Having learned from their mistakes, the young masters started waking up early from then on and diligently studied with the shopkeepers once they arrived at the stores. Old Madam Hu nodded in satisfaction; to her, anyone who mended their ways was a good child.
Unfortunately, her joy was short-lived. While they did indeed study diligently, their learning objectives differed from what she had imagined. When the shopkeepers later looked at the account books riddled with errors, they felt like crying.
They had already offended the young masters once. The young masters had warned them that if they betrayed them again, they would be kicked out of the Hu family. Having finally achieved their current positions and with their families relying on them for sustenance, they couldn't afford to find a new employer and start over. Thus, they chose to turn a blind eye.
With money in hand, the Hu family's young masters became even more extravagant. They would invite friends to dine at restaurants, occasionally visit brothels, or gamble in casinos. Their lives were carefree and pleasant.
By the time Old Madam Hu realized what was happening, several years had passed. Their characters had become set. Having grown accustomed to a life of ease and comfort, they were unwilling to spend their days toiling over their family's business.
Fortunately, the two elder sons of the Hu family were relatively reliable. Though the Hu family lacked heirs, it wouldn't collapse overnight. Seeing that the current young masters were beyond redemption, they constantly took concubines in an attempt to father sons and raise them properly to support the family. However, the two wives of the Hu family were no pushovers; concubines were taken one after another, yet no sons were born.
With both elder sons of the Hu family incapacitated, the ensuing struggle for the position of family head would undoubtedly see them unleash their full capabilities. This would create more opportunities for manipulation. If they dared to bully her husband, she would make them pay.
What Wu Caiwei didn't know was that upon regaining his senses, the second master of the Hu family was extremely dejected upon realizing his predicament. Having extensive experience in business, he quickly calmed down, grasped the crux of the matter, and immediately instructed his eldest son to contact all the shopkeepers.
His eldest son readily agreed, but his second son was displeased. His father clearly intended to pass the position of family head to his elder brother. Was it only because he was born a few years later than his elder brother? His abilities were no less than his elder brother's. What did his father mean by abandoning him?
To prevent his elder brother from becoming the family head, he secretly sent a letter to the eldest young master of the first branch. The first branch was shocked upon receiving the letter.
They had long coveted the position of family head and felt it would be insensitive to bring it up now, especially since the second master had just fallen ill. Little did they expect the second master to disregard his own health and actively pave the way for his son. If that was the case, they wouldn't be blamed for being ruthless. The position of family head rightfully belonged to the first branch, and they were merely reclaiming what was theirs.
Thus, before the couple could even make a move, one spectacular drama after another unfolded within the Hu family, leaving onlookers dazzled.
First, as the eldest young master of the second branch was out, his horse was startled. The horse bolted, crashed into a wall, and died on the spot. While the young master's life was saved, he was severely injured and wouldn't be able to walk for at least six months.
Soon, they discovered that the mastermind behind the incident was the eldest young master of the first branch. However, Old Madam Hu protected her grandson, resulting in a lenient punishment, which caused immense resentment from the second branch.
Not long after, the eldest young master of the first branch fell into a trap while gambling and lost a staggering sum of one hundred thousand taels of silver.
When the gambling house collectors came to demand payment, Old Madam Hu was stunned. She had never imagined her grandson would frequent such places. As things stood, she had no choice but to help him. She had heard that those who owed money to gambling houses either lost a hand or had a leg chopped off. She didn't want her grandson to become crippled, so she could only use money. But where could she find so much money in the accounts? She had to sell shops.
The first branch fully supported her. However, the moment Old Madam Hu made any moves, the second branch caught wind of it. They cried and wailed, vehemently opposing the decision, as those shops were partly theirs. If Old Madam Hu insisted on protecting the first branch, they demanded a separation of the family.
Old Madam Hu looked at the two branches sitting below, their eyes filled with animosity towards each other. They were all her grandsons, and she wondered when they had become like sworn enemies. At that moment, she felt as if she had aged ten years, believing everything was retribution.
Finally, she waved her hand wearily, telling everyone to return. She took out her personal savings to plug the enormous hole. Even so, the second branch remained dissatisfied. Her private funds were to be divided equally between the two branches after her passing, but this time, everything was given to the first branch, which they vehemently opposed.
However, Old Madam Hu refused to see them. It was her money, and she could give it to whomever she pleased. They could keep their dissatisfaction to themselves.
The second branch couldn't do anything to Old Madam Hu, so they took their anger out on the first branch. Soon, news spread throughout Yu City that the second young master of the first branch had his leg broken in a fight over a woman at a brothel.
Upon investigation, Old Madam Hu discovered that her grandson had instigated the conflict. A letter arrived from the Hu family's main branch in the capital, advising them to resolve the matter quietly. Ultimately, the other party apologized and offered some money, and the matter was settled.
The first madam was furious, constantly claiming that someone had harmed her son. Old Madam Hu thoroughly investigated everyone around the eldest young master and discovered that a certain young servant had some issues. Under duress from threats against his family, he confessed the truth: it was the eldest young master of the second branch who had instructed him. The two ladies then engaged in a fierce confrontation.
The main branch of the Hu family looked down on their branch. Normally, they wouldn't bother with any negative rumors that spread about them. But this time was different. Everyone was watching them make fools of themselves, and it was clear that the first and second branches were engaged in a mutual destruction. If this continued, the reputation of the Hu family would be ruined.
Thus, Old Madam Hu, at her advanced age, was summoned to the main branch. Several elderly ladies sarcastically taunted her and warned them to cease their infighting and stop making a spectacle of themselves.
Having managed the household for so many years, Old Madam Hu had never endured such humiliation. Upon returning home, she fell ill. After some thought, she summoned them and decided to divide the family property.
Regardless, the first branch was the eldest son and grandson, and they were entitled to more than half of the family assets. However, the second master was her only surviving son, and she had some consideration for him. In the end, she closed her eyes, and the property was divided in two amidst the dissatisfaction of the first branch.
Her intentions were well-meaning, but unfortunately, some feuds had already been sown. It was either them or us. While they were preoccupied with their internal conflicts, Wu Caiwei and Hu Lianyu continuously encroached upon their businesses.
When they finally came to their senses, they discovered that their shops were all operating at a loss and they were out of money. They had no choice but to sell the shops. The people in the city were shrewd and skilled at taking advantage of opportunities.
The young masters of the Hu family cursed incessantly, but they had no choice. If they didn't sell the shops, they wouldn't be able to survive, so they had to part with them reluctantly. Wu Caiwei also took the opportunity to buy a few shops.
This situation couldn't continue. Thus, both branches gathered everyone and reached an agreement: from then on, they would mind their own business and have no further contact.
Everyone agreed wholeheartedly at the time, but in the blink of an eye, they found the other side stabbing them in the back, and so the chaotic infighting began anew.
"Alright, from now on, we'll live our own lives. As long as they don't provoke us, we'll pretend they don't exist," Hu Lianyu said with a smile, tightly holding Wu Caiwei's hand.
Wu Caiwei nodded. Who would have thought that the couple would be fanning the flames behind the Hu family all along.