MDWMSEIPL: Chapter 6.2

Chapter 6:  Destroying The Bridge After Crossing The River (2)

 “This is the only  good thing that has happened so far.” Tang Bai Nian repressed his anger to answer.

***

Second Son’s Residence

Tang Zhang Nian told his wife, Lin-shi, about the whole matter. In the end, she sighed with emotion and said, “Over the years, Eldest Brother used his status to take advantage of us. However, it’s all thanks to our father’s wisdom before he died that saved us now. He gave some of his family wealth to each of you and marked a clear division. Moreover, he also arranged several trusted helpers like Uncle De, afraid that everything in the family would fall into the hands of the eldest son.”

“I looked on coldly for many years as my younger brother remained silent. After all, his biological mother favors the eldest brother, so he had to quietly endure. I thought he would persist in his ways. However, I didn’t think he would be the one to provide clarity and insight to all of us.”

“In the end, if you are a prefect, you can’t mix with officialdom without some tricks up your sleeves!”

“Third Brother is so clever; does that mean we’re splitting up the inheritance?” Lin-shi thoughtfully asked.

Only when they separated could she really be the head of her family. 

Tang Zhang Nian shook his head. “My father said that in those days, it would take a hundred years for my mother to split up. He also informed Uncle De that the monthly income in the future will be deducted and handed over publicly, and the rest will naturally be allocated to each son in proportion, instead of being randomly distributed by the first son.”

After a pause, he told his wife, “If you’re free, take Mian’ger to play with younger brother’s children. Eldest Brother and his wife are unreliable, but Third Brother and his family are not so. Maybe we will depend on them for more help in the future.”

Lin-shi naturally nodded in response. “I understand.”

Although Tang Song Nian had achieved his goal, he felt like he was holding a breath continuously and still couldn’t rest easy.

He was strolling back towards his own library. While walking, he looked at the lanterns lit in the main courtyard not far ahead, took a deep breath, and finally managed to swallow the suffocating breath in his heart. Only then did he speed up his pace and strode forward.

When he entered the room, he saw his daughter sitting on the couch with her back to the crowd. Bi Wen was reaching out to hug her, but she twisted her chubby small body and broke away from her touch.

Ruan-shi was sitting aside and slowly tidying up the tangled cotton thread. From time to time, she would glance at the little girl, who was still obviously making trouble.

“Where’s Zhou’ger?” he asked casually.

“He went to the old lady’s place,” Bi Wen replied.

“Oh, I see.” Tang Song Nian waved Bi Wen to back off. Afterward, despite Xu Yun Yao’s struggles, he held her in his arms, smiled a little at her, and poked her nose. “What’s wrong with Bao Ya?”  

Seeing that her struggle was not helping her, Xu Yun Yao also gave up, only staring at him with bulging eyes. Her big, round watery eyes were full of complaints.

What’s the matter with you, old man? Why did you marry such a stupid woman? And if you already did so, why didn’t you take some time to teach her to be smarter?

Tang Song Nian poked her cheek. “Let your father poke and see if there will be a leak,” he said with a smile.

To be continue