"I..." Tian's words trailed off as he stared at Xia Xiuren with a mixture of panic and pleading in his eyes.

  Xia Xiuren couldn't bear to see Tian Shi being humiliated, so he stepped forward and said to Xia Zhi: "Sixteen, your mother... she was also deceived by your grandmother."

  "Dad, can you let mom speak for herself? As our mother, she should give us an explanation. " Xia Zhi asked Xia Xiucai to step aside temporarily, and they wanted to hear the truth from Tian Shi's own mouth. "Mom, speak up. Was grandma really ill or pretending? You didn't know, did you? You saw her with your own eyes back then. Whether she was really ill to the point of dying or faking it, you wouldn't be unable to tell."

  Tian's family was silent for a long time and couldn't say a word.

  Xiaqiao had been looking at Tian with some expectation, but seeing her like this, Xiaqiao lowered his head again. Tian didn't need to say anything, because her current appearance was the best and most real answer.

  Xia Zhi looked at Tian Shi, and didn't want to say anything more. Growing up in the Tian family's environment, although she was also a victim herself, Tian Shi had no awareness whatsoever. She had fully accepted the values of Old Man Tian and Tian Wang Shi.

  They don't treat their daughter as a human being at all.

  Perhaps noticing the change in expression of several children, Tian cried again. "I really had no way to do it. When your grandma was ill at that time, I thought she was dying. Later I also knew, but it was too late."

  She was still defending herself, and she felt that this defense was not enough, so she continued to cry and talk. "At that time, we hadn't separated from the family yet, and your father couldn't earn any money either. Your grandparents were wealthy, but they didn't want to take out their money. If they had been willing to take out their money, how could I have sold my own daughter?"

  This will make the old summer grandfather and grandmother strange again. Xia Zhi all know what Tian Shi will say next, but it's still those old stories, saying that Summer Old Lady is not the biological mother of Xia Xiucui, and naturally has no true heart for her grandchildren. After Old Man Xia married his second wife, he only had his second wife and children in his heart.

  Just like Xia Ershu and Xia Erniang would say those words whenever they had any dissatisfaction with Old Man Xia and Old Lady Xia.

  However, perhaps it was because Xia Xiuren had once persuaded Tian Shi that Tian Shi would often speak ill of Old Master Xia and Old Madame Xia behind their backs, but rarely spoke about the topic of his second wife.

  And now Xiao Hei is in the house, Tian Shi is afraid of Xiao Hei and naturally won't say such things.

  But such a shirking of responsibility was enough to make Xia Zhi feel annoyed. She glanced at Xia Qiao, who clearly didn't buy into this kind of talk either.

  Tian's wife cried for a while, then said a few more words, seemingly also realizing that she hadn't moved the children at all. Later on, she didn't say it was anyone else's responsibility either, only saying that she had been deceived by Tian Wangshi.

  "I was so scared at that time, your grandma... I really didn't expect it."

  "After that, I built a house for my maternal grandparents. You know that, Mother. Why didn't you take the money back and ransom back my elder sister?" Xia Qiao finally spoke up.

  Tian's family was still crying: "I also want to, but it's too late."

  "Is it too late for Dajue's sister to be redeemed or is it too late for the money to come back?" Xia Zhi asked.

  "It's too late." Tian's wife burst into loud sobs again. The money had already been handed over to her parents, how could she possibly ask for it back? Unless she could take the lives of Old Man Tian and Madame Tian in exchange. But even if they were willing to give up their lives, they would not return the money to her.

  The truth has finally been revealed.

  The Tian Wang family's fake illness must have happened, and it was probably for the sake of building a house and extorting money from Xia Xiuzai and the Tian family. Xia Xiuzai was completely in the dark, but the Tian family...

  Tian's awareness of the truth was only known to herself at what stage. However, her assisting in bullying is also very certain.

  "Daughter, where on earth did you sell my eldest sister?" Xia Qiao asked Tian Shi.

  "What's the point of asking about the big bridge? We're all old now..." Tian said, raising his eyes to glance at Xia Bridge.

  "How many years has it been? She's still my sister. I want to find her and bring her back." Xia Qiaofei said quickly, "Mother, please, just tell me. I'll go look for her myself, I won't trouble you."

  "I..." Tian twisted his own hem, secretly glancing at Xia Qiao's expression.

  "Daughter, did you learn from my grandfather and sell my sister to the mountains or to a passing peddler?" Xia Qiao was really heartbroken, otherwise he wouldn't speak to Tian Shi like this.

