As night fell, every household had extinguished their lamps and gone to sleep, yet light still emanated from the Zhan family's house.
Zhan Feiyu put down the book in her hand and looked at Zhan Laoda, who stood at the doorway with a face full of exhaustion, "Dad, is something wrong?"
"No, no, Dad just came to see you. It's getting cold, wear more clothes when you read at night," Zhan Laoda said, feeling flattered.
He had been treated coldly by Zhan Feiyu for some time. Seeing that her face no longer held any distance, Zhan Laoda couldn't help but feel a little excited. However, upon thinking about the Yao family's visit today, Zhan Laoda's expression turned somber.
"Xiao Yu," Zhan Laoda looked at his daughter under the lamplight. Her features were familiar, yet she exuded a new sense of composure. This reminded Zhan Laoda of Tutor Lin; perhaps all scholars were like this.
Zhan Feiyu didn't speak but poured Zhan Laoda a cup of water and then closed the door.
"Xiao Yu, you're good at reading. What do you think should be done about your second aunt?" Zhan Laoda asked hesitantly.
Zhan Laoda was at his wit's end. After dinner, he went to the main house. His father had been silently smoking his pipe, and his mother's eyes were swollen from crying. As a son, Zhan Laoda felt both worried and distressed.
Afterward, he went to the west wing and saw Zhan Lao Er lying on the bed, looking utterly dejected, as if his spirit had been drained. Zhan Laoda wanted to offer some words of comfort, but thinking that Madam Xiao Yao wanted to remarry, taking Da Lang and San Lang with her, Zhan Laoda couldn't say anything.
"Dad, then I'll speak," Zhan Feiyu sat down in a chair. Seeing Zhan Laoda nod repeatedly, she began, "Dad, although it's said that even an upright official can't settle household disputes, and there are always conflicts between sisters-in-law in any family, truthfully, the root of all the arguments in our Zhan family stems from Second Aunt."
Madam Li had a generous and gentle nature. Third Aunt Ma Shi seemed strong-willed and unwilling to suffer losses, but she lacked intelligence, only having a loud voice. Only Madam Xiao Yao was somewhat shrewd, calculative, and selfish in her actions.
"Your second aunt she..." As the elder brother, Zhan Laoda found it difficult to comment on his sister-in-law. But in his eyes, his parents and brothers were all good. The one who wasn't good was naturally Madam Xiao Yao, an outsider.
Of course, this was also because Zhan Lao Er usually hid behind the scenes, pushing Madam Xiao Yao forward as a shield.
"So, it's not bad that Second Aunt is remarrying. A melon forced to grow won't be sweet. If Second Aunt doesn't want to stay and suffer, we can't stop her," Zhan Feiyu glanced at Zhan Laoda's stern face and continued bluntly, "But Da Lang and San Lang can stay. By next year, I'll be able to earn money by copying books."
"You're willing to support Da Lang and them?" Zhan Laoda looked at Zhan Feiyu in shock, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He thought Xiao Yu was cold and didn't care about kinship and family ties, never expecting her to say such a thing.
It seemed Grandma and Second Uncle had slandered and falsely accused her to Dad quite a bit. Zhan Feiyu smiled self-mockingly, "Dad, I'll be participating in the county examination the year after next. Once I achieve official status, the Zeng family will not dare to trouble us. Second Uncle can also return. In the end, the family will only face difficulties for these two years."
When Zhan Laoda left the main house, he was so worried his hair was about to turn white. Thinking of the second branch facing separation of wife and children, Zhan Laoda only regretted his own incompetence as an elder brother for not being able to help his younger brother.
However, after hearing Zhan Feiyu's words, Zhan Laoda saw hope again. He excitedly patted Zhan Feiyu's shoulder, "Good Xiao Yu, with your words, Dad is relieved!"
Zhan Laoda was like the old ox of the Zhan family, only knowing how to work diligently. The current Zhan Feiyu was his pillar of support.
"So, Dad, you don't need to worry anymore. If Second Aunt wants to remarry, let her. Those who want to leave cannot be kept. Da Lang and San Lang will stay. Dad, you'll have to work a bit harder these two years. Once I pass the county examination, I'll take over the family's burdens!" Zhan Feiyu made a promise.
