Transmigrated into the role of the matriarch, I ensured my family had enough to eat and wear during

Old Mrs. Tang, with a self-righteous air, brought up old arguments as an excuse: "You said yourself before that you would support Chengyu in studying hard and passing the imperial examinations, so that the Tang family could bring honor to its ancestors! Now that he's entered Chongwen Hall, the tuition is already higher than elsewhere, so it's only right that you pay ten taels of silver!"

Seeing that Tang Susu's expression remained unchanged and her attitude was still firm, she quickly backed down: "If it really doesn't work, I can pay five taels first, as tuition for next month, and we can talk about the rest later."

Tang Susu took a step forward, her gaze meeting Old Lady Tang's directly, her tone as cold as ice: "I'll say it one last time, I severed all ties with the Tang family long ago. Now I am Yang Fujun's wife, a member of the Yang family, and have absolutely no connection with your Tang family. You can't come in through this door."

Seeing this, Old Lady Tang decided to act like a rogue, sitting down on the doorstep: "You have to take these five taels of silver today, whether you like it or not! Otherwise, I'll stay at your doorstep and let the whole village see how unfilial you are to your grandmother!"

Tang Susu was not afraid at all and shouted out loud.

As soon as she finished speaking, Yang Gousheng, Tang Liqiang, and the other two boys immediately stepped forward and stood in front of her.

Five burly men, including Yang Fuqiang and Liu Yingcai, who were working in the backyard, also rushed over upon hearing the commotion. Each of them was tall and imposing, and they stood in front of the yard with an imposing presence. They all looked at Tang Susu and asked, "Susu, what can I do for you?"

Five burly men lined up, completely blocking the courtyard gate.

Old Mrs. Tang felt a chill run down her spine. She couldn't understand how the Tang family suddenly had so many capable men, nor could she continue to peer into the backyard to uncover the secrets of the cold noodle business. Her arrogance immediately diminished.

She quickly changed her tone, forcing a fake smile: "Susu, Grandma is doing this for your own good. There's a widower in Xihe Village with property and land. I've specifically looked into him for you. If you marry him, you can be the head of the household, which is much better than staying with these immature kids..."

"Shut up!"

The old woman's desire to marry Tang Susu off completely ignited the anger of the four sons.

They had long believed that the Tang family had siphoned off too much of their wealth over the years, and now they even wanted to take away the pillar of their family; their eyes were red with envy.

Tang Liqiang was the youngest and had the most impetuous temper. In a fit of rage, he suddenly rammed into Old Lady Tang's waist and abdomen.

Caught off guard, Old Lady Tang was hit so hard she groaned and fell straight to the ground.

Yang Xiaobao, hands on his hips, cursed fiercely, "You're not my grandma! You're just a scoundrel who came to steal our money! Get out of our house right now!"

Yang Gousheng also spoke coldly, his tone firm and unwavering: "From now on, my mother will not give the Tang family a single penny more. Forget about it."

Tang Lifu didn't say anything, but turned around and walked to the gate, locking it with a "click".

Tang Xiaomi's wailing immediately came from outside the door.

Old Mrs. Tang scrambled to her feet, clutching her back, and pointed at Tang Susu on the courtyard gate, cursing, "You heartless, ungrateful bastard! Disrespectful to your elders, ungrateful! Is this how your parents raised you? They deserve to die young and be punished by heaven!"

She cursed as she frantically pounded on the wooden door, which creaked and groaned as if it were about to fall apart.

Tang Susu remained calm and ordered Tang Lifu, "Go and call the village patrol team. Tell them that people from Xihe Village are causing trouble at our house, and have them drive them away."

Old Mrs. Tang knew how formidable the village patrol team was. She had been questioned by the patrol team members when she entered the village. Fearing that the patrol team would really come, she gritted her teeth and decided to act tough.

She grabbed Tang Xiaomi, who looked to be about five years old, and threw her roughly into the yard, declaring, "You're not going to give me the silver, are you? Fine! I'll leave this girl here. I'll take her home when you bring me five taels of silver!"

After saying that, she turned and left, completely ignoring Tang Xiaomi who had fallen to the ground.

Tang Xiaomi fell into the mud and cried loudly in pain. Her little hands groped around in the mud and rubbed them on her face, instantly turning her into a little cat covered in mud.

As she cried, she caught sight of the chickens and ducks leisurely strolling in the yard. Suddenly, she stopped crying and stood there staring intently at the chickens and ducks. In her little mind, she was thinking that if she could secretly take one home, she might be able to please Old Lady Tang and avoid getting a beating.

