The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 583 - 581: Tough Stand

Chapter 583: Chapter 581: Tough Stand

"Now that the Wang Family’s young miss is holding up a household all by herself, her hardships have finally brought sweet rewards..." When the young shop assistant at the cloth store finished speaking, the more emotive women were wiping away their tears with handkerchiefs.

They couldn’t stop praising the young lady as a truly good girl, and felt obliged to buy even more because of her.

Lady Qian felt as though she had fallen into an ice cellar, these words were clearly about her own family and sister-in-law, weren’t they?

She couldn’t bear to listen any longer and hurried back.

After hearing Lady Qian’s recount, Wang Yongan immediately understood the meaning behind Zhang Pengju’s words.

He was being accused of selfishly selling the family’s property deeds without caring if his relatives lived or died, whereas now his family had turned their fortunes around and even become wealthy.

Meanwhile, he had lost his position as an adviser and his days were getting worse by the moment.

Logically speaking, he should detest Zhang Pengju, but upon reflection, Wang Yongan felt he should thank Mr. Zhang, because without him, he would never have known that the Wang Family had prospered.

Just in time, as he was strapped for cash, and if the Wang Family really had money, he could think of a way to obtain some silver to address his pressing needs.

With such plans in mind, Wang Yongan still wasn’t reassured and secretly made inquiries several times before learning that the Auspicious Fabric Store was immensely successful, selling only fabrics dyed with dyes concocted by his younger sister.

He heard that there were branches of the Auspicious Fabric Store not only in the province but even in the Capital City, doing exceptionally well.

This solidified his plans; if it really was his sister’s handiwork, regardless of where she acquired this craft or talent,

just by virtue of this skill alone, he presumed that selling the recipes could also fetch a good sum of money.

Wang Yongan’s desire grew even stronger.

But considering the disgrace of his past departure, returning home now was unlikely to be met with kindness. After mulling it over for two days, Wang Yongan carefully prepared many items, and only then set out towards Qilidun with Lady Qian and Jinchai.

※※※

Having learned of Wang Yongan’s intended return, Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin knew from the information that he had first heard of the Auspicious Fabric Store from a sworn enemy and had further made inquiries, evidently realizing that the recipes were provided by them.

He had been dismissed and was depleting his savings, plus his desire to return and daily entertainments likely meant that his silver coins were running low.

Coming back this time, he was surely after money.

With that in mind, it was even more necessary to make a clear and thorough division of the family assets, and it couldn’t wait until after the New Year.

Old Granny Zhang brought over a steaming bowl of noodles for Song Chongjin, and seeing both of their serious faces, casually asked, "What’s wrong? Chongjin, has something happened?"

Wang Yongzhu pursed her lips: "Brother Song has received news that Wang Yongan is coming back!"

"What?" Old Granny Zhang jumped three feet in the air.

"That scoundrel dares to return? Watch me break his legs! That beast..."

Wang Yongzhu held onto Old Granny Zhang: "Mother, when he comes back, I’ll give you a stick to beat him with. I’m just afraid he’s not coming back for anything good, we must completely divide up our household. We’ll call the Clan Leader to bear witness tomorrow!"

As soon as Old Granny Zhang heard this, she stopped jumping and cursing. "That’s the proper business. The business capital has been divided as well, and if we want to do business, next year, each share can just be taken out again. It’s more worry-free once it’s divided. Not to mention those three brothers of yours, each of your sisters-in-law is no easy character. Once the silver ends up in their purses, don’t even think about getting it back."

"By then, even if your foolish dad is bamboozled into giving money, that’ll be his own problem. If next year he doesn’t have the money to put forward as the capital, of course, he’ll have no share in the business!" Old Granny Zhang liked the more she thought about it, clapping her hands, wishing she could summon the clan leader right then and there.

"Chongjin, do you know when that loser, second brother, will arrive? Not tomorrow, right?"

"Auntie, you don’t have to worry; there are still quite a few days left, around December 20th, we have plenty of time." Song Chongjin said while slurping his noodles, attempting to comfort her.

Looking at Yongzhu and her aunt, holding a warm bowl of noodles in her hands, Song Chongjin felt all the fatigue of the day melt away.

This was simply a scene from a dream: a mother with a sharp tongue but a soft heart, a considerate wife, a warm kang bed... With life like this, what more could one ask for?

As soon as it was light, Old Granny Zhang could hardly wait, barely persuading herself to hang on until after breakfast.

That’s when Wang Yongzhu dropped a bombshell, "Brother Song went out yesterday, and when he came back, he brought news that Shopkeeper Wu said that after the New Year, he wants me to go to the provincial capital to discuss some matters with the owner. I’m thinking about leaving earlier, so why not invite the clan leader over before the New Year to completely split the family."

"Otherwise, I don’t know how long I will be in the provincial capital, and it might delay matters."

This was the excuse Wang Yongzhu had come up with after discussing it with Old Granny Zhang and Song Chongjin the previous day.

Sure enough, as soon as these words came out, other than Wang Laozhu, who was somewhat reluctant, no one else had any objections, as the family had already been mostly divided, and this was just a formality.

Worried about delaying his younger sister’s business, Wang Yongping immediately stood up, "I will go and invite the clan leader over."

After Wang Yongping had left, Wang Yongzhu then said, "I don’t know how long this trip will take, and I’m afraid I’ll come back late, delaying our family business. So, I’m thinking about dividing up the business capital as well, so each family can take their share home. At the start of spring, before the business reopens, we can each put the silver back together."

No sooner were these words spoken than Liu Xiaoqiao cast a quick glance at Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yonggui also seemed to notice something and looked at Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yongfu was still saying, "Why go through all this trouble? We can just keep the money with our mother for safekeeping and just get it from her when the time comes; it won’t delay anything."

Old Granny Zhang rolled her eyes, "The family’s already split, why should I ask for trouble? Take your shares back to your own homes! Besides, I’m planning on following Zhuzhu to the provincial capital to see the big world out there."

Seeing that neither Wang Yongzhu nor Old Granny Zhang would relent on dividing the money, and considering Song Chongjin returned last night, Wang Yonggui couldn’t help but feel a twinge of unease.

He quickly agreed, "That’s good too! Let’s each take our share for now, and it won’t stop mother from going to the provincial capital." He then added with a smile, "Mother, go and broaden your horizons in the provincial capital and bring back some exotic items from the capital city for your son and grandchildren, eh?"

Old Granny Zhang spat back at him, "Bring what? A hammer, perhaps?"

Wang Laozhu was still somewhat unwilling, "Since there is no time, we can wait until you return to split it, why must it be done before the New Year? Wasn’t it said we were going to have a reunion New Year?"

"Dad, we’re all together, how’s that not a reunion? Besides, the family has already been mostly divided; it doesn’t make a difference to go through this final step." Wang Yongzhu’s tone was gentle, but her intention was very firm.

Seeing the look of disappointment on Old Wang, Wang Yongzhen couldn’t help but speak up, "Little sister, think about dad—"

"Big sister, shut up! Which married woman meddles in her parents’ affairs about splitting the family? If you think that you’re recovered and have the energy, why not go clean up the old house and move over tonight?" Wang Yonggui said impatiently.

With that said, Wang Yongzhen lowered her head and went to wipe away her tears.