Although Zhan Feiyu would only be nine years old two years later, with her talent for reading and the village and clan's respect for her, Zhan Laoda believed her completely. "Dad isn't afraid of hardship or fatigue. Xiao Yu, you study hard. Dad won't disturb you anymore."
Zhan Feiyu watched Zhan Laoda leave with light steps. Her originally peaceful and composed expression turned to indifference. She hoped Dad wouldn't disappoint her, nor disappoint Mother.
The morning frost was cold, and the Zhan family's courtyard gate was tightly shut.
Zhan Laoda, who usually woke up early, was still lying in bed, his heart unburdened. In the entire Zhan family, everyone was still asleep except for Zhan Feiyu, who had woken up early to study.
Bang bang bang! The courtyard gate was being pounded with a deafening sound. Those who didn't know would think robbers had arrived.
"Dad, open the door!" followed by panicked shouts. Zhan Sanlang, with his hands red from the cold, was forcefully banging on the courtyard gate. "Grandpa, Grandma, I'm back, hurry and open the door..."
Zhan Dalang stood by the side with a stern face, his eyes dark and menacing. Looking at the tightly shut courtyard gate, his expression contorted further. This look did not resemble that of a twelve-year-old boy at all.
Just as Sanlang was despairing that the Zhan family didn't want him, the courtyard gate creaked open from the inside. Sanlang, who was banging on the door, almost fell inside.
"Xiao Yu?" Sanlang looked up and dazedly at Zhan Feiyu, who was supporting him.
The two were only two months apart in age, and Zhan Feiyu usually indulged him. Seeing Zhan Feiyu now, Sanlang burst into tears, "Xiao Yu..."
"Sanlang, Eldest Cousin," Zhan Feiyu called out.
Zhan Dalang's hateful gaze was fixed on Zhan Feiyu. Old and new grievances surged in his heart, causing him to clench his fists tightly. However, in the end, he did not dare to act. He merely pushed aside Sanlang, who was blocking his way, and strode inside.
Stumbled by the push, Zhan Sanlang stared blankly at his elder brother leaving. The once spirited face was now filled only with bewilderment and helplessness.
"Why are you standing there foolishly? Come in," Zhan Feiyu said with a smile. The goodwill she extended made Sanlang snap back to reality. He then grinned and followed Zhan Feiyu inside.
Sanlang's earlier wailing had woken the Zhan family. The first to emerge were the light-sleeping Old Man Zhan and Old Madam Zhan.
"Grandpa, Grandma!" Sanlang shouted and ran towards them excitedly, hugging Old Man Zhan's leg. Compared to his cousin Zhan Feiyu, his loving grandparents gave Sanlang a greater sense of security.
Creak. The door of the third branch also opened. Zhan Lao San walked out while putting on his clothes. "I said it was Sanlang's voice. This brat's crying can be heard throughout the village!"
"Third Uncle, I didn't cry!" Zhan Sanlang turned back and said, then hugged Old Man Zhan's leg again.
"Yes, you didn't cry," Zhan Lao San laughed heartily and flicked his face. "What is this? Cat's urine! Bah, why does it smell of mud?"
"Don't you even find it dirty!" Madam Ma glared at Zhan Lao San impatiently. He didn't even look at Sanlang's face, which was streaked with black mud and smeared with snot.
Zhan Laoda and Madam Li had also gotten up.
"Da Lang, why are you back?" Zhan Laoda asked with concern.
It was early morning, and the sky was just beginning to lighten. It took at least half an hour to walk from the Yao family to the Zhan family. Did Da Lang and the others return in the dark? Thinking of this, Zhan Laoda's expression turned grim. What if something happened along the way?
Zhan Dalang cast an angry glance at Zhan Laoda, then lowered his head, his face twisting with a sinister expression. What his mother said was entirely true. Eldest Uncle didn't want him and Sanlang to return, intending to seize their second branch's property!
"Eldest Uncle, we came back secretly. I fell on the way because I couldn't see," Seeing his familiar family members, Sanlang regained his usual cheerfulness. He reached out to Zhan Laoda, and indeed, his palm was scratched.
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back," Old Man Zhan tenderly stroked Sanlang's head. His son was about to be expelled from the clan, and his daughter-in-law was going to remarry. His two grandsons were Old Man Zhan's life.
"Are the Yao family all dead? Letting two children come back by themselves!" Zhan Lao San cursed indignantly. He wished he had beaten up the two Yao brothers yesterday.
