From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 459: Chapter 460: Lecturing the Grandsons

That day, every great mansion in Shangjing was in an uproar. Which of their legitimate daughters wasn’t precious?

They were all doted on and pampered as they grew up, with families hoping to use marriage alliances to gain more support.

But for a mother, it was different. These daughters were their own flesh and blood. How could they bear to watch them be sent to their deaths?

Even Kuang Yunqiao, who had been confined to the Buddhist Hall, rushed out for the sake of her own legitimate daughter.

"Marquis, she is our only daughter! You can’t just stand by and watch her be sent away for a marriage alliance."

Bai Yugang was filled with frustration. Ever since that unfilial son of his had married the legitimate daughter of the Southwest General, Deng Zhiyi, he had been forced to surrender what little military authority he had left.

As a Marquis with no real power, how many people would still show him any respect?

He had been so careful lately, not even daring to speak much at court, yet he was still dragged into this mess.

"Do you think I don’t know she’s our only daughter? You think I’m willing to part with her?"

"Besides, it’s not certain that our daughter will be the one sent for the marriage alliance. What are you panicking for?"

But Kuang Yunqiao was not so easily fooled. "If it happens once, it will happen a second time, and a thousand times after that. There is only a limited number of high-born young ladies in the Capital. If we can’t bring our Li’er back soon, I won’t have a moment’s peace."

Bai Yugang retorted, "Shut your mouth! The Holy Emperor has made his decision. Is that something we can question? Besides, things haven’t reached that point yet. Stop making an unreasonable scene here."

Kuang Yunqiao shot back, "How am I making an unreasonable scene? Every time something happens, you just use those words to shut me down and blame me."

"Besides, it’s not that there’s nothing to be done, it’s that you’re unwilling to do it."

"What can I possibly do?"

Kuang Yunqiao said, "You can’t, but the Princely Heir can. Isn’t he famously loyal to the Holy Emperor? Can’t he even protect his own sister?"

"Silence," Old Madam Bai’s voice cut in as she approached swiftly, supported by her maids.

"Our Marquis Wu’an Mansion has always been loyal to the Holy Emperor. Since His Majesty has made a decision, how could you possibly change it?" After speaking, Old Madam Bai fixed her gaze on Marquis Wu’an. "Are you going to do something foolish for this woman’s sake now?"

Bai Yugang sighed. "Someone, escort the Madam back to the Buddhist Hall."

No matter how much Kuang Yunqiao struggled, she was ultimately led away.

Old Madam Bai stared at Bai Yugang. "You’d better not get involved in anything right now. With the last of our mansion’s military authority surrendered, we are no longer a threat to the Holy Emperor."

"Don’t you go listening to those old fools whispering in your ear and then decide to meddle on your own."

"I may be old, your mother, but I’m not senile. The new emperor is not as easy to fool as the late emperor was."

"Your father and the other old ministers helped the late emperor conquer the lands. In the new emperor’s eyes, those debts have long been settled, especially since he has already granted you high office and great wealth."

"Fortunately, the Princely Heir is capable. As long as he can maintain his good relationship with the new emperor, our Marquis Wu’an Mansion can enjoy glory for at least several more decades."

"You can’t ruin the favorable situation the Princely Heir has now just because of that foolish woman’s words. No matter what, he is your legitimate son, the future successor of our entire Marquis Mansion."

Bai Yugang listened quietly to his mother’s lecture. "Mother, am I that foolish?"

"Hmph," Old Madam Bai snorted. If he weren’t her own son, she really would have whacked him with her cane.

’If I hadn’t protected my grandson all these years, with help from the people his own mother left behind, that woman would have devoured him, leaving not even the bones.’

"Just make sure you know what you’re doing. You’ve been muddle-headed for most of your life. If you continue on like this, how will you ever face your father, who fought so hard for this title?"

Bai Yugang was speechless.

Cao Xiangqian stroked his beard as he looked at the courtyard full of his male descendants. He used to find these sons and grandsons displeasing to the eye, but now, the sight was quite comforting.

"Grandfather, you’ve summoned all of us today. Is there something important?" As the eldest grandson, Cao Lijia was pushed forward by his brothers and had no choice but to step up and ask.

Cao Xiangqian replied, "I just suddenly felt like seeing you all, so I had you summoned."

The descendants of the Cao Family were silent. ’As long as you’re happy, old man.’

Cao Xiangqian then turned to his grandsons’ wives. "From now on, just focus on having boys for the family."

The Cao family’s daughters-in-law were silent. ’What on earth set him off?’

Cao Xiangqian felt a sense of relief. His expression softened as he looked at the grandsons and great-grandsons who had been working outside recently. "You’ve all been leaving early and returning late these days. Have you learned anything?"

Cao Lijia responded, "Grandfather, everyone has been studying diligently, and we’re all getting more proficient at our tasks."

"But there is one thing I don’t understand, and I would like to ask for your guidance, Grandfather."

Cao Xiangqian looked at his eldest grandson. He had to admit, Mrs. Gu, Ancient Wen Heng’s wife, had not disappointed him. His descendants, who were once timid, had changed significantly after this period.

’Look at them, speaking to me without stuttering. A few of his grandsons even dared to trade winks and glances behind his back. Now *these* are the children of a general’s family.’

"Your grandfather is in a good mood today. Speak your mind, whatever you want to ask."

"I don’t understand, Grandfather. We’ve been studying under Mrs. Gu for so long. Why are we still being kept there?"

Although their family didn’t have many businesses, it wouldn’t be impossible to arrange positions for them. He just didn’t understand why his grandfather insisted they stay where they were.

Cao Xiangqian said, "If this were any other day, I’d have you served with a big stick."

"I’m making you stay there for your own good."

"If I, your grandfather, hadn’t shamelessly swallowed my pride, do you think they would have been willing to teach you their trade secrets?"

"You’ve barely scratched the surface, and you already think you’re so capable?"

"Compare yourselves to their Store Managers. Which one of them can’t hold their own?"

"If I were to give you a shop right now, could you support the business and keep it running like they can?"

Cao Lijia and the others fell silent. "But... it’s not like we’re actually going to be shopkeepers or waiters in the future, are we?"

They were, after all, the sons and grandsons of a First Rank court official. Even if they couldn’t secure official posts in the future, they could at least live as wealthy idlers.

Cao Xiangqian took a deep breath, suppressing his volatile temper, but still spoke through gritted teeth. "Tell me, how many male heirs do we have in this family? With our few properties, even if they were divided among all of you, each person would only get a small estate."

"I know what you’re thinking. You boys are definitely counting the properties your parents hold as part of your inheritance."

"But don’t forget, even the strongest backer can fall! When your grandfather is gone, if you lot have no skills and no one to rely on, do you really think you can protect the meager assets in your hands?"

"Your grandfather would love for you to be more ambitious and land some official post, but have you taken a good look at yourselves? If I were ruthless enough to throw you onto a battlefield, forget achieving glory—you’d probably just end up dead."

"And haven’t I given you chances? You’re simply not cut out for it."