That evening,

After the Chen family finished dinner, just as they were about to leave the table, the poor scholar's eldest sister-in-law winked at her sister-in-law, and the poor scholar's third sister-in-law, who received the wink, did not make a sound first!

Instead, he sat steadily at the table!

Meanwhile, the poor scholar's sister-in-law, seeing her younger brother's sister-in-law's behavior, secretly cursed her for being cunning!

However, time was of the essence, so we didn't waste any time and immediately launched our attack!

“Father-in-law, it seems that things are going through a tough time for the family. My poor Zhuzi has never had a bite of steamed egg custard since he was a child!”

"Now my brother-in-law has also failed the imperial examination for the young scholars. And now, for some unknown reason, he can't even remember the knowledge from the books!"

"We can't keep supporting his education with the whole family like before! We can't afford it anymore!"

The poor scholar's sister-in-law spoke directly to Old Man Chen, who usually had a low profile at home. Her face still held a hint of sorrow, and her voice carried a sense of grievance.

After all, although Chen Li Shi, her mother-in-law, was usually shrewish and in charge of Zhong Kui, the real head of the Chen family was her father-in-law, who was hiding behind the scenes!

The expressions on the faces of the people at the table varied after hearing what the poor scholar's sister-in-law said!

Some looked surprised!

Some had complex expressions, as if deep in thought!

Some couldn't hide their anger, their eyes blazing with fury!

...

"You're asking for trouble! What are you trying to do?! Try to drive me crazy?! Are you the head of the household?!" Old Mrs. Li was furious after hearing her eldest daughter-in-law's words. She shouted at her, her face extremely ugly.

"Looks like it's been a few days since I disciplined you. You've dared to climb on the roof and tear off the tiles!"

"This was all planned this morning, why are you picking on me! Starting tomorrow, you'll be doing all the housework! Do it for two months first!" Old Mrs. Li continued angrily, hands on her hips, pointing at her eldest daughter-in-law and lashing out!

"Mother-in-law, please be reasonable! Am I trying to cause trouble? Don't I want my brother-in-law to pass the imperial examinations as soon as possible!"

"With my brother-in-law's help, my son Zhuzi will have a way out and won't have to be a peasant anymore!"

"But, given my brother-in-law's current condition, is he still able to do it? No, he can't!"

"Since that's the case, we can't keep pouring money into this bottomless pit! You know what the family has been like all these years, Mother-in-law! Waaah."

As the poor scholar's sister-in-law spoke, two tears slid down her cheeks.

Although there was some acting involved at the beginning, when I talked about this, I was reminded of the difficult days of the past, and tears involuntarily flowed from my eyes.

"My dear wife, please...please don't cry. It's my fault! You've been married to me for so many years, and I haven't even bought you a single candied fruit!"

Chen's eldest son, standing nearby, was flustered and at a loss when he saw his usually fierce and assertive wife suddenly crying.

"Dad, I'm not trying to be dramatic, but if things continue like this, how will our family survive? In winter, to save money, we can't even afford to buy cotton, and we only have one quilt for warmth!"

"If my family hadn't taken pity on me and sent me a tattered quilt, I would have gotten frostbite tonight!"

Upon hearing this, regardless of what the Chen family members thought, the Chen family's daughters-in-law all had gloomy expressions!

"Yes, Mother-in-law, the children in the family are all grown up now, and they will all need to get married in the future!"

"If this continues, are you going to let your grandsons all remain bachelors in the future?!" Seeing that her eldest sister-in-law had already taken action, the poor scholar's third sister-in-law also joined in!

He went straight to the point, saying, "That's the crucial thing!"

His face still bore a trace of bitterness, and his voice was low and sorrowful!

"It's not that I don't want to support my brother-in-law's continued education, it's just that I can't afford it anymore!"

"It's also because I, as his sister-in-law, am useless. All I can do is work in the fields. I can't help him!" The poor scholar's third sister-in-law then said with a self-reproachful tone and a hint of apology in her voice.

At this moment, the three sons of the Chen family at the table, except for the second son, all looked even worse.

"Get out! You're all just tired of supporting me! Once I, the fourth son, pass the imperial examinations and become a high-ranking official, it will be too late for you to regret it!"

Old Mrs. Li replied angrily, pointing her finger at her eldest daughter-in-law and third daughter-in-law!

The anger in his voice was impossible to suppress!

"Mother-in-law, I have no regrets. Even if my brother-in-law becomes a high-ranking official, I will starve to death rather than beg for food at his door!"

"I can't keep filling holes for the sake of this unknown. What if my son really ends up a bachelor? Who am I going to cry to then!"

The poor scholar's sister-in-law looked at Old Lady Li with a determined expression, her voice filled with unwavering resolve.

Then, he winked at his third brother and sister-in-law.

"Yes, Mother-in-law, not to mention Zhuzi, we also need to take care of Haizi for my second brother's family in the future!"

The poor scholar's third sister-in-law looked at the second family, who were playing with doves on the table, with a hint of disdain in her eyes!

Normally, the second wife always acts submissive and obedient, and the second brother is also blindly filial, always listening to his mother-in-law!

My second sister-in-law is also a weak-willed person, and as a result, the children she raised are also timid and cowardly!

Not to mention Hai Zi from the second wife's family, even his three older sisters not only had to work in the fields with him, but also had to do odd jobs!

His clothes were tattered and patched upon patched!

Upon hearing his son's name, the second son of the Chen family, who was standing to the side, finally showed a crack on his expressionless face, revealing a hint of anxiety!

"Mother! I only have Haizi as my son, and I can't let him be without descendants!" Chen Lao Er looked at Li Lao Tai with a troubled expression.

"Shut up! You've made enough noise already, don't get involved!" Old Mrs. Li said angrily after glancing at Chen Lao Er.

"Father-in-law, do you think we should continue to support my brother-in-law's education?"

"If you want to continue supporting your brother-in-law, then separate the family!"

"It's the daughter-in-law's fault for being unfilial! She will still be filial to her parents as before, but if she continues to make us, her family, work like oxen, we will not accept her!"

The poor scholar's sister-in-law spoke directly to Old Man Chen, who had been sitting in the seat of honor and had remained silent.

With a serious expression on his face, he spoke solemnly.

When Old Mrs. Li saw her eldest daughter-in-law looking so serious, her face turned extremely ugly!

He just stared intently at her!

"No way! This family isn't allowed to be divided without my permission! You believe me or not, I'll make the eldest son divorce you!"

"Mother, my wife is joking. We're not separating!" Upon hearing Old Madam Li's words, the eldest son of the Chen family hurriedly said, fearing that he would be asked to divorce his wife, his face still showing a hint of panic!

He tugged at his wife's sleeve.

The poor scholar's sister-in-law ignored everyone else and stared intently at Old Man Chen!

At this moment, Old Man Chen, sitting in the superior position, had a calm expression, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking!

After putting down his wooden pipe, he looked around and took in everyone's expressions!

Then, he turned and looked straight at his eldest daughter-in-law!