Madam Ma, who came out after getting dressed, pouted. She didn't want to raise Da Lang and San Lang.
Without Da Lang, her own second son could go to private school. Moreover, Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister only had one daughter, Xiao Yu, so everything in the old Zhan family would eventually belong to her second son.
Madam Ma looked at Zhan Lao San, who seemed to be about to go to the Yao family to fight, and pinched his waist, smiling as she said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Da Lang and San Lang are all grown up. Their legs are their own. If they ran away in the middle of the night, it's normal that the Yao family didn't know."
"Mother, I didn't say anything wrong, right? This really can't be blamed on the Yao family," Madam Ma smiled fawningly, wanting nothing more than to praise the Yao family to the skies so that Da Lang and San Lang would be sent back again.
Old Madam Zhan's face turned ashen. Why did she marry such a useless person to Old San back then? Marrying a pig wouldn't be this stupid!
"I'll go cook," Madam Li said, not wanting to get involved, and walked towards the kitchen.
Zhan Feiyu also returned to her room, as she still had to study.
Not wanting to look at Madam Ma's foolish face, Old Madam Zhan took Da Lang and San Lang to the west wing bedroom to see Zhan Lao Er, their biological father.
As soon as they entered the room, they saw Zhan Lao Er, who had gotten up despite the pain. Sanlang hurried to the bedside and declared, "Dad, my brother and I will stay at home. I'm not going anywhere!"
Sanlang was playful. In Jinlin Village, with Zhan Feiyu, the child king, around, everyone took good care of Sanlang.
But after going to Yaojia Village, the village children bullied newcomers. Sanlang, being wild-tempered, got into many fights, but he was outnumbered and could only get beaten.
"Dad, I also want to stay. Wherever you go, I'll follow," Zhan Dalang said stiffly. He was the eldest grandson of the Zhan family. He had the best of everything since childhood and had gone to private school early, never having suffered hardship.
But the events of the past period had caused Zhan Dalang to fall from heaven to hell. He only wanted to return to the days of not worrying about food and clothing, so he instinctively wanted to stay by Zhan Lao Er's side.
The two children seemed to have been frightened. Old Madam Zhan looked at the moved Zhan Laoda and suddenly started crying loudly, "My ill-fated grandchildren!"
Old Madam Zhan hugged Da Lang, her voice trembling with sobs.
Old Man Zhan also turned his face away, feeling distressed. With such a disaster befalling the Zhan family, it was the two children who suffered.
"Mother, don't cry, lest you scare Sanlang again," Zhan Lao San was the most filial, but thinking that Mother intended to have Eldest Brother expelled from the clan in place of Second Brother, seeing his grieving mother now made Zhan Lao San feel somewhat uneasy.
"Yes, Mother. Da Lang and San Lang are the Yao family's own grandchildren, and Second Aunt is not dead. The Yao family can still bully them," Madam Ma chimed in. So Mother could rest assured sending Da Lang and San Lang to the Yao family. Da Lang not studying could save more than ten taels of silver a year! Sanlang was also gluttonous and always fought with Erlang for food.
Old Madam Zhan almost couldn't catch her breath. She endured and endured, but still couldn't help herself.
Old Madam Zhan took off her cloth shoes and threw them at him, "You black-hearted wretch! Didn't you see Da Lang and San Lang returning in the dark? If something happened on the way, you'd want your second brother to have no descendants!"
After scolding him, Old Madam Zhan hugged Da Lang and cried again, crying for the two children's pitiable fate, crying for Zhan Lao Er having to leave home and suffer hardship, crying that she, with one foot in the grave, still couldn't live a peaceful life.
Da Lang and San Lang were children after all. After eating breakfast, they were tired and went back to their rooms to sleep.
Zhan Lao Er still had no appetite. Finally, he was forced by Old Madam Zhan to eat a bowl of porridge. Now, in the bedroom, besides the old couple, only the three sons of the Zhan family remained.
"Laoda, you are the eldest brother, the pillar of the family." Old Madam Zhan, having cried profusely, looked at Zhan Laoda with red eyes. "Laosan is unreliable, and your second brother is like this now."
Zhan Lao San, sitting beside them, wanted to retort, but seeing the white-haired, thin, and tired Old Madam Zhan, he fell silent.
