Chapter Sixteen: The Dispute

The eldest branch is truly cunning!

Zhou Li and Madam Sun exchanged a swift glance, both seeing shock mirrored in the other's eyes.

“Divide the family!” Madam Sun declared.

“Yes! We must divide the family!” Zhou Li immediately agreed.

Yang Yin shot them both a disdainful glance, her silent sneer unmistakable.

“You unfilial wretches!” Official Zhou trembled with fury, collapsing into the Grand Tutor’s chair.

Though increasingly disappointed in Zhou Shi, his eldest son, he held even greater contempt for the second branch’s couple.

They were good for nothing but stirring up trouble.

But Zhou Li believed his father was about to favor the eldest branch once again. Past trivial matters could be overlooked, but now it concerned the family inheritance.

He refused to give in and stiffened his neck. “It’s all your fault, Father! It’s your wishy-washy attitude that emboldens the eldest couple to act with impunity!”

“Eldest brother sneaked out the property meant for the household to give to his concubine, thinking you’d just scold him and let it slide! Yet, who could have expected he’d go so far as to marry her, turning that money into the eldest branch’s private estate!”

Zhou Li’s anger grew with every word. “I’m going to invite Grand Aunt and Second Uncle over right now!”

Without waiting for his father’s reply, he stormed out.

“Stop him!” Zhou Shi suddenly jumped up. “Why haven’t you stopped him yet?”

The servant waiting outside hurried after Zhou Li and restrained him.

“Come back here immediately!” Zhou Shi fumed. “Do you want the whole town laughing at our family?”

“Father! Please save your breath! Eldest brother has schemed this far; there’s nothing left to say. From now on, I’ll live separately with Second Brother!” Madam Sun’s face had turned deathly pale; she was fully convinced by Zhou Li’s reasoning.

Zhou Shi collapsed back into his seat, stunned for a moment. He glanced at Madam Yang, then at the defiant couple from the second branch, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. Was the head of the family really fighting over inheritance?

After going around in such a big circle... it was just for the family fortune?

Yang Yin sneered aloud, “Inheritance? How much wealth does the Zhou family have? As if they were fabulously rich!”

“Isn’t Father always bragging about our family’s modesty? You know best how much money is here. As for Mother-in-law’s dowry? She came from a merchant family, so yes, there’s some valuable dowry, but don’t forget, my Yang family is no small household either. I came into this marriage with a grand dowry of my own; there’s no need to covet Mother-in-law’s! To even bring a concubine into the family just to spite her dowry—how disgusting!”

Zhou Shi was momentarily speechless; indeed, Madam Yang had no need for such schemes.

The couple from the second branch calmed down a bit.

Madam Sun added, “That only proves the eldest sister-in-law had no such intentions. As for eldest brother... hmph!”

“Yes! We must divide the family!” Zhou Li repeated.

Zhou Shi’s expression grew darker.

After about fifteen minutes of delay, Zhou Shi finally returned.

Upon entering, he immediately felt the hostile gazes from everyone.

His face darkened sharply. Of course! These obstacles simply would not let him succeed!

Moreover, a group of people followed behind him.

“Grand Aunt? Second Uncle? Why are you here?” Zhou Shi was stunned to see the elderly lady walking at the forefront.

Was Father summoning everyone at home to pressure him? Was his relationship with his beloved already doomed?

Zhou Shi was equally shocked. Hadn’t he stopped the second brother from coming? How did this happen?

His gaze bore down like a blade on Zhou Li.

Zhou Li snorted coldly and turned away, avoiding the sharp glare.

Who could blame him when this old man was so biased?

Though furious, Zhou Shi forced a smile and greeted, “Aunt, Second Brother.”

Despite her silver hair and being steadied by a stately middle-aged man dressed elegantly, the elderly lady looked remarkably vigorous.

“Wenqing, such a big matter has arisen at home—why didn’t you inform me and your Second Brother?”

Zhou Shi looked embarrassed. He first invited the elderly lady to the head seat before responding, “It’s just the children being childish, some petty squabble—not wanting to trouble you, Aunt.”

“Hmph! Petty squabble?” Zhou Wenjin shot him a sharp glance. “It’s already reached the court; how is that petty?”

Zhou Shi stiffened. “How does Second Brother know?”

“The family affairs have stirred up a storm throughout the city. Many outsiders are watching the spectacle. It takes just a little money and inquiry to learn what’s happening at court,” Zhou Wenjin said grimly.

As he spoke, his eyes fixed coldly on Zhou Shi, clearly displeased.

Zhou Shi instinctively shrank back.

“Although your Second Brother has joined the court, he is adept at managing affairs. For your career, whenever you needed funds for favors, we never refused. Of course! That was for the sake of the entire Zhou family!” the elderly lady said.

Then she approached Zhou Shi. He quickly stood and supported her.

“Wenqing, you have struggled in the provinces for most of your life. Returning to the capital is no easy feat. The hardships of the local regions didn’t break you, nor did the intrigue of the capital. Are you now to be defeated by your own son?”

Zhou Shi felt a chill in his heart. Before, he was merely angry about Zhou Shi’s actions; now, hearing the elderly lady’s words, he felt cold and suffocated, as if something blocked his breath.

“The officialdom in the capital changes quickly! You know how hard it is to enter the capital, but leaving it is even harder. Do you want to try?”

“No!” Zhou Shi blurted, then bowed deeply. “Please, Aunt, give me guidance.”

The elderly lady returned to the head seat, coldly eyeing the restless Zhou Shi and then glancing at Yang Yin.

“This matter must be settled! Either allow that woman to enter the household as a concubine or send her far away.”

Before Zhou Shi could respond, Zhou Shi himself jumped up, “No!”

“How could Heart Mother leave me? If she leaves, I will die!” Zhou Shi said, his eyes instantly reddening.

The elderly lady sneered. “You overestimate yourself!”

Zhou Shi clenched his teeth. Indeed! These people simply did not understand his love.

“If you cannot bear to part with her, then let her enter as a concubine. Send for a matchmaker, no need to wait for an auspicious day—just have a sedan chair carry her in! Fulfill your passionate devotion!” she said.

“Otherwise, we have plenty of ways to remove that woman and keep you apart forever!”

“You all...” Zhou Shi was furious. He carefully scanned everyone around him, only feeling their cold stares and words cutting him like knives.

“How can you be so heartless?”

“Heartless?” Zhou Shi was so angry he wanted to kick him. “Haven’t we given you a choice? We even offered to fulfill your wish. Is that heartless?”

“How can Heart Mother be a concubine!” Zhou Shi nearly shouted.

“What? You want to divorce her?” Yang Yin said coldly.

“Niece-in-law, don’t worry. You are a good woman—we have seen it over the years! With us here, we won’t let him act recklessly!” the elderly lady added, her gaze full of warning as she looked at Zhou Shi.