"Grandparents, you cannot treat us this way. If you drive us out, how are we to survive? I still intend to study and take the examination to become a scholar. How can you expect me to do that without a penny to my name? Even if my parents haven't received credit for their work, they have certainly put in the effort. The entire Zhao Family has been sustained by their toil, so why are you the ones turning around and driving us away?" Zhao Yan decided to start with a soft approach before turning firm.
Given the mindset of Zhao Dahe, Younger Mrs. Li, and the others, they would never admit that the Zhao Family relied on the second branch's contributions. Although it was a fact—Zhao Gao did the labor in the fields, Madam Chen handled the household chores, and even Zhao Yun, young as she was, had to wash the laundry for the entire family—the other members of the Zhao Family always considered it their due.
Zhao Yan found the situation truly beyond words.
Whenever it was mentioned that the Zhao Family's accomplishments were earned by the second branch, they would instinctively object from the bottom of their hearts, convinced that the second branch only survived because of them.
That was precisely why Zhao Yan intended to lay out the second branch’s contributions before them. These arrogant, short-sighted people in the Zhao Family would never allow the second branch to get ahead, and only by provoking their conceit could he goad them into suggesting a formal separation. Only then could he quietly go about making his fortune in the future.
"Oh, wonderful! You truly are the spawn of that wretch Madam Chen, putting on such airs for your two useless parents. Without us, your branch would have died long ago! Your father was a curse from the moment he was born; his birth brought natural disasters and caused our harvests to dwindle. Your mother has that invalid mother of hers lying in bed, and as for you, you aren't long for this world either—who knows how much has already been spent on your medicine! I must have been blind to let you pests stay in the Zhao Family this long. Now, get out! Get out this instant!" As expected, Zhao Yan’s words ignited Younger Mrs. Li’s fury.
"Grandmother, how can you drive us away? Grandfather is still here, and the family hasn't been divided. We still have to show you filial piety in the future; we aren't leaving," Zhao Yan said, continuing to pour fuel on the fire. He was determined to force this separation today.
"Ha! I’d fear losing years off my life if I waited for your filial piety! Separation? That’s not enough—I want to sever all ties with you pests! It’s all of you, you jinxes, who caused Dalang and Erlang to fail their exams and let you, this disaster, take up a spot instead! It gives me a headache just looking at you. Dalang, go and call the Village Chief and the clan elders. I am going to deal with these heartless wretches today!" Mrs. Li raged.
Hearing Mrs. Li's words, Zhao Wei felt a secret thrill.
*Who told you to provoke me? Now you’re going to be kicked out by Grandmother. I can't wait to see the lot of you wailing and crying for your parents when the Village Chief and the elders arrive. It will be truly satisfying.*
Zhao Wei hurried off to fetch the Village Chief and the elders.
Seeing Zhao Wei being so obedient, Mrs. Li felt that her favoritism toward her eldest grandson had been well-placed; he was far more filial than those in the second branch.
As for the jinxes in the second branch, they weren't even worth mentioning.
When Zhao Yan heard Mrs. Li suggest severing ties, his heart blossomed with joy. This old woman’s assistance had far exceeded his expectations.
Regardless, the outcome was positive. Zhao Yan quickly stood back beside Zhao Gao, keeping a close eye on him. While he felt no particular affection for the Zhao Family, he cared about Zhao Gao. The words of Zhao Dahe and Mrs. Li were stabbing directly into Zhao Gao’s heart, every syllable a sharp sting.
Zhao Yan was genuinely worried that Zhao Gao might not be able to handle it.
"Father, listen to me this time. I will explain everything to you later," Zhao Yan whispered. He feared that Zhao Gao might try to intervene and stop the separation. Although Zhao Gao had no voice in the decisions of Zhao Dahe and Mrs. Li, Zhao Yan decided to brace him for what was to come, just in case.
As for Madam Chen, Zhao Yan wasn't worried. His mother might be a bit timid, but as the old saying went, "a mother is strong." She might be muddled in the small things, but she never faltered when it came to major issues.
Moreover, she now knew that her son had been harmed and nearly drowned, and that the culprit was being protected while her own son was being blamed. Zhao Yan was Madam Chen’s pillar of strength; he had been a frail child from birth, and only through her devoted care had he managed to grow up. At this moment, she likely wanted to tear Zhao Wei to pieces.
As for his younger sister, Zhao Yun, although she hid it well, Zhao Yan had studied psychology; one look told him that she was also playing the fool to hide her true capabilities.
It was precisely because the environment of the Zhao Family and her status as a daughter placed so many restrictions on her that she kept it hidden; otherwise, Zhao Yun would surely have become a remarkable person.
Zhao Yan saw Zhao Yun as a very precocious child, gifted with great forbearance. Born into the neglected second branch and being a girl, she had been treated like a slave by Mrs. Li and Younger Mrs. Li. Had Madam Chen not felt for her daughter and secretly helped with some of the work, Zhao Yun might have been worked to death.
As for why Zhao Gao didn't help?
It was enough that Zhao Gao could finish his own tasks; he was driven around day and night. Even an ox got time to rest, but Zhao Gao had no such luxury. He simply lacked the energy to understand or concern himself with the life his wife and daughter were leading.
From Zhao Yan's perspective, Zhao Gao was an irresponsible husband and father, yet he could understand Zhao Gao’s plight. The Zhao Family had spent years tormenting the couple; it was a miracle they hadn't gone insane.
The main hall remained deathly silent after Zhao Wei left. Other than Zhao Yan, Zhao Gao, Madam Chen, and Zhao Yun all kept their heads bowed. Madam Chen’s shoulders trembled slightly; it was clear she was crying.
In stark contrast, the rest of the Zhao Family held their heads high. Younger Mrs. Li and Zhao Yu, in particular, looked as if they were sniffing the air with disdain, their expressions of gloating and amusement obvious.
Indeed, they viewed Zhao Yan and the others as a joke.
Younger Mrs. Li felt this was a rare opportunity. Since Mrs. Li had finally brought up severing ties, once the branch was cut off, they would have nothing more to do with the old Zhao house, and they wouldn't be able to claim a share of the family property. Everything would belong to the first branch. The more she thought about it, the happier she became, her smile widening until her eyes disappeared.
Zhao Yu, on the other hand, felt that since Zhao Yan had dared to say his big brother was a criminal and had talked back to his mother, he wanted to step up and give Zhao Yan a thrashing. Furthermore, kicking them out meant saving money, which meant they could buy plenty of meat to eat. Zhao Yu thought about it until he nearly drooled. He stretched his neck toward the doorway, hoping Zhao Wei would bring the people back quickly so he could be one step closer to his meat.
Zhao Yan watched these clowns with utter indifference.
Before long, Zhao Wei returned with the Village Chief and the elders, along with a few villagers who had come to watch the spectacle, among them Uncle Zhang, who had saved Zhao Yan.
The moment they arrived, Mrs. Li sat down on the floor and began to wail, "Village Chief! You must seek justice for me! This bunch of unfilial things from the second branch are trying to be the death of me! What a misfortune for our family, Village Chief!"
Zhao Yan had not expected Mrs. Li to improvise so dramatically. Previously, she had only ever scolded them verbally or, at most, struck Madam Chen with a broom.
It turned out she had been saving her "ultimate move" until the audience arrived, hoping to pin all the blame on the second branch and then drive them out without a single copper.
Mrs. Li’s daydream was quite grand. Unfortunately, her plan was destined to fail. After all, she was unlucky enough to have Zhao Yan as her opponent.