Seeing that Old Lady Chen was so stubborn and oblivious, Chen Ruolan was so angry she wanted to ignore her. But when she thought of Chen Qingqing's arrogant manner that day, she felt a burning hatred.
She had to patiently say, "Grandma, although we've severed ties with your uncle's family, he's still your biological son. Can he just stand by and watch you suffer?"
Old Mrs. Chen recalled how she had threatened suicide on the day the family property was divided, yet she hadn't received even the slightest bit of sympathy or pity from Chen Zhanshan. A bitter feeling welled up inside her.
She couldn't understand why her eldest son, who had always been filial, had become so heartless, abandoning even his own mother.
She shook her head vigorously. "Ruolan, you don't know, your uncle's family is all wicked. Even if I were to die now, they wouldn't shed a single tear."
"Mother, since force doesn't work, why don't you try a gentler approach?" Liu Fengjiao said with a smile.
"Fengjiao, do you mean I should fawn over them?" Old Mrs. Chen twitched her lips with a bitter smile. "No, that brat acts like she's seeing an enemy whenever she sees me. I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself and we'll start arguing again."
“Mom, what are you thinking? I’m not telling you to get close to that brat, but to go find my older brother. After all, you’re his mother. As long as you ask him for money, I don’t believe he won’t give it to you.”
Chen Ruolan added fuel to the fire, "That's right. According to the laws of the Great Ning Dynasty, even if the relationship is severed, the son still has the obligation and responsibility to be filial to his parents."
"What you're saying is true."
"Of course it's true. When I went to town this time, I specifically asked a good friend. The laws of the Great Ning Dynasty stipulate that even if you sever ties with your parents, your uncle can still abandon you and my grandfather. As the saying goes, 'A son's duty is to be filial. If one's parents are alive, but one's children live separately from their parents, one shall be sentenced to three years of penal servitude.'"
Chen Zhancai glanced at Chen Ruolan with satisfaction. This girl was indeed intelligent. The Daqing Dynasty governed the country with filial piety. Even if parents drove their sons out of the house, no matter how far they went, they still had the obligation to support their parents.
He pretended to be nonchalant and added fuel to the fire, saying, "Ruolan, even if that's true, your grandmother can't really go to the county government to sue your uncle, can she?"
Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Chen's eyes lit up immediately. "Ruolan, I trust you, but what if they don't give me the money?"
Chen Ruolan's eyes darted around. "Grandma, tomorrow, while Qing'er isn't home, you and Grandpa go to Uncle's house. As soon as you enter, start crying and shouting that you're not feeling well and need money for medical treatment and medicine. Have Grandpa chime in, saying that if you don't have money for treatment, your body might not be able to hold on. I don't believe Uncle can be so heartless as to abandon you."
"Will this work?" Old Mrs. Chen asked hesitantly.
Liu Fengjiao quickly said, "Mother, it will definitely work. If they don't give it to you, just sit on the ground and make a scene, disturbing their peace. If they still don't give you the money, just say you're going to the county government to sue them. Even if you sue them all the way to the Emperor, they must give you the alimony they owe you."
"Yes, yes, look at me, I'm getting more and more confused as I get older. How could I forget this trick? This is called 'It's not gentlemanly to harbor resentment, and it's not true manly to be ruthless.' It's just the right time to vent my anger."
Old Mrs. Chen glanced at Old Mr. Chen, who had remained silent, and asked, "Old man, do you have any thoughts?"
"I'll do whatever you say, whatever you say we'll do."
"Alright, let's give it a try then." Old Mrs. Chen made up her mind in her heart that if she didn't cut off some flesh from the eldest son's family, she would have lived such a long life in vain.
Chen Zhancai smiled smugly. "My mother's actions are worth two men's. This way, I won't have to worry about the eldest son's family not handing over the money obediently."
He stretched and stood up. "Mom, you take care of things at home. We'll head back to town first. Ruolan, help your grandma with some chores at home. Don't act like a pampered young lady and always have others wait on you."
Chen Ruolan nodded obediently, "Father, I know."
Grandma Chen glared at Chen Zhancai reproachfully, "My granddaughter is not good at housework. I am happy to take care of her. You go back to town and study hard. You don't need to worry about things at home."
Liu Fengjiao smiled and said, "Then thank you very much, Mother. Let Ruolan rest at home for a while, and I will come back to pick her up when she is in a better mood."
"Okay, you can go without worry. I will take good care of Ruolan."
******
Mr. and Mrs. Chen escorted Chen Zhancai's family all the way to the village entrance.
Several villagers who were enjoying the shade under the tree couldn't help but joke when they saw Old Lady Chen's reluctant expression.
"Sister-in-law, Zhancai has already disappeared, so don't crane your neck to look."
"Yes, Zhancai is a grown man now, he won't get lost, so don't worry!"
"That's right, besides, he has a wife to take care of him, so what are you worried about?"
Grandma Chen shook her head and smiled, "Look at what you're saying, my third son studies in town and only comes back once in a long while. As his mother, I have to see him off!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Sister-in-law, you’re right. Zhancai usually studies in town, so it’s really not easy for him to come back.”
"Who can disagree? Zhan Cai has been smart since he was a child, and he will definitely have a bright future. You must nurture him well."
"Yes, Zhancai is a sensible child. He'll definitely amount to something in the future. You two old folks can just enjoy your retirement!"
"......"
Grandma Chen was flattered and her mouth stretched to her ears. "You're right. My Zhancai said he'll definitely pass the imperial examination next year. I'll invite you to his wedding banquet then."
Old Chen's face darkened. Couldn't this old woman tell that people were mocking her? She was even bragging along. Now, no matter how he looked at his third son, he couldn't see anything reliable. But he was afraid of his wife, so he could only go along with his old woman's whims.
Upon hearing Old Lady Chen's words, the villagers curled their lip in disgust, saying, "You're so fat, you're already getting cocky. You've got a nose in the air, and you're really taking it for granted."
With your good-for-nothing son, he'd never pass the imperial examinations, not even once in his lifetime.
Although they looked down on him from the bottom of their hearts, they didn't show it on their faces.
An elderly man spoke up, "Then I'll be waiting. You'd better make sure to prepare a good event."
"Don't worry, old brother, I guarantee there will be wine and meat, you can eat your fill." Old Mrs. Chen was so happy she was almost blinded by joy.
Old Chen was getting anxious and couldn't help but nudge her with his elbow, lowering his voice to say, "Old woman, shut up. This is still uncertain. Let's go home!"
"If you want it back, then go ahead and do it. Why are you rushing me? You're so annoying."
......
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