After our homes were confiscated and we were exiled, the women in my clan and I raised a million sol

After a long time, the atmosphere in the study was still solemn. The three family heads were immersed in their own thoughts, weighing the pros and cons.

Finally, Sun Yi slowly spoke, breaking the silence: "Do you think we should go to the banquet tomorrow night?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the family heads present fell into deep thought. No one responded immediately, and an indescribable sense of oppression filled the air.

Everyone was thinking about the deeper meaning behind this banquet and how they should respond.

After a moment, Zhou Xia's steady voice sounded, attracting everyone's attention: "I think we have to go there tomorrow no matter what."

Upon hearing this, Qian Duo immediately took over the conversation, his tone inquiring: "Master Zhou, what are your thoughts? Why do you think we must go?"

Patriarch Zhou looked around and saw that everyone was paying close attention, so he slowly explained, "Although the Liu family has been suppressing grain prices, which has harmed our interests, we have to admit that his strength is always superior to ours."

"If we refuse to attend the banquet, it is very likely to anger the Liu family. Given their strength, if they get angry, the consequences will be disastrous. We may face greater losses, and even threaten the fundamental interests of the family."

Hearing this, the three family heads nodded in agreement.

"Mr. Zhou is absolutely right."

Zhao Hao was the first to speak out, saying to everyone, "We cannot put our family in danger because of a momentary anger. We must not only attend tomorrow's banquet, but also demonstrate sufficient sincerity and wisdom to try to turn the crisis into an opportunity."

Qian Duo and Sun Yi also echoed and expressed their agreement with Zhou Xia's opinion.

Seeing that the family heads had reached an agreement, Zhou Xia nodded slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of satisfaction and determination.

He said slowly, "If that's the case, then it's settled. Tomorrow we'll go and see what this banquet is all about!"

After saying this, Zhou Xia stood up, walked to the door of the study, and called the housekeeper outside in.

He whispered to the housekeeper, "Go and tell the Liu family's housekeeper that I will be at the banquet on time tomorrow."

He deliberately only mentioned himself and did not mention the other three family heads. This was because Zhou Xia did not want to expose their secret meeting here, so as not to give the Liu family any handle or unnecessary suspicion.

After hearing this, the butler nodded respectfully and then left the study quietly.

Zhou Xia returned to his seat, turned his gaze towards the other three family heads, and said with a smile, "Please sit here for a while. You can leave after all the Liu family members have left."

Upon hearing this, the three family heads picked up their teacups and sipped the tea gently, secretly understanding Master Zhou's intention.

After receiving the reply, the Liu family's housekeeper did not dare to delay for a moment and immediately left the Zhou Mansion and hurried back to the Liu Mansion.

He walked through the long corridor of the mansion, his steps hurried but steady, until he came to the room where Liu Yu and Zhang Liang were.

Gently pushing open the door, the butler reported respectfully, "My Lord, Master, the people from the four families have already replied, saying they will definitely arrive on time tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yu nodded slightly, with a look of satisfaction on his face.

He waved his hand, signaling the butler to leave, and said, "Okay, you go down first."

Hearing this, the housekeeper slowly retreated and gently closed the door, leaving Liu Yu and Zhang Liang in the room.

Zhang Liang looked at Liu Yu, a smile on his face, and said, "Mr. Liu, now that our leading actors are all in place, we who are setting up the stage must do our best!"

Liu Yu smiled and said, "Master, don't worry, I will do it beautifully."

As Liu Yu finished speaking, the two smiled at each other.

After chatting with Liu Yu, Zhang Liang hurriedly left the study and went to deal with affairs in the mansion.

When he returned to the mansion again, night had quietly fallen. The moonlight spread across the courtyard like mercury, covering the entire mansion with a hazy veil.

Zhang Liang walked into the house with light steps, but with a hint of fatigue.

He originally planned to go back to his room to rest, but he accidentally caught a glimpse of the scene in the courtyard, which made him slow down involuntarily.

At this moment, Zhong Shu was sitting quietly on the stone bench in the courtyard, her hand supporting her cheek, gazing at the bright moon in the night sky with gentle and deep eyes.

