Jinxiu is going to worship Granny Lu as her teacher in advance, but she still needs to discuss this with her mother-in-law. Wang Caiwei told Old Lady Han exactly what her husband said.
After hearing this, Old Lady Han squinted her eyes. In theory, Jinxiu is her granddaughter and Chunxue is her granddaughter-in-law. The two girls have similar status in her heart. It doesn’t matter who is chosen by Granny Lu as her apprentice.
But whether it is when Han Ze was sick or when he was taking the imperial examination, her daughter has helped him a lot. Although they are siblings, the daughter is married and they are from two families. Not to mention repaying the daughter’s favor, even the favors of the in-laws should be repaid. So Jinxiu can’t compete with Chunxue for the quota of Granny Lu’s apprentice.
But eldest son is right. It is Han Ze who owes eldest daughter a favor. When Han Ze has a promising future, it will naturally be necessary for the daughter to benefit.
Besides, in her heart, Chunxue was raised very delicately by her daughter, so she might not be chosen by Granny Lu. Jinxiu was smart, diligent and capable since she was a child, so she might be chosen.
“Take Jinxiu with you. I’ll explain to your elder sister.”
Old Lady Han waved her hand and said that she would take charge of everything.
With her mother-in-law’s words, Wang Caiwei felt relieved and took Han Jinxiu to Granny Lu’s house. As Old Lady Han said, Han Jinxiu was capable and clever since she was a child, and she could also read a few words. Among so many children, Granny Lu was most satisfied with her and planned to take her as her apprentice.
Many villagers came to visit Granny Lu’s house. She said she wanted to take Han Jinxiu as her apprentice, and then the villagers knew about it. Even Han Daya, who was sitting at home, heard about it. Her face immediately darkened and she gnashed her teeth in hatred. Han Ze was really an ungrateful person. She helped him so much and made them owe so much money on credit, but he even let Han Jinxiu compete with Chunxue for the apprenticeship. He really didn’t have her as his elder sister in his eyes.
And her mother also disappointed her again. Han Ze and his wife always obeyed their mother’s orders and listened to her mother’s words. Han Jinxiu must have obtained her mother’s permission to worship Granny Lu as her master. Mother knew that she planned to let Chunxue worship Granny Lu as her master, but she still agreed to Jinxiu’s visit to Granny Lu. It is obvious that in her heart, her daughter is not as important as her granddaughter.
Since they don’t take her seriously, they shouldn’t blame her for being ruthless.
When Old Lady Han arrived at her daughter’s house, she saw that her daughter’s expression was not right. She secretly said that it was not good and asked, “Did you also hear that Granny Lu was going to take Jinxiu as her apprentice?”
Han Daya pulled the corner of her mouth. She was in no mood to deal with her mother. Han Jinxiu was the same age as her daughter Chunxue. The girl had been sneaky and cunning since she was a child. She was not surprised that Chunxue could not compete with her.
Old Lady Han said, “There are so many children in the village who want to worship Granny Lu as their master. Although Chunxue was not selected, Jinxiu was finally chosen. It is a good thing for our family. Don’t have any ideas. If Jinxiu doesn’t go to worship, Granny Lu may not be able to choose someone she is satisfied with. Then she won’t accept apprentices.”
Han Daya naturally understood what her mother said, but even if Granny Lu didn’t accept Chunxue, she didn’t want her to accept Han Jinxiu. She would rather Granny Lu not accept apprentices, or accept other children in the village as apprentices. But she also understood that she couldn’t say this. That’s why she was angry.
Seeing that she remained silent and was only angry, Old Lady Han sighed and said, “Jinxiu is your niece. What’s the difference between her and your own daughter? What’s so unbearable?”
Han Daya was disdainful in her heart. The difference between a niece and a daughter was too big. Her own brother was useless, let alone her niece.
Old Lady Han felt that she had said everything she should say. As for whether her daughter understood what she said, she had not considered that aspect. After all, in her opinion, eldest daughter cared so much about her natal family. Even if Chunxue was not selected, but Jinxiu was chosen by Old woman Lu, she would definitely be happy for Jinxiu.
“You are busy. I’m going home.” After saying that, without waiting for Han Daya’s response, she turned around and strode away.
When she got home, Old Lady Han ran into Zheng Shi who was strolling around with her child. She couldn’t help but yelled at her in a deep voice: “You hold your one and a half year old child in your arms all day long. Why don’t you let him run around and practice his leg strength? There’s no need to spoil a kid like that. If you raise him as a young master, you should see if he has the fate of being a young master.”
