CH 101

Jiang Yong’s face was hot, and his in-laws’ tepid tone made him even more ashamed. He really blamed his younger son for not passing the exam and breaking the family’s heart.

His other sons ganged up to oppress the youngest son, he saw it, and he didn’t say much. The younger son spent a lot of money on studying and did more work than what was his share. He thought that the youngest son and his wife understood this in their hearts and that even if he felt wronged, he wouldn’t say much about it. Unexpectedly, not only did he speak up, but he also told his in-laws. The in-laws personally came to confront them about their daughter and son-in-law, and what’s even more embarrassing was that they mistreated their own two children. Now, the in-laws have exposed their disgraceful behavior, and for a while, he dare not face them.

Zhulan came in with a snort, and the Jiang family’s sons were all there in the hall, and she glanced coldly, “Where’s my qīnjiā mǔ?” (1)

No one said anything, Zhulan knew that she was hiding in the bedroom. She left the man to be handled by Zhou Shuren, turned around, and went straight to the bedroom. The Eldest son of the Jiang family was startled, he was afraid that his mother would be beaten, ” shěn, shěnzi.” (2)

Zhulan hummed and pushed the door to enter. Inside she saw that not only Old Lady Jiang was there, but also several daughters-in-law. Everyone was there, including the sight of melon seeds on the ground. There was no need to suppress her anger anymore. “Oh, qīnjiā mǔ is truly leisurely, enjoying some melon seeds and having a chat!”

Jiang Wang shi felt guilty, “My qīnjiā mǔ is here, sit down quickly.”

Zhulan was annoyed, “I don’t have time to sit down, I’m thinking about my two grandchildren. The house doesn’t burn a fire for the children in the winter, and there’s no one is bothered to take a look at the crying children. I feel distressed as a wàipó. (3) People say that seeing is believing. I didn’t believe it before, but now I believe it. When this marriage was settled, the matchmaker said that the mother-in-law was very kind and caring, but this time my in-laws opened my eyes to what an elder is. You are anything but kind.”

With the obvious curse, Jiang Wang shi couldn’t hold back her face, but she did not how to refute the charge. Considering the overall well-being of her grandchildren, she couldn’t help but offer a defense, “I just didn’t pay attention for a moment.”

Zhulan sneered at the women in the Jiang family and looked at each one, “You didn’t pay attention, but you didn’t hear the child crying? It’s understandable that qīnjiā mǔ has a problem with your hearing in your old age. Are they all also deaf at a young age?”

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Jiang family dared to quarrel with her parents-in-law, who were kind people. She dared not quarrel with outsiders. The couple dared to fight the youngest couple who endured everything without saying a word, ignoring the fact that the family of the younger sibling was not easy to provoke. This time they stayed still, even if they were scolded, they did not dare to make a sound.

Zhulan didn’t come here to fight today. She despised all the women in the Jiang family who were all scumbags. She said her purpose, “The parents don’t love their son and grandchildren, but I do. The children’s clothes are packed. This year, Jiang Sheng’s family will celebrate the New Year at Zhou’s house, they won’t come back here and continue to be tortured.”

Jiang Wang shi felt that her face had been slapped again. The son’s family went to his wife’s natal house to celebrate the New Year, and the Jiang family’s face was gone. “Qīnjiā mǔ, that is not good!” she exclaimed.

Zhulan smiled, “My in-laws think that Jiang family has any face in the village after torturing Jiang Sheng’s family for half a year. It’s better to tear up the fig leaf.”

Jiang Wang shi was rendered speechless. Her youngest son had become thin due to shouldering most of the household chores, and there had been gossip circulating in the village for a while now. Both of them, the elderly couple, were aware of it, but they felt helpless. After all, it was their youngest son’s lack of ambition that led to such rumors. Over time, they even started blaming him more, and now with the arrival of the in-laws, it was all because of their youngest son and his family. At that moment, their feelings of guilt and shame vanished. Who was she to take this decision?

Zhulan saw Jiang Wang shi’s changes in her eyes and didn’t take it seriously at all. When she heard the noise outside the door, Zhulan turned around and came out. Zhou Shuren had already stood up, Zhulan said: “Let’s go?”

Zhou Shuren,” Well, the in-laws agreed to separate in the coming year. They will separate after the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, and we will be here.

Zhulan knew that Zhou Shuren was fierce in fighting, but she didn’t expect her to run against others, so this person directly discussed the separation, “I will go and pick up the children.”

“En.”

