Seeing his wife’s distress, Xu Hanxiao knew she was not good at arguing and would not be a match for Wan Hua. He raised his eyebrows and said, “What are you talking about, sister-in-law? Big brother’s shop and workshop are managed well, but business isn’t just about good products. One must also interact with other shopkeepers. Big brother just sits in the shop waiting for customers. Hanxiao went to meet Master Zhang for tea and happened to see him considering buying silk from another vendor. After much persuasion, I convinced him to reject that vendor and purchase from our Xu family instead.”
The implication was that he had not stolen Xu Hanzhong’s business but had actually helped retain it for the Xu family.
Wan Hua, though sharp-tongued, did not understand business. Seeing that Xu Hanzhong could not refute these words, she became even more frustrated.
Yin Yianniang, watching the drama unfold, saw the awkward silence and decided to mediate: “Enough, we’re all family. Why make things so tense? Even if you brothers want to separate households, you shouldn’t argue over such a small business and disrupt the family peace. Don’t cause the madam to faint again.”
Yu Yi glanced at Yin Yianniang, understanding that while she appeared to be mediating, she was actually drawing attention to the possibility of household separation. Yin Yianniang had an illegitimate son, Xu Hanren, who was third in the family hierarchy. If Hanzhong and Hanxiao were to fight, Hanren could potentially benefit.
Xu Hanzhong naturally understood the implications of Yin Yianniang’s words and looked at her with disdain: “Madam Yin should first manage her own son Hanren. He’s out all night, every few days, who knows what kind of people he’s consorting with.”
Yin Yianniang’s expression changed, and she muttered under her breath, “Good intentions treated like donkey liver and lungs.”
Only Xu Shuzhi, sitting next to her, heard her quiet comment. She also whispered, “Mother, what big brother says is right. Third brother should indeed restrain himself.”
Yu Yi saw them arguing so uncontrollably that she shouted: “Shut up, all of you!
Are you brothers or enemies? One is stealing his brother’s business, the other is holding up goods and not delivering them. Not only are you causing a scene in front of the whole family, but you’re also digging up each other’s past. Just for a bit of family property, where is the brotherly love? It’s utterly shameful!” She was so furious that tears were about to burst from her eyes.
Xu Hanzhong and Hanxiao were both scolded to the point where they couldn’t raise their heads, each blaming the other for causing their mother to reprimand them publicly.
Yu Yi wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and took a deep breath, saying: “No matter how you put it, you’re still fighting over the family property. Today, I’ll make this clear: as long as I’m still breathing, this family will not be divided. If you two are hoping for a division, then you’d better hope I die soon!”
Everyone looked at each other in shock. Madam Xu had always spoken softly, and even when angry, she rarely lost her temper. When had she ever spoken such harsh words? It seemed she was truly angered by her two sons.
Yin Yianniang was the first to react: “Pah! Sister, don’t ever mention that again. It’s not worth ruining your health over these two unruly children.”
“
Wan Hua quickly pulled Xu Hanzhong over to apologize: “Mother, Hanzhong absolutely didn’t mean that. It’s just that Second Brother keeps talking about dividing the family. Hanzhong is an honest person and was just influenced by a few words from Second Brother. We really have no intention of dividing the family.”
Xu Hanzhong nodded repeatedly: “Yes, Mother, Hanzhong has no intention of dividing the family.”
Xu Hanxiao also came forward: “Mother, Hanxiao was wrong to make you angry. But if Big Brother hadn’t first withheld the goods, Hanxiao wouldn’t have been angry enough to talk about dividing the family. If in the future Big Brother can handle things fairly and not secretly trip me up, Hanxiao will naturally respect him as an older brother and never mention dividing the family again.”
Yu Yi looked at both sons, seeing the guilt on their faces, and then said: “You two discuss how to handle this matter. Everyone else, disperse.”
The brothers agreed. Xu Hanxiao looked at Xu Hanzhong: “Big Brother, shall we go to the study to talk?”
Xu Hanzhong nodded. Since their mother now knew about this, he would have to give Hanxiao this batch of silk, but Hanxiao would need to give him some business in return.
Madam Xu said: “Yin Yianniang, come with me.” She had to let go of her daughter and followed nervously. “
On the way to the main hall, Yin Yianniang became increasingly uneasy as Madam Xu remained silent, wondering what she wanted to say.
Arriving at the front hall, Yu Yi sat at the head seat and noticed Yin Yianniang standing, not daring to sit. She knew her previous authoritative words had taken effect.
After Master Xu’s death and the madam’s worsening health, with the young masters fighting over dividing the family, Yin Yianniang’s thoughts had begun to stir.
However, Madam Xu was still the mistress of the household. Seeing her suddenly become harsh today, Yin Yianniang wondered if she knew about her little schemes.
Yu Yi slightly raised her chin: “Sit.”
“Thank you, Madam,” Yin Yianniang spoke carefully, perching on only half the chair.
Yu Yi simply talked about feeling confined in her room these past few days, feeling frustrated. Yin Yianniang became increasingly uneasy, sensing that Madam Xu had changed after her illness, or perhaps she had always been more perceptive than Yin Yianniang had imagined.
After some idle chat, Yu Yi softly asked: “Hanren has been staying out at night these past few days. What’s going on?
Yin Yianniang’s heart skipped a beat: “Oh, the child is just playful.”
“Playful? If Yin Yianniang cannot manage Hanren, I’ll discipline him myself. To prevent him from causing trouble and embarrassing the Xu family,” Yu Yi said calmly.
Yin Yianniang hurriedly responded: “Yes, I’ll go back and discipline him strictly. I’ll make sure he doesn’t continue like this!”
After leaving the main hall, Yin Yianniang returned to her courtyard and found Shuzhi was not there. She understood her daughter’s thoughts. Once, when Wan Hua’s cousin visited, Xu Shuzhi happened to see him, and since then, her young heart had been attached to that young master Lin, always seeking opportunities to please Wan Hua.
Still angry from being publicly criticized by Hanzhong for not managing her son properly, Yin Yianniang cursed under her breath and had a maidservant call Xu Shuzhi back.
Due to his age, the eldest young master managed more shops and textile workshops. The second young master was somewhat weaker, but he was shrewd. This was exactly what Yin Yianniang hoped for. Although she wanted to see the two young masters fight, she didn’t actually want them to divide the family. As a concubine’s son, Hanren would not receive much property. The current situation of the two young masters fighting to mutual destruction was ideal.
But Hanren was disappointing, which also frustrated her.
After Xu Shuzhi returned, Yin Yianniang scolded her, and Xu Shuzhi began to cry softly.
When Han Ren Xu returned home, he saw this scene. Although he loved to play, he cared deeply for his younger sister. Seeing the situation, he couldn’t help but ask in surprise: “Mother, what’s wrong with Shu Zhi?”
Mother Yin had just scolded Shu Zhi and felt somewhat relieved. Seeing Han Ren return, her anger rose again, and she complained: “Isn’t it all because of this unfilial son! If you hadn’t been playing around and not coming home, how could your mother be scolded by her juniors at her age?”
