Chapter 216:
“Li Depei, I’ll give you time to think it over carefully, and see about these few children in your home.”
Li Zuzu stared at him sharply.
Old Li Tou glanced at Muqing Yunliang, Jiabao, Jiayong.
And Liuliu, Miaomiao, these two girls would probably not marry well in the future due to the influence of their Second Uncle and Fifth Brother’s reputation, right?
“This, sigh, alright, what can I do now?”
“Then it’s settled. Since you’ve decided, I’ll explain how to divide your family!”
Li Zhengxin cleared his throat, “According to Zhao Li Village tradition, when dividing the family, each month give the elders pension of two hundred wen, plus ten jin each of rice flour and grains and oil. That’s enough for you two to live on!”
“What? Only two hundred wen? I don’t agree!”
Zhou Shi jumped up in anger!
Then what’s the point of dividing at all!
“Zhou Shi, two hundred wen per family, with your four sons that’s eight hundred wen, plus the rice flour and grains and oil which amounts to about one tael of silver. Isn’t that enough for you to eat and drink?”
Li Zuzu said seriously.
“I, what if I get sick?” Zhou Shi’s eyes darted around, and she quickly said.
“If sick, naturally pay silver separately. Depending on your condition, pay the silver that needs to be paid, provide the care that needs to be provided, and buy nutritional supplements that need to be bought.”
“Hmph! That’s more like it. However, Gui’er hasn’t married yet, so he should still live with us old couple!”
Zhou Shi thought for a moment and then said, “Also, when Gui’er marries, look, we two old ones won’t be able to do things anymore, so they still need to help out!”
Marriage isn’t that easy. The man’s side has to provide betrothal gifts, hold a banquet, buy belongings, maybe even repair the house… and so on. Basically, make them several act as suckers!
“Mom, Fifth Brother was born to you and Dad. We didn’t make you have him. His schooling relies on us, so why does his marriage have to rely on us too!” Xiao Zhou Shi was extremely unwilling!
“What’s wrong? Now it’s us old couple giving our opinion. If you’re not happy, then no division!”
This little wench, how did she end up fancying her as the oldest daughter-in-law?
Xiao Zhou Shi pursed her lips!
“Daqiang’s wife, as children and daughters-in-law, you should prioritize the elders’ health. Of course, we see all your efforts. That said, your in-laws are indeed getting old.”
“They say the oldest brother is like a father. As the oldest son and daughter-in-law, even if the in-laws have no ability or worries, the oldest son should take the initiative to handle things for his younger brother and run around for it. Daqiang, is that right or not…” Zhao Zuzu said slowly, then turned to ask Li Daqiang.
“Yes, yes, Ancestor is right!”
Xiao Zhou Shi snorted coldly, indignant. Turns out being the oldest is one’s fate, and they just deserve it!
If you don’t have the ability, don’t have kids. Having them just creates trouble for them!
“Since it’s already happened, this matter can only be borne by you children. This is also to divide the family!”
With Xiao Zhou Shi pacified, Zhou Shi then said: “Also, Third Child’s family, two hundred wen for you won’t do. The other branches are fine, but you have many children at home? You just have one money-losing girl, and San Mao can hunt too. You must give us eight hundred wen a month!”
The crowd outside gasped!
This Zhou Shi is too ruthless, her appetite is huge!
“Zhou Shi, this isn’t right. Same sons, why is two hundred wen enough for them, but San Mao’s family has to pay eight hundred wen? Too much…” Li Zuzu stood up angrily, filled with righteous indignation.
“Hmph! I have my reasons for demanding this, otherwise no deal!”
Zhou Shi’s considerations were complex. Eight hundred wen wasn’t much at all, even too little. But with so many people, asking for too much might get her scolded!
One is Li Gui, currently without livelihood, definitely freeloading off them!
Second, this third branch isn’t just hunting. This Luo Zhi’er can produce silver, how can that not make her jealous?
“Not only that, the livelihood you do in town, the silver from that must also be shared with us!”
Old Li Tou was a bit dazed after this series of blows, only now reacting. This time the old woman finally said something right.
“Right, right, heh, Old Three, your mom nearly died giving birth to you, labored for days and nights, so she’s stricter with you than others. More demands are only right. Don’t overthink it!”
This moral kidnapping was really effective. Suffer the loss and don’t even think about it. Luo Zhi’er knew it well in her heart…
“Dad, Mom, San Mao is too embarrassed to speak. I’m thick-skinned, so I’ll say it. You often bring up how Mom suffered giving birth to San Mao. You say it, but we’ve never seen it. I’ll look into this matter later!”
“What? What’s there to look into?”
Old Li Tou shuddered. This third wife was a bit shameless.
How could she doubt her parents’ words?
“You know you’re thick-skinned?”
Luo Zhi’er’s face reddened a bit,
“You use this to demand many unfair things from San Mao. Even selling his life, he never complained. How many hunts has he brought you? Which meat you eat didn’t come from him?”
Old Li Tou’s heart was uneasy. This was all the old lady’s fault. She often said it out of habit, and he followed suit.
He glared at Zhou Shi. This is what you said, you fix it!
Zhou Shi’s eyes darted, pretending not to hear. She didn’t care, let him figure it out!
“We’re talking family division now, why bring up these things?” Old Li Tou dodged, cursing Zhou Shi slyly in his heart!
“These are his contributions, how can we not mention them? The above are his injustices, how can we not think about them? He’s a living person too.”
Old Li Tou’s face flushed red…
“Sigh, honest and kind people always suffer!” Someone chimed in.
“As for what you said about Mom laboring three days and nights nearly dying to give birth to him, once I verify it, it’s not too late to give you silver for that part…”
“As for monthly living expenses, we should match the others, but I don’t want to leave any pretext. Six hundred wen a month. More than that, I don’t have even if you want it!”
As soon as she said this, the villagers outside started chattering,
“This San Mao’s wife is too honest. Zhou Shi is clearly trying to cheat them, yet she’s willing to give it. That’s six hundred wen!”
“Yo! Our village has no tradition of giving six hundred wen. Two hundred wen is already high!”
No wonder Li Zuzu was angry. His family divided the same way. His six children gave two hundred wen per branch per month, over one tael a month, plus some things for his two daughters. Enough for the two elders to live on!
“It’s also to completely separate the family, cut ties cleanly. Better to settle it!”
“Heh! Hard to say for these two elders! After all, she’s the birth mother. How could they completely separate? Break the bone, tendons still connect!”
“Wait and see!”
Outside discussions buzzed. Zhou Shi considered, gave Old Li Tou a look, see what he says.
This old thing could be really despicable sometimes. Now pretending ignorance, not even looking at her, making her decide.
He takes all the good, leaves her with the bad reputation!
The two were even.
Forget it. Silver in hand is more real than face.
“Alright then! Six hundred wen. Remember to bring the silver when it’s due!”
“Cough! As for what you said about looking into San Mao’s birth, forget it. So long ago, who remembers?”
“Besides, wouldn’t that make people laugh? I just said it offhand! As his mom, could I deceive him?” Zhou Shi said.