Zhan Laoda instantly felt the burden on his shoulders grow heavier. "Mother, don't worry, with me here, the family won't fall apart."
Old Madam Zhan nodded repeatedly, patting Zhan Laoda's arm with great relief. "I gave birth to a good son."
Old Man Zhan also looked at Zhan Laoda approvingly. Although Laoda didn't talk much, he never slacked off in his work and was reliable. It was just a pity he didn't have a son.
Old Madam Zhan said many more things, talking about the hardships she faced when she first married Old Man Zhan, the amusing stories of the three brothers' births, and then about the younger generation of the Zhan family, until she reached the point where Zhan Lao Er was about to be expelled from the clan.
The originally harmonious atmosphere in the bedroom instantly turned heavy. Old Madam Zhan no longer cried loudly, but her silent tears made the three brothers feel even more heartbroken and distressed.
"Mother, it's my fault for being unfilial. I've accepted this sudden disaster," Zhan Lao Er's face was still sickly pale. With red eyes, he looked at Zhan Laoda and Zhan Lao San.
"Eldest Brother, you will take care of Mother and Father from now on. Laosan, you are not young anymore. Restrain your temper and don't cause trouble for Eldest Brother every day."
Zhan Lao Er's voice became hoarse at the most painful part. He raised his head, forcing back the tears in his eyes, and then said to Old Man Zhan, "Father, I've thought about it all night. Let Madam Xiao Yao remarry. Da Lang and San Lang will go with her. I'm a useless father, at least I can't drag them down, and I can't be a burden to the family!"
"Second Brother, you're right. Da Lang's studies are too expensive. Since Second Aunt's future husband doesn't have sons, he'll definitely support Da Lang's studies. When Da Lang becomes successful in the future, he won't forget you as his father!" Madam Ma, who was eavesdropping outside the window, blurted out in excitement.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt she was right. Madam Ma leaned on the window and continued, "Second Brother, don't worry. My parents are very kind-hearted. When you go to Majia Village, no one will bully you. Da Lang and San Lang have their mother, Second Aunt, so you don't have to worry about them!"
Zhan Lao Er, who was being sentimental, twitched his lips. For the first time, he felt that Old Madam Zhan had made a mistake. Why did she marry such a wife to Laosan back then?
"Go help Eldest Sister with the farm work in the vegetable patch!" Zhan Lao San suddenly stood up and pushed Madam Ma's head out, closing the window with a bang.
Old Madam Zhan took a deep breath and decided not to argue with Madam Ma, to avoid angering herself to death.
Wiping away her tears, Old Madam Zhan said in a hoarse voice, "Lao Er, what you just said is like cutting your mother's heart with a knife! Never mind your wife, just talk about Da Lang and San Lang. They are your sons. Can you bear to have them call someone else 'father'?"
Hearing this question, Zhan Lao Er turned his head, stubbornly refusing to look at Old Madam Zhan, but his tense facial expression showed that he was enduring the pain.
"Never mind the children, let's talk about yourself!" Old Madam Zhan glanced at Zhan Laoda again, then continued to Zhan Lao Er, "You were stabbed seven times! You almost lost your life!"
Old Madam Zhan's voice was filled with fear and sadness. "The doctor said you injured your heart and lungs, so you can't do heavy work anymore. When the weather gets cold, you'll develop a cough. Your sickly body needs good care even when staying at home. Outside, with no one to look after you, you're going to make your mother send her son to the grave before her!"
"Mother, just pretend you never gave birth to me!" Zhan Lao Er closed his eyes and murmured in pain, "Just pretend you don't have grandsons Da Lang and San Lang! It's my filial impiety. In the next life, I'll be an ox or a horse to repay your filial piety to your elders!"
"Mother doesn't want you to be filial in the next life. Living well in this life is filial piety to me!" Old Madam Zhan patted Zhan Lao Er's arm. As if angered by his words, she turned to Zhan Laoda and said, "Laoda, what should we do? You tell me, what should Mother do!"
If it were before, Zhan Laoda would have been bewildered and helpless. But since Zhan Feiyu had reassured him, Zhan Laoda supported the trembling Old Madam Zhan.
"Mother, don't cry. Second Brother's wife wants to remarry. Lao Er, you write a letter of separation, and I'll send it to the Yao family right away!" Zhan Laoda said with a resonant voice, his firm tone carrying a hint of displeasure towards Madam Xiao Yao.
