She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 100 - 99: The Old Lady from the Third Room

Chapter 100: Chapter 99: The Old Lady from the Third Room

Madam Song’s words were shameless enough, yet not to mention how much Qi Yourong and Madam Song had filially served their parents, but to actually use this filial piety as a bargaining chip with her own brother was even more despicable.

Since the conversation had reached the point of no pleasantries, things became much easier to deal with.

Qi Younian sneered, "Little sister-in-law, I admit that not showing enough filial piety before our parents was my mistake, but I never spent the family’s silver on my marriage, and now that I have returned, I haven’t asked to divide the house and farm property left by our parents. There isn’t much farmland in the Qi family, just seven acres. As the eldest brother with a larger family, I received only three acres. The youngest brother, with fewer mouths to feed, got four acres. The eldest lives in the old house of our parents, and the youngest’s house was newly built with our parents’ money when we divided the property, complete with a main and side rooms—quite spacious. I’m not wrong, am I?"

Madam Song was internally shocked and her gaze shifted several times between Qi Younian and Ye Xinyan, thinking to herself. Since Qi Younian’s return, he had been busy with the livelihood of the second branch of the Qi family, acting like a good-natured man of few words. Yet unexpectedly, he was surprisingly shrewd, having inquired about the Qi family’s past in such detailed fashion.

Could it be that he spent these days asking Chengzi and got all the information organized, just waiting for her to start a quarrel so he could respond accordingly?

A brief silence ensued at the scene, and Qi Yourong finally saw an opportunity to speak.

"That’s more like it! When we divided the household, as the elder brother, I was considerate of the youngest and so I accepted our parents’ division. You’re my second brother, aren’t you? How can you be so calculative towards me? I didn’t mean to neglect your needs; indeed, our family has fewer people. You didn’t mention anything to me, how could I be blamed for this?"

Ye Xinyan couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

Her great uncle was quite the character, able to say such words with a straight face and without shame.

Looking at Madam Song again, she seemed not the least embarrassed for Qi Yourong. Instead, she looked expectantly at Qi Younian, waiting for his response.

Qi Younian also struggled to hide his amusement. Since his peculiar younger brother had said as much, there was no point in remaining reserved.

Qi Younian said, "Since Yourong put it this way, let’s just lay all the cards on the table. We are brothers from the same line, but now we have divided our households and live separately; none of us owes anything to the other. Whether it’s relatives or friends, the same circumstances apply with distinctions of closeness or distance. Let me be frank with you and your spouse, the way your family conducts itself really doesn’t sit well with me. Not just with me, but with my Ye Zi, Jiajia, and Nanny Jin as well."

If Qi Yourong’s family were really in trouble, Qi Younian, as the older brother, would naturally not stand by uncaringly, but he also couldn’t indulge his youngest brother’s unseemly greed at the expense of his older brothers.

However, Qi Younian was still not daring enough to express out loud the point about not abandoning Qi Yourong in times of true need. If his youngest brother’s family heard that they had an older brother to back them up, they might act with even less restraint, and that would be troublesome. Qi Younian himself did not fear such consequences, but now it seemed that Ye Zi was someone capable of bigger things; if such a sticky situation were to befoul him, shaking it off would be difficult.

On the other hand, Qi Yourong was rendered speechless by Qi Younian’s blunt words; their inability to get along was indeed a powerful and choking argument. Moreover, Qi Younian’s reaction when he pointed at him made Qi Yourong more cautious in his speech and actions.

His face soured, losing the angry momentum he had upon arrival, and he sulked unwillingly, "The second brother is just not as close to me, the eldest brother never treated me like this, always considering me when it came to good things."

Ye Xinyan curled her lips. That’s why she raised you like this, making the whole family irresponsible and shameless, only thinking about taking advantage of others without understanding what it means to give.

The couple, Qi Yourong and his wife, who had always been successful in dealings with their close relatives, suffered another setback with the second branch of the Qi family, feeling extremely despondent. Qi Yourong was fine, as he didn’t take things to heart, and it was just a temporary inconvenience.

Madam Song, however, thought differently. She was almost certain they could get a windfall from the Second Branch. Since the Second Branch had already given the rice tofu business to the first branch, they should be able to get some real benefits—for example, a job in the new business of the Second Branch that was both easy and profitable. If the Second Branch did well in the future, they might even give the business to them for free.

Such a beautiful wish didn’t even stand a chance to be voiced before being shoved aside by her sly old second brother.

Madam Song was furious and resentful, beyond the capability of words to describe.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to argue, but that no one in the Second Branch was easy to provoke. If she didn’t argue, the Second Branch would at least save face. But if they really fell out, who knew whether Qi Younian, who had just been talking gibberish a moment ago, would go crazy. He had served time in prison, been in the military, and killed people on the frontier.

Moreover, who knew whether the Second Branch might rise to prosperity in the future? Even if they didn’t, she didn’t want to do it. What are relatives for? Aren’t they there to be thoroughly used when needed? If they fell out, how could they leech off benefits in the future?

They had already been passive with the matter involving Liangzi’s child. If the Second Branch were to give their child to the Second Branch now that they were back, wouldn’t the benefits then be closely tied to their third branch?

Thinking back to when the Second Branch hired Chengzi, they had been momentarily annoyed and hadn’t repaired the relationship with the Second Branch, securing the benefits of future agreements, which led to today’s defeat. Qi Younian and Ye Zi had gotten along relatively well in their conversation before; if they had taken the opportunity to secure future benefits then, they wouldn’t be in such a passive position now. They couldn’t afford to make the same mistake again.

After reflecting on her painful experience, Madam Song was filled with regret and was certain not to speak to Qi Younian with hostility.

She sorted out her thoughts and emotions, softened her tone, and said to Qi Younian, "Second Brother hasn’t been back for long, and our two families haven’t dealt with each other for some time, which is why Second Brother feels estranged. If we spend more time together, Second Brother will see that both my husband and I are simple-minded and the easiest to get along with. We should foster a good relationship to test our compatibility, don’t you think? We came over today mainly to tell Second Brother that if you need help with any laborious matters, remember to call on my sons Qi Dong and Qi Liang. They’re family, and Second Brother mustn’t be shy or distance yourself from your own nephews."

Since Madam Song had no expectations left, she didn’t linger. She stood up from the edge of the kang, smoothed out her clothing, and said, "Second Brother has been tired all day and just got back. You should rest up; we won’t disturb you any longer."

After finishing, she even gave Ye Zi a smiling face, "Ye Zi, don’t mind what the Great Aunt said in haste just now. She’s old and can be inconsiderate at times. Ye Zi is someone who can handle big things—hold no grudges against the Great Aunt."

Damn, the old lady from the Third Branch is quite adaptable and difficult to deal with.

Ye Xinyan quickly put on an even bigger smiling face, saying repeatedly, "That would be wrong, that would be wrong. It’s the Great Aunt who should be forgiving Ye Zi’s impoliteness."

To Ye Xinyan’s surprise, Madam Song took her hand without warning, gently patting it twice, "Yes, good child, good child."