Chapter 105 The family splits up, that's it.
After everyone left, the fourth branch of the family was ultimately not spared and suffered considerable losses.
Filled with resentment, the second and fourth masters led their families to confront Old Madam Ning, demanding an explanation.
As soon as the fourth master sat down, he couldn't wait to start accusing her: "Sister-in-law, what exactly is your intention? Sending people to break into our two households' courtyards and cause trouble, aren't you afraid that my elder brother will blame you in heaven?"
The second master also said with dissatisfaction, "It's not that we don't want to observe mourning, it's just that we're a little slow and plan to take our time to clean up. Sister-in-law, you can't be so heartless."
"And now even the main gate is heavily guarded. It's one thing for those of us without official duties to accept this, but the children all have important things to do. Yunbo is still working at the Dali Temple, yet he's being kept inside the mansion and unable to leave. This is simply outrageous!"
After the two finished speaking, Madam Ning slowly said, "I made myself very clear yesterday, but you didn't take it to heart and forced me to this point."
After the funeral, I solemnly brought up this matter with you all, but how did you all respond?
When have you ever respected me, your sister-in-law? You keep saying you respect your elder brother and pity my son Yunqi, but in all these days, have you ever cared about them, father and son?
Since you've ignored my words, don't blame me for being ruthless.
Everyone was stunned. Madam Wei said, "Sister-in-law, no matter what, you can't let people go to the Wu and Wang families to postpone the marriage! Since my brother passed away, the Wu family's attitude has become cold. What if they use this as an excuse to cancel the engagement? What will happen to my Yunli?"
Sister-in-law, you also have a daughter, how can you be so heartless?
Madam Ma chimed in, "Yes, sister-in-law! Yunbing finally managed to arrange this marriage; we can't let you ruin it like this."
Madam Ning was at a loss for words and could only turn to her daughter-in-law.
Yu Qingci then spoke up, "Fourth Aunt, you're really joking. What family is busy with weddings during the mourning period? Even if we don't bring up the matter of postponing the engagement, the Wu family and the Wang family will bring it up anyway, unless they have no qualms about it."
Second Uncle, Fourth Uncle, tell me, although the engagement between Yunli and Yunbing is approaching, have the Wu and Wang families sent anyone to discuss the marriage?
The second master and the fourth master exchanged a glance and remained silent.
After all, Yu Qingci was absolutely right; neither of the two families had ever come to propose marriage.
Even if they do visit, they'll probably only discuss postponing the wedding.
After all, no family wants to hold a wedding during the mourning period, so they have already decided to take the initiative to visit them soon to discuss the wedding arrangements.
Yu Qingci continued, "We naturally understand that uncles and aunts are worried about their children's marriages. In fact, it's easy to solve the problem if you want the marriages to go smoothly. Just have your two families move out of the General's Mansion and start your own households. Everything will be solved then."
But now that you yourselves insist on not separating, who can you blame?
Anger flashed in the second master's eyes as he looked at Old Madam Ning and asked directly:
"Sister-in-law, let's not beat around the bush. You're forcing us to move out of the General's Mansion. You want us to take the initiative to separate the family, right?"
The fourth master said with a hurt expression, "Sister-in-law, you're not really going to kick us out, are you? You can't be so heartless. My brother just left and you're already kicking out his own brothers?"
Yu Qingci couldn't bear to look at the indignant expressions on the two brothers' faces. Their words made it seem as if they were immature, dependent teenagers, while Old Madam Ning was a ruthless and heartless sister-in-law.
Yu Qingci sighed inwardly and said, "Uncles, it's not that we want to drive you away. People should know how to be grateful. You can't just enjoy the General's Mansion's support without giving anything in return."
Speaking of dividing the family property, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. When your father-in-law was alive, it was understandable that you two relied on the General's mansion for a living, but now that he's gone, how long do you two uncles plan to depend on your widowed sister-in-law? If word gets out, it won't sound good.”
These words touched a nerve with Old Madam Ning, and she said with a somber expression:
"Now I've come to terms with it. Whether this family splits up or not, I won't force you. Since you don't want to separate, then you can continue living here."
However, since we're staying here, we must abide by the rules. What I said yesterday wasn't a discussion with you. It's impossible for the General's Mansion to open its gates wide for your children's wedding and to carry the bridal sedan chair at this time."
The crowd looked at each other, and after a long while, the second master gritted his teeth and said:
"Okay, let's split up the family."
In the following days, the entire general's mansion was shrouded in an eerie atmosphere. The second and fourth branches of the family came and went frequently, their expressions hurried. Even the servants who came out of the two courtyards rarely made a sound, as if they were plotting something big.
Yu Qingci didn't intend to interfere much with the second and fourth wives' affairs, as long as they behaved themselves and stopped causing trouble. However, she still instructed Steward Lu and Granny Wang to perform their duties and guard the inner and outer courtyards, and to restrain all the servants and household servants. It would be impossible for anyone to act recklessly and freely enter and leave the General's Mansion as before.
The two brothers, Lu Yunzhang and Lu Yunbo, were the most anxious during this time. They came over several times at night, kowtowing and making emotional appeals to Old Madam Ning, saying that they were reluctant to part with her and that if they moved out, the General's Mansion would have no one to support it and would only decline.
Lu Yunzhang even subtly reminded Madam Ning not to trust her daughter-in-law Yu Qingci too much, since only they were her direct nephews. After her cousin Yun Chu got married, Madam Ning would still have to rely on her nephews to take care of her in her old age.
If they were to be forced out of the mansion, there would be no one to support Old Madam Ning in the future, and everything would be at the mercy of her daughter-in-law, Yu Qingci.
Although Old Madam Ning was gentle by nature, she was not a fool. With Granny Wang watching over her, no matter how earnestly the two brothers spoke, she never agreed to their request. In the end, she politely had them sent away.
Seeing that appealing to emotions was ineffective, the second and fourth wives, hiding in their own courtyard, were even more anxious, wanting to cause trouble at the eldest son's house but lacking the confidence to do so.
Madam Ning was very satisfied with everything, and praised her daughter-in-law with a smile:
“With Qingci by my side, I feel like I have a pillar of support. I don’t have to worry about anything anymore. I think we don’t need to wait until we separate the family. I can hand over the management of the household to you now. Only you can manage this household.”
Granny Wang chimed in, "Yes, our young mistress is indeed capable. After so many years, someone from the second and fourth branches of the family has finally been able to keep them in check. The old lady is truly blessed to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law. She can now enjoy her old age in peace."
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