanli to deliver the gifts.
"An’ni, come in," Zhu Guifu said.
Zhu Yanli smiled gently and placed the specialties on the table beside Zhu Guifu. "Fourth Grandfather, these are some local specialties we brought back from Beijing. Please try them, you and Fourth Grandmother."
"Thank you. You are thoughtful," Zhu Guifu said seriously. "Where is your father? What is he doing?"
Zhu Yanli maintained her smile. She already knew about the situation in Zhu Guifu’s house from her parents, but at this moment, she acted as if she knew nothing. She answered mildly, "Father went out as soon as she returned. she said she had been away for days and hadn’t tended to the fields, so she went to check on them. Is there something you need, Fourth Grandfather?"
Zhu Guifu paused, his expression shifting slightly. He could not reveal his schemes in front of a little girl; doing so would cause him to lose face. "Oh, nothing. You may go back."
Zhu Yanli pretended not to notice Zhu Guifu’s change in demeanor. The gifts were delivered, and there was nothing more to say. She smiled, greeted her briefly, and left.
"Husband, look at this situation. Do you think Shunyao will help Xiangyao?" Gan Juhua asked, looking worried. She had raised Zhu Shunyao and knew her character well. she was stubborn; threats would not make her do something she did not want to do.