"As for Da Lang and San Lang, as long as I, their eldest uncle, am alive, the two children won't starve!" Zhan Laoda stood straight, shouldering the responsibility of supporting the entire family. "Lao Er, go to Majia Village. Wait a few years until the situation calms down, then you can come back. I'll find you a new wife!"
Perfect! Today is another good son! Good elder brother!
Zhan Lao Er and Old Madam Zhan stared blankly at the assertive Zhan Laoda. Had Laoda been possessed by Madam Ma to speak such "nonsense"?
Old Man Zhan and Zhan Lao San looked pleased. Neither father nor son had much responsibility. Now that Zhan Laoda was taking on the burden, they were relieved.
Zhan Laoda looked at Zhan Lao Er, who remained silent, and patted his shoulder forcefully. "Lao Er, you can go with peace of mind. Don't work if your body isn't well. Mother, give Lao Er five taels of silver to take with him, and let Lao Er recuperate in Majia Village."
Zhan Lao Er earned about ten taels of silver a year by hauling goods at the dock. In Majia Village, he would be in a state of barely getting by. Five taels of silver were enough for his food and drink.
"Laoda is right. Five taels of silver a year is enough. Lao Er can rent a house there, plant some vegetables in the yard, and raise a few chickens." Old Man Zhan said with a smile. Planting vegetables and raising chickens was the lightest work, something even six or seven-year-old girls in the village could do, and it wouldn't tire Lao Er.
The vegetables could be eaten by themselves, the eggs used for nourishment, and occasionally they could catch a few fish for a treat. During festivals, the family would send some meat. Even Old Man Zhan wished for such a comfortable life.
"Laosan, you come out. Let your eldest brother teach you how to drive an ox cart. From now on, you'll be the one hauling goods at the dock." Old Man Zhan glanced at his younger son and decided to properly discipline his temperament.
"That's right, the family's burden is heavy. Laosan, you can't be lazy anymore," Zhan Laoda grabbed Zhan Lao San's arm and dragged him out.
The father and three sons all believed that the second branch's affairs were perfectly resolved, so they should focus on finding ways to earn more silver to supplement the family.
In the bedroom, Old Madam Zhan and Zhan Lao Er stared blankly like wooden figures, unable to comprehend Zhan Laoda's behavior. Shouldn't he have proactively offered to be expelled from the clan in place of Lao Er?
"I thought Laoda was a good person!" Old Madam Zhan said sinisterly, her face full of disdain. If he truly cared about his second brother, he should have gone to Majia Village in his place!
Zhan Lao Er wiped his face and said with a bitter smile, "Mother, forget it. Being expelled from the clan is no trivial matter. Eldest Brother might also be considering Xiao Yu."
It was better not to mention Zhan Feiyu. The moment she was mentioned, Old Madam Zhan's face turned completely cold. "Don't you worry about this. I'll have Da Lang and San Lang tell him. If his own nephews kneel and beg him, I'll see if Laoda's heart is made of iron!"
...
After lunch at noon, taking advantage of the good sunshine and the slightly warmer weather, Zhan Laoda brought hot water to help Zhan Lao Er wash himself. Seeing that he still lacked spirit, he said comfortingly, "Lao Er, don't worry about the family. Eldest Brother is here."
Zhan Laoda didn't speak definitively. He believed in Zhan Feiyu's intelligence. She said she would take the county examination in two years and return once she achieved official status. But what if she didn't pass the first time?
Zhan Da Lang had taken the examination in February. Eight children from the private school had taken it, but none had passed the county examination. Zhan Laoda was also somewhat worried, which was why he dared not give a precise timeframe, waiting for Zhan Feiyu to pass the county examination and give Zhan Lao Er a surprise.
"Eldest Brother, I'm dragging you down." Zhan Lao Er looked at Zhan Laoda with gratitude, but his eyes were filled with coldness. Even if Xiao Yu, that brat, was causing trouble, it was ultimately Eldest Brother's selfishness for not stepping forward!
Zhan Laoda wrung out the cloth and handed it to Zhan Lao Er to wipe himself. "What are you talking about, brothers? What's dragging down?"
A moment later, just as Zhan Laoda was carrying the wooden basin back to the kitchen, Zhan Da Lang and San Lang suddenly walked in. The two brothers knelt down with a thud before Zhan Laoda.
