Although Xiao Dayong and Xiao Yi were determined to fight for their own interests and were prepared to break off relations, and even Li Shi and Zhu Mama had made their stance clear from the beginning, they were still frustrated and heartbroken when they encountered shrewish women like Widow Liu and Xie Yujiao who had no sense of reason.
But since we're already here, no matter who's making a scene, we need to get to the bottom of this.
So Li didn't hold back and said...
“You’ve only been here for a few years. My husband and I have been doing everything from when I was sixteen to when I married into the family.
We served the elderly and the young for over twenty years. Whether you call it merit or hard work, who can compare to us?
Moreover, we are the eldest sons, and according to the ancestral rules, we are entitled to half of the family property. Why can't we take the lion's share?
Besides having a child, what have you contributed to the family?
Most of the land in our family was won by our second and third sons on the battlefield at the cost of their lives. For so many years, it has been our whole family that has been taking care of the land.
In the past, we had no choice but to do this to support our fourth son's education and to bring honor to our family.
Now the fourth brother is a disappointment. Not only has he wasted all our years of hard work, but he has also become a criminal and been exiled. This has prevented anyone in our family for three generations from taking the imperial examinations, bringing shame to the entire clan. What face does his family have left to occupy his elder brother's land?
Not only that, the third brother died on the battlefield. You took the land, but how did you treat Haitang? Haitang was the only daughter of the third brother, and you almost tortured her to death. You heartless bastards, aren't you afraid that the third brother will come up to settle accounts with you in the middle of the night?
Our family consists of more than ten people, including my son and grandson. My second son's family of four only has two acres of land, and my second son has difficulty walking. We still need to make a living, right?
It doesn't make sense that those who earn more end up starving, while those who stay at home and boss people around live a life of luxury.
"Grandpa, you're the clan chief, you should explain this matter to me."
Before Xiao Zhengde could speak after Li finished speaking, Widow Liu said disdainfully...
"We didn't break his leg, so what does it have to do with us!"
No sooner had she finished speaking than Granny Zhu went up and slapped her several more times across the face.
"You're talking nonsense!"
Even if Xiao Yi is lame, it's not your place to say that. Even if he's lame, he's still someone who has made great contributions in battle. If it weren't for them fighting on the front lines, someone like me would have been captured by the Tatar barbarians long ago. What kind of ending do you think you would have?
His crime was judged by the Court of Judicial Review, and even the Emperor considered his merits and pardoned him. Who do you think you are to dare insult him?
If I ever hear you say another word that disrespects my son-in-law, I'll tear your mouth apart!
Since Granny Zhu had already decided to rely on Xiao Yi, her son-in-law, for her old age, she always stood firmly in protecting him.
This did warm Xiao Yi's numb heart a little.
In his memory, Old Mrs. Xiao had never protected him like this before.
Widow Liu was completely stunned by the beating, but having just exchanged blows, she was no match for the old witch and could only cry and beg Old Man Xiao and Xiao Zhengde to intervene on her behalf.
Old Man Xiao, feeling sorry for her, directly scolded Granny Zhu.
"My Xiao family's affairs are none of your business, an outsider! If you dare lay a hand on Liu'er again, get out of here!"
Old Man Xiao used to never step forward and always stayed in the background, playing the good guy. But now he actually lost his temper for Liu Shi. However, when he called Liu Shi "Liu'er", everyone in the room almost felt nauseous and vomited!
Xiao Zhengde even rubbed his ears in exasperation.
Granny Zhu retorted without holding back.
“My dear in-law, you’re mistaken. My daughter is Xiao Yi’s wife and has given birth to his big, healthy son. Xiao Yi’s land is my daughter’s land. How can I be considered an outsider when I’m managing what belongs to my daughter?”
But this Lady Liu, a lowly concubine, what right does she have to speak?"
Zhu Mama and Li Shi have already said what needed to be said, and any further arguing would only result in Xie Yujiao and Liu Shi throwing a tantrum without any reason.
Xiao Zhengde got a headache whenever he saw someone throwing a tantrum. Seeing that Liu Shi and Xie Yujiao were about to speak, he cut them off and shouted loudly.
"Alright! Shut up, all of you!"
Your family's affairs are as obvious as lice on a bald man's head.
Liu, you're just a concubine, you have no right to speak here, you'd better keep quiet.
Ms. Xie, although it's not easy for you to take care of the two children, your eldest brother and sister-in-law have worked hard for the Xiao family for so many years, which is much harder than yours. Besides, you were taking advantage of the eldest and second eldest sons in the first place, and now it's time to give them back.
The reason I and several elders are here today is to redistribute your family property.
Just follow the rules set by our ancestors, and give each person their allotted amount.
Making a scene won't help.
Let me be clear from the start: if you insist on making a scene about dying, I'll go with you. The moment you die, I'll write down the reasons and post them at the village entrance. Everyone has sharp eyes; they all know what happened.
From this day forward, no more crying, making a scene, or threatening suicide in our Xiao Family Village! If I don't correct this evil trend, I, Xiao Zhengde, will change my name!
Upon hearing this, the other clan elders also spoke up directly.
“Crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide are all the behavior of a shrew. If we can solve problems by throwing tantrums, what’s the point of laws and clan rules?”
It's because of shrewish women like you that the village's reputation has been ruined.
This kind of behavior must be stopped.
If it weren't for the Xiao family's unruly behavior, their village wouldn't have stagnated.
Therefore, Xiao Zhengde and several clan elders were determined to correct this unhealthy trend and made their stance clear from the outset, laying out the unpleasant truths upfront.
Liu and Xie Yujiao were dumbfounded. Their infallible tricks were no longer working, so they were just going to suffer a loss!
But they really had no other choice. They didn't dare to die, so they all cried and begged Old Man Xiao to make a decision for them.
Before Old Man Xiao could open his mouth, Xiao Zhengde scolded him.
"Shut up!"
You never figured out how to live your life. You've torn your family apart and even affected your clan. The fact that you weren't expelled from the clan is a huge favor to you!
I'll say it again: the bad habits and evil practices in the village must be eradicated, starting with your family.
Your family is the most disorganized of all. The father is not like a father, the son is not like a son, the wife is not like a wife, and the concubine is not like a concubine.
I can't let you spoil the whole bunch. Today, you either obey my orders or you and your concubine are expelled from the clan.
The Xiao family will not tolerate such a person who doesn't understand respect for elders and hierarchy!
Xiao Zhengde was furious and showed no mercy to the old man.
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