Wang Laozhu couldn’t help but want to criticize Wang Yonggui a few times, opened his mouth, but then remembered that he was now in the care of Laosan, and after restraining himself, he simply persuaded Wang Yongzhen a few sentences.
The Clan Leader had been invited over by Wang Yongping.
On the way, Wang Yongping had already explained the reason for his invitation.
The Wang Family Patriarch was taken aback, as he had just secured the large courtyard, thinking it was a bustling household, so why were they suddenly dividing the family?
However, it is an old saying that a large tree has many branches, and a large family many divisions.
Being the Clan Leader, it was not good to inquire further.
Upon arriving at the Wang Family, after exchanging pleasantries, they invited the Clan Leader to sit in the seat of honor.
The Clan Leader glanced around the room and, noticing Wang Yongzhen and Sun Mutou present, he frowned, "Why are you dividing the family to include the married daughter too?"
Wang Laozhu shook his head.
"What are Yongzhen and the people of the Sun Family doing here then?" The Wang Family Patriarch had long known that his clan brother was a bit confused, "If you’re not dividing the inheritance to include your eldest daughter and granddaughter, why let them sit in on this?"
The eldest niece was also careless. At such a time, a married daughter should stay away to avoid the brothers’ displeasure.
Embarrassed, Wang Yongzhen and Sun Mutou’s faces turned red, and they quickly left.
Apart from Wang Laozhu, everyone from the Wang Family found this satisfying.
Only after Wang Yongzhen left did the Wang Family Patriarch say, "Old Brother Laozhu, why suddenly divide the family? Are you sure everyone agrees?"
At this point, Wang Laozhu still cared for his reputation, simply stating that Laosi had taken a wife and it was time to divide the family.
The people of the Wang Family echoed in agreement.
Seeing that they were resolute about dividing the family, the Wang Family Patriarch refrained from saying more.
Wang Yongzhu then handed over the division agreement, but after just a glance, the Wang Family Patriarch was stunned.
The details on the document were clear, but there were a few points he couldn’t quite understand.
After a moment’s thought, he carefully said, "Are you sure about this? Old Brother Laozhu, you’ll live with Laosan, and your wife with Yongzhu? But if you do this, your wife and Yongzhu will be at a disadvantage? Besides, why is there no dowry set aside for Yongzhu, she is not yet married. And why is there nothing for Laosi, who is still in the family records?"
This Wang Family document was clear, but how the division was made seemed a mess.
The Clan Leader thought to himself, looking at Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang, feeling not only surprise but also sympathy, as the maid had worked hard and yet, in the division, she was getting the least share.
Wang Yongzhu explained calmly, "I drafted the document. I’m the youngest, and Mother dotes on me the most, cannot bear to part with me, so Mother is allocated to me. Father will live with Third Brother because he plans to send two children to school, and though all three of my brothers were eager to take care of Father, Father chose to live with Third Brother to help with the children’s education, to contribute a little something."
"As for Wang Yongan, after what he did back then, Father said we should act as if this son was never born and drove him out. Naturally, he has no share now! Besides, he’s off somewhere far away, who knows where, enjoying life, and wouldn’t care about our little family possessions."
The Wang Family Patriarch looked at Wang Laozhu with disbelief, "Old Brother Laozhu, are you sure? You’re not leaving anything for Laosi?"
Wang Laozhu clicked his tongue as he took a couple of drags from his pipe, looking down at his children below and sighed, "Back then, he harmed Eldest Brother and nearly drove this family to ruin. I consider him as though he was never born, this house naturally holds no place for him!"
Since it was so, there was no problem. Although the Wang Family Patriarch still had many questions in his mind, this was someone else’s family affairs, and since they were willing, what more could an outsider like him say?
There and then, he looked at the list and distributed the remaining one hundred and forty taels, thirty for each family. Wang Yongzhu received twenty taels, and then they signed the document and affixed their seals.
The Wang Family Patriarch also signed and affixed his seal, and with that, the family was completely divided.
Old Granny Zhang had already prepared a pack of snacks and a pound of good wine to thank the Wang Family Patriarch and had Wang Yongping escort the Patriarch back.
Just as everyone was about to disperse, Wang Yonggui spoke up, "Now that the family has been completely divided, I see that Elder Sister seems to be in much better spirits today. Rather than picking another date, it’s better to move today, especially with New Year’s approaching. It would not be appropriate for her to continue staying at her brother’s place. Our family has spare houses for her to live in, so let’s move the two of them there today."
Wang Laozhu opened his mouth but it took a long while before he said, "If they move over there, will they have enough firewood? Divvy up the grain for them. Elder Sister is weak, give her a little more refined grain to at least last until the spring harvest next year. It’s already the dead of winter in December, and there’s not much to buy anyway. Let’s divide up some of the meat and other things for them as well. Also, since they left the Sun Family with nothing, take two quilts for them and if you have old clothes, spare a couple for Elder Sister and Mutou..."
He had thought of everything down to the last detail.
Wang Yonggui glanced at Wang Yongzhu.
Wang Yongzhu nodded, "Since father has spoken, you all calculate how much grain two people will need until March and have it weighed and moved over. Third Sister-in-law, later take ten pounds of cured meat to them. As for firewood, I remember there’s half a roomful of firewood in the old house. If it’s not enough, have Mutou go up the mountain to chop some. Isn’t our family’s firewood also carried back by Jindou and the others?"
Lady Lin pursed her lips, thinking that Old Wang would really not speak up unless it was to favor his eldest daughter, which was tantamount to the Wang Family supporting Elder Sister and her son until March for free.
However, after being scolded by Wang Yongfu yesterday, she no longer dared to object.
Moreover, today, Maid had also divided the principal gold and silver amounts, and although it couldn’t be used, just touching the silver every day brought happiness.
Therefore, even though Old Wang was giving so much to Wang Yongzhen, she held her peace.
After all, she had nothing to give. Her current clothes were made by Wang Yongzhu after the Wang Family started living well—all were made of cotton, and her padded jacket was newly made with freshly added cotton, very warm indeed. Why should she give them to Elder Sister?
Since talking was of no avail, Wang Laozhu allotted a set of his own clothes to Mutou, and Jindou also spared a set of his clothing.
As for Wang Yongzhen’s clothes, since the daughter-in-laws remained silent, Old Wang could only look towards Wang Yongzhu.
Before Wang Yongzhu could speak, Old Granny Zhang interjected, "I have a few sets that I have worn before, I’ll send them over in a bit."
That settled the matter.
Wang Yonggui seized the opportunity to strike while the iron was hot, "Dad, since you’ve divided things up among our three rooms, it wouldn’t be right for you to still live here with my younger sister. Would that mean you find your sons undutiful? Once Elder Sister moves out, I’ll immediately clean up a room for you to have a comfortable place to live in."
Old Wang really wanted to say that he didn’t want to move; he found living in the back courtyard quite nice. Although his wife and daughter had moved elsewhere, they were at least in the same compound, and he could see them every day.
If he moved to the front, he would feel embarrassed to visit his daughter’s courtyard daily, wouldn’t he?
Wang Yongzhu didn’t mind whether Old Wang lived in the courtyard or not, but then she thought that Wang Yongping would soon be back. If Old Wang were in her courtyard, Wang Yongping coming in and out every day would be unbearable for her.
Thus, she approvingly gave Wang Yonggui a look.