Chapter 048: Separation of Power but Not Separation of Family

Seeing everyone staring at him, some with resentment, some with complaint, and some with disdain, Xu Deyuan was furious and shouted at Lian Qiuzhi, "Bitch, why did you tell others about me?!"

Lian was frightened by his crazy look and pulled the three girls back.

"Uncle, hold him down!" Xu Dechi didn't know why, but he took action immediately after hearing Xu Zhenying's words, and immediately reached out to hold Xu Deyuan down.

Xu Deyuan couldn't break free and could only stare at Xu Zhenying with resentment.

Xu Zhenying, however, remained undaunted and continued, "Given Second Uncle's various signs of mental deterioration, and his repeated slander of me in public, accusing me of being unfaithful and unfilial, if I continue to distribute supplies to him without expressing my own stance, wouldn't that prove Second Uncle's words were true?"

Seeing that everyone's attitude had softened somewhat, Xu Degui said anxiously, "That can't be the case! Xu Qingying, how can you abandon your elders at this critical moment? They beat you and scolded you, it's all for your own good. Just bear with it and it will pass. Who hasn't gone through this?"

Xu Zhenying completely ignored his father's attitude and continued, "If you are willing to break away from the Second Branch, please stand behind me. I will recognize him as my elder and closest relative. If you are unwilling, I will not force you."

Huang clutched her chest, crying out, "Ouch, ouch!" She pointed at Xu Qingying and said, "You little girl, are you trying to piss me off to death? Do you want to split the family property? I'm telling you, as long as I'm alive, you can't!"

Xu Zhenying replied, "Don't worry, Grandmother. This isn't a splitting up of the family. It's just that those who have left the Second Branch won't have to listen to their blind dictates in everything. From small matters like food and clothing to big matters like weddings and funerals, you'll make all the decisions yourself. As for whether or not to split up the family, and how to do it, we'll discuss it once we get to Qianzhou."

Do we have to wait until we get to Qianzhou?

Huang refused to comply, but Xu Zhenying stared at her and continued, "The Xu family is in trouble now, and there's no property to divide. All we need is a piece of paperwork to be filed with the government. Dividing the family is easy. Besides, just as a tree branches out when it grows big, so too do families divide when they grow big. Our Xu family is just a broken ship now. Why does grandma have to tie up the whole family together and make everyone unhappy? Isn't this exile the result of not dividing the family in time? Hasn't grandma had enough of the chaos in Bianjing City?"

Huang was speechless.

When everyone heard this, they all had their own plans in mind.

The reason why we don't mention splitting up now is because we should stick together when we are on the road of exile. If we split up, we will be bullied to death.

Fortunately, Xu Qingying did not say that the family was to be divided. She only said that the second branch should not interfere in the affairs of other branches in the future. This was a blessing from heaven.

The remaining families have been following Xu Deyuan since he passed the imperial examination and was sent out to other places. Because Xu Deyuan is the most promising one in the family, the other families have to consult Xu Deyuan before making any decisions, whether it is doing business or getting married or funerals.

Rules have been formed over the past ten years and are deeply engraved in the bones and blood of the Xu family. But who would like to be manipulated like this and not be able to live happily in their own home?

The eldest family was the first to stand behind Xu Qingying without hesitation. The two of them had thought it through thoroughly. Once they arrived in Qianzhou, they would definitely find a way to split up the family. So, separating the big and small matters now could be considered as making preparations in advance.

The older cousins ​​didn't understand anything, but they had long been fed up with the second branch suppressing them. Of course, they followed their parents and stood behind Xu Qingying with a common hatred.

The grandmother watched helplessly, because Xu Zhenying was not talking about dividing the family, but just letting the second house give up power. It sounded flawless. She felt panicked, but at the same time she could not stop it.

Xu Deyuan's face flushed with anger. He had finally seen clearly that Xu Qingying was full of ambition. Now it was a division of power, and the next step would definitely be to split up the family. Who knew this damned girl might even want to replace him? How bold!

Of course, Fourth Aunt saw the situation clearly, and without caring what Fourth Uncle thought, she just stood there.

Miao was about to stand up when Xu Degui grabbed her and scolded her, "What are you doing? Are you joining her in this mischief?"

Miao suddenly felt a surge of grievances and said, "Ying'er isn't messing around. Second Uncle, under the guise of education, is slandering Qingying's reputation everywhere. Do you know that thanks to Second Uncle, everyone in the camp knows that Qingying broke off the engagement? Do you think he did this for Qingying's own good? If he really did want her best, wouldn't he have told us privately so we could teach her a lesson?"

