Chapter 106: Growing More Disheartened

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It was agreed upon by the whole Gu family that Wentao would pursue his studies, and Gu Chengyong was prepared to bear all the expenses. With the money Lin Jinyu and the Chu family had sent, Gu Chengyong had no intention of touching the family funds.

However, Gu Chengyong understood that if he didn’t clarify the matter today, Mrs. Li would surely keep causing trouble. Reluctantly, he explained that the funds for Wentao’s education had been set aside by his parents long ago.

Mrs. Li, of course, didn’t believe him. “Who are you trying to fool? If his parents had that much money, why wouldn’t they raise their own child instead of relying on you? Second son, one must have a conscience. Your own nephew—can you really bear to see them unable to study and have no bright future?”

Gu Chengyong turned around and gave Mrs. Li a cold stare. “Back when the family only had a dozen acres of land, weren’t you able to support the fifth son’s education? Now that the family owns over a hundred acres, why can’t you even provide for Wenjing and Wen’an’s schooling? The fourth son is able-bodied; why should others be responsible for raising his children? Don’t you feel ashamed saying such things?”

His words struck hard, leaving Mrs. Li speechless. She held the family’s finances tightly in her hands and knew very well that the household could afford to send even more children to school, let alone Wenjing and Wen’an.

Yet Mrs. Li did not want to spend those funds. Besides supporting the fifth son’s studies and preparing for his wife’s wedding and celebrations, she also wanted to save some for their own old age. In her view, Gu Chengyong was a member of the family; the money he held belonged to the Gu family. It was only right and proper for him to contribute financially, and no one should say otherwise.

“You and the fourth son are brothers by blood. Isn’t it only right to lend a hand? Our family hasn’t divided its assets. You’re all still members of the old Gu household. Why split things so clearly now? Are you an outsider? You’re Wenjing and the others’ second uncle. Those two nephews are just like your own sons. If they succeed, will they forget you?”

Mrs. Li never admitted fault; she always believed others were wrong, and she spoke with unwavering confidence, regardless of whether she was in the right. “You are a son of the old Gu family. The old Gu family raised you for so many years. So what? Now that you’re capable, you want to turn your back on them?”

Gu Chengyong laughed bitterly at her twisted logic. “The old Gu family raised me? Why don’t you tell me how I lived back then? Hungry, poorly clothed, and beaten for no reason. All thanks to you. What I am today, I fought tooth and nail for—it wasn’t given by you.”

“What did you give me? You’ve never cared about my marriage or children. Over the years, what I’ve sent back in money and land purchases for the family probably amounts to nearly two thousand taels. Is that not enough to repay the family’s kindness in raising me? Is that enough for Wenjing and Wen’an’s education? Whenever there’s something going on at home, you always try to squeeze money out of me. Do you want my life too before you're satisfied?”

“Fine, if that’s how you want it, let’s bring someone in to mediate and see what they say,” Gu Chengyong said angrily as he turned to leave.

The Gu patriarch saw Gu Chengyong turning away and knew that his son was going to find outside help. The warning from the Seventh Great-Grandfather was not forgotten by him, even if Mrs. Li had. The household had been quiet for only a month; if the quarrels resumed, his wife might suffer consequences and gain nothing.

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“Second son, come back. Your mother is just a hot-tempered woman; she means no harm, only cares for her grandson. We’re old now—who knows how many years we have left. Don’t take her words to heart. Let’s all sit down and talk things through calmly. Don’t go running off to outsiders at the slightest disagreement,” the Gu patriarch said, no longer trying to keep up his stern fatherly demeanor, but instead attempting to soothe the situation and coax Gu Chengyong back.

Gu Chengyong sighed inwardly and stopped. “Father, I’ll say it again: the money I earn is my own. How I use it is my business. Honoring you and mother is my duty, but I cannot extend that to supporting my brothers and nephews. It just doesn’t make sense.”

“If mother is still dissatisfied, then let’s really bring someone in to settle this properly. We’ll tally the family assets and divide the household. Everyone can live their own lives separately, and I won’t have to deal with constant scheming from anyone. Do you think I’m a fool to be bullied like this?”

