Chapter 804: Always Profiting, Always Staying Out of It

Nie Mingyuan and his two stepsons, along with their wives, were stunned.

They didn’t understand the meaning of Gu Baishuang’s question. Could it be that Gu Baishuang was missing her grandchildren?

In the past, Gu Baishuang indeed loved her grandchildren dearly.

Afraid that others would gossip that she was a step-grandmother who didn’t genuinely care, she loved the grandchildren even more than their biological grandmother.

The grandson from the eldest son’s family was practically raised single-handedly by Gu Baishuang.

Since that dispute three years ago, Gu Baishuang’s affection for the grandchildren had faded.

The eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Zhang, accompanied with a smile, said: "The children are all here. Ever since you arrived in Shengjing, Brother Yan has been thinking about you every day and can’t eat properly. He’s lost quite a bit of weight in the past six months. But Brother Yan has made progress in his studies. On the way, he even said that when he sees you, he wants to show you the large characters he wrote."

While speaking, she urged the maid to bring the children over.

In Mrs. Zhang’s mouth, Brother Yan is her eldest son, the grandson raised by Gu Baishuang.

She thought to herself, Brother Yan indeed grew up by his grandmother’s side, how could he not be cherished?

Separated for such a short time, and already missing Brother Yan.

Even if her mother-in-law had issues with her and her husband, it didn’t matter, as long as her son was there, she could control her mother-in-law.

Gu Baishuang gave a faint smile.

The second daughter-in-law, Mrs. Sun, unwilling to be outdone, said: "My Brother Sheng and Brother Xiang also talk about grandma every day, quickly go bring them here."

Mrs. Sun regretted deeply that she hadn’t been ruthless enough to send the children to be raised by Gu Baishuang from the start.

Soon, the children were brought to Gu Baishuang by the maids and servants.

When the children saw Gu Baishuang, their faces showed familiarity and distance.

Gu Baishuang didn’t get angry.

"Quickly greet your grandmother." urged the maids.

The children greeted.

Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Sun glanced over at Gu Baishuang, seeing her sitting quietly drinking tea, without any expression, they couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

They had heard that Gu Baishuang’s business with Widow Tong had grown significantly, and that the Nie Family’s business was nothing compared to hers, yet she wasn’t willing to prepare meeting gifts for her grandchildren with all that silver at hand.

Gu Baishuang looked over at Brother Sheng and Brother Xiang, and said: "Do you like it here?"

The two responded: "Yes, we like it here."

Gu Baishuang pinched their cheeks and said to Nie Xiaofeng: "See how big your nephews are now. When will you get married so I can have my own grandchildren?"

This sentence seemed to activate Brother Sheng and Brother Xiang’s defense mechanism. They remembered what their parents said in private and responded: "Uncle won’t get married, and in the future, won’t have a son. This mansion is ours."

Brother Yan jumped forward and pushed his two cousins down, standing with his hands on his hips, he said: "What is yours? This General Mansion is mine. I am the eldest grandson, and everything in the house is mine."

Brother Yan was strong, and Brother Sheng and Brother Xiang fell to the ground, scraping their hands, and started crying.

Mrs. Sun, feeling heartache, helped them up, angry enough to wish she could eat Brother Yan alive.

Brother Yan was unaware, he turned to look at Gu Baishuang and said: "Grandma, my mom says you love me the most. Uncle doesn’t have children, I’m your real grandson, and everything belonging to you and Uncle is mine."

Brother Yan appeared to be completely justified.

These words once spoken, except for Gu Baishuang, everyone else’s expression changed.

Nie Xiaofeng looked at his brother and sister-in-law and asked: "What do you mean I can’t get married, I can’t have children? How is it that the mansion I worked so hard for is my nephew’s?"

Mrs. Sun, unable to care for her children, forced a laugh: "Children’s nonsense, Third Brother, don’t take it to heart."

Mrs. Zhang grabbed Brother Yan and smacked his backside, scolding: "I told you not to speak nonsense, I told you not to speak nonsense. Your uncle is still young, how could he possibly not have his own children?"

