Chapter 131: Chapter 131 Righteous Words_1 Chapter 131: Chapter 131 Righteous Words_1 Seeing their mother being angered to this state by their younger brother and his wife, both Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing were very dissatisfied, feeling that Li Xiaomei, as a daughter-in-law, lacked a sense of the bigger picture, and Zhao Cheng was too incompetent to even manage his own wife. Of course, the deeper issue that they couldn’t openly express was that of their own interests; when personal stakes were involved, even brotherhood could be set aside.
“Fourth Brother, enough is enough. Look at what you’ve done to Mother. Sister-in-law, you too, hold back your words. If you really make Mother sick, you won’t get any good out of it. Arguing over such a trifle, what does it make us look like?” Zhao Quan righteously scolded Zhao Cheng and his wife, while Zhao Xing, too, looked at the pair with condemning eyes, clearly standing on the same side as Zhao Quan.
“Enough already. Playing the victim after taking advantage? Big Brother, Fifth Brother, do you even treat my husband, Zhao Cheng, as your own brother?” Li Xiaomei couldn’t stand Zhao Cheng posturing as the eldest brother. If it hadn’t been for him finding some unreliable friend to do business with and losing their money, their household wouldn’t be in such straits. Now they still had the nerve to lecture them—it was unbelievable.
“Sister-in-law, what are you talking about? Fourth Brother and I are true brothers, flesh and blood connected by sinew. You upset Mother, and now you’re trying to divide the relationship between us brothers?!” Zhao Quan’s words carried a heavier tone.
“Tsks, listen to you, Big Brother. When have I ever tried to drive a wedge between you and your brothers? You’re wronging me. Why don’t you move out and let our family’s Zhao Cheng have the house? I promise I’ll never say another word—are we agreed?” Li Xiaomei wasn’t someone to be trifled with either, challenging the Wei Family and Zhao Quan with a taunting stare, her words filled with sarcasm.
“You’re just an unreasonable, troublesome woman,” Zhao Quan naturally couldn’t agree. Zhao Xing had intended to support Zhao Quan with a few words, but when he heard Li Xiaomei demanding that Zhao Quan give up the house, he too kept his mouth shut, standing to the side like a decoration. Regardless of how much they argued, his own share would remain secure. Better not to get involved—Sister-in-law Li Xiaomei had a sharp tongue and wasn’t easy to fend off; targeting her meant no good would come of it.
Mrs. Wei saw her eldest son being troubled by her second daughter-in-law, and her heart ached. Zhao Quan was the first to come from her womb. Before he was born, she had hoped it would be a son to help her secure her place in the Zhao Family, and indeed she got her wish. Mrs. Wei treasured Zhao Quan like the apple of her eye. The emotional investment she had in him couldn’t compare with what she felt for her later sons, not even Zhao Xing, her second son.
“Enough, Second Son. You give me a straight answer now. Between your wife and me, which side do you stand on? If you insist on making a scene today, then you can forget about having me as your mother. From now on, you can just live well with your wife.” Mrs. Wei didn’t believe she couldn’t handle her gentle and weak second son, and she laid down an ultimatum, although the timing was very poor.
Zhao Cheng was already feeling uncomfortable inside. Seeing his mother threaten him for his brother’s sake, as if he was nothing, increased Zhao Quan’s distress. However, he had been too obedient to his mother from a young age; standing up to her today was already his limit, so he just pursed his lips and stood in place, silent.
Li Xiaomei couldn’t help but laugh at this, “Mother, your words count. I’m willing to live our own life separately with Zhao Cheng. Otherwise, we might as well divide the household today. I don’t want more—just our rightful share, and as for whatever benefits you all gain in the future, I won’t be envious.”