Xu Degui said with a guilty conscience, "I believe that Second Brother didn't mean that... He just... was a little blunt. If it weren't for Second Brother, do you think we could have done business well in Bianjing City over the years? How can we be so ungrateful?"

"How can I be ungrateful? I'm supposed to be managing the Xu family's business, but I'm just the shopkeeper. Aren't all the big bucks paid into the public treasury? How much have I earned after all the hard work I've put into these years?"

"Money, money, money, why are you talking about money all the time—" Xu Degui interrupted her impatiently, "You are the daughter of a scholar after all, why are you talking about money all the time?"

Miao bit her teeth lightly, tears streaming down her face. She gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, okay, you are so noble, you can just drink the nectar, but what about me and the children?"

"Why are we talking about the children again? I just don't want our Xu family to fall apart. We're all flesh and blood, how can we cause such a fuss over a little food and drink? If this gets out, what will happen to Qingying's reputation? Everyone will just think our daughter is forcing the elders to death and turning against them. How will she get married in the future?"

Miao pushed him, remembering Xu Zhenying's words from the other world. She was overwhelmed with grief, tears streaming down her face. "It's all my fault, Second Uncle. I agreed to this marriage because he promised me that the Zheng family's child was a good person. Now Ying'er has lost her life... From now on, Second Uncle will never be allowed to interfere in my family's affairs again! As for what others say, they have their own mouths and can say whatever they want. If she really can't get married, I will support her for the rest of her life!"

"You are simply unreasonable!" Xu Degui was a little angry and helpless about his wife's tears, but he could not stop Miao from standing up and standing behind Xu Qingying.

Xu Deyuan watched helplessly and suddenly shouted, "Villains, a bunch of villains! You dare to bully me like this just because I lost my job? Fine, since no one is satisfied, why not split up? Even if I, Xu Deyuan, come back to power, don't even think about me treating you the same way as before!"

Xu Zhenying smiled and said, "Second uncle, don't worry about what will happen in the future. I don't know how Liu Jieshi will deal with you. He is the butcher and you are the meat. Second uncle, you should worry more about yourself."

When they thought about the tough Liu Jieshi, everyone who had just chosen Xu Zhenying breathed a sigh of relief.

Lian Qiuzhi did not make any choice.

These days, she and the three girls depend on each other and do not get involved in any affairs of the Xu family.

She had just performed a scene in front of Zhao Bantou. If she turned on Xu Deyuan now, it would probably arouse Zhao Bantou's suspicion. She didn't want to be embarrassed by those escorts. It would be best if she could reach Qianzhou safely.

This is also the reason why she was willing to cooperate with Xu Zhenying.

When Lian Qiuzhi thought of this, she pretended to be silent and did not express any opinion.

So there were only a few concubines and illegitimate sons and daughters from the second house, as well as the fourth uncle and Xu Degui.

The fourth uncle hesitated for a moment, and finally saw that his wife and daughter had stood on the opposite side. He thought that based on Xu Deyuan's personality, he would be restricted by him in every way after going to Qianzhou, and he might not even be able to make the decision on Anping's marriage.

For the sake of his only daughter, Xu Dekai finally took the first step towards his wife and daughter.

Fourth Aunt curled her lips and said, "Fortunately, this person is not confused yet."

Xu Degui was now in an awkward position. Miao had dragged her two children over, but he was still here, apologizing to Xu Deyuan repeatedly: "Second brother, it was my fault for neglecting my discipline. Don't worry, I will definitely ask Qingying to come and apologize to you."

Xu Deyuan stared at him intently and sneered, "Seeing me like this, you are very happy now, right? Back then, the teacher also praised you for your talent for studying, but your family couldn't afford to support two scholars, so your father asked you to give up. You hated me back then, hated me for ruining your path to success, and envied me for making it this far. Now that I'm exiled, you must be feeling indescribably happy and proud, but you have to force yourself to act like a brother. Third brother, it turns out that you are the one who hides the most -"

Xu Degui was shocked to hear Xu Deyuan say this and asked in disbelief, "Second brother, what are you talking about?"

"You don't have to act in front of me. You've been forcing Huiming to study all these years, isn't it just to suppress me and vent your hatred?"

Xu Huiming seemed a little confused. "Second Uncle, what are you talking about? I want to study on my own. I hope that in time, you and I can help each other in the court—"

Xu Degui lowered his head and smiled bitterly, "So this is how my brother has always thought of me..."

"If you didn't think that way, how could Qingying say those words? She's just a thirteen-year-old girl, how could she come up with such words? Do you dare to say that you didn't teach her privately?" Xu Deyuan shook his head, stopping Xu Degui from saying the next word, "If you didn't teach her, if you still consider me your second brother, then prove it to me--"

Xu Zhenying sighed in his heart, what a good trick.