Tang Susu glanced coldly at Tang Xiaomi, her tone devoid of any warmth: "You should go after your grandma. Our family won't take care of you."

Tang Xiaomi suddenly shoved Yang Xiaobao, who was trying to stop her, and stumbled to Tang Susu. Looking up at her mud-covered face, she tugged at her clothes and pleaded, "Auntie, I don't want to go back! Grandma will beat me if I go back! I can work, I can feed the chickens and ducks, please don't send me away, okay?"

Tang Susu remained unmoved and gently brushed her hand away: "I will not get involved in the Tang family's affairs in the slightest, nor will I pity you. Lifu, send her back to Xihe Village."

Seeing this, Tang Xiaomi clung tightly to Tang Susu's leg and refused to let go, crying uncontrollably.

Tang Susu's patience ran out. She forcefully pried her hands apart, turned around, and went into the inner courtyard to continue working on the jelly.

Yang Xiaobao immediately stepped forward, blocking Tang Xiaomi from following him in, and said sternly, "You're not one of our family members, you're not allowed into the inner courtyard!"

Yang Gousheng also walked over and warned coldly, "Don't even think about using tears to make my mother give in. Over the years, my mother has done enough for the Tang family. She won't be soft-hearted towards you anymore."

Tang Lifu's tone was slightly gentle, but carried an undeniable firmness: "You should go back. Staying here will only lead to you going hungry and suffering in the end."

Tang Xiaomi pursed her lips and remained silent, secretly calculating in her mind: at the Tang family's house, she could only drink a thin, black broth of wild vegetables every day, sometimes she couldn't even get any soup. At her aunt's, even if she couldn't stay, she might be able to steal a duck to eat, which was better than going hungry.

On the other side, Old Lady Tang, having failed to get any money, walked home in a huff.

As soon as she arrived at her doorstep, she saw Tang Chengyu standing in the yard, and her anger instantly vanished without a trace.

Tang Chengyu showed extraordinary learning talent when he was two years old. The old teacher of the village private school saw that he was good at studying and took the initiative to teach him to read for free.

Later, he went to the enlightenment school in Dongtai Town, and at a young age, he passed the imperial examination and entered Chongwen Hall to study.

Scholars within a hundred miles all asserted that he would definitely become the youngest scholar, and might even pass the imperial examination in the future. He was Old Lady Tang's darling.

Over the years, she would rather go without food and drink herself than not save money to support Tang Chengyu's education.

Old Mrs. Tang rushed forward, grabbed Tang Chengyu's hand, and began to complain, wiping away tears as she spoke: "Chengyu, your good aunt is truly heartless! She promised to support your schooling, but now that you're in Chongwen Hall, she won't even give you five taels of silver for your tuition, and she even had a bunch of strong men kick me out! She's a disobedient ingrate! If you ever pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, you must never pay any attention to this bastard!"

Aunt Tang Er came out of the main room and quickly chimed in, "Mother is right! I told you long ago, don't go looking for that Tang Susu. Either she's been hit by a rock and gone mad, or she's deliberately breaking ties with our Tang family! When Chengyu becomes successful in the future, we'll go to the Yang family's door every day and show off, so she won't be able to get a single copper coin out of us!"

The two of them, working together, thoroughly berated Tang Susu, making her seem utterly worthless.

Tang Chengyu stood there, listening to their insults, feeling a mix of emotions.

In the past, Tang Susu would secretly send grain and money to the Tang family. Every time she brought something good, her mother and second aunt would praise her highly, saying that she was sensible and filial.

But now that Tang Susu has stopped helping her, they've turned their backs on her, erasing all the good they did for her and slandering her with the most vicious words.

He knew in his heart that he had spent a lot of money on Tang Susu's education over the years, and even if she stopped helping him now, he shouldn't be treated like this.

Aunt Tang was so angry that her mouth was dry from scolding, but suddenly she changed the subject and smiled as she took out a few copper coins from her pocket and handed them to Tang Chengyu: "Chengyu, these are some copper coins that your aunt has saved. Take them to the school to buy some writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones. Don't be stingy, or you'll be laughed at by the other students."

Tang Chengyu remained silent for a moment, then slowly raised his head and said with a firm look in his eyes, "From today onwards, I will no longer study at Chongwen Hall."

Old Mrs. Tang and Aunt Tang were stunned for a moment, as if they hadn't heard clearly.

Old Mrs. Tang asked incredulously, "Chengyu, what did you say? Say it again?"

Aunt Tang's eyes widened, and she hurriedly waved her hands, saying, "Chengyu, don't talk nonsense!!"