The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Grandma Gu then asked, "Ruinian, do you really want to be adopted by the eldest son's family?"

Gu Ruinian nodded.

“Grandpa, there’s nothing we can do about it. I’m willing to bear the infamy for the sake of the second branch’s success. I know you’re doing this for my own good. I’ve thought it through. No matter whether I’m the son of the first or the second branch, I’m still your grandson, and I bear the responsibility of bringing honor to the Gu family.”

When Grandpa Gu heard Gu Ruinian say that, he felt a little sad.

It's really unfair to Ruinian.

Old Mrs. Gu retorted, "You heartless wretch! Go away! Go live with the eldest son's family right now, and never acknowledge me again, or your parents."

"An ungrateful wretch."

"All that love and care was for nothing."

Gu Ruinian said, "Grandma, don't scold me yet, listen to me."

“I have my own parents. If it were truly unavoidable, I would never want to be adopted by the eldest son’s family. Even if I agreed now, I wouldn’t want to do it in my heart. If I were adopted by the eldest son’s family, not only would you not acknowledge me, but I would also be gossiped about and cursed in the village. So why am I still willing to go? Isn’t it all for the future of our family?”

"Grandpa is old, Dad wants to do business but can't find an opportunity, my eldest brother is mediocre, and to put it bluntly, I'm the only one in the family with any talent for studying. Studying requires money, just like how Jingzhe used money to pave the way to Wanliu Academy, and Lu Zhaozhao's brother used money to pave the way to become the top scholar. I don't resent being born into this family, I just don't want to give up so early. I want to study, I want Grandpa and Grandma to live a good life, and I want to earn an official title for my parents. To achieve this goal, I'm willing to endure any humiliation."

“If I stay at home, my studies will be delayed because of lack of money, and even my aunt and Xiaoxue's marriages will be affected. Grandma, Mom, you know what kind of people the matchmakers have been arranging for my aunt and Xiaoxue since we came back. Farmers, butchers, peddlers, even widowers with children who have lost their first wives. I don't want my aunt and sister to marry into such families and suffer. Have those aunts and Jingzhe even considered this? They are selfish. They don't even care about Taohua's marriage, only keeping Taohua at home to make money and manage the shop. They certainly don't care about my aunt and Xiaoxue. I will be adopted by the eldest son's family and use their resources to study. When I pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, I will choose a scholar's marriage for my aunt and sister from among my classmates.”

Gu Ruinian portrayed himself as a filial son who had no other choice.

A moment of silence fell over the room.

Gu Ruinian looked up and saw that Old Madam Gu's eyes were red, and Madam Jia began to sob, sometimes loud and sometimes soft.

It must be said that these words convinced Old Madam Gu. Old Madam Gu's biggest concerns at the moment were firstly, that the second branch of the family could turn things around, and secondly, that Gu Honglian could find a good match.

Anyway, wherever Gu Ruinian goes, he's still her grandson.

He's not a three-year-old anymore; he's a grown man. Tong Dajiao can't take care of him properly. He'll still be close to the old family home in the future.

“Mother, I know you’re reluctant to part with me, and I’m reluctant to part with you either. I’m just a three-year-old child who’s only needed milk to survive. I remember all the good things you’ve done for me, and I know very well who my parents are. I’m only going to be the eldest son’s son in name only. In my heart, I only recognize you and Father. Once I’ve passed the exam with the help of the eldest son’s resources, I will definitely come back to be your son.”

The biggest obstacle right now is the Jia family.

Madam Jia still couldn't accept it, and asked through sobs, "Then if you pass the exam and earn an imperial title for me, will Tong Dajiao be happy?"

Gu Ruinian smiled and said, "Mother, do you know about the former emperor Yingzong? Because Emperor Taizong had no son, Yingzong was adopted by Emperor Taizong as his nephew. He then ascended the throne after paying homage to the ancestors and worshipping at the ancestral temple. Once he was firmly in power, he welcomed his parents into the royal ancestral temple and posthumously honored them as Emperor Wen and Empress Dowager Xiaoyi, allowing them to enjoy the incense offerings of the royal descendants. Not a single official dared to utter a word."

Lady Jia didn't understand Emperor Yingzong and Emperor Taizong, but she understood her son's meaning: as long as her son became successful in the future, wouldn't it all be up to him to decide?

However, the thought of her son being adopted by the eldest son's family and having to call her aunt from now on made Tong Dajiao feel as if her heart was being pierced by silver needles.

She also secretly resented Gu Youtian for not being able to keep her son.

Jia cried and said, "If you go to the main house and live under someone else's roof, even if you have money to study, life won't be easy."

Gu Ruinian said, "Mother, have you ever heard the saying, 'No pain, no gain'?"

It was really difficult to persuade Jia.

Gu Ruinian thought to himself, why couldn't Jia Shi be like those mothers in history who were deeply righteous and could endure anything for their sons?

Jia was stunned. She felt that the comparison shouldn't be made like this, but she couldn't quite explain how it should be done.

Gu Ruinian said softly, "Mother, don't worry. No matter where I go, I will only recognize you as my mother. I will always be your son."

Jia's throat was blocked, and she couldn't say a word.

Grandpa Gu filled his pipe with tobacco, sighed, and said, "Given the situation at home, let Ruinian stay with the eldest son's family for a few more years and suffer the injustice."

"However," Old Master Gu paused, then said, "this is a big matter after all. Let's wait for your father to come back and then go to the clan chief to open the ancestral hall together."

Gu Ruinian felt much more at ease.

When Grandpa Gu said this, it meant he had agreed to have him adopted by the eldest son's family.

Jia rushed out crying.

Grandma Gu remained silent, which was taken as tacit consent.

Grandpa Gu said, "It's normal for your mother to be confused for a while; she'll understand in time."

Gu Ruinian lowered his head and said meekly, "It's all my fault for making Mother sad. When I become successful in the future, I will definitely make up for Mother's grievances today."

No matter how much Jia objected, it was useless.

A woman who has no say in her own home cannot cause any trouble.

The only variable now is the original owner's biological father, Gu Youtian.

Gu Youtian has two sons. He used to place all his hopes on Gu Ruinian because Gu Ruinian showed outstanding potential.

The two incidents—the loss of all his investment in the security escort agency and his failure to pass the imperial examination—caused Gu Youtian to harbor a great deal of resentment towards Gu Ruinian.

Especially after failing the imperial examination, Gu Youtian has not recovered enough to talk to Gu Ruinian.

Gu Ruinian believes that his father has given up on him.

Gu Youtian probably won't have much of a reaction to where the son he abandoned goes.

Gu Youtian also hoped that someone could infiltrate the main house and hollow it out.

He planned to use this to persuade Gu Youtian.

If he were Gu Youtian, he would wholeheartedly agree to his son being adopted by the eldest son's family so that he could use the eldest son's money and resources to reap the benefits of the eldest son's family.

Such a great opportunity, who wouldn't be happy to see it come to fruition?

Gu Ruinian's mind grew increasingly optimistic, and he had every reason to believe that Gu Youtian would not only not interfere with his decision, but would also be eager to send him to the main house as a son.

So he went to Jia's room with a determined mind. In any case, as a filial son of this era, he still had to comfort Jia.

After all, since he had transmigrated to this world, Jia had been the kindest to him.

He couldn't act without a conscience. (End of Chapter)