Chapter 11

After realizing they wouldn’t get a single extra benefit, the Yin family hastily ended the meeting.

Madam Shang, ever the hostess, politely saw them out along with her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. Once back at the family’s main residence, they gathered in the living room.

During dinner, Qiu Huilin, who had stayed unusually quiet throughout the day, finally couldn’t hold it in. Although she feared the old matriarch, there were some things she simply had to ask.

Carefully choosing her words, she ventured,
“Mom… you seemed especially happy today.”

Madam Shang saw right through her and didn’t beat around the bush.
“You want to ask why I gave Changning such a generous dowry, right?”

Qiu Huilin’s heart skipped a beat. One look from her mother-in-law was enough to make her nervous.
“N-no, I was just… it seemed like you really thought highly of that He Changning.”

“I do,” the old woman replied calmly.
“He may be young, but he’s composed, graceful, smart, and handsome. He and Yushang make a fine pair.”

“But… he’s still a man.”

“So what you’re really trying to say is: since both he and Yushang are men, their marriage can’t last. That giving him such a large dowry will end up being a waste. Is that it?”

Qiu Huilin paled.
“No! I just meant… two men together, it’s not exactly… conventional. And you know Yushang—he’s never liked men. Forcing the two of them together like this—what if it affects the Shang family’s reputation?”

“How do you know Yushang doesn’t like Changning?”
The matriarch’s voice was flat.

“I—I just assumed…”

Madam Shang ignored her and turned to her son.
“Guozhang, do you feel the same way?”

“Yes, Mom. Would you mind explaining?”

“You think there’s a story behind all this?” she asked, amused.

“There has to be. You’re not the type to hand out gifts like that at a first meeting. Even if the boy is exceptional, it doesn’t explain… all that.”

The matriarch chuckled.
“You’re right. He is exceptional, but I haven’t lost my mind just yet. I wouldn’t give away so much to someone I’ve only just met, no matter how impressive.”

“Then… is it because of the He family?” Guozhang asked, eyes narrowing.

She nodded in approval.
“Yes, exactly. It’s because of the Hes.”

Qiu Huilin blinked in confusion.
“You mean… his mother’s side?”

Guozhang picked up the thread.
“Huilin, the Hes and the Shangs go way back. Father and Old Master He were sworn brothers.”

“But… wasn’t Changning’s mother disowned by her family when she married into the Yins? Why go to such lengths now?”

The old woman smiled knowingly.
“Just because ties were cut doesn’t mean things won’t change in the future. Life is full of surprises.”

“But how does that justify the dowry?”

Madam Shang’s tone turned solemn.
“Years ago, when your father was in trouble with Shangshi, it was Old Master He who stepped in and saved both him and the company. That debt—we owe to Changning now.”

“Surely there are other He descendants. And with Changning’s strained relationship with them…”

She shook her head.
“His mother was the only daughter. And what happened back then wasn’t as simple as the rumors suggest. I won’t get into the details. All you need to know is—this dowry serves two purposes. One, to honor our bond with the Hes. And two, because Changning deserves it.”

At that, Guozhang fell silent, pondering her use of the word “deserves.” He thought back over every detail from today’s meeting, and suddenly something clicked.

His head snapped up.
“Mom… you saw something, didn’t you?”

She smiled cryptically.
“What do you think?”

He laughed, part astonished, part impressed.
“So it’s really true?”

“Wait and see,” she replied.
“Time will tell. Why not let things unfold naturally?”

The two of them talked in riddles, leaving Qiu Huilin completely lost.

“Mom? Guozhang? What are you talking about? I don’t understand a word of this.”

Madam Shang turned to her daughter-in-law with a calm expression.
“I know you may have your doubts after today. But let me reassure you—whatever dowry Yushang receives, Yuchen will also get his share. And Yuhe’s wedding will be treated no differently.”

Qiu Huilin blushed. Her selfish thoughts had been laid bare.
“Mom, I didn’t mean…”

“It’s fine,” the old woman cut her off.
“I know what you’re thinking. But rest assured—I won’t shortchange any of my grandchildren. Still, now that Changning is entering this family, I expect you to adjust your mindset. Don’t treat him differently just because he’s a man. As for Yuchen and Yuhe, I hope you’ll take the time to teach them proper manners. They should know how to behave.”

Truth be told, Qiu Huilin had long opposed the idea of marrying Yushang to a man. No heir, no future—if that happened, her own son would naturally inherit the Shang legacy. Even if her current status didn’t require her to “rise by her son,” having him become the next family head would certainly bring her pride and power.

