As soon as these words were spoken, the entire main hall fell into a deathly silence.
Before coming today, Second Master Yu and the others had only intended to deal with the matter of the eldest young lady wanting to audit the accounts. That was why they had invited Old Madame to pressure Madam Lin, hoping to keep the mother and her daughters confined to their small corner of the inner courtyard and prevent them from reaching into the account books and business affairs.
Who would have thought that the eldest young lady was merely using the audit as an opening gambit, with a much grander scheme waiting for them behind it.
Advancing was a pitfall, retreating was an even greater pitfall.
Truly, they were caught between a rock and a hard place.
For a moment, they were all dumbfounded.
“You want to take on the responsibility of acting as the family head?” Second Master Yu looked at his beautiful, jade-like eldest niece before him, growing increasingly wary.
After a long while, he finally found his voice again. “Although our Yujia is merely a merchant family, not as bound by complex rules as those century-old aristocratic clans, there has never been a precedent for a woman to act as the family head.”
Fourth Master Yu was so shocked by her words that he was dazed for a long time. Hearing Second Master Yu’s words, he suddenly snapped back to reality and exclaimed emotionally, “You, a young girl, want to take charge of Yujia? What are you thinking? If this gets out, our Yujia will become the laughingstock of the entire Lizhou Cheng!”
Yu Sheng’s expression remained calm as she retorted, “Yesterday, Xu Liu from Liyang Houfu brought a group of arrogant servants to our door, intending to forcefully take my fourth sister as a concubine. Both uncles were clearly in Yu Yuan at the time, yet neither was willing to step forward. Why weren’t you worried then that Yujia would become the laughingstock of the entire Lizhou Cheng?”
Fourth Master Yu was left red-faced and speechless by her rebuttal, unable to refute her. Growing increasingly furious and ashamed, he stood up and scolded, “I was thinking of Yujia’s interests! Yu Sheng, you actually offended the Houfu for the sake of a mere illegitimate daughter, plunging the entire family into peril! You’re just as muddle-headed as your father! You’re being foolish!”
Second Master Yu put on a hypocritical act, saying, “Lizhou is Liyanghou’s territory. Even if Zhenguo Gong Shizi made a special trip to uphold justice for Yujia, and Yujia is temporarily preserved, what about the future?”
“Shiziye won’t stay much longer before rushing back to Beizhou. Once he leaves, when Liyang Houfu settles accounts with Yujia later, won’t they be able to manipulate us however they please?” Knowing he couldn’t confront Yu Sheng head-on, Second Master Yu expended more effort, planning to ‘appeal to her emotions and reason with her.’
Second Madam Yu and Fourth Madam Yu also had much to say.
Even now, they still believed that offending the Houfu for the sake of a minor illegitimate daughter like Yu Xuan was truly unwise.
They immediately brought up Old Madame, Madam Lin, and others as arguments, urging Yu Sheng to think more of her elders and not lose the greater good for a minor gain.
Second Master Yu coordinated well with them, letting out a long sigh. “The eldest young lady is young and inevitably acts on impulse, but we elders must consider things for you and for the entire Yujia.”
Beside them, Yu Qing couldn’t help but want to speak up for her elder sister but was stopped by Madam Lin, who held her hand.
The people in the hall clamored noisily, each spouting what they believed to be perfectly reasonable arguments. Yu Sheng picked up her teacup and took a shallow sip of tea.
As if she were merely a spectator, she asked unhurriedly, “Have my uncles and aunts finished speaking?”
Hearing this, the expressions of the uncles and aunts stiffened slightly.
When no one responded, Yu Sheng took it as their silent agreement that they had finished.
She set down her teacup and turned toward Madam Zhang, saying, “Then, please be quiet for a moment. I have a few words to say to Grandmother.”
Madam Zhang watched as her sons and daughters-in-law exchanged sharp words, practically ready to tear the roof off, while her eldest granddaughter remained composed, speaking as gently as ever. A mix of emotions welled up in her heart.
Back when the old master was alive, he often said that Second Master Yu and Fourth Master Yu were useless—even combined, they couldn’t compare to the eldest son.
Now, with Yu Sheng, a whole generation later, how could these uncles and aunts still lack the grace of their niece?
Could it really be as the idle gossip outside said—that children born of a stepmother were never as accomplished as those born of the first wife?
Old Madame felt a sour pang in her heart, but she kept her composure, asking kindly, “What did you want to say, Sheng’er?”
Yu Sheng asked softly, “Grandmother, do you still remember how my uncles and aunts came to live in Yu Yuan?”
Madam Zhang paused slightly.
Second Master Yu and the others exchanged uneasy glances.
Madam Lin pursed her lips, while Yu Qing and Yu Wan watched their eldest sister with bright, eager eyes.
When the old master of Yujia passed away, Yu Sheng was eight years old, and her younger siblings were old enough to remember things clearly.
When the Yu brothers divided the family property, due to Madam Zhang being the stepmother, Father Yu, as the eldest son, received the smallest share.
However, Father Yu was generous and skilled in business, quickly building a fortune far greater than what the family had under the old master.
Second Master Yu, on the other hand, was obsessed with becoming an official. He spent all his family’s assets currying favor with the powerful but never achieved any success.