As expected of his second uncle who had worked in the Great Zhou Dynasty for more than ten years, he was able to turn the father and daughter against each other with just one move.

Xu Degui glanced at Miao and finally made up his mind, but was reluctant to come forward.

Miao's face was full of disappointment.

Xu Zhenying was used to it, because he never had any expectations of Xu Degui, so he was not disappointed.

Xu Degui is an ancient man with his own mature worldview, which she cannot shake and has no intention of changing.

As long as Xu Degui doesn't cause her trouble, she can tolerate his existence.

Today is not about splitting up the family, but about letting everyone get rid of the mentality of not daring to dominate the second branch in everything, and slowly break free from the pressure of the second branch.

Eat food one bite at a time and seize power bit by bit.

Xu Zhenying simply said to Zhao, "Fourth Aunt, please divide all the belongings into four parts. Only the second wife's share will be given to Second Aunt, who will decide how to distribute it. Also, give Second Aunt twenty taels of silver. She will go and pay for Li Xiucai's carriage fare. Grandmother can ride in peace tomorrow."

Lian was slightly stunned. She didn't expect Xu Zhenying to leave a separate copy for her.

After all, she once said that she didn't want Xu Zhenying's things.

But then she thought again, why shouldn't she want it? In the past, the other families ate and drank her food and drinks, so why can't she do the same when it's her turn?

This arrangement seems to be intended to sideline Xu Deyuan.

Lian was unwilling to continue living with Xu Deyuan, but she also didn't want the third branch to take the lead, otherwise she would have to look at the third branch's face in the future. Thinking of that scene, Lian felt uneasy.

"The rest will be divided equally. Auntie is very handy. Please see if there's anything to eat in the luggage and make some extra tonight. Then we can give some to everyone who helped our family a few days ago. I'd also like to ask Mother and Fourth Aunt to give Auntie some help."

The eldest aunt perked up immediately, rolled up her sleeves and went to check the ingredients, "Don't worry, Sixth girl, I will remember the favor done by Old Lady Fang."

Several women took advantage of this opportunity to get busy and started a fire, with smoke curling up over the camp.

Xu Zhenying also found the fourth room's bundle and pulled out a piece of clothing from it. She gestured, thought for a moment, and then pulled out a bag of millet. After that, she said something to Miao and went out to look for Li Zhaodi.

Li Zhaodi is easy to find. Generally, if you find the donkey cart, you can find Li Zhaodi.

Li Zhaodi was making a fire to cook, but she only boiled water. She was waiting for her mother and sister to come back from digging wild vegetables. Just when she was worrying about having no rice to cook, Xu Zhenying's rice happened to arrive.

"Zhao Di, I'll give you a bag of rice first for emergency, and the twenty taels of silver will arrive soon."

Li Zhaodi waved her hands quickly, "How can this be possible? Your family's grain is also very precious——"

Xu Zhenying smiled, "Don't worry, Liu Jieshi has returned the things to us. Now we have food."

"Huh, how come?"

"Don't worry about it. Take this bag of millet for two days. When you pass through a town, buy some food." Xu Zhenying stuffed the food into her hands without hesitation and handed her a bundle. "You are about the same size as me, so I'll lend you my clothes."

Li Zhaodi refused to accept it, so Xu Zhenying pretended to be angry and asked, "Why, do you dislike the clothes because they are used?"

Li Zhaodi quickly shook her head, "No, this dress is too new, I'm afraid it will get damaged."

"Clothes are meant to be worn. I'm giving them to you, so take them. Even though we're heading south, it's still extremely cold, and damp. The further south you go, the cold will penetrate your bones. If you don't keep warm, you'll be prone to rheumatism and joint pain as you age. Aren't we friends? You can starve and leave your food for me, so why can't I lend you some extra clothes when I have enough to wear myself?"

Knowing that Xu Zhenying was deliberately making excuses to let her accept it without any burden, Li Zhaodi's eyes were as red as a little rabbit because of this thought. She just gently stroked the coat and felt that her fingertips were rough and almost snagged the clothes.

It was as if she had never worn such beautiful clothes in her life.

She was not good at speaking, so she had to accept the thanks, but she was thinking about how to repay him in the future.

Xu Zhenying couldn't bear to see a girl cry, and he knew her situation, but as an outsider, he couldn't say much. He patted her shoulder and said, "Don't be afraid. If there's anything you can't solve, come to me."

As Xu Zhenying walked out, he saw Mrs. Cao walking back slowly with her son on her back not far away.

She looked again and saw Miss Qian and Madam Cao walking side by side.

These two people were probably digging wild vegetables, and they were dirty. However, exiles didn't care about cleanliness, and in the end, they were probably no different from beggars.