But today’s events had shaken her.

The way Madam Shang treated Changning—the lavish gifts, the obvious favoritism—it made her incredibly uneasy.
That boy isn’t even from a proper background, and yet he’s getting more attention than my own children?

If those gifts had been for a daughter-in-law, she might have understood.
But for a man?

She couldn’t stand it.

And what if, one day, Yushang wanted a divorce?

Given how fond the matriarch was of Changning, he’d likely be allowed to walk away with all the dowry—assets that rightfully belonged to the Shang family.

The thought left her simmering with resentment, though she dared not show it.

In the end, she forced herself to smile.
“Of course, Mom. I’ll treat Changning well. I’ll also make sure Yuchen and Yuhe treat him with the respect he deserves.”

Madam Shang saw right through her fake compliance but didn’t bother to argue.
“Good. Just remember what I said. Now I’m tired. I’ll go rest.”

Meanwhile, the mood in the Yin household was a completely different story.

No sooner had they walked through the door than Madam Yin exploded, fury written all over her face.

“He Changning! Did your conscience get eaten by a dog?!”

He Changning merely smiled coolly.
“What do you mean by that, Grandma?”

“Don’t play dumb with me.” The old woman snapped.
“Why didn’t you let your father and your brothers manage your assets?”

“Why should I hand over what’s mine to them?”

“Don’t forget who raised you!”

“Oh, I remember very clearly who raised me.”

“Good. Since you remember, then there’s nothing more to say. Call the Shang family right now and tell them your dowry will be managed by the Yin family.”

He Changning let out a cold chuckle.
“I think you’re mistaken. I never said I was raised by your family.”

Madam Yin raised a sharp eyebrow.
“If the Yin family didn’t raise you, then what? You grew up eating air?”

“Well, if you want to put it that way, it’s not entirely wrong,” he replied with an ironic smile.
“But no one grows up just by breathing. Before I was fifteen, I lived off the money my mother left me, and Aunt Qin fed me bite by bite. After I turned fifteen, I supported myself—and Aunt Qin too. Ever since I could make money, I paid monthly for rent and meals. If I recall correctly, that was something you personally demanded from me, wasn’t it, Grandma?”

“You—”

Madam Yin was completely choked up, unable to utter another word.

Seeing her fall silent, Cong Min immediately jumped in to smooth things over.
“Changning, there’s no need to be so calculating. We’re family, after all. You know how much your father cares about you. Sure, there’s been some tension between you and your brothers, but that’s just normal sibling stuff. In serious matters, you can’t afford to be so unprincipled. You have no experience in business, but your father and brothers have decades between them. You can trust them to manage your assets—they’ll look out for you. It’s certainly safer than leaving everything in a stranger’s hands. Don’t you agree, dear?”

He Changning laughed, sharp and mocking.
This woman, who used to look down on him with contempt, was now putting on a loving, gentle act just for the sake of her sons. The contrast was laughable.
“Auntie, your reasoning isn’t wrong. But unless you can overrule Madam Shang and Young Master Shang, I’m afraid it’s not your decision to make.”

“You—”

Another one, speechless from the blow.

Madam Yin’s eyes darted to her daughter-in-law before settling on her son.
“Zhining, this is the son you raised? He hasn’t even married into their family yet, and he’s already turned his back on us!”
Her tone turned ruthless.
“Fine! Since you’ve made your stance clear, don’t blame us for doing the same. That thing we promised you before—forget it. It’s off the table.”

He Changning sneered.

“Are you sure you’re ready for the consequences, Grandma?”

Madam Yin exploded.

“You little bastard, are you threatening me? Don’t think that just because you’ve latched onto the Shang family you can do whatever you want! You’re still nothing but a lowly male concubine, good for nothing and unable to bear children. It’s only a matter of time before they cast you out. Don’t burn your bridges now or you’ll have nowhere to go back to!”

The fury in He Changning flared instantly. His voice turned to ice.
“A bastard? Don’t forget whose blood runs through my veins. As for being a ‘lowly male concubine,’ I have you to thank for that—what an honor, to take the Yin bloodline and squander it in the Shang household.”

“You—you—!”
Madam Yin was livid.

“You ungrateful brat! You’ve turned on your own family! Zhining, throw this shameless disgrace out of the house right now! The Yin family has no room for someone so heartless, so unfilial—kick him out! Get him out of here!”

She was shaking all over, face pale, furious beyond reason, shouting without care for dignity or hierarchy. She looked ready to pass out from rage at any second.