Since Zhou Dajun was involved in that incident, the Zhou family had fallen into a prolonged silence. Even Zhou Xuennian, after being mocked by his peers during two outings, no longer dared to step outside.
But today, the Zhou family was bustling once again, not because of Zhou Dajun’s matter, but due to the division of the family property.
Indeed, following Zhou Dajun’s incident, Lady Liang was even more determined to split the household. This time, Zhou Xueli too had firmly decided, and together they persuaded Old Lady Zhou.
Old Lady Zhou was reluctant, but unable to withstand the insistence of her son and daughter-in-law, and since the eldest couple was also in favor, her solitary opposition to the division was meaningless.
Thus, Old Lady Zhou finally relented, called upon the maternal families of both daughters-in-law, and had the village head to witness the division of the household into two.
"Mother, it’s not that we want to split, but some people stir up trouble and can’t bear to see our family live in peace, forcing us to this point," Madam Lu said, glancing at Lady Liang.
She had long found her sister-in-law disagreeable. After Dajun’s mishap, she was always trying to influence their mother-in-law.
Hmph, if they’re splitting, let’s see who loses out. Her husband is a Scholar Master; surely, he’ll bring honor to the ancestors. She was waiting for Liang Guilin to come groveling at her feet.
Madam Lu’s barbed words were clear to Lady Liang, but she didn’t even raise her head. Once the families were split, being her own mistress, why bother arguing with her over petty matters?
Lady Liang said nothing, but the Liang Family was not to be trifled with. And how could they be in ignorance about Zhou Dajun’s affair? Coming from a scholarly family themselves, they felt ashamed. Fortunately, the Zhou family was splitting; otherwise, how many times might her sister have been implicated?
Hearing Madam Zhou’s mother speak so prickly, flames of anger ignited within them.
"When a tree grows large, it sprouts branches. Dividing the family might not be a bad thing. If a tree is to flourish, naturally the branches and leaves must spread," Big Sister-in-law Liang said with a smile, then looked towards Madam Lu, "By the way, on such an important day, why don’t we see your elder nephew? Being the eldest grandson, it can’t be that he doesn’t know, can it?"
At the mention of Zhou Dajun, Madam Lu and Zhou Xuennian felt uncomfortable, as did Old Lady Zhou, along with the relatives from the Lu Family, and the witnesses present.
Who didn’t know about the unspeakable things Zhou Dajun had done!
Big Sister-in-law Liang was clearly picking on Madam Lu intentionally!
"His father is here; whether he is here or not doesn’t matter," Old Lady Zhou couldn’t help but speak up.
In the past, she thought marrying her younger son to a Scholar Master’s daughter would, at the very least, support future generations. But now, seeing that Lady Liang’s people were quite formidable, she thought differently. In the future, should children be born, she wouldn’t worry about lacking support from their maternal uncles.
As soon as Old Lady Zhou spoke, Big Sister-in-law Liang said no more. She knew when to hold back.
Next came the division of the property. For the modest estate, the maternal families of both daughters-in-law argued fiercely on behalf of their daughters, causing quite a commotion, until ultimately Old Lady Zhou decided the terms.
Sixty percent of the land went to the eldest son, for being the firstborn and in traditional practices, he could inherit up to seventy percent.
But Old Lady Zhou had a soft spot for her younger son and therefore gave him forty percent. The old house was divided equally between them, and the same was done for all the pots, pans, and utensils. As for the silver, there was none.
The reason there was no silver was clear to everyone, and there were no objections.
Regarding the care for Old Lady Zhou herself, it would typically fall to the eldest son. Yet she chose to live with her younger son. She reasoned that her eldest son’s children were grown and could fend for themselves, while her younger son hadn’t had children yet, and she needed to help watch over things.