Lady Lin had not yet spoken when Wang Yongfu could no longer bear it. He kicked the stool in front of him away and said coldly, "I’m not dead yet! Do each and every one of you think your wings are now strong? None of you regard me, your father, as important anymore, huh?"
With that, he looked towards Jindou and Jinhoo.
Jinhoo tried to say something, but Wang Yongfu scolded, "Shut your mouth! Who’s in charge of this household now? It’s still your old man! You lot are half-grown, without even wives, and you’re acting like adults? Taking charge? Seems like you think you’re the most capable one here, the most impressive, huh?"
"Where are you going to get an ounce of silver every month? With that little business of yours, trading for groceries and needles at the town, tricking children and women from the village to exchange goods, earning those meager silver pieces? Now there are still goods to collect, you can barely make it each month, but what about during summer and winter? What will you give her then?"
Jinhoo opened his mouth to speak, "I can—"
His words were mercilessly cut off by Wang Yongfu, "You can what? Go borrow or earn? Without relying on the goods trade, what money can you make? At your half-grown age, nobody would even hire you for odd jobs! Do you understand that?"
"Or are you planning to borrow money? From whom? Which family has surplus? Your third uncle or your fourth uncle? Or do you plan to ask your old aunt for a loan? I think you’ve made a tidy sum and got cocky, forgetting even your own name, haven’t you?"
"Why on earth would your old aunt lend you money? What if you can’t pay it back? Just give it to you for nothing? Are you providing for your mother, or do you expect your old aunt to do it? Don’t speak so nicely, just to have someone else clean up your mess later!"
Jinhoo’s face turned bright red with embarrassment, and he defended, "I wouldn’t have anyone clean up after me—"
"Shut up! From now on, when I speak, no one interrupts until I’m finished! Have I been too lenient with you in the past, to the point where you don’t even understand basic rules?" Wang Yongfu erupted in fury.
"Have you not grown a brain? Do you realize that your aunt and uncle are not the same as before? Your uncle is now a Scholar. A Scholar, do you understand?"
"I’m not asking you to curry favor with your aunt and uncle, but I didn’t tell you to offend them either! But what do you do? Still thinking they are impoverished and unwanted in the village? Haven’t you thought about how many families in the village are waiting to invite him over for a meal? Opportunities that others beg for, and you’re indifferent! Who gave you the audacity? This wanton wife of yours, if it weren’t for our family’s brother-in-law, it would be bringing disaster upon our family, do you know that?"
Lady Lin shuddered from the scolding and retreated to one side, not daring to make a sound.
"And you—" Wang Yongfu turned to look at Jinhoo.
"I know you’re clever and can do business! But mark my words, don’t try to be sneaky in front of your uncle! Your aunt might not think much of it, but your uncle, having climbed out of a pit like the Song Family and still managed to become a Scholar! Do you think your little schemes are unnoticed? It’s only because of your aunt’s face that he says nothing! Don’t take everyone for fools!"
Jindou, Jinhoo, and Jinguan had never seen Wang Yongfu this angry. They all fell silent instantly, especially Jinguan, who was so frightened that his eyes reddened and he hid behind Jindou.
The house was eerily quiet, with only the sound of Wang Yongfu’s heavy breathing.
After a long while, Lady Lin spoke in a trembling whisper, "Head... Head of the family..."
"You shut up too! I thought I’d show some respect for the sake of the children, thinking of them soon taking wives, to give you some face, and to give them face as well. After a few days of treating you well, you become so light-headed that you forget your own weight, huh? Lin Xinghua, let me tell you today! If you want to live this life, you’d better be honest, respect my mother, and act like a proper elder sister-in-law! If you can’t manage that, then leave!"
"Do you think I care for you? If you continue making trouble in the Wang Family, it will only lead to shame for us all. It would be better to clean the slate completely! I’ll divorce you, and as long as the Wang Family is prosperous, why worry about finding a wife? If you don’t think for the children, what use does the Wang Family have for you?"
"And the three of you brothers, behave yourselves and quit causing trouble! Otherwise, see if I don’t break your legs! Do you hear me?"
Wang Yongfu slammed the table, hurling a string of harsh words.
Lady Lin quickly looked up, glanced once at Wang Yongfu’s face, ashen and unyieldingly resolute.
Any slim hope she harbored, the thought of making a scene, was immediately extinguished as she said in a quiet, submissive tone, "Head of the family, I, I understand! I will certainly conduct myself properly from now on!"
Wang Yongfu then turned to Jindou, Jinhoo, and Jinguan, "What about you?"
Jindou humbly bowed his head, "Father, we understand!"
"Let them speak for themselves!"
"We understand!" Jinhoo’s face bore traces of reluctance and resistance, but after being pulled by Jindou and seeing Wang Yongfu’s stern face, he knew that disagreeing today wasn’t an option.
He had no choice but to nod reluctantly.
Only then did Wang Yongfu sit down and instructed, "Prepare a proper feast tomorrow, and if I see any skimping, get the hell out immediately! If you can’t cook, ask your sisters-in-law to help. If you shame our senior branch tomorrow—"
He didn’t finish, but the message was crystal clear.
Lady Lin, scarcely daring to breathe, nodded rapidly, "Understood!"
Wang Yongfu then waved his hand, "All of you, get out!"
Only after Lady Lin and Jindou had hurried out did the room fall silent, leaving Wang Yongfu by himself. His imposing aura instantly deflated and, after a long while, he bowed his head, covered his face, and within moments, two tears fell, dripping onto the floor through his fingers.
With all the commotion in the senior branch, although the back yard was relatively quiet, it was pretty clear that Wang Yongfu was in a rage.
Now that the family had divided, and since there were no sounds of crying or the like, everyone felt it would be awkward to step in, fearing they might be mistaken for coming to gawk at the spectacle.
They simply pretended not to hear, staying inside without venturing out.
Old Granny Zhang was lying on the kang, talking to Wang Yongzhu about the incident, "Only now they think to discipline Lin Xinghua? What took so long? Without him indulging her, could Lady Lin dare to keep causing trouble every few days? When I was at home, would Lady Lin dare to act so outrageously? I would have slapped her!"
"What’s this about saving face for Jindou and the others? If Lady Lin keeps up this behavior, the senior branch’s face will be completely lost! With a mother and mother-in-law like that, do they think their faces will shine with honor?"
"As if the matter from before could just be easily forgotten? Wait ’til Jindou and the others talk about finding wives! Do you think a decent family would want to marry their daughter into a household with such a mother-in-law? Beautiful in appearance but shameful in thought!"