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Liu Tiezhu wasn't stupid; he understood that his sister had told him not to speak.

He guessed what his sister meant; most likely, she wouldn't give him any money.

I guess the younger sister doesn't have much money left, after all, she spent thirty taels to buy the house and some other things.

Even if my sister still had money, she wouldn't be able to take out fifteen taels of silver.

Liu Tiechui nudged his elder brother with his elbow and whispered, "Grandpa is forcing us, the various branches of the family, to pool our money for Fourth Uncle."

Liu Tiezhu nodded and whispered, "Don't speak, my little sister has her own plans."

The two of them dared to discuss things so quietly because they were sitting on the very edge and their voices were too soft for others to hear.

Tao'er put down the bowl, raised her head, and said in a soft but clear voice, "Grandpa, our eldest son's family has no money."

Just as Wang was about to explode, Tao'er continued, "My father's back injury hasn't healed yet, and his leg injury hasn't healed either. He's taking medicine every day!"

My mother is blind, her whole body is covered in injuries, and she's always on her medicine bottle.

Even if they get better, they won't be able to do heavy work or earn money.

So basically, both of them will be relying on money to prolong their lives from now on.

"My two older brothers handed over every penny of their earnings to the public fund; we didn't even have a single copper coin for ourselves."

These uncles and aunts probably all know this!

Fifteen taels?

Even if we sold everything we owned, we still couldn't raise the money.

Grandpa, are you trying to force us to die?

Upon hearing this, Wang bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on: "The second and third sons have already agreed, but you eldest sons want to make an exception?"

If you don't take a single penny, what will the second and third brothers think?

Tie Zhu chops wood, Tie Chui hunts—I just don't believe they didn't save some money on the side!"

Tao'er scoffed, "Grandma, if my eldest and second brothers had even a little bit of savings, they wouldn't have let my mother go blind and not get medical treatment!"

And you know better than anyone whether they've been saving money on the side!

"Your mother is blind, and your father looks like a ghost. Who can you blame but yourselves?"

I'm not listening to what you're saying!

Since the family hasn't separated yet, and the second and third wives have both agreed to contribute money, you must do the same.

If you don't have it, then figure it out yourself. In any case, you need to hand over the fifteen taels of silver within three days.

Wang said firmly.

Liu Laogen also advised, "Tao girl, your fourth uncle is only going through a temporary period of difficulty. He is the hope of our Liu family."

Our Liu family's glory and honor are all thanks to him.

Just consider it a loan to your fourth uncle, okay?

"Just consider it helping your fourth uncle, so your two older brothers can find wives in the future, right?"

Liu Laogen thought to himself that he didn't know who this stubborn girl took after, as she seemed to be a headless ox that wouldn't listen to reason.

Tao'er sneered, her laughter filled with an indescribable chill: "My parents are lying in bed taking medicine and we don't even have money for it. What do you expect us to support them with?"

Are you willing to risk your life to support it?

Grandpa, anyway, I've already said that our eldest son's family can't afford to give Fourth Uncle a single penny.

If he really needed money, he wouldn't have gone to his mother-in-law's house to borrow it!

"Doesn't his wife own a shop and run a business?"

That couple is utterly despicable!

Instead of asking her own family, she came back to ask her brothers and parents.

It would be fine if it happened once or twice, but he's shameless and always asks for money back every time.

"Peach Girl, it's not that I don't want to borrow money from my family; I've already borrowed from them."

When you're out socializing and eating out, everything costs money.

I can't always turn to my wife's family when I'm in trouble!

Wei's explanation is worse than no explanation at all.

"You brat, how dare you talk to your fourth aunt like that?"

Shut up! Your fourth aunt and her family have helped your fourth uncle and his wife countless times.

He didn't come back to tell everyone because he didn't want you to feel guilty.

Wang quickly explained.

Tao'er's voice grew even colder: "Grandma, everyone will know whether Wei's family helped or not if they ask around in the county town."

And why should we, the third branch of the family, support the entire fourth branch of the family?

"My fourth uncle's family lived comfortably in town, without having to lift a finger to do any work at home or in the fields."

How many times a year do you come back?

Every time they come back, they're asking for money or things.

Now that the provincial examination is approaching, I need money to bribe officials. Have I remembered I have three older brothers at home?

Everyone at the table was stunned.

Even Liu Laogen was speechless.

The fourth brother, Liu Tianbao, turned pale and then flushed, and the steamed bun he was holding was squeezed out of shape.

After Tao'er finished speaking, she lowered her head, picked up the bowl of porridge, and slowly drank it, no longer looking at anyone.

It was already completely dark outside.

The flame of the oil lamp inside flickered, illuminating everyone's face in waves.

"Peach girl, you're a little girl, how can you act like a girl?"

And at such a young age, to be so vicious is outrageous!

I think you just want to see us brothers turn against each other, don't you!

"And the eldest branch of the Liu family—it's the eldest brother who makes the decisions. When did it become your place, a junior, to make those decisions?"

Liu Tianbao felt that his dignity as a scholar had been trampled underfoot for the first time!

My second and third brothers both agreed, but this stubborn girl just wouldn't listen to reason or force, and wouldn't give me a single penny!

"Father, as the head of the family, you just let a little girl like her run wild?"

I think we should have our second and third brothers invite our eldest brother over!

Even if he was injured, we carried him over.

How could he not participate in such an important event!

Liu Tianbao turned to the old man and shouted, his voice almost a roar.

"Second brother, third brother, you two go and carry your eldest brother to the main room. This kind of thing still needs to be decided by the eldest brother."

Liu Laogen immediately understood what Lao Si meant.

The eldest brother is the most honest and almost always obeys orders; he would definitely be willing to pay.

"Let's see who dares to make a move!"

Anyone who dares to call my father over will suffer the consequences!

Tao'er picked up a bowl and smashed it on the ground.

"If my parents' condition is affected by any of you, and something happens to them, I will never forgive them!"

You can try it if you don't believe me!

Tao'er's eyes were firm and sharp as she swept over the crowd, her gaze sending chills down their spines.

Liu Tianbao never expected that his niece would have such a fiery temper, even more so than his sister Liu Jiaojiao!

The only difference is that Liu Jiaojiao is a good-for-nothing, while Liu Tao'er is very smart.

The Liu brothers were secretly pleased: their sister was indeed amazing!

"Liu Tao'er, what's wrong with you?"

Since ancient times, men have been in charge of the household. How can you, a woman, behave like this?

Your opinion doesn't count!

Liu Tianbao is still stubbornly holding on.

At this moment, Liu Tianzhu stood up and said, "Grandpa, Fourth Uncle, my father used to be in charge of our family!"

Now that my dad is sick, my little sister is in charge!

Therefore, her decision represents the decision of our main branch.

"We don't have the money, we just can't come up with it!"

Liu Tiechui also stood up. "My older brother is right. In our family, my younger sister is in charge. She has the final say!"

Let me tell you, even if my parents get along well in the future, my little sister will still be the one calling the shots in our family!