Chen Zhanshan stared blankly at Old Mrs. Chen, unable to believe these words had come from his own mother.
She actually agreed to become a eunuch?
Did she know what it meant to be a eunuch?
He must have misunderstood his mother's meaning, he must have...
Old Chen was also taken aback, and asked with a surprised look, "Old woman, what are you saying?"
Grandma Chen squinted and cleared her throat.
“Old man, since the eldest son is reluctant to part with Qing’er and wants to shoulder everything himself, and someone has to sacrifice anyway, I think this is not a bad idea.”
Serving in the palace was a pretty good job; not only was the food good and the clothing warm, but there was also a monthly salary, much better than toiling away at home.
"Old woman, stop it! Do you know what going to the palace means? It means having your manhood cut off! Without that thing, how will you carry on the Chen family line?"
"Our Chen family is quite large. The eldest son's family has two sons, the second son's family also has two sons, and the third son is still young and has plenty of opportunities to have children."
The eldest son now has a worthy successor. His entry into the palace provides him with funds to arrange a marriage for his son, Chen Feng, saving him the trouble of working as an apprentice in a town restaurant.
Old Chen was somewhat tempted, but the thought of having his manhood cut off sent chills down his spine. Although his wife's analysis was correct—that the benefits of his eldest son going to the palace outweighed the drawbacks—he still kept shaking his head.
"No, no, just hearing that makes my neck feel cold. Cutting that thing off would hurt so much! Most people couldn't bear that torture."
"Look at your pathetic self, don't even try to be clever. What are you doing grinning like that? Since Qing'er won't marry Butcher Li, and the eldest son can't bear to see Chen Han suffer, then let him go to the palace to work." Old Madam Chen made the final decision.
Old Man Chen had no choice but to nod in agreement, "If Qingya doesn't want to marry, then this is the only way."
Chen Zhanliang shook his head vigorously, "Father, Mother, you can't let my eldest brother go down this path. So what if my third brother doesn't take the imperial examination? I think as long as our family is together, that's more important than anything else."
Old Mrs. Chen glared at the talkative Chen Zhanliang with displeasure, "Shut up! If you care about your elder brother, you can go to the palace."
Chen Zhanliang trembled with fear, immediately shut his mouth and tightened his pants, afraid that his manhood would be cut off.
Chen Qingqing smiled, revealing the true colors of the Chen couple. They would stop at nothing for money, even abandoning their own son. How ruthless!
Chen Zhancai's eyes lit up. If his eldest son went to the palace to work, he would have money every year. Not only could he support his studies, but he might also have extra money to redeem Ruhua from Chunfeng Tower. Then he could be with Ruhua openly and legitimately, enjoying the pleasures of having two wives.
He suppressed the joy in his eyes and said insincerely, "Brother, you can go to the palace with peace of mind. As long as I'm here at home, I will definitely not let your sister-in-law suffer any grievances."
"Third brother is right." Old lady Chen's expression softened for the first time as she looked at Chen Zhanshan. "Eldest brother, you should pack your things and go to Qingshui Town to register tomorrow. The sooner you enter the palace, the sooner your third brother can go to the academy to study."
Liu Fengjiao's heart pounded wildly, her eyes gleaming with undisguised joy. She was rich! Rich! Once her eldest son entered the palace, even if that young girl didn't want to marry, she probably wouldn't have a choice.
Once she's drugged and knocked unconscious, it'll be up to me to decide who she marries.
She suppressed a smile. "Brother, we will definitely take good care of your wife and child, so you can go without worry!"
Chen Zhanshan was stunned, his heart breaking as he listened to his closest relatives push him into the abyss.
He was just trying to scare his parents, thinking that because he worked hard at home, they cared about him. He never expected them to be so heartless...
Lin's face was deathly pale, her whole body trembled uncontrollably, and her eyes were filled with sorrow.
Her legs went weak and she knelt down beside Chen Zhanshan, not caring about being embarrassed, and hugged him tightly.
"Honey, even if we have to beg, our family will stay together."
No matter how luxurious the palace is, or how much money you can earn, my children and I don't care. You mustn't abandon us and take that path!
Chen Qingqing also persuaded, "Dad, I agree with Mom. Even if we have to beg, as long as the five of us are together, there's no obstacle we can't overcome."
Chen Zhanshan was awakened by his wife and daughter's voices. Seeing their anxious expressions, he managed a weak smile.
"Xiumei, if I go to work in the palace, things will be better at home, and Qingya won't have to marry Butcher Li."
Chen Qingqing was almost laughing in exasperation at Chen Zhanshan's thought process. Did he think that sacrificing himself could protect his wife and children? What a foolish idea.
She took a deep breath and slowly said, "Father, if my grandparents truly cared about you, they would have agreed to let my third uncle take a year off before taking the exam again, instead of choosing to sell me or send you to serve in the palace."
From then on, he was crippled and could only live the rest of his life without dignity. You cannot become a victim of their selfishness.
Hearing his daughter's words, Chen Zhanshan was slightly moved.
“Qing’er, your father doesn’t want to either, but if I don’t go to the palace to serve, where will your grandparents get the money to support your third uncle’s studies?”
Chen Qingqing was speechless upon hearing this. Her father had always believed that supporting Chen Zhancai's education was his duty as the older brother.
So for so many years, they have allowed Old Man Chen and his wife to exploit them, and they have always considered it their right.
They were about to send him to the palace to become a eunuch, but this foolish father was still thinking about others.
"Father, where my grandparents get the money to support my third uncle's education is their business, it has nothing to do with you."
Also, you are your grandparents' biological son, yet they were willing to let you become a eunuch.
If you're not home, my mother and I won't have a good life; in fact, we'll be even worse off.
Not only will I be sold to Butcher Li, but my mother and brother will also become destitute and helpless.
"You live a miserable life in this house. If you truly cared about us and wanted what was best for us, you wouldn't be allowed to enter the palace."
With tears in her eyes, Madam Lin said, "Zhanshan, my daughter is right. If you're not here, who will care about us?"
After listening to the two men's words, Chen Zhanshan regained his senses. At this moment, he felt lingering fear and dread, but more than anything, he felt fortunate. If he had really left, what kind of life would his child and his wife have lived?
He belatedly spoke up, "Xiumei, Qingya, I won't go to the palace anymore. I will protect you forever."
Lin's tense nerves relaxed, feeling that she was completely soaked in sweat, and she whispered affectionately, "Zhanshan, you've finally figured it out."
Chen Qingqing smiled as well, "Dad, as long as our family is together, even the hardest days will pass."
Chen Zhanshan looked at the trickle of blood on his daughter's forehead and gently wiped it away. "Does it hurt?"
Chen Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief, "With Dad here, I don't feel the pain."
......
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