Weng Qixue quickly explained, "Don't get angry first. Your brother has already taught the Zhou family a lesson, and Zhou Yikun has also paid the price."
Zhu Yunfei's expression softened considerably. She scoffed, "What does he think he relies on to be so successful in the Zhou family? He only became the heir by marrying Liyue. Without Liyue, he's nothing!"
Then, she looked at Zhu Liyue, who had been silent all along, and asked, "Liyue, do you want to return to Jiangbei or stay in Kyoto?"
Compared to Jiangbei, she would rather stay in Kyoto.
Zhu Liyue said without hesitation, "Let's stay in Kyoto! I don't want to go back."
"Okay, then I'll have Yuchen arrange for you to start working at the company. You can live with your aunt with peace of mind, and your parents will also be relieved."
Zhu Yunfei held her niece's hand, her eyes filled with affection.
Weng Qixue frowned slightly, "How can that be? She can find a job herself if she's working. I'm not at ease with her living alone, but she can stay at your place."
Relatives are relatives, but it's best not to get involved in business interests, otherwise, it can easily affect their relationship.
Weng Qixue understood this principle and didn't want her daughter to be involved in the Ling family's business.
Zhu Yunfei's original intention was to arrange everything for her niece and hadn't thought that far ahead. Of course, none of this was the most important thing.
"We'll talk about these things later. Anyway, when Liyue comes to Kyoto, I will definitely take good care of her."
Weng Qixue looked at Zhu Yunfei with gratitude and said, "With you taking care of her, I am certainly relieved."
As the two women talked, Zhu Liyue gazed silently out the window, her thoughts already far away.
Arriving in Kyoto marked the beginning of a new life. She hoped for a smooth, fulfilling, and free life from now on.
Ling Yuhong was rushed to the hospital. After emergency treatment, his "little brother" was saved, but prison awaited him.
After his treatment in the hospital, he was transferred directly from the hospital to prison.
The people from the second branch soon received the news.
The two elders almost fainted upon hearing it, and Su Jinhua was furious, cursing Ling Yuchen for not recognizing his brother and for siding with outsiders.
But scolding aside, she knew the facts: only Ling Yuchen could save Ling Yuhong now.
The two elders of the second branch had no choice but to rush to the old mansion late at night with Ling Junmo and his wife to beg for mercy.
However, the gate of the old mansion was tightly shut, with no one guarding it.
Su Jinhua, anxious, pounded on the door and shouted aggressively, "Open up, open up!"
The night was exceptionally quiet, and only Su Jinhua's voice could be heard. The heavy door remained motionless.
It was clear that Ling Yuhong had truly angered the first branch this time, and they wouldn't even let them in.
In the vast old mansion, there must be someone guarding the entrance. Su Jinhua panted heavily, her chest heaving.
She cursed, "What does the first branch mean by this? They're not even letting us in? They're not helping our own Ling family members, but helping outsiders..."
"Enough, just shut up," Ling Junmo roared at her, his face ashen and his voice cold. "It's your good son who dared to do something like this."
"Isn't he your son too? Did I give birth to him alone?" Su Jinhua was so angry she was half-dead.
Ling Junmo continued to roar, "If it weren't for your bad idea, would your son have targeted Zhu Liyue? It's all because of you!"
"Ling Junmo, speak with a conscience. If your descendants hadn't always been inferior to the first branch, would I, Su Jinhua, have come up with so many schemes?"
These words struck a nerve. Not only did Ling Junmo's expression turn dark, but even Ling Chengzhi's face became grim.
Ling Junmo clenched his fists and glared fiercely at Su Jinhua, his eyes like he wanted to kill her.
Su Jinhua was not afraid at all, raising her chin and shouting.
"What, you want to hit me? Go ahead! When there's something good, you don't think of my contribution, but when something goes wrong, it's all my fault.
When I proposed this matter back then, you didn't object either!"
Su Jinhua was truly shrewish and not afraid of losing face.
Ling Junmo, unable to argue with her, turned red with anger, almost resorting to violence.
The elder matriarch of the second branch, Su Wanling, reprimanded them with a stern face, "Enough, aren't you embarrassed enough?"
As she scolded, the wrinkled skin on her face trembled, but it silenced both of them, showing that she was still in charge in the second branch.
She didn't take her son's side, nor did she blame the daughter-in-law entirely.
For her, the priority was to quickly plead for her grandson.
Although she knew clearly that the chances of forgiveness were slim, if they couldn't save their eldest grandson, they couldn't ruin everything for the second branch.
Leaning on her cane, Su Wanling tremblingly walked to the gate and knocked.
"Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, I've brought the whole family to apologize. Please be merciful."
The night wind blew gently, and the night was deathly silent.
The people from the second branch waited quietly. After an unknown amount of time, the old, ancient wooden door finally showed some movement.
The heavy door was pulled open from the inside, emitting a harsh creaking sound of wood.
"Second Master, Second Madam, hello. The Old Master and Old Madam are waiting for you in the front courtyard."
The servant's expression was blank, his head lowered with his usual composure.
The people from the second branch were not in the mood to care about the servant's reaction.
Anyone with sense knew this was a show of dominance, reminding them that the old mansion was not a place for them to act wildly.
If they had been let in so easily just now, Su Jinhua would have continued to throw a tantrum. Now, she had become obedient.
No one was foolish. Although Su Jinhua seemed to be the one causing trouble for the second branch, everything was actually controlled by Su Wanling.
In the front courtyard living room.
Elder Master Ling and Old Madam Ling sat on the upper seats on the left and right, their faces stern and their dignity undiminished.
The years had not only etched the marks of age but also increased their pressure and the aura of those in positions of power.
Ling Yuchen and Gong Zhi sat quietly on the lower right side, while Ling Junye and Zhu Yunfei sat on the lower left side. The family was all present.
They were all waiting for the arrival of the second branch.
With such a major incident, some matters needed to be clarified.
Ling Chengzhi and Su Wanling entered first, their hearts sinking by half at the sight of the assembled company.
It seemed Ling Yuhong was unavoidable this time.
Su Jinhua didn't dare to utter a word. Despite her usual boisterous nature, she knew her place.
Without the first branch, the second branch wouldn't even be able to survive in Kyoto.
Ling Chengzhi nodded and greeted them, "Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law."
Old Master Ling coldly scanned the members of the second branch and said faintly, "Sit down, all of you. Since you're here, some matters should be clarified."
Su Jinhua immediately knelt down, crying, "Eldest Uncle, Yuhong may have been unruly, but he is still a Ling. If he goes to prison, his life will be ruined. And Hanfei, he will be affected in the future too. Please help him!"