  The two sentences, "selling to the mountain" and "selling to the old peddler", obviously struck a sore spot for Tian. Tian had a cold sweat on this hot summer day, and his eyes were also filled with fear.

  This must have thought of some terrible experience.

  Xia Xiuzai already knew about the two aunts, and being most considerate of Tian Shi, he guessed that Tian Shi must be thinking of her two sisters. When the two sisters were sold, Tian Shi had also reached marriageable age. At that time, Tian Shi should have been filled with fear every day, afraid that the next person to be sold would be her.

  "Don't be afraid." Xia Xiuzai hastily walked to Tian Shi's side, stretched out his arm and hugged Tian Shi. His low voice comforted Tian Shi. "Don't be afraid, I'm here. Those are all things of the past. I won't let anyone hurt you again."

  Tian's family leaned close to Xia Xiuzai's bosom and began to sob.

  How can people talk like this? Xia Zhi now deeply understands the feelings of Old Man Xia towards Xia Xiutai, it's really a case of "hating iron for not becoming steel".

  Tian cried for a while, and his emotions seemed to calm down gradually, and his crying also weakened.

  Xia Zhi naturally wouldn't let Tian Shi off so easily, and she asked Tian Shi again: "Mother, where did you actually sell my older sister to? Just say it. As long as you say it, we won't blame you for this matter anymore. You can even redeem your mistakes, and later when we rescue our older sister back, you'll have an additional filial daughter taking care of you, isn't that good?"

  Xia Xiuzai also advised Tian Shi: "You'd better say it, otherwise the several children's hearts will not be able to untie this knot. After all, she is our own daughter, and there should be some news about her, eh!"

  The Tian family saw that the whole family was unanimous on this matter, and she couldn't help but say: "It's been many years since then, I don't remember it either. It was a matchmaker who took him away, saying he would take him to a good place and let the child have a good life."

  That is to say, Tian also didn't know where Xiaoyue was sold to in the end, or who she was sold to. As for where Xiaoyue is now, or whether she's still alive, she knew even less.

  Xia Qiao heard this answer and obviously couldn't accept it, dejectedly sitting down on the stool.

  Tian seemed to feel a little guilty and ashamed, and for a long time he didn't dare raise his head to look at his eldest son.

  It seems that things can only be done this way for the time being. Xia Zhi quickly made a judgment in her heart, and then she told Tian Shi what she had just discussed with Xia Xiuzai in the backyard.

  No longer associate with the Tian family, no longer provide financial support to the Tian family. From now on, all household matters must be discussed and decided collectively, and no one can act arbitrarily. This "no one" naturally mainly refers to the Tian family.

  Tian's face turned pale as she gazed deeply at Xia Xiuzai.

  Xia Xiuzai was a bit awkward, but still nodded.

  Tian knew that the situation was already set, and she didn't say anything, which meant she tacitly agreed to these two points. But after a moment of silence, she said: "That's my biological parents, you can cut ties, but I won't."

  It means she may still have to keep in touch with the Tian family from now on.

  Xia Zhi thought of Xia Xiuzai's persistence in the backyard, and she did not object to Tian Shi's decision. Given Tian Shi's personality, it is almost impossible for her to cut off contact with the Tian family now.

  If they now force Tian Shi to break off relations with the Tian family, Tian Shi will definitely make a big fuss and Xia Xiuzai will also choose to stand on Tian Shi's side.

  So she secured the fruit of victory first and then thought about it slowly afterwards.

  However, Xia Zhi's concession was not unconditional.

  "We want to continue our relationship, but we won't force you, and you can't force us either," Xia Zhi said to Tian Shi.

  "Can I still force you? Look at the commotion you've caused this time, your maternal family's reputation in the village is completely ruined. How can I dare to let you go again?" Tian Shi complained in a low voice.

  Xia Zhi heard it, just smiled and didn't argue with Tian Shi.

  "There's another thing, Mother has the money in her hands now, but I'm afraid she'll be cheated by them again. So from now on, let's hand over our family's money to my brother and we'll take care of it together. Mother, you don't have to worry about the money anymore." This was something that was going to be discussed with Xia Xiucan in the backyard, but was brought up again.

  Xia Xiuzai glanced at Xia Zhi.

  Tian's face looked even more unsightly. At this time, she had stopped crying and sat up straight in Xia Xiuzai's arms.

  "Sixteen, are you trying to compete with me for the position of head of the household?" Tian looked at Xia Zhi. She couldn't believe that Xia Qiao would have such audacity and thoughts.