With the face of the Jiang family now completely torn, nobody came out to see them off. They disregarded all courtesy, and Zhulan let out a disdainful laugh. After settling the children and locking the doors of the house, they got into the car and signaled the second son to drive away.

After leaving Wang’s Village, Zhulan asked, “Why did Jiang Yong agree to split the family?”

Zhou Shuren held his grandson tightly and explained, “At first, he did not agree. When Jiang Yong saw us coming, he hoped that we would provide money to support Jiang Sheng’s scholar examination. He even thought that if Jiang Sheng succeeded, it would bring benefits to the family. So I made it clear that we wouldn’t provide any support. I didn’t want them to take advantage of us. I directly expressed the grievances and discontent of several branches of the Jiang family. If we don’t divide the family, the brothers will continue to harbor resentment towards each other. It’s better to settle things and separate early on.”

Zhulan patted her granddaughter, “It’s not so simple to separate the family!”

Zhou Shuren smiled and said, “I told them that since Jiang Sheng’s education expenses were covered by the family, in the future, when Jiang Sheng separates from the family, I will introduce him to copy books to earn money. Half of the earnings from copying books will be given to the in-laws, and the remaining half will be saved by Jiang Sheng to pursue the imperial examination. The in-law hesitated, but Jiang Sheng’s brothers, knowing how difficult the imperial examination is, have already given up hope and agreed to my proposal. No matter how many thoughts the in-laws have, they can only agree in the end.”

Zhulan, seeing that the two children had fallen asleep and considering the second son driving outside, whispered, “You’re not suggesting that Jiang Sheng copies the books you bring back and then claim that you’re introducing him to earn money, are you?”

Zhou Shuren responded, “It’s not me who is providing the money. Today, during the betrothal ceremony, the clan leader saw the books I brought back. The clan leader felt it wouldn’t be right to ask for them for free. After discussing with me, it was decided that the clan’s school would provide funds to purchase hand-copied books. Each book would be priced at five taels of silver, and a total of four books would be copied. That would be enough for Jiang Sheng to copy for a year. As for me, I will introduce some letter-writing tasks that can provide for his family. The earnings from writing letters will support the household, while half of the earnings from copying books, which will amount to ten taels of silver, will be saved for Jiang Sheng’s scholar examination.”

Zhou Shuren didn’t lower his voice either. He couldn’t hide the news about book copying, and he didn’t want to.

Zhulan knew the value of the book when she bought it back, “The hand-copied books are also cheaper, it’s no different from giving it away for free.”

Zhou Shuren smiled and said, “The clan’s school being able to provide twenty taels of silver is already a generous amount. Originally, I was planning to give away the hand-copied books for free, but now that we have received money and extended our favor, not only will the children of the clan’s school have a sense of gratitude, but the clan also owes me a favor. These favors will need to be repaid in the future.”

Zhulan continued to pat her granddaughter and said: “It also solved Jiang Sheng’s problem. Jiang Sheng has enough confidence to earn money by himself, and the psychological burden is small, so he won’t push himself too hard. The exam can go smoothly when his mood improves. It can kill multiple birds with one stone.”

Zhou Shuren shifted his posture and said, “Indeed, with this separation of the family, Jiang Sheng not taking any land is equivalent to repaying a portion of the money spent on his education. The earnings from copying books serve as another repayment. That way Jiang Sheng will almost have repaid the silver that was used to support his education. In the future, Jiang Sheng’s brothers won’t be able to use the favor of supporting his education as leverage. Xuemei and her husband will have fewer troubles ahead.”

Zhulan calculated that the Jiang family had a total of 16 mu of land, with 10 mu of paddy fields. When dividing the land among the four sons and the elderly couple, it will be divided into five shares. Each person would be allocated two mu of paddy fields, which would amount to 20 taels of silver (10 taels per mu). As for the dry fields, each family would receive one mu, which would be worth five taels per mu. Therefore, Jiang Sheng not taking any land was equivalent to repaying 25 taels. Adding the 10 taels earned from copying books, it summed up to 35 taels. Considering that Jiang Sheng had always been engaged in labor alongside his studies, the overall repayment was indeed close to being complete after some calculations.

Zhulan squinted her eyes, and she thought that Zhou Shuren’s heart was dark, how could he give the Jiang family a big advantage, “It’s because you are thoughtful.”

Sorry for the delay. Son’s school started this week after summer break so was quite busy. Anyway, there will be a surprise tomorrow. Hope you all like it too.