"Eldest Uncle, I kowtow to you!" Zhan Da Lang endured the humiliation and kowtowed three times.
Sanlang didn't understand why, but Da Lang was his elder brother, so he did as he was told and also kowtowed.
Zhan Laoda was startled, then movedly tried to help the two children up. "I am your eldest uncle. It is my duty to raise you. You don't need to kowtow to me. As long as you and Sanlang are well."
Da Lang and San Lang were both good children, grateful and appreciative! Zhan Laoda's dark and stern face couldn't help but show a smile. Thinking of Zhan Feiyu, who was still studying in private school, his smile deepened. The children of the Zhan family were all outstanding!
Eldest Uncle is pretending to be ignorant while knowing everything! Zhan Da Lang, with his head lowered, his eyes becoming more ferocious. But thinking of what Old Madam Zhan had said earlier, Da Lang could only suppress his hatred.
"Eldest Uncle," Da Lang looked up at Zhan Laoda, whose face was still smiling, and pleaded. At this moment, he hated him so much that he clenched his teeth, but thinking of his past life...
"Eldest Uncle, after the New Year, I'll be thirteen. I want to study and bring honor to our ancestors. If my father is expelled from the clan, I won't be able to take the imperial examinations!" Da Lang knelt on the ground, begging repeatedly. "In a few more years, it will be time for me to get engaged. Eldest Uncle, with a father expelled from the clan and a mother who remarried, no girl would be willing to marry me!"
Zhan Laoda was stunned. He had only thought about raising the two children, ensuring they wouldn't starve or freeze. He hadn't really considered anything else.
"My father's health is not good. He can't suffer anymore. Eldest Uncle, I beg you to help my father and go to Majia Village in his place!" Finally, Da Lang said it, his words becoming more fluent.
"Xiao Yu is a girl, and she has a talent for reading. Many people will want to marry her in the future. Moreover, Eldest Uncle is healthy, and Eldest Aunt won't be forced to remarry like my mother. Eldest Uncle, if you don't agree, Da Lang and Sanlang will kneel here until we die."
Zhan Da Lang glanced at the innocent Sanlang and commanded sternly, "Sanlang, kowtow to Eldest Uncle and ask him to save Father, to pity us! As long as Father is well, Mother won't remarry, and our family won't be broken."
"Eldest Uncle?" Sanlang blinked, then kowtowed repeatedly.
Zhan Laoda's mind was a bit muddled. He hadn't expected Da Lang to say such things. Be expelled from the clan in place of Lao Er?
"What nonsense are you two talking about? Who allowed you to trouble your Eldest Uncle like this!" Suddenly, Old Madam Zhan's angry voice rang out. She grabbed a broom nearby and rushed into the kitchen.
"I'll beat you two ungrateful brats to death! Your Eldest Uncle is willing to raise you, and you're still not satisfied?" Old Madam Zhan shouted loudly, her broom hitting their backs with a bang.
"If you want to blame someone, blame your father's bad luck. If your father dies in Majia Village, that's his fate!" Old Madam Zhan's tears poured out, but the broom she held hit even harder. "If you can't study, come back and farm. Do you still expect your Eldest Uncle to support your studies? If you can't get married, then don't. In old age, you can team up with Sanlang to live!"
"I won't!" Zhan Da Lang suddenly lost control and shouted, "I want to study! I am the eldest grandson of the Zhan family, and I want to study hard and bring honor to our ancestors! I don't want my mother to remarry, and I want my father to live. Grandma, even if you beat me to death today, I won't get up!"
"I want Mother too!" Sanlang wailed and followed suit, crying loudly, whether from fear or pain.
Woken by the crying, Zhan Laoda, who had regained his senses, snatched the broom from Old Madam Zhan's hand and said in a hoarse voice, "Mother, stop hitting."
"Laoda, move aside! I'll beat these two ungrateful little beasts to death today! Even if the second branch is wiped out, there's still Laosan's Erlang!" Old Madam Zhan wiped her tears. With the broom snatched away, she started hitting Da Lang's back with her hands, looking as if she truly intended to beat them to death.
"I want my father to live well, I don't want my mother to remarry, I want to study with Sanlang, and in the future, get married, have children, and carry on the family line. Grandma, I've done nothing wrong!" Zhan Da Lang hugged the wailing Sanlang, and the two brothers cried together, holding each other.
