"Alright, since Uncle and Aunt are so insistent, then we will do as you both wish! Uncle and Aunt, don’t forget what you’ve said today! I, Sang Yufei, swear that from now on I shall never set foot in your house again!" Sang Yufei bowed deeply as he spoke: "All my fellow villagers bear witness! It’s not that Yufei is unfilial; it is truly that Uncle and Aunt are unbearably bullying!"
"What are you saying you!" Sang Pingliang and Mrs. Li couldn’t wait a moment longer, pulling Sang Yufei towards Li Zheng’s house.
Suddenly, Sang Pingliang stopped in his tracks, casting an indifferent glance towards Sang Hong and the others, and said: "In your family, only Miss Wan is worthy! Only that child, Miss Wan, is endearing. You all, hmph!"
Upon hearing this, the hearts of Sang Hong and Sang Yufei turned utterly cold. Indeed, Miss Wan married into a good family, so of course Uncle wouldn’t deny her. But even as her own brothers, they were looked down upon in his eyes!
How shameless and opportunistic can one be to reach this extent!
"Fine!" Sang Hong said with a bitter smile: "Since that’s the case, let’s make a clean break between our two houses once and for all! From today onwards, there shall be no further connection! Uncle and Aunt, you had better not lecture us ever again!"
Even Sang Hong, to be uttering such words, truly made the onlookers sigh.
"That would be best! I’m tired of worrying over you, unappreciated kindness!" Sang Pingliang snorted. After a moment, he added: "From now on, in our main family, I only acknowledge Miss Wan as my niece! Only that child, Miss Wan, is worthy of affection!"
The villagers had initially wanted to persuade them, but hearing this, they too couldn’t help feeling contempt.
"Miss Wan deserving of affection?" When Miss Wan was still at home, they hadn’t seen them show affection for her. There were plenty of remarks about her betrothal. The one who often said things like, "One day she’ll be discarded by the Shi family; she doesn’t realize how inadequate she is to even dream of marrying into a family like the Shi’s" was none other than Mrs. Li!
People couldn’t help but think that this Sang couple from the second house were really despicable. Now that the relationship between the two houses was severed, it could be a relief. Each could go their own way without the need to endure the other’s idle chatter, and perhaps without the bad luck, they might even prosper sooner. Thus, everyone escorted the members of both houses to Li Zheng’s.
With resolve to show their determination, Sang Pingliang and Mrs. Li, faces stern, strode confidently ahead, while Sang Hong, his brother, and Mrs. Fang followed behind at a slower pace. A schism such as this within the family was a spectacle no one wanted to miss. Before they even reached Li Zheng’s house, nearly the entire village who had got wind of the news followed behind. Those who came later, ignorant of the reasons, inevitably asked those who arrived earlier, and so those first on the scene took up the lively responsibility of explaining, followed by another round of sighs.
"What are you dawdling for? Hurry up!" Sang Pingliang stopped and turned back to bark coldly.
"Uncle, are you really not going to reconsider?" Mrs. Fang said with a smile: "After all, we’re family. If you’re insistent on having a falling-out, don’t blame us for reciprocating!"
"You impudent woman, spare me!" Mrs. Li huffed: "Haven’t you dragged us down enough over the years? What more do you want! Let me tell you, you’ve lost your chance to back out now!"
"Sister-in-law, there’s no need to say more," Sang Yufei spoke indifferently: "Let’s just agree to Uncle and Aunt’s decision. From now on, I, Sang Yufei, will have no further dealings with the second house!"
"That’s for the best!" Sang Pingliang sneered: "Just like your father, stubborn and self-righteous! Hmph, you think becoming a scholar is that easy? If you can succeed, then I might as well become a saint!" With that, he walked off, continuing to urge them on.
Those eager for news had already raced ahead and knocked on Li Zheng’s door, recounting the events to him.
"Isn’t this a farce! Sang Pingliang isn’t getting any younger; how can he act so impulsively!" Li Zheng frowned upon hearing the story, sighing deeply.
In his eyes, while Sang Pingliang was unreliable, he was still the only elder of the Sang family. He believed having an elder at home, no matter the circumstances, was a good thing. In a serious situation, an elder could make decisions and mediate disputes better than dealing with it oneself.
His concerns were genuinely for the well-being of Sang Hong and his brothers.
While Li Zheng was knitting his brows in criticism, Sang Pingliang and the others had already arrived in a bustling crowd.
Sang Pingliang, not waiting for others to speak, rushed to state his case to Li Zheng, accusing Sang Yufei and his brother of unfilial conduct, saying that it was better to sever ties now to prevent future grievances that could lead to death, from now on each should go their own way and not interfere with one another!
Li Zheng was well aware of the Sang brothers’ good nature, and equally aware of Sang Pingliang’s talent for exaggeration. With a sigh, he couldn’t resist advocating for Sang Pingliang, "I think let’s have the brothers apologize to you and make amends, and let this be the end of it. After all, they are family, and their house lacks an elder to take charge. You are their real uncle, show some pity for them. Why keep squabbling with your juniors?"