Chapter 88: Let’s Separate From the Family

Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Let’s Separate From the Family

Mrs. Zhu dragged Ji Mingmao all the way home, fuming, and immediately started embellishing her story with extra details.

She claimed Ji Huan was so terrified of the Ji Family knowing about her new house’s beam-raising ceremony that outsiders were hauling things home by the bagful, while her own relatives hadn’t seen so much as a scrap.

Mrs. Zhu thought, ’With Granny Kang’s temper—she never suffers the slightest loss—how could she possibly stop herself from storming over to that wretched girl’s place and causing a scene?’

’As long as Mother-in-law goes, I’ll follow right behind. Then I can bring everything left in that wretched girl’s house back here!’

Granny Kang was, in fact, still holding a grudge over the matter of the hot and spicy soup recipe.

However, ever since Ji Liantang had been admitted to the county school, Ji Qingshan was overjoyed. He felt it was a sure thing his son would become a Scholar this time and had repeatedly warned Granny Kang not to stir up trouble at such a critical juncture.

Let Ji Huan build a house or do whatever she pleased—that was all small change. Once their son became a Scholar and then went on to pass the higher provincial exams, the Ji Family’s immense, heaven-sent fortune was yet to come.

Granny Kang had never been one to suffer in silence. If she was unhappy, she was bound to make everyone else unhappy. But for the sake of her precious fourth son, she was willing to endure for a while.

’Once my fourth son passes his exams with flying colors, I’ll free up my hands to properly deal with that jinx!’

Of course, it was mainly Ji Qingshan’s talk of "immense, heaven-sent fortune" that had done the trick.

Although the thought of the silver in Ji Huan’s hands was an unbearable itch, she was now the mother of a man who was practically a Scholar. She ought to put on a superior air.

Her husband and her fourth son both thought she was shortsighted, but she felt that Mrs. Zhu was the truly shortsighted one.

"It’s just a few steamed buns, look at you acting so pathetic! With a sister-in-law like you, you’ll be an embarrassment to my fourth son. It’s their beam-raising ceremony, what are you doing scurrying around so early in the morning? Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were rushing to tend a grave. Since you’re so idle, you can make today’s meals too."

Mrs. Zhu was not happy. "Mother! Isn’t it Eldest Sister-in-law’s turn to cook this morning?"

She had only come to tattle, so how did she end up with chores?

"I have other work for the eldest’s wife. What, you think cooking is too light a task?!"

Mrs. Zhu instantly shut her mouth.

The news of Ji Liantang entering the county school was not just a source of reassurance, it was a bonding agent. The entire Ji Family became unprecedentedly harmonious. Even when Ji Liantang took more silver from Granny Kang for his trip to the county, not a single person uttered a peep.

For the past few days, no one had gotten angry or argued over Ji Huan’s activities.

Compared to the future of the Ji Family, what did Ji Huan matter?

’No matter how capable she becomes or how much money she earns, she’ll still pale in comparison to our fourth son. Just you wait!’

But not everyone was waiting to ride on Ji Liantang’s coattails.

That evening, Ji Liansong returned from hauling logs at the lumber mill, his cotton-padded jacket soaked through with sweat. Yang boiled some water and sent him into the inner room to wash up. She sat in the outer room, doing her needlework while talking to Ji Mingfang about Ji Huan’s beam-raising ceremony.

"...Back when Wuan was in that state, we all thought she wouldn’t make it. I never expected her to have such good fortune. After leaving the Ji Family, she’s actually managed to build a life for herself."

Ji Mingfang’s hands, which were picking radish greens, paused for a moment. He lowered his gaze and resumed his task.

Yang was used to him being quiet all day and continued talking to herself. "It’s one thing for her not to tell the others in the Ji Family, but your father snuck her half a bag of dried sweet potato behind your grandmother’s back. He even gave her the money we worked so hard to hide away, keeping it a secret even from me. Now, for something as important as a beam-raising, she doesn’t even come to inform your father."

Ji Liansong, having changed his clothes, came out of the inner room just in time to hear that last sentence.

"It was just a few things. No matter what, I’m her Eldest Uncle. I couldn’t just stand by and watch her starve. How could I face my second brother otherwise? If Wuan didn’t come to let us know, she must have her reasons."

