A fierce wife enters the house: She helps up a house full of spineless people.

A few days later, a new tomb was erected at the foot of the green hills outside the city.

With the Wang family's intervention, Yang Laosan's funeral was conducted in a dignified and thorough manner. Merchants in the prefectural city who had initially hoped to see him make a fool of himself all prepared generous gifts to offer their condolences.

Everyone knows that the Yang family rice shop is now backed by the Wang family, which is at the height of its power.

After being imprisoned in the government jail, Yang Laoda and Yang Laoer couldn't withstand two rounds of torture before they confessed all the dirty deeds they had committed over the years, meaning they would basically have to spend the rest of their lives in jail.

As the drizzle subsided, Chen Shujie, holding Yang Jiye's hand, kowtowed three times deeply before Yang Laosan's grave.

Back at the Wang family compound in Houkou Village, Chen Shujie settled her son in and then went straight to Wang Jinbao's study.

"Big brother." Chen Shujie's eyes were slightly red, but her expression was much more resolute than a few days ago.

Wang Jinbao was sitting behind his desk checking accounts when he saw her come in. He put down his brush and pointed to the chair opposite him: "Shujie, sit down. The third brother's funeral arrangements have all been taken care of. What are your plans for the future?"

Chen Shujie sat down, took a deep breath, and got straight to the point: "Big brother, I want to sell Yang Family Rice Shop."

Wang Jinbao was slightly taken aback, raising an eyebrow: "Oh? That rice shop was the third son's life's work. Now that Yang Da and Yang Er are gone, no one dares to bother you orphans and widows anymore. If you want to continue running it, the Wang family will guarantee your safety."

Chen Shujie shook her head with a bitter smile, a hint of self-mockery and heartbreak flashing in her eyes: "Big brother, it's not that I don't want to stay, it's just that people's hearts are too cold. When Third Brother was alive, how good he was to the shop assistants! He would give them money during holidays, and if anyone had an emergency, he would lend them money without hesitation. But what happened? Third Brother's body was barely cold when Yang Da and Yang Er came to the door, and they didn't dare to utter a word, just watching helplessly as my mother and I were thrown out onto the street."

She paused, her tone becoming resolute: "This rice shop disgusts me. I want to sell it, and then I'll stay in Houkou Village and find a job in a workshop, doing some handicrafts. As long as I have food to eat and can raise Jiye properly, I have no other desires in this life."

Wang Jinbao listened quietly. He looked at Chen Shujie, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. Having experienced such a great change, she didn't wallow in self-pity, but instead decisively dealt with the situation. Chen Shujie was indeed a woman who could stand firm.

"Since you've made up your mind, then the Wang family will take over this rice shop," Wang Jinbao said in a deep voice. "The Wang family is currently in need of a shop for grain transactions. As for the price, I'll convert it into silver notes at 30% above the market price, as a token of your financial security."

Upon hearing this, Chen Shujie immediately stood up and declined, "Brother, how can this be! The Wang family helped us avenge ourselves and even took us in. I could never repay such a debt of gratitude, even if I worked like a slave. If you want to use the rice shop, just take it. If you're paying, just give me half the market price. How can you charge me 30% more!"

"Alright, we're family, no need for formalities." Wang Jinbao waved his hand, his tone leaving no room for argument. "The Wang family isn't short of a few thousand taels of silver right now, but you and Jiye will have plenty of expenses in the future. This matter is settled."

Chen Shujie's tears welled up again, and she nodded, choking back sobs.

"As for what you said about working in a workshop..." Wang Jinbao changed the subject, looking at her and saying, "It would be a waste of your talents to do those sewing, mending, and carrying jobs."

Chen Shujie was stunned: "What does Big Brother mean...?"

"You've been managing the rice shop with the third brother for so many years, handling everything from welcoming guests to taking inventory and keeping accounts—you're a master at it all," Wang Jinbao said seriously. "Now our Wang family's business is booming, and we've even opened branches in Yongqing and Yongle prefectures. Xiao Bao can't manage both places alone. Since you don't want to go back to the prefectural city, you'll stay in Houkou Village and be responsible for handling the workshop's external business and coordinating the operation of the shops in these prefectural cities. What do you say?"

Chen Shujie was so shocked that she couldn't come to her senses for a long time. Overseeing the business of several prefectures? This was a core power that the Wang family had delegated to other regions!

"Big brother...I...I'm afraid I won't do it well..." Chen Shujie said somewhat fearfully.

"No one is born knowing how to do things; if you don't know how, you learn." Wang Jinbao opened a drawer, took out a thick booklet, and handed it to Chen Shujie.

Chen Shujie took it with both hands, opened it, and found it full of strange symbols and tables, which left her completely confused.

"This is the arithmetic and accounting method left by Jinzhu." A hint of pride appeared in Wang Jinbao's eyes. "Our Wang family's accounts are all kept using this method. It's clear at a glance, and no one can fake it. You don't need to do anything during this time. Just focus on mastering this book. If there are any parts you don't understand, go to the charity hall and find Cao'er. She's the most proficient in Jinzhu's methods. Go listen to her lessons for the children, and you'll get the hang of it quickly."

Chen Shujie held the booklet as if it were a heavy burden. She knew that this meant the Wang family truly considered her one of their own and trusted her without reservation.

"Don't worry, brother, Shujie will not fail you!" Chen Shujie bowed deeply.

Wang Jinbao nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Yang Jiye, who had been silent to the side: "Jiye, your mother will be busy with business from now on, so you'll have to focus entirely on your studies. You were already studying at Qiming Academy with Yu Rui, and this incident delayed you for a few days. Pack your things tomorrow and go back to the academy with Yu Rui. Your father is gone; you are your mother's pillar of support. From now on, you'll have to hold the family together, understand?"

Yang Jiye stepped forward and respectfully bowed deeply to Wang Jinbao: "Uncle, rest assured, Jiye understands. I will definitely study hard and never let my mother suffer any more grievances, nor will I let down the Wang family's kindness!"