Old Madam Zhan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly sat down on the ground, hugging the two children and crying with them. "You've done nothing wrong. It's Grandma who is useless. Grandma can't protect your father, and Grandma doesn't have the silver to support your studies. If you want to hate someone, hate me! This is fate..."
"Laoda." Old Man Zhan, who had been listening at the kitchen door for who knows how long, looked at the stunned Zhan Laoda and hesitated before saying, "Laoda, why don't you take Lao Er's place? The old Zhan family cannot be cut off in my hands!"
Before, Old Man Zhan hadn't thought this far. But after hearing Da Lang's crying, Old Man Zhan had to think more. It was fine if the two grandsons couldn't study, but if they couldn't get married, the second branch would have no descendants.
Furthermore, if the Zhan family only had Erlang as a male child, who could guarantee that Erlang would have sons?
Laoda only had one daughter, Xiao Yu. If Erlang also had no sons in the future, the entire old Zhan family would be without descendants! Old Man Zhan became fearful upon thinking of this.
"Father?" Zhan Laoda looked at Old Man Zhan blankly, then at Da Lang and Sanlang kneeling on the ground, and Old Madam Zhan hugging them. After a long pause, his dry voice sounded, "I know what I should do."
...
When Zhan Feiyu returned from private school, she saw Zhan Laoda sitting blankly in the main hall.
The other members of the Zhan family were also there, but they all had solemn expressions and remained silent. Madam Li sat on the long bench against the wall, lost in thought, not even noticing Zhan Feiyu's return.
The father and daughter exchanged glances. In this moment, Zhan Feiyu's heart sank to the bottom. The scene she least wanted to see had still occurred.
"Xiao Yu," Zhan Laoda stood up, supporting himself on the edge of the table, somewhat afraid to look into Zhan Feiyu's dark and clear eyes. His lips trembled a few times. "Xiao Yu, Dad has something to tell you."
"Eldest Brother, you've already decided to go to Majia Village in place of Lao Er, what else is there to say!" Zhan Lao San couldn't help but get angry.
If Zhan Feiyu hadn't revealed this news earlier, Zhan Lao San might have had the same thoughts as Old Man Zhan and Zhan Laoda. Although it was Da Lang and San Lang who forced their Eldest Uncle to be expelled from the clan by kneeling, this was indeed the best choice.
But precisely because he knew in advance, Zhan Lao San found the feigned grief of Old Madam Zhan and the stubborn refusal of Zhan Lao Er, who was enduring his injuries, incredibly ironic.
Old Man Zhan glared at his disruptive younger son. "Laosan, shut up!"
Ignoring everyone else, Zhan Feiyu's clear, water-like eyes looked at the guilty and uneasy Zhan Laoda. Her tone was eerily calm, "Dad, you don't need to say it. Second Uncle is not in good health and cannot go out to suffer. Second Aunt is clamoring to remarry. Da Lang and San Lang still need to study for the imperial examinations, and you only have one daughter. Being expelled from the clan won't affect anything. I understand even if you don't say more."
Upon hearing this, Old Man Zhan's suspended heart suddenly relaxed. "Xiao Yu, you are truly sensible."
Sensible my foot! They all said this brat Xiao Yu was smart, but I think she's just stupid! Madam Ma wanted to speak, but she had been warned by Old Madam Zhan earlier. Unless she wanted to be divorced from the Zhan family.
Zhan Laoda stared blankly at Zhan Feiyu, feeling an ominous premonition for some reason. At this moment, it seemed he was about to lose something most important.
Zhan Feiyu glanced reassuringly at Madam Li, who had snapped back to her senses, smiled at her, and then looked at Old Man Zhan and Old Madam Zhan, who were seated in the main seat. "I agree to my father being expelled from the clan in place of Second Uncle, but there are two conditions: first, I will be adopted out, and second, my mother and father will separate their property."
Although it wasn't a divorce, it was no different from a divorce.
Madam Li would definitely not want to divorce for the sake of Zhan Feiyu's future marriage. But continuing to entangle with Zhan Laoda was meaningless, which was why Zhan Feiyu proposed the separation of property.
"Xiao Yu, how dare you, as a junior, speak to your Eldest Uncle like this? Have you read all your books to the dogs?" While others remained silent, Zhan Da Lang rebuked her sternly.