Just as he, her uncle, couldn’t show his face to help even though he knew the beam-raising was a major event, Ji Huan also had to be wary of the rest of the Ji Family.

Yang fell silent and went to the kitchen to fetch the leftovers.

Everyone else had already eaten, so instead of going to the main hall, she brought the food directly to the eastern wing where they lived.

Having been hungry all day, Ji Liansong wolfed down his food.

He had left before dawn with just two cold steamed buns. At noon, he’d managed to get some hot water to wash them down, but it barely took the edge off his hunger.

Ji Mingfang looked at his father’s chapped, bleeding hands. Then he thought of his Third Uncle, who did nothing at home all day but eat and lie around. And he thought of the family’s pride and joy, his high-and-mighty Fourth Uncle, who was sucking the lifeblood from them all.

The hands resting on his lap slowly clenched into fists, his nails digging into his skin.

He didn’t feel the pain, only hate.

He hated his grandparents’ favoritism, hated his parents’ passive acceptance, hated his own powerlessness, and most of all, he hated...

"Father," he said suddenly. "Can’t you stop hauling logs? The whole family is at home resting, but Grandfather and Grandmother only make you go... You work in the fields nonstop all year, only getting a couple of days of rest in the winter. Why do you have to go and suffer like this?"

Ji Liansong knew his son was saying this out of concern for him. A warmth spread through his heart, and he smiled.

"I’m used to working. I get restless when I’m idle. Besides, your Fourth Uncle has his exams after the spring festival. Once he becomes a Scholar, he’ll need even more money. While I’m still able to work..."

Ji Mingfang shot to his feet and roared, "You’re his older brother, not his slave! Even if you tore out your heart and gave him your life, he wouldn’t feel a shred of gratitude! The money you earn with your blood and sweat, slaving away like an animal—he probably thinks it’s filthy, don’t you get it?!"

His son’s sudden outburst left Ji Liansong stunned. Yang was so frightened she immediately went to shut the door, her face pale when she turned back around.

"Ming Fang, keep your voice down! What if your grandmother hears you..."

Ji Mingfang sneered. "This is our home. Am I not even allowed to speak loudly in it? Father, Mother, tell me, isn’t that ridiculous?"

Ji Liansong, thinking his son had overheard some malicious gossip, forgot about his meal. "Did your grandmother insult you again? You know how she is. Just pretend you don’t hear her, and don’t take it to heart..."

"It’s too late," Ji Mingfang said, shaking his head.

Ji Liansong froze. "What’s too late?"

"Every word Grandmother has said over the years is carved right here," Ji Mingfang said, pointing to his heart, then his head. "And here. ’Cripple,’ ’useless trash,’ ’good-for-nothing’... Every single word. I can’t forget them no matter how hard I try. Even in my dreams, I see her pointing her finger and cursing at me."

Tears streamed down Yang’s face as she heard this. She smacked him twice. "You silly child... Why are you so sensitive? You take every little thing to heart. Aren’t you just torturing yourself?"

Ji Mingfang’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. "I’m sensitive? I’m torturing myself? So in the end, it’s all my fault?"

Ji Liansong never imagined his son was hiding such a heavy burden. He was filled with a sudden wave of self-blame and regret.

"It’s all my fault. It’s my fault for being a bad father! Ming Fang, the next time your grandmother says those things, I’ll stop her, I promise..."

"Can you really stop her, Father?"

Ji Liansong was rendered speechless. After a long moment, his expression hardened with resolve. "Trust me this one time."

Ji Mingfang looked at him and said suddenly, "Then let’s split from the family."

"What?"

"What did you say?"

Ji Liansong thought he had misheard, while Yang suspected her son was delirious with a fever.

"You didn’t mishear me, and I’m not delirious. Mother, didn’t you just say that Wuan’s life improved after she split from the Ji Family? Then why can’t we? If we split off, we can save the money we earn through our hard work for ourselves. I’ll find something to do, too. Anything is better than this endless toiling for the sake of others."

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became, as if he were longing for a rebirth. His face shone with a light that had never been there before.

"Father, Mother, you always say you’re doing what’s best for me. If you really mean it, then let’s split from the family!"