Zheng Shi felt wronged. She was holding her own son and did nothing, but she was scolded by her mother-in-law. She just didn’t like her. Besides, some people want to hold a son but can’t. For example, the third daughter-in-law, who has been married for so many years, has only given birth to a girl. She hasn’t had one in so many years and doesn’t know when she will have one.
Old Lady Han looked at her unrepentant face and knew that she would not listen no matter what she said. She felt upset. The child was hers, so she could raise it however she wanted. If she didn’t listen to the old lady, she would suffer.
“It’s up to you.” Old Lady Han looked frustrated. After all, her daughter-in-law was not her own. It’s okay if she can listen to her mother-in-law. If she doesn’t listen, she will say that you despise her if you say too much. She really liked her eldest daughter-in-law. She is willing to listen to whatever you say. She would be satisfied with such a child even if she is her daughter-in-law.
Seeing that her mother-in-law was no longer angry, Zheng Shi was relieved. She did not appreciate her mother-in-law’s good intentions at all. She asked with a smile, “Mom, where did you go just now?”
Old Lady Han never had much to say to her two younger daughters-in-law. She said unhappily, “Why are you asking so many questions?”
Zheng Shi curled her lips. Even if her mother-in-law didn’t say it, she knew that her mother-in-law had gone to her eldest sister-in-law’s house. She rolled her eyes and asked, “Mom, do you think that since Granny Lu took in Jinxiu, eldest sister will be angry?”
Old Lady Han glared at her and said, “Do you think your eldest sister is like you, with a heart smaller than a needle tip, and gets angry about everything?”
Zheng Shi was afraid that her mother-in-law would scold her again. Even if she said that she was narrow-minded, she didn’t get angry. She smiled and tried to please her, “Yes, yes, eldest sister is not narrow-minded. She is as strong as the beams of our house.”
Old Lady Han glared at her. She was really angry and amused. She didn’t want to nag her, so she turned into the house and went to the vegetable garden with a hoe.
Zheng Shi looked at her from behind, and carried the child to the third son’s room. The third son’s wife, Wu Shi, was embroidering a handkerchief. Seeing her carrying the child over, she smiled and told her daughter Han Qingmiao beside her to move a stool for her second aunt.
Zheng Shi sat on the stool and put Xiaobao on the ground to play with his cousin. She came to Wu Shi and asked in a low voice: “Did you see eldest brother?”
Wu Shi nodded and looked at her strangely: “Isn’t eldest brother writing in the yard? Didn’t you see him?”
Zheng Shi glanced at her: “Of course I saw him. Eldest brother started reading books and practicing calligraphy after he got better. It’s obvious that he wants to take part in the college entrance examination next year. With the current situation of our family, do you think we have enough money to let him enter the examination room? Even if we borrowed the money, what if he faints in the examination room again?”
Wu Shi looked at her hesitantly: “You, what do you mean?”
Zheng Shi rolled her eyes and glanced at her in reproach: “I just don’t believe that seeing eldest brother wasting money like this, you don’t have any thoughts in your mind. Don’t you want to divide the family?”
Wu Shi put the needlework in her hand into the basket and said with a wry smile: “My parents are the head of the family. They don’t want to divide the family. There is nothing we can do even if we make a fuss. If we make a big fuss, the villagers will say we are unfilial.”
What she didn’t say was that the reason why the second sister-in-law was tougher than her was that she gave birth to two sons for the Han family, and she only had Qingmiao as a child, who was a girl. Even if she was angry, she was not as righteous as the second sister-in-law.
Of course, Zheng Shi knew that the biggest obstacle to the division of the family was her parents. She whispered, “Of course my parents don’t want to divide the family, but there is someone who can convince my parents. Even if they can’t convince my parents, as long as they can convince eldest brother, the family can be divided.”
“Are you talking about eldest sister?” What Zheng Shi could think of, Wu Shi could of course also think of. She frowned and said, “But why would eldest sister help us?”
Zheng Shi looked outside and saw that there was no one, so she said, “Eldest sister has been talking about letting Chunxue learn embroidery from Granny Lu, but Granny Lu accepted Jinxiu as her apprentice. Can you imagine how disappointed eldest sister must be?”
Wu Shi suddenly widened her eyes, “I heard that Granny Lu is old and lacks energy, so she only plans to accept one apprentice. Since she accepted Jinxiu, I think she won’t accept Chunxue.”
