"Alright, let's stop talking about this. Your Fourth Aunt only spoke out of concern for Xiangyao's descendants. She didn't mean it." Seeing Gan Ju’s face fall, Zhu Guifu hurriedly spoke up.
Zhu Shunyao glanced at Zhu Guifu, a hint of coldness in his eyes. "Fourth Uncle, some words are best not spoken aloud. To be honest, if you truly have designs on my Doumiao, I don’t mind suing you in court." Seeing Zhu Guifu about to speak, Zhu Shunyao raised a hand to stop him. His expression was more serious than ever, carrying a faint authority. This was the personal dignity Zhu Shunyao had gradually cultivated over the years as his environment changed.
"Don't talk about filial piety. I have never shortchanged you on what is due. Even after we split the household, I always had An’ni or An’ni send things over during festivals. Two sets of clothes for you two elders every season, ten jin of grain and ten yuan every month—I have never withheld anything. If you think our kindness is something you are entitled to, then from now on, I will take it all back. I will not let my generosity feed your greed to scheme against my children, my own flesh and blood. Of course, Fourth Uncle, if you want to meet in court, I am not opposed." His words seemed casual, but they carried deep anger.
As soon as Zhu Shunyao spoke, Zhu Guifu knew it was over. Zhu Shunyao’s character was always soft to kindness but hard to force. If spoken to gently, he would still help where he could. But now that Gan Ju’s thoughts had turned to Zhu Zhibin, everything was ruined. Zhu Guifu had originally wanted to test Zhu Shunyao’s bottom line, but now he knew: any of his children were Zhu Shunyao’s bottom line. They had crossed it. Asking him to help was absolutely impossible.
"Shunyao, is there really no more to say about this?" Zhu Guifu felt bitter in his heart.
Zhu Shunyao looked at Zhu Guifu. "Don't you already know the result? Actually, when I came here, I had no other plans except to contribute my share of the fine. But now, you have actually set your sights on my children. Let me make this clear today: these three children are my life. Whoever dares to scheme against them, I will dare to fight to the death. So, I do not eat shit. I will not use money to support my enemies. You can ask anyone for help, but do not count on me. I will not dig a grave for myself."
Zhu Shunyao was smiling, but that smile carried killing intent. Zhu Shunyao was inherently stubborn. Over the past few years, he had learned much from others and gained some authority. Now, everyone present knew Zhu Shunyao meant every word.
Zhu Enfu and the others shook their heads slightly. Zhu Guifu had ruined a good hand. Now that he had offended Zhu Shunyao, it was unlikely Zhu Shunyao would ever help again.
Zhu Shunyao nodded slightly to Zhu Enfu and the others. "Eldest Uncle, uncles, let’s leave this matter here. Our family cannot help. Since that is the case, we will leave first. If you insist on us contributing a share, as long as Eldest Uncle Enfu asks, I will still give it. But do not say anything else. Do not say I have no connections. Even if I did, I would not waste them on wolves eyeing us with greed."
She finished speaking, picked up Zhu Zhibin from beside her, and said to Xie Xinlian and Zhu Yanli, "Let’s go home. We do not have the ability, so we will not waste everyone’s time. We will not join in this spectacle."