Chapter 191: Chapter 25: Deciding to Split the Family
Gu Chengyi listened, his expression also darkened, but then he began to hatch another plan in his heart. It now seemed that the fifth son was quite promising. If the family were divided today, wouldn’t he miss out on the benefits? If the fifth son became a Scholar, the advantages would be self-evident!
He hesitated a bit, unsure whether the family should be divided. It would take three more years for the second son to take the exam. Moreover, there was no guarantee of passing next time, right?
He sneered, "My son failed the exam, but it completed the fifth son instead!"
"You all know what happened today. Now, let’s discuss a strategy. That Lv Yang loves to spread rumors. If he goes out and talks nonsense, won’t it harm the Gu Family? We have plenty of scholars and many girls in the family. This heart of his is truly malicious!" Considering the two elders beside him, Mr. Gu couldn’t speak too bluntly.
"Well then, we will head back to rest soon, you can continue the discussion!" At this time, the old man stepped out, saying he wanted to go rest, indicating they shouldn’t stay here.
Gu Chengyu knew that the old man was expressing his stance, meaning they would not interfere. After all, both sides were their flesh and blood; how could they choose one over the other? In the end, they couldn’t bear to abandon their son, although this son was rebellious and unfilial!
"Da Lang! Send your great-grandmother and the others back to rest! It’s been a tiring day! Let the little ones go out and rest too!" Mr. Gu was afraid the grandchildren might speak indiscreetly outside, so he sent the Gu family’s children out!
The second son and the others were curious about what had happened and were reluctant to leave until Mr. Gu scolded them, and only then did they obediently go out!
"Now tell me, what should we do?" Mr. Gu was at a loss. Lv Yang was a rogue. If they didn’t give him Silver, he might really spread rumors outside. If they did give him Silver, he would certainly come back for more, and eventually, their Silver would all be drained by this scoundrel. His demands might grow over time, leading to bankruptcy.
"Dad! I say, there’s no way we can give that Silver!" Gu Chengyi firmly opposed it. The family finally saved some Silver, and now they had to let outsiders benefit from it? Initially, he thought that it wasn’t the right time to divide the family, but given the situation, it seemed wiser to divide it, at least they could save some Silver.
"Of course, we know we can’t give it, that’s why we’re discussing a solution?" Mr. Gu knew the second son was unwilling to part with the Silver, hence his words!
"Xiao Bao! What do you think?" Mr. Gu asked Gu Chengyu. Xiao Bao was always full of ideas and might come up with a good solution!
Actually, Gu Chengyu had already made up his mind, but he couldn’t speak out now. The family wasn’t united yet, and he feared being found out later and causing a big problem, as his solution to the matter wasn’t necessarily honorable!
"Dad! I haven’t figured it out yet either, let’s think about it later!"
Mrs. Lv felt a surge of despair when even Xiao Bao had no solution. If Lv Yang came back tomorrow and they couldn’t think of a way out, what would she do? No, if pushed to the brink, she would take them all down with her. For the sake of her children, she wouldn’t compromise!
Mrs. Lv had made up her mind, so she was no longer anxious.
Gu Chengyu glanced at Mrs. Lv sitting on the Kang and found that she was unusually calm, which made him somewhat worried.
"What are you talking about? I can’t understand a word." He felt utterly confused.
Gu Chengchi was also perplexed, having been out during the day, he wasn’t aware of what happened at home.
"Dad! If there’s no alternative, give the Silver?" Gu Chenglian said, clenching his fists helplessly. Today, he had finally experienced it. This uncle was simply shameless; no wonder his mother never took them back to her mother’s house.
"The Silver must not be given!" Before Mr. Gu could speak, Gu Chengyi immediately interjected.
"Second son! You must understand, this matter concerns your mother’s reputation. Though your mother is innocent, public opinion is formidable. Once the rumors spread, even if untrue, they become true! If you don’t think of the family, you must at least consider the second son, right? The second son still has to study. If his future is affected, what will we do?"
Mr. Gu knew how much Gu Chengyi valued the second son, who was also talented in his studies. If he passed the exams later, he would gain fame. The second son should consider his reputation—having a grandmother with a bad reputation could greatly impact his future!
Gu Chengyi had already thought of this, so he had to bring up the division of the family now!
"Dad! Let’s divide the family!" Having made the decision, he didn’t like to drag things out, regardless of what others might think. This family division matter was brought up by Mr. Gu before the end of the year.
"What are you saying?" Mr. Gu was stunned, still not comprehending.
"Dad! You mentioned wanting to divide the family before the end of the year, but because the fifth son had exams, it was delayed. Now that the fifth son has finished his exams and returned, shouldn’t we continue with the division?" Gu Chengyi saw Mr. Gu’s incredulous expression and continued.
He knew that bringing up the family division now seemed like deserting in a crisis. But what could he do? He had two sons; if the second son were implicated and his bright future ruined, who would he rely on in old age?
"Second son! With all the current chaos at home, can you really mention this? Is your conscience clear?" Mr. Gu looked at Gu Chengyi with indescribable disappointment. Second son! This meant he had become estranged from the family!
"I know you’re afraid I’ll drag you down, so let’s divide the family," unexpectedly, Mrs. Lv, who had been silent, spoke up.
Mrs. Lv’s words startled Mr. Gu.
"My wife! Have you thought it through?" Mr. Gu had actually decided to give Silver to Lv Yang. If the family’s Silver was divided, how would they deal with Lv Yang? Lv Yang surely wouldn’t settle for just three hundred taels, and might change his demands by tomorrow.
"Dad! Divide it! I’m begging you as your son, please think of me and my elder brother!" Gu Chengyi gazed directly at Mr. Gu. Today’s family division was inevitable.
Mr. Gu leaned on the heated brick bed’s table, finally responding after a long pause, "Let’s divide it! Divide everything! The sooner, the better! Let’s divide the family’s Silver and lands tonight; it’s not too late. We’ll ask the village chief and your uncle to witness, and call upon some of the elders from the village."
"My wife! Bring out the family’s Silver!" With the decision to divide the family, Mr. Gu planned to evenly split everything, requiring that the Silver be brought out and distributed equally to each household.
"That Silver was earned by Xiao Bao for the family, why should it be divided among these ingrates?" Mrs. Lv thought of the Silver earned by Xiao Bao, now to be given to these ingrates.
"I understand that in past years, the younger children suffered, causing losses for the eldest and second sons. Now they are grown, but the family’s assets were accumulated by Xiao Bao. Xiao Bao! No matter what, they are still your elder brothers, and your father is dividing the Silver you earned, don’t blame your father!"
Mr. Gu’s hands trembled as he pulled out the tobacco pipe from his waist, lighting it for a puff. He hadn’t expected the family division to come so quickly, especially at such a critical juncture! Although he had long decided, when the moment arrived, his heart was filled with mixed emotions!