Chapter 222 Dividing the Family
The family meeting was a success. The Zhang family members reached a consensus on a certain point, and no one would do anything behind the scenes that would annoy others or disrupt harmony.
However, lying in bed at night, Xu Cuilian tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
The previously sleepy butcher Zhang was no longer sleepy and gently patted his wife's arm: "What's wrong?"
Xu Cuilian sighed, her tone tinged with uncertainty: "Da Kui and the other two are already married with sons. Do you think we should divide the family property ahead of schedule?"
Butcher Zhang frowned slightly, but wasn't angry: "Don't you like lively atmospheres? Why are you thinking about splitting up the family business?"
If the parents don't separate the family while they are still alive, the couple will have another 10 or 20 years of good life ahead of them. Separating the family so early is really out of step with worldly customs.
"A large family is lively, but it also brings a lot of worries. When a large family is together for many years, there are bound to be some disagreements. The three brothers, Da Kui, are very close, but their three daughters-in-law each have their own ideas."
Xu Cuilian had nothing to hide from Zhang the butcher and spoke her mind:
“Look at the families around here with lots of sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and granddaughters. Aren’t they all in chaos every day, providing plenty of entertainment for outsiders? I don’t want to see Da Kui and his family become like that.”
The three sons are good, and the three daughters-in-law are also good.
Although she reprimanded her younger daughter-in-law today, she knew in her heart that her daughter-in-law's actions were also for the sake of her own family, hoping to secure a good future for her infant grandson.
Otherwise, during dinner, she wouldn't just give her a few words of scolding.
After listening to his wife's words, Butcher Zhang thought for a moment and said, "What you said makes sense."
Xu Cuilian rolled her eyes at him: "Such a big matter as dividing the family property, would I lie about it?"
After saying that, she couldn't help but sigh again: "If I were a wicked mother-in-law, I would have made my three daughters-in-law serve me every day and just get by. But I'm not one."
Not only that, but she also had to constantly monitor her three sons' families, fearing that they might not be doing well.
Seeing that her husband remained silent, Xu Cuilian guessed that he was not happy, so she patiently tried to comfort him:
“You’ve worked hard all these years, it’s time for you to relax for a few days. You hand over the pork business to those three brothers, and then the two of us can stay at home and enjoy our retirement.”
These words instantly struck a chord with Butcher Zhang.
Looking back on all these years, I've gotten up earlier than the rooster and gone to bed later than the dog, barely getting ten full nights of sleep a year. A wave of intense fatigue washes over me.
Seeing that the man was interested, Xu Cuilian pressed on:
“Da Kui is the eldest son. After the family splits up, we will definitely live with the young couple. They are both busy and don’t have much time to take care of the child. We can lend them a hand so they can focus on making money.”
Butcher Zhang nodded, agreeing with the arrangement.
“We have raised three sons. We can’t rely on Da Kui and his wife to support us. Er Kui and Xiao Kui also need to provide for our old age. Each family should give us two taels of silver a year. The rest depends on their filial piety.”
Xu Cuilian slowly planned for her husband, making sure not to make things difficult for her other two sons when it came to their old age: "If we get sick and need to see a doctor, the three brothers can split the cost."
For the Zhang family, two taels of silver a year was not much for retirement.
Butcher Zhang nodded again: "That's how it should be."
Seeing that he was not opposed to dividing the family property, Xu Cuilian smiled and said, "Then let's agree to this for now. After the New Year, we'll invite my second brother to come and be our witness. We'll put it all in writing so that the brothers won't have any disputes in the future."
Butcher Zhang: "Good!"
On the day we returned to the village to pay respects to our ancestors, the weather wasn't very good. A layer of heavy, persistent clouds covered the sky, but thankfully it didn't look like it was going to rain.
Xu Chenglin got up early, put on the brand-new clothes and shoes that Sheng An bought for him from Jinling, combed his hair neatly, and even applied hair oil, making it look shiny and bright, so shiny that even flies would slip on it.
Seeing his daughter-in-law frequently looking at the top of his head, Xu Chenglin puffed out his chest and asked in a booming voice, "Doesn't this look very smart, just like those rich and powerful gentlemen?"
Sheng An suppressed a laugh and nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, yes, Father, this outfit makes you look especially noble. Anyone can tell at a glance that you are an extraordinary person."
"Hahaha, my son is a top scholar in the imperial examination, and I am the father of that top scholar. I am quite a figure in Qingzhou!"
Xu Chenglin was all smiles as he was coaxed, and he smoothed a tiny wrinkle on his brocade robe with his large hand, feeling incredibly pleased with himself.
When people reach a certain age, what they want most is to see their children and grandchildren succeed.
He had a son who was a top scholar in the imperial examinations, which put him ahead of those who had high hopes for him in Xujiaba. Nothing could have made him feel more gratified and proud.
Looking at his somewhat childlike father, Xu Jinnian shook his head helplessly and took out a jade pendant of excellent quality to hang on his waist.
Xu Chenglin admired the jade pendant with great satisfaction, but suddenly felt that something was missing in his hand.
He quickly ran back to his room and, from a pile of gifts that Sheng An had bought for him before, found a rather heavy gold-inlaid jade thumb ring and put it on his thumb.
Dressed like this, he looks exactly like a wealthy gentleman.
Xu Chenglin was extremely satisfied and waved his hand, saying, "Let's go!"
This time when he returns to the village, he's going to put on a good show in front of those people, making them open their eyes wide and see how embarrassing it was to have wronged Jin Nian as a jinx back then!
As usual, Sheng An and Xu Jinnian rode horses, while Xu Chenglin boarded a carriage, driven by two guards, Li Tian and Xu Cuilian, who was going to join the fun at the Zhang family's house.
The rest of the Zhang family also wanted to go and see what was going on, but they were too busy with chores both inside and outside the house to get away, so they could only watch them leave with regret.
At the entrance of Xujiaba Village, a group of men, women, and children, led by the clan chief, stood there waiting early in the morning.
Even Xu Laoda's family, Xu Laosi and his wife, and Ma Dahua were forced to come and wait together under the clan chief's orders.
Originally, Xu Laosi and his wife planned to go to Jinling to take care of Xu Huaining, who had broken his leg. However, Xu Huaining specially asked someone to come to their home and repeatedly told them not to go, saying that he would be back in a month at most.
Even though Xu Laosi and his wife were worried, they didn't dare to go against their son's wishes. They could only stay at home like statues waiting for their son to come home and make them proud.
Unlike the other excited villagers, Xu Laoda and the others had ashen faces, looking worse than if they had swallowed a live fly.
Seeing their hostile attitude, the clan chief coldly snorted: "Today is a joyous day for the entire Xu clan. Who are you trying to impress with those long faces?"
Old Master Xu was extremely stubborn. He retorted, "It's just passing the imperial examination. Is it really necessary to make such a fuss? We from Huaining are also successful candidates in the imperial examinations. We're no worse than anyone else!"
Mr. and Mrs. Xu nodded repeatedly.
Exactly! Their son was also a scholar, but that old bastard clan chief didn't give them any face at all and insisted that they come to the village entrance to welcome that cursed lone star.
Hmph, when Huaining comes back, they will definitely file a complaint and make Huaining teach that old bastard a lesson, and see if he dares to make things difficult for them in the future!
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