Zhan Da Lang's eyes were filled with a desire for revenge. Once adopted out, Eldest Uncle being expelled from the clan would not affect her. But Zhan Da Lang would never agree! There could only be one scholar in the Zhan family, and that was himself!
Zhan Feiyu should forever be trampled under his feet, unable to study, with a father expelled from the clan, and ultimately marrying a lowly husband, being beaten and scolded by her husband, tormented by her in-laws, and defied by her children. She could only beg her Eldest Cousin to help her!
"Da Lang is right. Even if your father is expelled from the clan, you and your mother must stay in the family." Old Man Zhan looked at Zhan Feiyu with some displeasure. He had just praised Xiao Yu for being sensible, but now she was talking nonsense. The Zhan family could afford to support a girl, and being adopted out would lead to people pointing fingers!
Old Madam Zhan glanced at Zhan Feiyu with disdain, concealing the displeasure in her eyes, and said indifferently, "Xiao Yu, your father also feels sorry for your second uncle. After a few years, your father can return. Don't make trouble."
Zhan Laoda nodded, looking pleadingly at his wife and daughter. He was healthy and strong, so suffering a little was nothing. He could consider it as going out to work for a long time, and when he returned, he would be reunited with Madam Li.
As for Xiao Yu... Zhan Laoda felt immense guilt and heartache, but Da Lang was right. Many people studied for ten or twenty years without even becoming a Xiucai. It was fine for men to establish their careers before starting a family.
But Xiao Yu was a girl. By then, she would be an old maid who couldn't get married. Moreover, Mother had said she would continue to support Xiao Yu's studies, just not for the imperial examinations.
"Grandma, if my conditions are not met, do you think my father can be expelled from the clan in place of Second Uncle? Will the village elders and the clan agree? Or will the Zeng family agree?" Zhan Feiyu smiled as she saw Old Madam Zhan about to retort. "Even if the Zeng family wants to agree, I have ways to make them dare not nod!"
No matter how fierce or capable Old Madam Zhan was, she was just an unlearned old woman. Looking at the confident Zhan Feiyu, Old Madam Zhan's face fell. She knew that Zhan Feiyu was telling the truth; she had this ability!
Why did such an intelligent granddaughter have such a rebellious streak? At this moment, Old Madam Zhan's gaze was complex and unreadable, but thinking of something, she said, "Alright, I agree to your adoption. Laosan, go find the elder clan leader and the village head."
...
The day before going to the Zeng family, Zhan Feiyu had already settled the affairs of the Zhan family.
She had been adopted out. Fearing that she might encounter an unreliable father like Zhan Laoda in the future, the elder clan leader adopted her under the name of a deceased nephew of his, thus freeing Zhan Feiyu from the burden of her parents.
Madam Li also moved out of the Zhan family.
The village head found young and strong men from the village, and it took them two days to renovate a vacant house. It was a three-room brick and tile house with a front and back courtyard. Zhan Feiyu and her mother lived there alone, which was much more spacious than in the Zhan family.
After inspecting it inside and out, the village head smiled and said, "In a few days, I'll have someone bring some stones from the mountain, and then we'll rebuild the surrounding wall."
"No rush, we have Da Huang," Zhan Feiyu said this, and Da Huang immediately wagged its tail at her.
"Da Huang is a good dog," the elder clan leader added. He let the person supporting him into the main hall and sat down before speaking about the important matter. "Tomorrow you're going to the Zeng family. You've been adopted out, so the Zeng family might not agree."
Zhan Laoda was replacing Zhan Lao Er in being expelled from the clan. If this could implicate Zhan Feiyu, the Zeng family would surely agree. But now that she was adopted out, would the Zeng family swallow this anger and let Zhan Lao Er, the real culprit, go unpunished?
---
*Author's Note:*
Zhan Laoda lacked his own opinions. Replacing Zhan Lao Er in being expelled from the clan was, in his view, the least detrimental option.
Da Lang and the two children knelt and pleaded, and their father, Old Man Zhan, also spoke. Their mother was almost crying her eyes out. Zhan Lao Er's injured and weak body, Madam Xiao Yao's insistence on remarrying, Zhan Laoda could only agree.
Of course, he was harming Madam Li and Zhan Feiyu, but he believed Madam Li would not remarry, and Xiao Yu could still study, just not for the imperial examinations. In comparison, he chose the lesser of two evils.