Zuo Xiaoduo hurriedly shut his mouth.
Madam Gao frowned, sweeping a thoughtful gaze around the room.
There were nearly a hundred people in the room now. With so many people came loose tongues.
Ye Changqing said, "Sister-in-law, too many people shouldn't know about this..."
Madam Gao nodded. "The eldest, second, and third sons will stay. Everyone else, leave."
Another middle-aged man said indignantly, "First Mother, we're Father's sons too. Why aren't we allowed to listen?"
The moment he spoke, a dozen or so other sons chimed in.
Madam Gao snapped, "Everyone out!"
But still, no one moved.
Second Madam gently tried to persuade her. "Elder Sister, we're all family. What can't be said among family? Besides, what that boy said was terrifying. It actually concerns our family's very survival... Let everyone hear it, so they'll understand how serious this is. By pooling our wisdom, we'll be better able to respond..."
The other wives voiced their agreement as well.
"That's right, Elder Sister. Everyone cares about our family."
"Elder Sister, however incapable we may be, we wouldn't ruin things for our own family."
"Exactly, Elder Sister. Why insist..."
Madam Gao closed her eyes, the veins in her forehead throbbing wildly.
Only after a long, long while did she say, "The second generation can all stay. All the younger ones, get out. I'm telling you, being allowed to stay is one thing, but if anyone dares make a sound without being asked to speak, get the hell out immediately!"
"Tch..."
Some began muttering their discontent under their breath.
But those of the grandchildren's generation and below had already left, as had all the sons' wives.
The enormous room immediately felt much emptier.
Yet quite a few people remained: a dozen or so wives, senior and junior, and twenty-three sons.
Even someone as