Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Becoming Cautious_1 Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Becoming Cautious_1 Zhao Quan had previously set his sights on becoming a constable as if it was his destiny, never imagining there would be any mishap. He walked with his nose in the air, putting on airs both in the village and at the old Zhao Family home. Now, having failed to secure the job, the feeling of disappointment he harbored inside was bad enough, but the scorn and schadenfreude in the eyes of others made him feel even worse. He spent all day holed up at home and would not go out, becoming increasingly irritable. Even Wei Family didn’t dare push him too much, although she felt a pang of heartache over the lost twenty taels of silver, her son was still more important in the end.
Once Wei Family made her stance clear, the daughters-in-law held grievances but dared not show it, only venting to their own men behind closed doors, resentful that the mother-in-law played favorites.
Life at the old Zhao Family home had become quite difficult. Wei Family had always been harsh on the daughters-in-law in the past, never letting them eat well, but she had no qualms about indulging herself and her sons, occasionally allowing them to enjoy a meat dish. Now, with no silver in the house, their food became even more sparing. Wei Family could endure it, but her precious sons complained daily, claiming they couldn’t eat their fill or muster the strength for their work.
Without a choice, Wei Family pawned the silver bracelets from her dowry, exchanging them for two taels of silver. This could sustain them for a while, but it was no long-term solution. Besides, her youngest son Zhao Xing was eighteen and of marriageable age. With no dowry, how could they secure a good bride? So, when they heard that Lin Yue had bought a bull cart and all the subsequent rumors in the village, mother and son immediately began to scheme.
“Mom, that Lin Family woman is not behaving like a proper widow. If we drive her out now, let’s see what she has to say,” Zhao Cheng, the fourth son, said viciously. He had been keeping in his frustration over his elder brother Zhao Quan’s situation, having to mediate between his mother and wife. He now saw a chance to vent and was also envious of the property Erhu had amassed.
“No, the village is just full of rumors; there’s no evidence. The village head and your eldest uncle favor that vixen Lin Family. Even if we confront her, we won’t gain anything from it. Have you forgotten about the last incident?” Wei Family was savvier than her sons and immediately pointed out the severity of the situation. Since the last time Lin Yue made a scene at their doorstep, Wei Family had become somewhat wary of Lin Yue and acted more cautiously.
“Then what should we do? We can’t just let such a good opportunity slip by. Once Erhu’s kids grow up, there won’t be anything left for us. Our youngest brother hasn’t even married yet. Our home only has so many rooms, and the number of people is only increasing. We can barely fit everyone as it is. Mom, you’ve really got to think about getting a proper bridal chamber ready for when our youngest brother takes a wife.”
Mistaking Wei Family’s concern for fear of going against the village head and his eldest uncle, Zhao Quan anxiously spoke up. He knew that his mother was most concerned about his youngest brother’s marriage, and bringing up that matter was sure to move her.
“Yeah, Mom, the fourth brother is right. Don’t you feel for your son? With our family in this state, no good girl would want to marry in. If we end up with some ugly and broken one, I won’t accept her,” Zhao Xing echoed his older brother, aware of how inconvenient it was to share a room with his two nephews.
“What’s the hurry? When have I ever said I wanted to miss this opportunity? But we can’t act rashly. We need to have something solid against Lin Family first. Then, when the time comes, she’ll have to obey us no matter what we decide to do, and even your eldest uncle, that old fart, won’t be able to stop us.”