Chapter 582 - 582: Family Strife

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Cai Yuting also watched Chu Qingshuang intently, thinking that with a bit more growth, it wouldn’t be impossible for her to achieve Upper A. And if she did, wouldn’t she be close to becoming an imperial merchant?

Cai Yuting’s voice rang out again, “Middle A, number ninety-nine.”

Yang Linfeng, an eighteen-year-old youth, walked onto the square.

Both Cai Yuting and Yang Linfeng’s expressions were not very pleasant.

Cai Yuting’s displeasure stemmed from the fact that the Middle A was from the Yang family. If the Upper A wasn’t from the Cai family, their family would fall out of the top rank, which would be a huge blow to them.

Yang Linfeng’s displeasure was because, if he was the Middle A, then the Upper A couldn’t be someone from the Yang family, which meant they were outshone by others.

Yang Linfeng expressionlessly accepted the purse and commemorative jade plaque and stepped down from the square.

The Upper A was the focus of everyone’s attention. The audience held their breath, fixated on the porcelain piece in the Upper A area.

Cai Yuting took a deep breath, turned to look at the bottom of the porcelain piece for the number, and loudly announced, “Number one.”

The Cai family immediately turned pale.

The Zhang family, on the other hand, was overjoyed.

Zhang Zidong, also an eighteen-year-old youth, walked onto the square with a radiant smile. He provocatively glanced at Cai Yuting before descending from the square with his prizes.

It seemed like the era of the Cai family was coming to an end.

Cai Yuting’s face turned dark as he felt a sense of defeat, overwhelmed by a feeling of helplessness, akin to watching a house collapse and being unable to stop it.

After the top three were announced, it was time for everyone to claim their own porcelain pieces. However, many people chose not to take theirs and simply left.

Chu Xujin suggested, “Father, Mother, shall we go to Tainan Restaurant to eat and celebrate?”

Li Qingyu smiled, “I’ve already asked Yuting to make a reservation.”

“You’re so foresighted, Mother.”

“Of course. Let’s go.”

Chu Qingshuang said, “Shall 1 pay for the meal?”

Li Qingyu replied, “Keep your money as a memento. I’ll pay for it.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

At the entrance of Xilin Garden.

The Zhang and Yang families were waiting on either side, both understanding each other’s intentions, so they looked at each other with displeasure.

As soon as the Chu family came out, they were stopped.

The Zhang and Yang families spoke at the same time, “Please wait.”

The group was unsure who to look at first.

Grandpa Chu, out of a sense of protecting his family, cautiously asked, “What do you want?”

Yang Linfeng spoke first, “Elder, there’s no need to be nervous. We mean no harm. We were just admiring the skill of Qingshuang in porcelain making and wanted to make her acquaintance.”

Zhang Zidong quickly added, “We simply wish to make an acquaintance, nothing more.”

For an elderly man from a village, this was all too complex. He didn’t know how to respond and looked at Chu Qingzhi for guidance.

Chu Qingzhi politely said, “We understand your intentions, but we are in a hurry to go for a meal now. Can we talk some other time?”

Yang Linfeng and Zhang Zidong looked at Chu Qingzhi at the same time and thought to themselves, This girl looks so familiar.

After thinking about it, the two of them realized that it was Chu Qingzhi.

The matter of Chu Qingzhi hitting the princess had caused a huge commotion in the capital some time ago. In order to see what kind of fierce woman Chu Qingzhi was, many people specially came to the entrance of the general’s residence to watch. There was also her portrait…

Chu Qingshuang, Chu Qingzhi… so they were sisters. This made things complicated!

Both men instantly realized that the difficulty level of their task had just skyrocketed from one to ten. They needed to discuss this back at their family and plan accordingly.

“Then we’ll listen to Miss Chu and talk about it at another time.”

The Zhang Family and the Yang Family bid farewell and left.

The Chu family continued towards Tainan Restaurant.

Grandpa Chu asked Chu Qingzhi uneasily, “Qingzhi, why are they looking for Qingshuang?”

Chu Qingzhi explained, “They are from some of the top porcelain families in the capital. They approached Qingshuang because they see value in her. Remember, no matter what favorable terms they offer in the future, do not agree to them.”

“Understood,” they all replied.

Cai Family.

Cai Yuting called the three contestants representing the Cai family over, “What happened? None of you made it to A. Instead, an unknown little girl outshone you!”

The three lowered their heads, feeling utterly ashamed.

Cai Yuting, furious, scolded them harshly, “Useless!”

“Now tell me, what do we do?”

“What should we do?”

“Don’t all act like quails, speak up! Talk!”

Everyone was aware of the significance of this competition for the future of the Cai family, but no one expected such a result, nor did they want it!

Cai Yuting was both anxious and angry, his eyes reddening in frustration as he pounded the table several times with his fist, making a loud “bang bang bang” sound that further unsettled everyone.

At this moment, the youngest, Cai Jun’an, spoke up, “Uncle, why don’t we recruit Chu Qingshuang into our family? She’s young and seems to have high potential. If she’s willing to join our family and we nurture her properly, she could definitely help us surpass the Zhang and Yang families in the future.”

This suggestion appealed to Cai Yuting. Indeed, if the people in his family weren’t up to par, why not look outside? Roping in a young girl to their side shouldn’t be too difficult.

“Send an invitation, I will personally meet Chu Qingshuang.”

Cai Jun’an breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied, “Yes, Uncle.”

At the Zhang Family Residence.

In the main hall, several elders and influential younger members of the Zhang family were gathered, all aware of the competition results.

The current head of the family, Second Master Zhang, looked around and said, “Although we secured the top spot this time, Chu Qingshuang poses a significant potential threat to us in the long run. Does anyone have any good solutions to this problem?”

Zhang Zidong spoke up, “Father, Chu Qingshuang is Chu Qingzhi’s sister. We can’t make her an enemy of our family.”

The rest of the Zhang family members agreed, as turning her into an enemy would be more than just a threat—it could be fatal.

Third Master Zhang pondered for a moment and then asked, “Has Chu Qingshuang been promised in marriage?”

This suggestion provided a new perspective for everyone.

Second Master Zhang replied, “No, she hasn’t.”

Third Master Zhang continued, “Zijun, you’re just a year older than Qingshuang and are still unmarried. What do you think…”

Zijun, his son, naturally supported his father’s idea.

In large families like theirs, internal struggles were common.

Zijun, raised from childhood with the mindset of serving the family, agreed after only three seconds of thought, “Father, you can decide on my marriage.”

Third Master Zhang was pleased, “Good.”

Second Master Zhang wasn’t too happy with this, “I think Zishan, who is about the same age as Qingshuang, might be more to her liking.”

Third Master Zhang didn’t show his displeasure but calmly said, “Then let’s let Qingshuang choose herself, what do you think, Brother?”

Seeing Third Master Zhang compromise, Second Master Zhang agreed, “Alright, we’ll do it this way..”