Zheng Shi smiled and said, “That’s right. I’m afraid eldest sister has been offended by the eldest couple this time. Eldest sister is very angry. If we find her, do you think she will help us?”
Wu Shi was stunned. After a moment, she said, “…Why don’t we go and try?”
Zheng Shi smiled with satisfaction.
No one knew what the two had said to Han Daya. After lunch, Han Daya came to her parents’ home. At this time, the family members had not yet gone to the fields and were taking a break.
She saw Han Ze working tirelessly in the yard, and the resentment in her heart was about to overflow. She couldn’t understand why Han Ze’s body got better without any signs. Was she really going to watch him pass the examination to become a scholar, and then pass the examination to become a juren?
She shook her head fiercely. Han Ze was against her. If he lived a good life, she would not. She didn’t want to live like her previous life anymore. She wanted to change her fate, so Han Ze must not pass the examination to become a scholar. She must beat Han Ze into the dust, otherwise she would not be able to sleep well.
Han Daya greeted Han Ze and went to her parents’ room.
Han Ze was writing when he suddenly heard the roar of Old Man Han. He was startled, stopped writing, frowned and thought, what did Han Daya say to make the old man so angry? He put the brush away, got up and went to the old man’s room. Looking at the tense people, he asked, “Dad, what’s wrong?”
Han Youtian was shaking, his face was red and his neck was thick with anger. He pointed at Han Daya and said, “Ask this unfilial daughter what she just said. She actually instigated us to split up.”
Han Ze looked at Han Daya, who had an expression of “I am not wrong”. She said with her neck stiff, “Mom, Dad, I am also doing this for the good of the family. My three younger brothers are my real brothers. I don’t want to see my sisters-in-law making trouble all day long. What’s wrong with advising you to separate the family? Why not follow their wishes? When eldest brother wants to continue to take the imperial examination, he can continue to take the imperial examination. They will have nothing to say. Isn’t that good?”
Of course not. Han Youtian was furious and said, “Why do you, a married woman, care so much about family affairs?”
Han Daya said, “Dad, don’t deny it. You must think I am right in your heart.”
Han Youtian’s face turned blue with anger. He knew that if he didn’t separate the family, Erlang and Sanlang would feel uncomfortable. They all saw him favor their eldest brother, but why didn’t they think that once their eldest brother passed the examination, the whole family would benefit. Why couldn’t they understand his heart?
“Han Ze, go call Erlang and Sanlang here. I want to ask them what they are up to.”
The Old Lady Han looked at them coldly. It was impossible for her eldest daughter to come here to persuade them to separate for no reason. It must be that Erlang and Sanlang’s wife said something to her.
Han Ze just turned around. Han Erlang and Han Sanlang heard the voice and ran over. They asked, “Dad, Mom, what’s wrong?”
Han Youtian narrowed his eyes, and the anger on his face had been restrained. At this time, no emotion could be seen. He asked expressionlessly, “Your eldest sister came here to persuade us to separate. What do you think?”
Han Erlang and Han Sanlang were stunned. Even if they wanted to separate, what did it have to do with eldest sister?
Zheng Shi and Wu Shi also came over. When they heard Han Youtian’s words, they showed joy on their faces.
Han Youtian glanced at the people in the room and saw the joy on the faces of his two daughters-in-law. He asked again: “What do you think about dividing the family?”
Han Erlang and Han Sanlang hesitated and could not say anything.
Zheng Shi was secretly anxious and said first: “Dad, let’s divide the family. We are willing to divide the family.”
Han Erlang glared at Zheng Shi.
Zheng Shi stiffened her neck, feeling that she was not wrong.
A smile flashed in Han Daya’s eyes. Let’s make a fuss. If Han Ze can’t concentrate on reading and writing, let’s see how he can take the exam for a scholar.
Seeing that the second sister-in-law had spoken, Wu Shi whispered: “Dad, I, I also agree to divide the family.”
Han Youtian sneered, “It seems that you all want to divide the family?”
No one in the room said anything.
Han Youtian asked again: “If I don’t let you split up, then it’s my fault?”
Han Erlang said hurriedly: “Dad, that’s not the case. People split up the family and the trees are big and there are many people in the family…”
Han Youtian snorted: “What do you mean by splitting up the family and the trees are big? It’s just that you don’t want to see your eldest brother’s sickness and spending money on his studies.”
Han Erlang and Han Sanlang were filled with shame, but Zheng Shi and Wu Shi did not feel anything. Their father-in-law was telling the truth. They had always disliked the fact that most of the money in the family was spent on eldest son. They were the ones who did it, but they were not allowed to say it. It was not that easy.
