"I didn't ask how my son found out, but Madam Shen said that if he didn't let Shanyin go back, he would write a letter back to his parents' home. Mother, you know that I am where I am today because of my in-laws. Please let Shanyin go back. I will never mistreat my own son."
Madam Dong was still not happy.
Dong Shanyin's biological mother passed away. Although he was registered under the name of the second wife, he was raised by the old lady herself, and the bond between them was the deepest among the grandchildren.
"Can't you talk to her about it? You've been married for so many years and you've never taken a concubine, nor have you had any children born out of wedlock. Why can't she tolerate Shan Yin?"
Dong Zhichao remained silent.
He knew what was making Shen angry. Noble ladies with some family background would not want to be a second wife, let alone her marrying him. Even if it was her first marriage, it was still considered a marriage of unequal status, which was indeed hard for people to accept.
“Mother, Shen is probably very angry too. Let’s send Shanyin away first, and we can deal with the rest later. I’ve already said that I won’t let Shanyin suffer.”
Madam Dong didn't think so. Her son wasn't around anymore, so why would she say she wouldn't let him suffer a loss? That was impossible.
Thinking about this, the old lady felt even more that she couldn't just send her grandson away like this, so she said, "How about we live separately? Over the years, I've saved up some money. When the time comes, I'll buy a house, and your brother's family and I will move out. We can have Shanyin live with us. Your wife shouldn't have anything to say then!"
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhichao couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. He was the eldest son, and although his father had passed away, his mother was still alive. If he asked his mother and younger brother to move out, his and Shen's reputation would be ruined.
Isn't this indirectly forcing him?
“Mother, your son is still here. What kind of image would it be if you and your younger siblings moved out to live elsewhere? This won’t do.”
The old lady certainly knew what the consequences of moving out would be, but that's what she said, and she was indeed forcing him to make a choice.
"Just tell your wife that. She's already a member of the Dong family. She can't side with outsiders. If she spreads this family matter around, her reputation as a second wife won't be good. She knows what's important."
Madam Dong was a shrewd woman, with a knack for scheming, and naturally knew how to deal with her daughter-in-law's little schemes.
After leaving Madam Dong's courtyard, Dong Zhichao didn't go to Madam Shen's place. Instead, he went to the study. If he went to Madam Shen's place at this time, it was obvious what she would do.
Dong Zhichao was also annoyed.
"Master, the eldest young master has arrived."
The young master the servant mentioned refers to Dong Shanyin. The two families had not separated, and the younger generations were all ranked together.
Dong Zhichao: "Let him in."
"Yes, sir."
Dong Shanyin didn't know his biological father was Dong Zhichao when he was a child. He grew up in the care of the old lady, who doted on him. However, the second wife and her husband were more attentive than considerate. Dong Shanyin always felt that his parents didn't love him much.
It wasn't until Dong Zhichao became an official and the family moved in together that he grew up and the old lady told him about his background. Only then did he realize that he was actually his uncle's biological son.
He had his grievances, after all, Dong Zhichao was an official, and Dong Zhichao's younger brother used to be just a peasant, but now he only gained some respectability by following Dong Zhichao.
Despite harboring resentment, Dong Shanyin knew that her aunt's family was powerful and that she would suffer if the aunt found out. Therefore, she dared not say anything and even tried her best to please Madam Shen.
After Dong Shanyin came in, he said with a smile, "Uncle, the business has made quite a bit of money this month. Would you like to take a look at the account books?"
Dong Zhichao didn't smile as usual upon hearing this. Dong Shanyin sensed something was wrong and immediately asked, "Uncle, what happened?"
Dong Zhichao nodded: "Your aunt knows you are my son."
Upon hearing this, Dong Shanyin's face immediately showed utter astonishment.
How could that be?
The family members who knew about it kept it a secret, so how could it have been discovered after all these years?
"Then... what should we do now? Did your aunt say anything?"
Dong Zhichao: "She wants you to go back to your hometown."
Dong Shanyin remained silent for a while, then asked, "What does Uncle mean?"
He wasn't surprised that the Shen family wanted him to return to his hometown, but he didn't know what Dong Zhichao's plans were.
Should we keep him?
Should we listen to Shen and let him return to his hometown?
Dong Zhichao was silent for a while before saying, "What I mean is that you go back and stay for a while, and come back when your aunt has calmed down. She's in a bad mood right now."
Upon hearing this, Dong Shanyin lowered his head, feeling very uncomfortable. He had always known that he was not important in his biological father's eyes.
Compared to this place, his hometown is not as wealthy, and he has no connections there. It's not as convenient to do anything there. With a father who is a county magistrate, he can do so much more, so naturally he doesn't want to go back.
“Uncle, the business can’t function without someone. Why don’t you talk to Aunt again? If that doesn’t work, we can discuss this after the business is settled.”
Dong Zhichao looked at Dong Shanyin and didn't know what else to say: "Okay."
After leaving Dong Zhichao's study, Dong Shanyin went to Old Madam Dong's courtyard with a sullen face.
Dong Shanyin knew perfectly well who cared for him the most.
"My dear grandson, what brings you here?"
"Grandma, my uncle just told me, and my aunt knows too."
Upon hearing this, the old lady's expression changed, and she immediately comforted her, "Don't be afraid. As long as Grandma is here, no one will let you go back. No matter how capable your aunt is, she is just a daughter-in-law in our family. She wouldn't dare to do anything too outrageous."
Hearing the old lady's words, Dong Shanyin felt much more at ease.
That evening, Dong Zhichao told Madam Shen about the old lady's plans, which infuriated Madam Shen.
“What does Mother mean by this? Does she really intend to move out with my younger brother and sister? What does that mean for us? Does she even know that Dong Shanyin is just a grandson? Is she willing to disregard your reputation as her son for his sake?”
Of course, Madam Shen knew that the old lady was saying this to force her. It was precisely because she knew this and was still angry that she deliberately said it.
“Shanyin grew up in her presence, and they have a deep bond. It’s normal that she can’t bear to part with him.”
Shen was still indignant, but if she really quarreled with her mother-in-law over Dong Shanyin, she wouldn't gain any advantage.
Finally, Shen came up with a solution.
“This house was too small when we bought it. Now that Shanming is growing up, there’s not enough room for him. Why don’t we buy a house next door and let Dong Shanyin and his wife move out? Mother misses her grandson, so she called him over to come and see him.”
Even if she couldn't get Dong Shanyin back to his hometown, Madam Shen didn't want to see him in front of her; he was really annoying.
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhichao thought it was a feasible idea, a compromise between the two sides, since the Dong family was indeed in the wrong in this matter.
"I'll talk to my mother about it tomorrow."
The next day, Dong Zhichao told the old lady about it. Although the old lady was still unhappy, she finally agreed and knew that it was already very difficult for Shen to back down.
Dong Shanyin wasn't entirely satisfied with the result, but it was better than actually going back to his hometown.
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