When Old Master Chen woke up, it was already night.
Chen Zhuang, who had been waiting nearby, was overjoyed. He instructed the maid in the room to help him wash up while he hurried to inform Chen Shuangbai in the main hall.
Not long after.
Chen Shuangbai rushed over from the main hall, her face showing a hint of urgency. She walked to the bedside, a smile appearing on her face, and her tone softened.
"Grandpa, how is it?"
Old Master Chen was initially quite alarmed, but he immediately felt at ease upon seeing his eldest grandson.
"Grandpa feels much better these days, which must be thanks to my eldest grandson. Grandpa is finally enjoying his retirement."
That's just how Old Master Chen is.
Because Chen Shuangbai's parents passed away early, he, as the grandfather, had to take on more responsibility and showed more favoritism towards his grandchildren than the other grandchildren whose parents were still alive.
Chen Shuangbai had been on the mountain for five years, and he had been waiting for it for five years as well.
Coupled with the corrosive effects of the chronic toxins, this caused it to flare up today, nearly costing him his life.
The grandfather and grandson exchanged a few words. Chen Shuangbai briefly talked about his cultivation on the mountain, Old Master Chen also talked about the situation within the clan.
The fatigue on Old Master Chen's face gradually faded, his previously withered skin became fuller, and the paleness on his face disappeared, revealing a rosy glow.
Although the Spring-Turning Pill is a basic elixir, not very valuable and with limited potency, it was nothing short of a miracle cure for Old Master Chen, a mere mortal.
If I take more elixirs to strengthen my constitution and nourish my vital energy, I should be able to live for at least another thirty years.
Not long after.
Old Master Chen's expression turned serious. He looked at his eldest grandson and asked, "I know about the matter. What do you plan to do?"
Old Master Chen has managed the Chen Clan business for half his life; he's not some old, senile senile man.
If it weren't for the poison affecting my health and disrupting my thinking...
Chen Shuangbai stared intently at his grandfather, who understood his meaning. He slowly closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths, and when he opened them again, his eyes were cold. He then said, "Fine, I'll handle this."
The reason Chen Shuangbai didn't kill everyone was because he was concerned about his grandfather.
Those two were his uncles, but to his grandfather, they were his sons.
The closeness between the two is different.
Not long after.
The Chen Clan clan members gathered once again in the main hall.
Old Master Chen had three sons and two daughters. Apart from the eldest Chen Shuangbai's branch, which was practically defunct, and his two aunts who had married out, the second and third sons were now in charge of the household.
Those from the three branches of the family who participated in the poisoning were all tied up by Uncle Li on Chen Shuangbai's orders, and made to carry thorny branches on their backs as if to plead guilty.
Even though the second branch of the family didn't participate, Chen Moyan's carelessness as the second uncle was a disgrace, and he looked utterly defeated.
When everyone saw Old Master Chen, whose complexion had regained its rosy hue, come out, they all wanted to go forward, but when they saw Chen Shuangbai standing to the side, they immediately stopped in their tracks and dared not go forward.
Chen Shuangbai's expression was cold and stern, showing no sign of a smile despite the presence of relatives.
The bloody scene from just now was still vivid in their minds, and they now had a full understanding of this former young master, now a celestial master.
After Old Master Chen sat down, he looked at the third son, Chen Bingwen, who was kneeling on the ground.
His gaze suddenly turned dangerous, like that of a leopard, as if it were opening its blood-red maw, ready to devour someone.
Chen Bingwen dared not look at his nephew Chen Shuangbai, and could only place his hopes on his old father. He trembled as he kowtowed, and blood gushed out. Just as he was about to beg for mercy, he heard his old father's voice as cold as the Cold Wind.
"Who ordered you to do this? The Meng Household or the master's family?"
Chen Bingwen stammered, "It's... it's the Meng Household."
He spilled his beans, revealing that the Meng Household had their eyes on the Chen Household's fields and medicine shop outside the city, but Old Master Chen had long refused to relinquish control to his two sons. Therefore, someone from the Meng Household approached his wife, who was tempted and then persuaded Chen Bingwen to do the same. She said that once Old Master Chen died, the power would be delegated, and the Meng Household would cooperate more in the future, achieving a win-win situation.
"Third brother, you actually believe that?"
Chen Moyan looked at him with disappointment, clearly not expecting his younger brother to be so foolish.
"I know I'm stupid, I'm wicked. I only beg my second brother and father to spare my life for the sake of our shared bloodline... Otherwise, my mother's spirit in heaven will not rest in peace!"
This third uncle's mother was not Chen Shuangbai's grandmother, but a concubine that Old Master Chen had taken in earlier years.
However, he later passed away due to illness.
Chen Shuangbai looked at her grandfather and thought that perhaps her grandfather would spare her third uncle out of consideration for her grandmother and bloodline, and then keep him in the mansion as if he had never given birth to this son.
But he still underestimated his grandfather.
Old Master Chen slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the last trace of warmth in his eyes had vanished.
"Do you two think I'm blind enough to not be able to see whether you can manage the household business or not?"
"Never mind... there's no point in talking to you all this time."
"Guards, break his legs, force-feed him a drug to make him mute, and then banish the entire third branch of the family and all their relatives back to the Ancient Village. Those who should work, work; those who should be banished, banish. They shall never return to the manor for the rest of their lives!"
Chen Shuangbai looked at her grandfather.
Old Master Chen's face was as cold as iron, showing not a trace of kinship.
The second son, Chen Moyan, opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but when he saw Chen Shuangbai and looked at his father's iron-faced expression, he knew that there was no room for negotiation.
At the same time, his face was pale and his forehead was covered in cold sweat, showing both heartache over his brother's evil deeds and fear of his father's ruthless methods.
Upon hearing this, Chen Bingwen closed his eyes and fainted.
Not long after.
The entire third branch of the family was expelled to work on several estates under their control. These estates were guarded by elderly members of the Chen Household, who were all senior members of the White Water Chen Clan. They only recognized Old Master Chen and would absolutely obey his orders.
The other members of the collateral branches were even more terrified, not daring to utter a sound.
Thus, the affairs within the Chen Clan were considered settled.
However, Chen Shuangbai, possessing spiritual sense, could see that her grandfather was not as cold and stern as he appeared.
Having personally dealt with his third uncle, how could he, as a father, not feel heartbroken?!
Old Master Chen looked around, finally focusing on his only son, and said, "Second son."
Chen Moyan stood up as if in response.
"Father!"
From today onwards, you will temporarily take charge of all household affairs.
Old Master Chen's gaze was piercing as he looked at his only son; every word he spoke seemed to carry immense weight.
Upon hearing Chen Moyan was first taken aback, then overjoyed, but then felt an immense pressure weighing on his heart.
He immediately knelt down. "Your son will do his utmost and will never slacken in the slightest. I will certainly not let Father down."
"Everyone, you can leave now."
Old Master Chen waved his hand, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.
The crowd felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and quickly bowed before cautiously leaving the main hall.
Soon, only Old Master Chen and Chen Shuangbai remained in the hall.
Uncle Li and Chen Zhuang stood by, keeping their eyes down and not daring to utter a word.