Fourth Master Yu loved to gamble, and his family lived off their dwindling inheritance.
As the two brothers’ situations grew worse, they begged Old Madame to plead with Father Yu. Apologizing and appealing to family ties, they moved their entire families into Yu Yuan, working under Father Yu as managers.
Madam Zhang now recalled how she had shamelessly begged her stepson for her sons and daughters-in-law, and she felt a flush of embarrassment. “I remember… I’m not senile yet, of course I remember.”
Yu Sheng said calmly, “It’s good that Grandmother remembers.”
She wanted to remind Old Madame: With uncles like these, if Yujia were left in their hands, it would surely fall into ruin within three years.
This time, they wouldn’t have a second elder brother to beg for shelter.
Yu Sheng continued slowly, “My father often said that harmony brings prosperity, and family members should remember only the kindness shown to them, never dwelling on the bad.”
“The eldest has the best temperament.” Madam Zhang couldn’t help but nod in praise of Father Yu.
Yu Sheng added, “My father also said that everyone desires wealth and glory, but one must remember: A gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it through proper means.”
This time, Old Madame didn’t respond.
No one else in the hall spoke either.
As Yu Sheng spoke, her gaze swept over her uncles and aunts, her expression turning sharp. “Seeking fortune and avoiding misfortune, currying favor with the powerful—these are human instincts. But as human beings, we must have principles.”
Her uncles and aunts felt ashamed upon hearing this.
Although the eldest young miss hadn’t named anyone or ordered them to leave, her words felt like a direct jab at their spines.
And because she hadn’t singled anyone out, if anyone spoke up to refute her, it would seem like they were admitting guilt.
Yu Sheng didn’t give her uncles and aunts a chance to interrupt again. She stood up and said, “I speak directly, and I hope you won’t take offense. Since Grandmother, Mother, and my uncles and aunts are all here today, let’s make everything clear to avoid any future troubles in the family.”
She seized the opportunity, leaving no room for argument, and declared firmly, “Since I have said I will take on the responsibility of acting as head of the family, I shall naturally follow in my father’s footsteps—devoting myself to caring for my grandmother, protecting my closest kin, revitalizing the family business, and bringing honor to our household!”
At that moment, the warm sunlight shone brightly, streaming through the doors and windows to illuminate the entire hall.
Yu Sheng stood bathed in the warm light, her expression resolute. “Today, Yujia must rely on others to argue right and wrong with Liyang Houfu, but in the future, we will never again allow ourselves to be so easily belittled!”
Yu Qing and Yu Wan had never imagined that a woman could live like this. Overwhelmed by their eldest sister’s commanding presence, they unconsciously held their breath.
Second Master Yu and the others sensed trouble. This eldest daughter not only had grand ambitions but also the capability to realize them. If she were truly allowed to take charge in the future, what kind of life would they have?
The two couples exchanged glances and immediately began devising ways to refute her, opening their mouths to object.
But Yu Sheng turned to Madam Zhang and asked gently, “Grandmother, do you believe in me?”
How Madam Zhang answered this question would almost certainly determine the kind of life she would lead in the future.
Old Madame hesitated, remaining silent.
“Mother—”
“Mother!”
Second Master Yu and Fourth Master Yu called out to their mother in unison.
They walked over to Madam Zhang, standing on either side of her, and whispered, “A young girl like her, with a silver tongue, speaks more sweetly than she sings. Mother, you must not take her words lightly.”
“Eldest Brother is so severely injured, and someone must manage the family’s affairs, big and small. With us, her uncles, here, how can we let Yu Sheng, a mere girl, take charge…”
“At your age, how can you still not know your own worth?” Madam Zhang finally made up her mind, pushing away her sons’ outstretched hands and standing up on her own.
Old Madame walked over to Yu Sheng and took her hand. “Grandmother believes in you.”
Back when Eldest Brother’s business was just beginning to flourish, he would tell everyone that his daughter was blessed with great fortune—that any venture she said could succeed would bring immense profits. At the time, Madam Zhang had thought the father was going to extremes just to secure a good reputation for his daughter.
Now, it seemed Yu Sheng was not only fortunate but also capable.
Moreover, Eldest Brother had already regained consciousness and would eventually recover to take charge of Yujia. There was no need to tear apart the family over a year or so of temporary authority.
Given the current situation, compared to her two sons who had already squandered the family fortune once, Yu Sheng was clearly the more reliable choice to manage the household.
From Madam Zhang’s expression, Yu Sheng understood most of her thoughts. The corners of her eyes lifted slightly as she nodded and said, “Thank you for your trust, Grandmother.”
Seeing this, Second Master Yu and the others were so furious they felt as if their souls were about to leave their bodies.
Old Madame was the one they had invited to bolster their influence—how had she ended up siding with Yu Sheng instead?
But Madam Zhang paid them no mind, seizing the moment to deepen the bond between grandmother and granddaughter. “Yu Yuan, and indeed all of Yujia, are the family businesses your father built with his own hands. Now that he is ill, your fifth brother should have inherited the responsibility, but he is still young and must focus on his studies. Your mother is frail, so naturally, the affairs of this household should be managed by you, the eldest daughter!”