His tone was harsh now, worn down by the endless back-and-forth that had left him disheartened.

“Don’t scare me with talk of dividing the household. I’ll tell you, in this village, the rules are clear. You still have younger siblings unmarried, and the two old folks are still here. If you talk about splitting the family now, everyone will spit on you. You really think you’re capable, threatening us like this every day? I’m not afraid. If you have the guts, bring someone to divide the property,” Mrs. Li retorted fiercely.

Though she feared division deep down, Mrs. Li never backed down and always maintained a strong facade. Clearly, she was employing this tactic now.

“Father, mother, what’s going on here? Our family has barely been peaceful for a few days, and now this again? It’s already May 21st. In about ten days, Xiuli will be married. There’s still so much to prepare inside and outside the house, and you’re arguing? Second son, why don’t you hurry back to your side? I just heard from Wenxiu that your wife needs to see you about something,” came a voice from the west courtyard.

Wu and Gu Chengzhong, Gu Chengyi and Zhao together had come over, having heard the commotion and wanting to help resolve it. Gu Chengzhong and his wife had listened for a while and now spoke to calm things down.

Gu Chengzhong’s words reminded the Gu patriarch and Mrs. Li of the urgency. Indeed, Xiuli’s marriage was imminent, and family quarrels now would only embarrass her. Moreover, her wedding preparations would require Gu Chengyong’s help. Offending him now risked him abandoning his responsibilities.

Mrs. Li felt a twinge of regret. She shouldn’t have argued with Gu Chengyong today. But she was too proud to admit fault or apologize, so she turned away with a stern expression.

The patriarch, regretting the conflict, saw the intervention and quickly relented. “Enough, enough. It was just harsh words. Second son, don’t take it to heart. Your mother’s always been like this—kindhearted but fretful.”

Gu Chengzhong gently urged Gu Chengyong toward the west courtyard. “Go check on him. I think Wen Tao might have been crying,” he whispered.

Gu Chengzhong wasn’t unsupportive; he also wished to split the family assets. But village customs were strict: if they divided the household before Xiuli and Gu Chengren married, the brothers would be scolded mercilessly for being unfilial and not helping younger siblings.

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Especially with Xiuli’s marriage imminent, any talk of division would be seen as heartless and unkind, leaving no face for their sister. So no matter how much they wished to separate, they had to endure and not stir up trouble now.

Hearing that Wen Tao had been crying, Gu Chengyong’s heart ached. He ignored the elders behind him and strode away.

After Gu Chengyong left, Chengzhong and Chengyi saw no reason to linger. After exchanging a few words with the patriarch, they each departed, leaving the old man and Mrs. Li alone. They looked at each other, then shook their heads and sighed repeatedly.

“Since the second son came back, life in this family hasn’t gone smoothly. Look, now the eldest and third sons are following his bad example. They don’t even look me in the eye anymore. Old man, the two of us, what will become of us? Can any of them still listen to us or support us?” Mrs. Li felt wronged and wiped away tears.

“You all tell me to endure and not argue with him. Haven’t I been enduring? For a month, I’ve lowered my voice and humbled myself like a servant, and what good is it? He still does whatever he pleases. Does he even respect me? He’s not your son, but the old Gu family’s ancestor,” Mrs. Li lamented.

Having been the matriarch for so many years, Mrs. Li was used to ruling with absolute authority in the Gu household. She made the decisions, and others had to obey without objection. But Gu Chengyong showed her no respect, which infuriated her.

Especially recently, for Xiuli’s wedding preparations and fearing the Seventh Great-Grandfather’s warnings, Mrs. Li had kept quiet for some time without scolding anyone. Yet she was suffocating inside. Watching her children and in-laws no longer fear her and acting without consulting her, she was filled with anger and fear.

She feared losing her status in the Gu family, feared being ignored, and dreaded the day no one heeded her words. If that day came, what would her role as mother-in-law be worth? If she could not control her children and in-laws now, how could she expect respect after the household divided?

“Old man, I have a hard life. I married you and never enjoyed a moment of happiness. Now I’m old and have to endure the cruelty of my children and their spouses. Old man, I’ve truly had enough,” Mrs. Li said, taking out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.