The person who profits the most is the most suspicious, and the person who profits the most right now is Zhao Chunhua, who stands before them.
Zhao Chunhua usually appears timid and submissive, showing no disrespect or rebellion, but the more he acts this way, the more suspicious it makes people.
After all, venomous snakes often make no sound, yet they are exceptionally deadly.
Zhao Chunhua felt a chill as his father, Zhao Tianyang, stared at him. He knew his father's character: if he had value, his father would tolerate anything he did wrong.
But if he lost his value, he would have no reason to exist.
Then, Zhao Chunhua said directly to Zhao Tianyang:
"Father, you must believe me. I am loyal to the family. If Father hadn't found me, I would have starved to death on the streets back then. Have these years not been enough to make Father and everyone else truly consider me a member of the Zhao family?"
After Zhao Chunhua finished speaking, everyone present knew that no matter what, they could not act against Zhao Chunhua.
The reason was simple: without evidence, acting rashly against him would be tantamount to disregarding the Zhao family's rules.
Even they could not bear such a price, so they could only follow the Zhao family's rules step by step.
After a moment, Zhao Sanhuai said to Zhao Chunhua:
"Chunhua, you're overthinking it. How could we not consider you a Zhao family member? You are the patriarch's bloodline. Anyone who doesn't consider you a Zhao family member is an enemy of the entire family. Besides, this matter is not your fault; it's just that the opponent was too cunning."
Zhao Sanhuai had always favored Zhao Chunhua, so in this situation, he would naturally speak up for him. Now that the Great Elder had spoken, others could only follow suit.
Zhao Tianyang remained silent for a moment before speaking:
"You are my flesh and blood, and therefore you are the bloodline of the Zhao family. As the bloodline of the Zhao family, no one dares not to consider you as such, otherwise, they are disrespecting me as the patriarch."
After this statement, everyone present fell silent. They had never taken Zhao Chunhua seriously in the past, and the reason was simple: he was just an illegitimate son.
Zhao Chunfeng was the true heir, and Zhao Chunhua was, in essence, a lackey. Why should they bother with a lackey?
But the situation had changed. Zhao Tianyang had only two sons, Zhao Chunhua and Zhao Chunfeng. With Zhao Chunfeng dead, only Zhao Chunhua remained.
Whether Zhao Tianyang was willing or not, the fact before him was that he had to acknowledge Zhao Chunhua as his sole heir.
Unless he wanted to pass on the position of heir to someone else, he had no other choice.
That was why he had said what he did; otherwise, under normal circumstances, they would never have heard such words.
"From today onwards, I have some things to hand over to you. The three merchant caravans of the Zhao family will be under your charge. I hope you can manage them well and bring glory to the Zhao family. Of course, there are also several shops. It's fine, we'll take it one by one. I hope you can become a qualified heir."
At this point, Zhao Tianyang waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.
Before leaving, Zhao Sanhuai patted Zhao Chunhua's shoulder, indicating that he didn't need to worry and that he would support him wholeheartedly no matter what.
After a while, Zhao Chunhua was also about to leave but was called back by Zhao Tianyang.
"Father, do you have anything else to instruct me? Or do you need me to do something? Just tell me, and I will do it well."
Only after everyone else had left did Zhao Tianyang slowly speak:
"I don't care if you killed Zhao Chunfeng or if someone else did. The only path before me now is you, the sole heir."
"But I hope you understand one thing: Zhao Chunfeng could afford to be a spoiled brat, but you cannot, because you lack his mother's connections and resources."
Zhao Tianyang didn't elaborate on this point, stating it as a fact. Zhao Chunhua slowly nodded, indicating that he understood he didn't have Zhao Chunfeng's good fortune.
After all, Zhao Chunfeng's mother was named Song, Song Qiluo, the younger sister of the current Song family patriarch. Therefore, Zhao Chunfeng could act recklessly and disregard many people.
But Zhao Chunhua could not do the same. If Zhao Chunhua dared to do the same, the grass on his grave would likely be quite tall by now.
"Father, don't worry, I know what I should and shouldn't do. I will definitely make the Zhao family better under my care."
Zhao Tianyang didn't pay much attention to his words. Everyone had said similar things, but not everyone could fulfill them.
"Father, there's one more thing I'd like to ask about: what about Auntie? Now that Big Brother is dead, I'm afraid she'll transfer her anger to me."
Zhao Chunhua's concern was not unfounded; in fact, it was highly likely. Zhao Chunfeng's arrogance, his disregard for others, and even his self-destructive nature were all inherited from his mother. His mother was the younger sister of the current Song family patriarch, so she naturally had a somewhat willful and pampered personality.
Coupled with her doting on Zhao Chunfeng since childhood, his death would undoubtedly bring a significant impact to this tigress, possibly even driving her mad and making her completely disregard everyone else.
It was even possible that she would unleash her fury entirely on Zhao Chunhua, eliminating this bastard without anyone being able to say anything.
Zhao Tianyang pondered for a moment and then said to Zhao Chunhua:
"You don't need to worry about this; I will handle it. But for the time being, you should not appear in the family. Go manage the shops and live there. Return when the storm has subsided."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Chunhua inwardly sneered. As expected, even he could not completely subdue this tigress.
Song Qiluo had dared to defy the Grand Elder back then, and the Grand Elder had not punished her. The reason was simple: her family was backed by the Song family.