Mr. Jiang was momentarily stunned; the meaning in Mrs. Chen’s words was clear—she was saying that it was under his instruction that she borrowed the silver.
This was certainly the truth.
Being spoken out so blatantly in front of everyone, he couldn’t refuse, saying there was no money was even more implausible.
He pondered for a while and then said, "Then repay it. After dinner, get the silver from your mother."
Mrs. Chen was overjoyed; the old man was indeed reasonable.
Mrs. Zhou’s face grew long and sullen; she hadn’t expected that after her refusal, Mrs. Chen would still dare speak to the old man. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖•𝗇𝗲𝘁
Jiang Rong suddenly muttered, "I remember when San Lang went to Prefecture City, mom gave him ten taels, then borrowed ten more, but he didn’t even take the exam. How come so much silver was spent?"
Mrs. Chen’s eyebrows shot up, about to speak when Yun Jiao slowly said, "Even without the exam, the transportation costs, lodging fees, and medicine for illness all need silver."
Jiang Rong glanced askance at her, "When the elders are talking, you little girl should keep quiet!"
Mrs. Zhou suddenly clattered her bowl heavily, "I have no silver, whoever borrowed it should repay it themselves!"
Mrs. Yang quickly chimed in, "Exactly, we didn’t spend this silver, why should the family repay it?"
"Isn’t San Lang capable? Let him repay it himself then."
The Liu Family also chimed in, "Second sister-in-law makes a good point."
Mrs. Chen sneered coldly, "So none of you agree for the family to pay this money?"
The Liu Family chuckled, "Look at what eldest sister-in-law is saying, this silver, we didn’t spend it, making everyone pay—that would be unreasonable."
Mrs. Chen remained calm, "Alright then, if the family is unwilling to pay, I have no problem with that, but in the future, don’t hope to gain anything from San Lang."
"If that’s the case, then let’s divide the house!"
Yun Jiao, holding her bowl of rice, her hand trembled slightly.
How come she hadn’t thought of such a good idea.
This mother-in-law of hers truly wasn’t bad, and Jiang Youzhi wasn’t troublesome; if the house was divided, she reckoned that even if she ate meat every day, they wouldn’t say anything, yes, she’d be willing to bring everyone to eat together.
Yun Jiao lowered her head, looked at her own chest; if she didn’t eat some meat soon, it really might be able to park a plane.
Moreover, with the house divided, she wouldn’t have to face this large family, each with differing thoughts, every day.
Just as Yun Jiao was lost in her happy thoughts, she heard Mr. Jiang’s angry roar, "Divide what house, don’t even think about it while I’m alive."
Jiang Rong also said, "Eldest sister-in-law, don’t speak in anger; our family is doing well together, what divide the house, it would make others laugh."
He would never divide the house, even if it meant waiting another three years; he would wait until San Lang accomplished something to enjoy the benefits.
Mrs. Chen said plainly, "No dividing the house, no silver, are you trying to force our big room to death?"
Mrs. Yang shrilled, "Eldest sister-in-law, don’t you still have your dowry? Take something out and pawn it; then there’d be silver."
The majority in this family mostly held this view, only no one said it; Mrs. Yang, being foolish, just blurted it out.
Mrs. Chen’s face was pale, "My dowry? My dowry has all been used up in this family!"
"Back then when Da Lang’s father was ill, the family said there was no silver, so I took silver to treat his illness."
"This year, Da Lang got sick, all the medicine money, and the bride price for marrying Yun Jiao, were from me pawning jewelry for silver."
"By rights, this money should have been taken out by the family, shouldn’t it?"
"My dowry isn’t a bottomless pit, how can it withstand such spending?"
"Now my dowry is all emptied out, and you still expect me to take out my dowry?"