Grandma Chen was so flattered by the villagers that she didn't leave but instead pulled Grandpa Chen to sit down on a big rock.
Everyone in Nanshan Village knows that Old Lady Chen kicked her eldest son's family out, not only separating the family but also severing ties with them.
Everyone was waiting to see what would happen, but surprisingly, Chen Zhanshan not only didn't go hungry, but his life got better and better after the family split up.
At this moment, some people felt sorry for Old Man Chen and his wife, while others were filled with disdain.
Some of them, disapproving of their actions, even made sarcastic remarks.
"Who do you think is the luckiest person in our village?"
"Is there any need to say more? It must be Zhanshan. After the family split up, he not only didn't go hungry, but his life got better and better. It's all thanks to his good daughter."
"That's right. That girl is a capable child. I heard that she not only cured Master Fan's itchy disease, but also dug up ginseng on the mountain."
"Incredible! Qing'er looks like a lucky child. I saw the Fan family's carriage pick her up early this morning."
"......"
As they were talking, they saw Chen Zhanshan walking over from not far away.
A woman holding a palm-leaf fan casually said to Old Lady Chen, "Sister-in-law, your eldest son's family has made a fortune and has bought you many things to show their respect, hasn't he?"
"Of course, everyone in our village knows Zhanshan is a filial son." Old Mrs. Chen said this against her will so as not to lose face.
"Oh, really? Look, isn't that Zhanshan? He must have bought some delicious food from town to treat you again."
Several villagers burst into mocking laughter.
Old Mrs. Chen's smile vanished instantly. They really knew to bring up the most sensitive topic. Didn't I know the eldest son's family had made a fortune? Did I need your gossipy mouths to remind me?
The eldest son is honest and simple-minded, and indeed filial. The reason he ignored her the first two times must have been because that brat was there and instigated him to treat her that way.
Seeing the villagers laughing and sneer, she felt angry, but then an idea popped into her head.
As long as you chat warmly with Chen Zhanshan for a few minutes, these old fogies will naturally stop gossiping behind your back.
Thinking of this, she smiled proudly, "Zhanshan is a filial son, so naturally he will give me the best food."
Upon hearing this, the smiles on the faces of several villagers instantly froze.
Old Mrs. Chen's words might be true. After all, blood is thicker than water. No matter what happens, Chen Zhanshan is still a piece of her flesh. If she asks, Chen Zhanshan probably won't refuse.
Grandma Chen looked smug. As Chen Zhanshan approached, she greeted him with a smile, "Zhanshan, you're back. You must be exhausted from your journey."
The sudden appearance of Old Mrs. Chen startled Chen Zhanshan, who reflexively blurted out, "Not tired."
Old Mrs. Chen's smile widened, and she called out to Old Mr. Chen, who was still in a daze, "You old fool, aren't you getting up and going home? Can't you see your son is back?"
Chen Zhanshan frowned, wondering what Old Lady Chen was up to. He ignored her and continued walking back.
Old Mrs. Chen glanced at the crowd with disdain, then pulled Old Mr. Chen along and followed.
In no time at all, we arrived at the main gate.
Now that Chen Qingqing isn't home, Old Mrs. Chen isn't worried about not getting the money. Even if Chen Zhanshan has no money, taking a bag of fine rice would be good enough; at least it would solve the food crisis.
The more she thought about it, the happier she became, and she shouted, "Zhanshan, you stop right there!"
Chen Zhanshan paused, turned around, and asked, "Why did you call me?"
Old Mrs. Chen forced a very unnatural smile. "Zhanshan, I haven't been feeling well lately and want to see a doctor and get some herbal medicine to help me recover. But I don't have any extra money on hand right now. I was wondering if you could give me some money first?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhanshan sneered inwardly. No wonder the third brother suddenly came back; he must have been up to no good and had ordered the old couple to cause trouble again.
Chen Zhanshan flatly refused, "I have no money. My family's life has just started to improve. Where would I get extra money? Besides, Zhancai just came back. Since you're not feeling well, you should have him take you to see a doctor. Why are you looking for me?"
Old Mrs. Chen's expression changed instantly. She put her hands on her hips and adopted the posture of a shrew cursing in the street. "You heartless wretch! You're just spouting nonsense. Everyone in our village knows that Qingya dug up a ginseng. You're saying you don't have any money? You're kidding me!"
"The ginseng was dug up by Qingya, so the silver should rightfully belong to her. I have no right to dispose of it. Don't even think about taking any of that silver; I won't give it to you."
"Fine, I raised you with great difficulty, and now that you've made a fortune, you want to ignore your mother's life and death? Don't you have any conscience at all?"
Chen Zhanshan snorted coldly and glanced at Old Madam Chen with disdain. "How do you expect me to manage you? When you kicked our family out, did you ever think that I was your son? Did you have even the slightest bit of pity for me?"
"Don't say anything useless. You are the child I carried for ten months and risked my life to bring into this world. No matter where you go, you are still my son."
Don't think you can sever ties with me just because you have a piece of paper. Let me tell you, our Great Ning Dynasty has a rule that even if we separate from the family, you still have an obligation to support me in my old age and pay my living expenses.
“That’s right, your mother is right. If you don’t give us the money, we’ll go to the county government and sue you, and you’ll go to jail,” Old Man Chen chimed in confidently.
Chen Zhanshan trembled with rage, a look of disgust flashing in his eyes. His face darkened. "I'll say it again, the money was earned by Qing'er. I have no money to give you. Go ahead and sue me if you want!"
The eldest brother is honest and never lies. He must be telling the truth when he says there's no money. It seems that the money that brat earned really wasn't given to them.
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