She turned to Gu Baishuang and Nie Xiaofeng to explain: "Brother Yan misses Uncle so much, saying Uncle is the Great General, wanting to be the General’s child. A child’s words don’t count, Third Brother, please don’t be upset."

Nie Xiaofeng didn’t believe this explanation.

He knew his sisters-in-law too well, they certainly told the children he wouldn’t get married or have children, and the General Mansion would belong to their children.

Thinking of this, Nie Xiaofeng’s face turned cold.

Gu Baishuang coldly laughed: "Children speaking like this, it’s still adults who taught them, isn’t it?"

Brother Yan, having been beaten by Mrs. Zhang, felt wronged and shouted: "I didn’t speak nonsense, I didn’t speak nonsense. Mom said so. Mom said Uncle would die on the battlefield, Uncle doesn’t have a son, I’m the eldest grandson, everything should be mine."

When he heard the sentence about Nie Xiaofeng dying on the battlefield, even Gu Baishuang couldn’t hold it together.

Nie Xiaofeng’s expression drastically changed.

Mrs. Zhang wished she could sew her son’s mouth shut.

She had indeed said these things.

But it wasn’t during teaching, it was said privately, unknowingly heard by Brother Yan, who then mimicked and revealed them.

Brother Yan, aggressively asked Nie Xiaofeng: "Uncle, when will you die? When you die will such a big mansion really be mine? Grandma’s bad, I’ll kick her out then."

Gu Baishuang slapped Brother Yan to the ground.

Daring to curse her son, she would hit him.

Don’t say he’s just a child who doesn’t understand.

The child is the father of the man.

If a child’s mind is so vicious, how could they be when grown?

Moreover, Brother Yan isn’t young, already at the age to start school, yet all the teachings have gone to waste.

Brother Yan, beaten by Gu Baishuang, cried aloud and hatefully said to her: "You’re not my grandma, you’re the step-grandma bought by the Nie family. Just wait, when I grow up, I’ll throw you out."

Gu Baishuang shook from anger.

She grabbed Mrs. Zhang nearby and slapped her twice, scolding: "He’s just a child, doesn’t know anything, it’s all taught by you. You’re wishing for me and my son to die. Let me tell you, even if you and your son die, we won’t."

Mrs. Zhang was beaten, her face burning, clutching Brother Yan, sobbing: "I’ve been married into the Nie family for so many years, respecting my parents-in-law, serving my husband, raising children for the Nie family. Just because a child said a few words of nonsense, it’s all blamed on me teaching them. If I say I didn’t teach him, you won’t believe it, insisting I’m sinister."

"No matter what I do, it’s wrong. If Mother is unhappy with me, just write me a divorce letter and I’ll leave."

Mother and son hugged and cried.

Gu Baishuang gave Mrs. Zhang and Brother Yan a cold look, scaring them both into trembling.

Nie Xiaofeng said: "Big Sister-in-law didn’t teach the children well, but instead blames my mother. Our Nie Family’s children taught by you have no loyalty or righteousness, it’s indeed time to divorce you."

Nie Xiaofeng has seen blood and death on the battlefield.

As a soldier, he doesn’t fear death and has long been prepared for sacrifice.

But being cursed out of the blue, he just feels as if he’s touched something unclean.

Mrs. Zhang was scolded by Nie Xiaofeng, her sobbing stuck in her throat.

Gu Baishuang’s gaze fell on Eldest Nie.

Whether it was the division of the family, or the two branches claiming Nie Xiaofeng was gone as a reason to adopt a son, it was the two step-sons’ idea.

They came up with the idea, the wives jumped to execute it.

If successful, they enjoyed the benefits; if not, it was blamed on the women for being irrational.

Just like now, with such a big scene, Eldest Nie hid in the shadows, as if unrelated.

Always gaining benefits, always staying out of the trouble.

But how could Gu Baishuang let her stepson off the hook?

"Eldest, do you also think your son is speaking nonsense?"