Chapter 36: The Lin Family’s Squabble

Xiao Hanting didn’t say anything. He was pleased with Lin Qingyu’s attitude, a thirst for knowledge that was admirable.

The meal was lively, and they almost cleaned the plates again.

Those waiting to see her suffer would have to wait for the next life.

***

At the Lin family home.

After a trip to the county that yielded nothing, dinner was still cornmeal buns with rice soup. Everyone’s faces were sour.

Lin Daguo put down his bowl first. He spoke to Old Madam Lin with a hint of reproach.

“It’s not like we’re starving. Every time you go to the county, you buy nothing. The villagers laugh at us. Everyone knows Third Brother’s death brought in dozens of silver taels. If we don’t use them now, are we waiting for someone to come borrow?”

His pride was everything. If not for that, Lin Qinghuan’s complete severance of ties might have taken even longer.

“We have a big family. If we use all the money now, what will we do later? You don’t manage the household, so you don’t know how expensive things are.” Old Madam Lin ignored him and even scolded him back.

Big Aunt bit into her cornmeal bun, her tone sarcastic.

“I heard from the villagers that Lin Qinghuan eats meat every day now. She bought over ten jin of pork in the county today. If you don’t want people to say we mistreat her, you’ll have to put on a show.”

Second Aunt’s eyes darted around, clearly scheming.

“Mother, in my opinion, we should split the family. Divide the money among us two brothers, you, and Father. Then each household can live its own life.”

“Shut up!” Lin Daguo was furious.

A man who cared so much about face would never agree to split the family.

With both parents still alive, dividing the household would bring shame. People would point fingers at them forever.

He shot a warning glare at Old Madam Lin, and she had no choice but to back down.

If she didn’t let them eat meat, they might demand a division again.

“Fine, fine. The day after tomorrow, I’ll go to the county and buy meat for everyone. A proper feast. Is that good enough?”

Lin Daguo was satisfied.

The old woman simply didn’t know how to win people over. She hoarded money. To make the children obedient, she had to give them occasional sweet treats. If things continued like this, sooner or later the children would grow distant.

Second Aunt was disappointed that her instigation of a family split had failed. At least they’d have meat the day after tomorrow. It wasn’t all for nothing.

“Alright, I have an announcement.” Old Madam Lin brought this up after promising meat, as if giving a reward in advance.

“I went to Master Liu’s today. He’s reasonable. He won’t pursue the matter despite that wretched girl causing such a scene. But he said he definitely wants a concubine. Since Lin Qinghuan can’t marry him, he’ll pick one of the other two girls from our family.”

Old Madam Lin was lying without batting an eye. She was the one unwilling to give up Master Liu’s wealth, eager to send him a concubine. Now she shifted all the blame onto him.

Lin Yanhong and Lin Yanlan’s faces turned pale as paper. The thought of Master Liu, over forty with wobbling fat, made them nauseous.

Big Aunt’s heart tightened. Both girls were her daughters. Were they to be thrown into a pit of fire?

Her reaction enraged Old Madam Lin.

“Why are you making that face? Let me tell you, you can’t even imagine Master Liu’s wealth. So what if he wants a concubine? Our daughters are young. If they marry him and win his heart, the whole family will prosper. Even the crumbs from his fingers would feed us for a year.”

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