Han Youtian looked around at them and said, “No matter how you make a fuss, I will not agree to divide this family.”
Han Erlang, Han Sanlang, Zheng Shi and Wu Shi were all very disappointed. After a fuss, even eldest sister-in-law showed up, Dad still did not want to divide the family. They had no choice. They could not force Dad to divide the family. If they really forced Dad to do something bad, they would be really unfilial.
Han Daya didn’t expect that it would come to this, and her parents were still unwilling to separate. She wanted to say something, but before she opened her mouth, Han Youtian’s stern eyes fell on her: “Daya, a married girl is like spilled water. After you got married, you helped your parents a lot. We all know that and remember your kindness, but it doesn’t mean that you can interfere in your parents’ affairs.”
Han Daya lowered her head and didn’t dare to say much. She was afraid of arousing their suspicion, but she was very disdainful in her heart. If she didn’t want to disrupt Han Ze’s studies, would she have nothing better to do to care about her than interfering in her parents’ affairs? If others knew about it, what would they say about her?
Han Ze looked around, stood up at the right time, and said slowly: “Dad, Mom, second brother, third brother, if I faint again in the college examination in April next year, or fail the examination, I will give up and never take the imperial examination again in the future.”
Everyone in the room, including Han Daya, looked at him. Han Youtian and the old lady hesitated. If he failed the examination, he would take it again. How could he not take it?
Han Ze smiled and continued, “As for the money for next year’s exam, my parents don’t have to worry about it. I’m in good health now. I help the bookstore copy books every day, and I’m sure I can get enough money for the exam.”
Han Youtian and his wife didn’t say anything, but Han Erlang and Han Sanlang and their wives were relieved. As long as they didn’t have to pay for their eldest brother’s examination, they had nothing to say.
Han Ze looked at Han Erlang and Han Sanlang again and said, “Erlang and Sanlang, I’ve wronged you two for so many years. Your eldest brother is in poor health and still has to study. I alone have spent most of the family’s money, but I’m useless. I haven’t made any progress in my studies. I didn’t even pass the exam to become a scholar. I’m ashamed. Don’t worry, if eldest brother still fails to pass the exam to become a scholar next year, I promise to separate from you. If fortunately, your eldest brother becomes a scholar, so let’s not talk about the separation of the family, okay?”
The original body asked him to take good care of his family. The two younger brothers are also family members, so they must be taken care of.
If he fails to pass the exam to become a scholar, then the family will be separated. If he passes the exam to become a scholar, then the family will not be separated. This is clearly for their sake.
Han Erlang and Han Sanlang slowly lowered their heads. They were indeed wronged, but eldest brother who had always been proud actually apologized to them. It must be said that this shocked them and made them feel extremely guilty.
Eldest brother was not in good health, not because he wanted to. They were a family, and they were fussy about everything, which seemed to be a bit embarrassing for eldest brother. But eldest brother didn’t take it seriously and was still willing to consider them, which showed that eldest brother had never blamed them.
At this time, let alone Erlang and Sanlang, even Zheng Shi and Wu Shi had nothing to say. Eldest brother had already said so much, and it would be inhumane for them to mention the division of the family. Forget it, let’s wait until next year.
Han Youtian sighed heavily. Eldest son had arranged everything. What else could he say? He could only say nothing.
Old Lady Han had nothing to say. She knew the tempers of the children. Eldest son was not a cold-hearted person. When he passed the imperial examination, Erlang and Sanlang would benefit.
The matter of dividing the family was left at this point. Han Ze glanced at Han Daya and asked quietly, “Eldest sister, are you angry with me?”
Han Daya was indeed angry in her heart, but she concealed it very well. How did Han Ze see it? She pretended to be stunned, looked at him and asked, “What do you mean, why should I be angry?”
Han Ze sighed softly, “Eldest sister is really angry with me. I shouldn’t have let Jinxiu and Chunxue compete for the apprenticeship. After all, elder sister has helped me so much. If we do this, it will seem ungrateful.”
Han Daya remained silent. Han Jinxiu had already worshipped Granny Lu as her master. What’s the point of Han Ze’s apology? In her heart, Han Ze was an ungrateful person. What if she was angry?
Han Erlang and Han Sanlang didn’t think it was a big deal. Besides, eldest brother had already apologized, so the matter should be over.