  The whole family counted from top to bottom, and the person who came up with this idea was definitely Xia Zhi. There's no one else. And what's more, saying that the money at home should be handed over to Xia Qiao, it's clear that Xia Zhi wants to take control of the family's wealth and be in charge.

  Compared with Tian's flustered and exasperated state, Xia Zhi was calm and composed.

  "Daughter, think carefully. Either you cut off all contact with the Tian family or let my brother manage our family's wealth. Choose one."

  "Sixteen, you're forcing me to do this." Tian's family glared at Xia Zhi, then looked at Xia Qiao, "Big Bridge, what do you say? Your mother has not wronged you in any way these years except for not letting you continue your studies."

  Xia Qiao was called out by Tian Shi and only then did he lift his head. "I'm listening."

  Tian's breath was almost taken away. She didn't ask Xiao Shu'er either, because she knew that Xiao Shu'er would definitely be facing Xia Zhi.

  "Good, I've given birth to a good child." Mrs. Tian said with a sigh, then looked at Xia Xiuzai again, hoping that she would say something for her at this time.

  Xia Xiuzai did not expect Xia Zhi to bring up the proposal he had already rejected again. He looked at Tian Shi, then at Xia Zhi, and finally chose to remain silent.

  Tian thought Xia Xiuzai's silence was a form of support for Xia Zhi.

  "It's impossible." Tian said sharply. If she couldn't manage the family's finances, how could she continue to support her natal family? What significance and status would she have left in her natal family?!

  But if she wants to take charge of the family's finances while still maintaining ties with her natal family, Xia Zhi and several children, as well as Xia Xiucun, probably won't agree.

  Xia Xiuzai didn't say anything, but who knows what those kids would do. They just left Kao Shan Tun and returned safely to Daxingzhuang.

  These kids are really talented, they can not only do anything but also do it well.

  Mrs. Tian was at her most nervous at this moment, she turned her head and whispered to Xia Xiuzai. The couple consulted for a while before Mrs. Tian turned back.

  She straightened her back and sat up on the kang, her eyes scanning Xia Zhi, Xia Qiao, and Xiao Shu, but deliberately ignoring the little black fish beside Xia Zhi. No way, every time she saw the little black fish, she felt a stinging sensation in her eyes, and her heart ached.

  "I've discussed it with your father," said Tian slowly, his voice a little hoarse. "The family's money can't all be managed by you two. Your father and I will set aside enough for you to use..."

  "Let's just leave it at that." Xia Zhi thought to herself about Tian Shi's words. She knew Tian Shi must have made some concessions, but the benefits he was willing to give up were definitely not many, so she wanted to take the initiative. "The money my father earns from the academy, we don't want it. Let Father and Mother be in charge of that money."

  "Dad and mom's daily expenses, social interactions, and dad still needs to study for the imperial examination, all of which require money. We don't understand these things, so let dad and mom manage the money they earn themselves."

  Xia Zhi had already thought it through clearly. Given Xia Xiuren's character, the money he earned would never fall into their hands, only to the Tian family.

  Let Tian's family take it then. From now on, their food and clothing expenses, more importantly Xia Xiuzai's future, will depend on how they use that money.

  If they are willing to continue helping the Tian family, then let them sacrifice themselves. Their several children, even if there is no parent to support them, can still get by.

  "But as for the family's prosperity, Father and Mother shouldn't interfere. We also want to live our lives." Xia Zhi continued to say.

  The family's property includes the ten acres of land, as well as the chickens, ducks, geese and pigs at home, and also the vegetable garden. In addition, of course, there is also the house they live in.

  Just as Old Man Xia said, these things were all left to Xia Xiuzai when the family divided up their property. They were what the ancestors of the Xia family had left for their descendants. Xia Xiuzai never managed the household affairs, and Tian Shi wouldn't go down to the fields to plant crops either. Most of the household chores were done by Xia Zhi.

  From now on, these will be entirely in the hands of Xia Zhi and his siblings.

  Xia Zhi roughly calculated in her heart. The family's income was enough for the three siblings to live a good life. Of course, if Xia Qiao and Xiao Shu wanted to attend private school, it might be a bit tight.

  But all that is in the future, she will always find a way.

  Money should be spent in worthwhile places, and she is not unable to take out her own money to support her family. She won't lend money to help people have children, but she's willing to help people improve themselves through education.

  If she had more money in the future, she would be willing to help even more people. As an orphan from her past life, she actually didn't have strong feelings about blood ties.

  (。)