The division of the family property surprised everyone, but what Jiang's father said next surprised them even more.
“This time, the division of the family is completely settled. Your mother, Jiang Lan, and the eldest son will live together. Jiang Qi will live with the second son’s family, and the third son’s family will also move out.”
"Father, how will my eldest sister live with my second brother's family?"
Jiang Shuheng didn't understand. Although Shao Qinniang had some reservations about his younger sister's divorce, he would try to persuade her. If the divorced sister didn't live with her parents and elder brother, what would the villagers think of their family?
“There are other women in the family who are about to be introduced to potential partners, and Jiang Qi’s divorced status has some impact on them. As parents, we can’t just consider one of our children.”
Agreeing to Jiang Qi's divorce and return home is our way of showing her love and care. Agreeing to her living with Shu Yun and her husband is also an expression of our love and care for Jiang Qi and Jiang Lan. We will try our best to meet your requests, but as for what happens in the future, there's not much we can do.
Mr. Jiang was also helpless; both his daughters were his flesh and blood, and he couldn't bear to part with either of them. If he insisted on keeping his eldest daughter by his side, she would suffer from the complaints and misunderstandings of her sister-in-law and younger sister.
"But this shouldn't be like this, it shouldn't be like this..."
"Big brother, I'm willing to live with second brother and sister-in-law. It's better for everyone, and everyone will be happy."
Jiang Qi looked at her conflicted older brother and shared her thoughts.
Jiang Qi could clearly see the joy in Jiang Lan and her sister-in-law's eyes. This was good; she couldn't let her own situation cause the atmosphere at home to remain somber. These were the closest people to her, and now she had to ignore them—it was too painful.
"Shuheng, it's decided then."
After Jiang's father made his conclusion, the others fell silent. Whether they agreed or disagreed, were happy or not, they kept it to themselves.
"Now, let me tell you about our family's property. The property I inherited from your grandfather included twenty mu of paddy fields, ten mu of dry land, and ten mu of woodland. Over the years, the family has gradually added another ten mu of dry land and ten mu of woodland. This is our family's fixed assets."
After the family divided the property, we lived with the eldest son, and Jiang Lan, who wasn't married yet, needed a dowry. So, for the paddy fields, the family kept ten mu, and Shushu and Wen's families each kept five mu of the remaining ten. The twenty mu of dry land was the same; the family kept ten mu, and your families each kept five mu. The woodland wasn't divided; over the years, all I've managed to harvest is firewood. If you need firewood, you'll have to cut it yourselves; there aren't any mature trees.
The house is yours to live in. After your mother and I pass away, the rooms we lived in will belong to the eldest son's family. As for the cash, each family will receive a corresponding amount. Here is the money you paid; you have the right to take your share.
That's the basic situation. The school is closed tomorrow, so I'll invite your third grandfather, the village head, and other relatives to come and witness this. Go back and discuss it. If you have any other objections, bring them up tomorrow.
Jiang's father waved his hand, telling everyone to go back, but he kept Jiang Qi and Jiang Lan behind.
"Jiang Lan, I agree to separate the family this time. It's a last resort for you to move out with your second brother and his family. You sisters grew up together, and Jiang Lan was raised by Jiang Qi when she was little. Now, some things have caused you to be in an awkward situation, which is not what we as parents wanted to see."
Jiang Qi, your parents are so sorry for making you live with your brother and sister-in-law. Your father agreed to your divorce and your return home, thinking he could protect you, but we never imagined it would end like this.
Jiang's parents felt deeply guilty; they didn't want their children to grow distant. However, as Shuyun said, as siblings grow up, they all develop their own selfish desires, having wives and children they value more. The bond between siblings will inevitably fade without them realizing it, and there's nothing that can be done about it.
"Father and Mother, you don't need to feel guilty. Being able to leave the Fan family is already the greatest love you can give me. Besides, I've thought it through carefully before deciding to live with my second brother and sister-in-law. My sister-in-law has a more open-minded personality, so I'll feel more at ease."
Jiang Qi didn't say anything bad about her sister-in-law, but her meaning was clear.
"I also feel sorry for Lanlan, because my actions have negatively impacted her marriage prospects. I'm truly sorry."
"Sister, I..."
I didn't know where to begin when I heard what Jiang Lan wanted to say.
"Alright, let's leave it at that. You should live a good life with your second brother's family. Remember, your parents are always here for you."
"I know, I know..."
Jiang Qi was deeply grateful to her parents; she felt incredibly lucky that her father had so readily allowed her to divorce and return home. As for Jiang Lan, she hadn't expected that she would want to marry someone of higher status.
After finishing their business, Jiang Qi and Jiang Lan returned to their room. The close relationship between the sisters was gone forever; there was always something between them, something intangible and invisible, yet undeniably real.
In the east wing, Mu Yi'an and Jiang Shuyun were also discussing something.
"Yi'an, do you have any objections to the distribution of the property?"
"No, these are our parents' things. How they divide them and how much they get is none of our business. They are theirs, and besides, our father divided them fairly. After all, in this era, the eldest son has certain natural advantages."
However, I'd like to discuss something with you: could we exchange the twenty acres of woodland for this?
One mu of woodland is worth about one tael of silver, so twenty mu would be twenty taels. One mu of paddy field is worth ten taels of silver, and we divided five mu, which is fifty taels of silver. One mu of dry land is worth about five or six taels of silver. We will use five mu of paddy field to exchange with the eldest son for twenty mu of woodland and five mu of dry land.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