Han Ze looked around at everyone, then looked at Han Daya, with a little blame in his tone, “Eldest sister is angry with me. If you are angry, just vent it on me. It is very wrong for you to persuade our parents to separate us brothers. What if our parents get angry and get sick?”
Han Youtian and Old Lady Han frowned, feeling uncomfortable. Daya was too serious. It’s just that Granny Lu accepted Jinxiu as her apprentice and rejected Chunxue, but she was so angry. She went back to her parents’ home and even instigated them to separate. It’s really wrong.
Han Daya saw that her parents changed their faces and hurriedly said, “It was Erlang and Sanlang’s wife who asked me to come back to persuade you.”
Zheng Shi and Wu Shi lowered their heads, looking at the tip of their shoes, pretending that they didn’t exist.
Han Ze smiled bitterly, “If it were usual, my elder sister would definitely persuade them not to separate. This time, not only did she not persuade them, but she agreed to them and came back to instigate our parents to separate.”
After a pause, he said, “Eldest sister knows very well that in our village, no family whose parents are still alive has separated. If we really separate, will our family still have a reputation? Even if I pass the exam and become a scholar, people will talk about the situation at home if they know about it. After all, my elder sister is still angry with me.”
Han Daya couldn’t find the words to reply him for a moment. She smiled coldly in her heart. As expected of a scholar, he spoke in a set of ways.
After thinking for a while, she said, “I didn’t think so much. It’s just that I heard Erlang and Sanlang’s wives say that it was so pitiful, so I thought it would be better to divide the family to avoid you making trouble.”
Eldest daughter came back and persuaded them to divide the family. Even though she had helped her natal family a lot, Old Lady Han complained about her and said unhappily, “You know that dividing the family has a bad reputation, but you still persuaded us to divide the family. What’s your intention? Just because we didn’t let Jinxiu give up worshipping Granny Lu as her teacher? Do you hate us?”
“Mother, how could I think that? “
Han Daya was speechless and angrily wanted to go back to her parents’ home to persuade them to separate. This was the most unsuccessful thing she had done since her rebirth. How could she be so bewildered and agree with Erlang and Sanlang’s wife to come back to persuade her parents to separate? This was not just picking on Han Ze, but causing trouble for herself.
“You didn’t think that way, but you actually did it.”
Old Lady Han said angrily. Her daughter really disappointed her this time. How could she, a married woman, get involved in her mother’s family affairs? And it was a big matter of dividing the family. She is so old; doesn’t she know what to manage and what not to manage?
Since she knew it and still did it, it can be seen that she is angry with them as Han Ze said.
Thinking of this, Old Lady Han became even angrier. Eldest daughter instigated them to divide the family because of a small matter. If there are unfair things in the future, she will inevitably resent them and do other extraordinary things.
As for eldest daughter’s help to her mother’s family, at this moment, she completely forgot about it, and only complained about eldest daughter.
Han Daya was shocked to see her mother’s bad face. She had been a good daughter in front of her parents for so long. Seeing that the image of a good daughter was about to collapse, she hurriedly said: “Mom, I really don’t have any other ideas. I just can’t bear my brothers quarreling every day.”
Han Ze whispered beside her: “Sister, we don’t quarrel every day.”
Erlang and Sanlang also said in unison: “Sister, we don’t quarrel.”
Han Youtian suddenly said, “Daya, you go home first. As for the matter of dividing the family, don’t get involved, just take care of your own business.”
Han Daya looked at her parents, then at Han Ze, and said angrily, “Mom, Dad, I really don’t have any other ideas. If I had other ideas, I wouldn’t help my mother’s family. You can’t deny me for such a small thing.”
Han Youtian waved his hand, “You should know that dividing the family is not a small matter. We all remember that you helped your mother’s family. Let your eldest brother repay you in the future.”
Old Lady Han also said, “Just because you helped your mother’s family doesn’t mean you can interfere in her family’s affairs.”
Han Daya left angrily.
Old Lady Han looked at her eldest daughter’s back and sighed, “I didn’t expect Daya to be so narrow-minded. She got angry with her family for such a small thing, and even instigated us to divide the family. I don’t know what she was thinking.”
Zheng Shi curled her lips. Who said that eldest sister-in-law isn’t narrow-minded?
Old Lady Han looked at the two younger daughters-in-law and said hatefully, “And you two are so troublesome. Why do you have to go to your eldest sister’s house to make trouble when you can’t talk about things at home?”
Erlang and Sanlang’s wives shrank aside like quails and dared not say anything. They were responsible for what happened today.
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152