Her figure appears particularly soft and graceful in the moonlight, as if integrated with everything around her, forming a moving picture of a beauty under the moon.

When the maids saw Zhang Liang returning, they were about to bow and greet him, but he gently waved his hand to stop them.

He signaled them to keep quiet so as not to disturb Zhong Shu who was immersed in the moonlight.

When the maids saw Zhang Liang's actions, they immediately understood, stopped what they were doing, and then respectfully stepped aside.

A warm feeling surged in Zhang Liang's heart, and he planned to quietly walk around the courtyard so as not to disturb the peaceful beauty.

However, no matter how light his footsteps were, the sharp-eyed Zhong Shu still caught the slight sound.

She slowly turned her head, a hint of surprise and tenderness flashed in her eyes, and asked softly: "Uncle, are you back after finishing your work?"

Zhang Liang felt a surge of apology when he heard this. He nodded and replied with a smile, "I'm sorry, sister-in-law, for disturbing you while you were enjoying the moon."

When Zhong Shu heard Zhang Liang's words, she shook her head slightly.

"It's okay, uncle, I'm ready to go back to my room."

Zhang Liang nodded when he heard this, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.

He was about to leave when Zhong Shu stopped him softly, "Uncle, you're back so late, you must be hungry. I'll make you some noodles."

There was an undeniable concern in her tone, which made Zhang Liang feel warm.

Zhang Liang quickly shook his head, wanting to refuse the kindness: "Sister-in-law, don't bother. I'm not that hungry right now."

However, just as he finished speaking, his stomach growled, breaking the tranquility of the night.

When Zhong Shu heard this "protest", she chuckled, with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"It seems someone here is saying one thing and thinking another!"

She quipped, her voice full of amusement and fondness.

Zhang Liang's face turned slightly red and he touched the back of his head awkwardly. He didn't expect that Zhong Shu would catch his little action.

Zhong Shu smiled and shook her head, then turned and walked towards the kitchen.

Looking at Zhong Shu's leaving back, Zhang Liang's mouth corners unconsciously rose, revealing a warm smile.

He turned and walked towards the courtyard, imitating Zhong Shu's previous behavior, quietly looking up at the bright moon hanging in the night sky, with an inexplicable peace and joy surging in his heart.

Time seemed to slow down at this moment. The moonlight was like water, gently sprinkling on his shoulders, covering him with a layer of soft silver glow.

Zhang Liang was immersed in this tranquility until the sound of subtle footsteps broke the silence of the night. He suddenly came back to his senses and slowly turned his head.

Zhong Shu was seen walking towards him with light steps, holding a bowl of hot noodles.

The moonlight shining on her gentle face added a touch of warmth and beauty.

Walking up to Zhang Liang, she gently placed the bowl on the table and said with a smile, "Uncle, this is the egg noodles I made. Take a look and see if it tastes the same as before."

Zhang Liang's eyes flashed with emotion. He smiled slightly and responded, "I smelled that fragrance just now. I think the noodles made by sister-in-law must be delicious."

His words were full of expectation and admiration, which made Zhong Shu's face bloom with an even brighter smile.

Zhang Liang couldn't wait to pick up the chopsticks and take a bite of the bowl of hot egg noodles. The aroma instantly spread in his mouth, making him squint his eyes involuntarily, as if he was savoring the taste of home.

He quickly gave Zhong Shu a thumbs-up and praised, "Sister-in-law, this noodle is so delicious!"

Zhong Shu saw Zhang Liang's expression and a gentle smile flashed in her eyes. She reminded him, "Uncle, don't worry. Be careful not to choke."

Zhang Liang nodded and slowed down his eating speed, while Zhong Shu took the opportunity to raise her head and look at the bright moon, with a soft light flashing in her eyes.

She murmured softly to herself, "Today's moonlight is really beautiful! I haven't seen it for a long time."

The voice is subtle and emotional, as if it is talking to the moon, or as if it is expressing its own feelings.

Hearing her whisper, the chopsticks in Zhang Liang's hand trembled slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and started eating noodles as if nothing had happened.