Doted By The Regent King
Chapter 406: Different Moods

Chapter 406: Chapter 406: Different Moods

Parents following their eldest son in their later years is an unwritten rule in ancient times, but if parents wish to live with another child, they can also follow their hearts. In large clans, this would bring criticism to the eldest son, but in farming households, there are not so many rules.

Therefore, when everyone heard that Old Lady Zhou was going to live with her youngest son, no one was surprised. People say that commoners favor their youngest children, and it was well known in both families that Old Lady Zhou favored her youngest son.

However, Madam Lu wouldn’t accept it. She refused to believe that Old Lady Zhou had no hidden silver left; surely she had kept some as her "coffin funds." Now that she was with her younger brother-in-law, wouldn’t all that benefit him?

Furthermore, no matter whom she lived with, there had to be provisions for food and two taels of silver for living expenses each year. Who knew if all this silver would end up in her brother-in-law’s pocket?

And even if Old Lady Zhou’s health was still robust, and she could do things like sewing shoe uppers or other work, she was a labor force. If she lived with her younger son’s family, that labor would belong to them.

Whether it was silver or labor, Madam Lu felt it couldn’t be lost to others.

"Mother, since ancient times, raising sons has been for support in old age. When brothers divide the household, shouldn’t they live with the eldest son? Who has ever heard of living with the youngest son? You should stay with us instead. We will definitely not tax your strength," Madam Lu said as she surreptitiously nudged Zhou Xuennian, "Isn’t that right, husband? Moreover, if word of this gets out, it won’t sound good for your reputation as the eldest son!"

Zhou Xuennian didn’t care who Old Lady Zhou lived with, but upon hearing what Madam Lu said, he also spoke, "Dajun’s mother is right, Mother. You should stay with our branch of the family instead."

Zhou Xueli frowned, just about to speak, when Lady Liang tugged at his sleeve, "Let’s listen to Mother."

Old Lady Zhou then said, "What formalities do country folks have? I’ll live with whoever I want to live with. Would anyone dare to complain about an old woman like me?"

"In-law, you can’t speak like that. Living with the eldest son is a matter of heaven and earth’s will. If you live with your younger son, won’t others say your son-in-law lacks filial piety? Scholars pay great attention to their reputation!" The Lu family also chimed in.

Zhou Xuennian was startled and hastily said, "Mother, my future rests upon your decision."

With those words, Old Lady Zhou’s brows also furrowed.

The Liang family didn’t speak. They also had scholars in their family and were naturally clear about such rules; they had no standing to speak.

"Let’s do this, there are only you two brothers after all. Why not live with each alternately, changing every half a year?" the village head spoke up.

This seemed to be the best solution. Old Lady Zhou thought for a moment and agreed.

"Starting from next year then. Lady Liang will give birth in the first half of the year, so I’ll first go to their place to help out a bit," Old Lady Zhou paused before adding, "But no matter whose home I stay in, my pension silver and grain allowance should not be any less."

"Of course," they replied.

After they divided other belongings, the two mothers’ brothers and the village head among others witnessed the signing of the papers, all with their handprints impressed upon them, several copies were made, and thus the household was divided.

Madam Lu felt somewhat aggrieved. Logically, the eldest son should have taken seventy percent, and the ancestral home should have been theirs, but now it had been divided.

But thinking of her husband’s future prospects and the wealth he would surely earn later on, she let it go, huffing, "There will be a day when they come begging to us."

With the household divided, Lady Liang and Zhou Xueli were also happy. Whatever happened in the future, at least they were not completely tied together anymore.

Only Old Lady Zhou’s eyes were dull and listless.

"Dad, Mom, lots of government officers have come outside," Yongyong rushed inside, yelling as he ran.