Chapter 14: Old Madam Han, the Loving Mother, and Her Filial Son

In the courtyard.

Second Aunt Yao’s face was also full of astonishment.

She leaned close to Mrs. Liu and whispered, “Cuiyun, what’s wrong with our eldest brother? Why does he change so suddenly whenever you mention that ‘Mr. Du’?”

“It’s nothing.”

Cheng Dashan cut her off, his tone indifferent. “It’s late, Second Sister-in-law. You should get some rest.”

“No, that’s not right!”

Yao Chunhua’s triangular eyes sparkled sharply.

She glanced keenly at the north room and shook her head. “You two must have some leverage over our eldest brother! Otherwise, he wouldn’t be this nervous!”

Before, when Cheng Dashan and his wife hadn’t returned, Old Madam Han had personally said she intended to pawn off the Yao family to the authorities. How could she have just let that slide?

And then there was Cheng Dahai.

Was he the easygoing type?

Over the years, how much had he pilfered from both inside and outside the household? Even their daily meals and expenses were supported by the second and third branches.

Would he willingly pay money?

Yao Chunhua might lack in other areas, but she was certainly a bit cunning.

She frowned and whispered, “Could it be that eldest brother has gotten into trouble outside? Come on, tell me, what did you hear in town? Is it that eldest brother...?”

“Second Sister-in-law, you really know how to make wild guesses!”

Mrs. Liu interrupted her sharply.

Then she nudged Yao back inside. “Go to bed now. We have to work in the fields tomorrow!”

It was certainly satisfying to expose Cheng Dahai’s disgrace, but Mrs. Liu knew well that if such a scandal broke out, the family would be torn apart—and especially, it couldn’t come from her own lips!

Otherwise, right would turn into wrong.

“No, this isn’t right!”

“There’s definitely something going on here.”

Yao Chunhua muttered a few words, unwilling to concede, and went back inside.

...

In the north room.

Old Madam Han had just sat down when she eagerly grabbed her eldest son’s hand.

“Eldest, what’s wrong with you today? Didn’t I tell you before... How could you just let that wretched woman Liu off so easily?”

“Exactly!”

Qin Dongzhi, standing nearby, frowned displeased. “And you still want to pay her taxes? What’s going through your mind, head of the house?”

“Well, the second brother’s family is one thing—they love to make trouble, so we just spend some money to hush them up. But the third brother’s family...”

The scene at the village entrance just today was still vivid.

A great humiliation!

Since Cheng Dahai passed the preliminary imperial examination, had she ever endured such shame?

And now, the villagers were spreading rumors...

Saying that the eldest sister-in-law of the Cheng family was selfish and jealous, even cruel beneath a kind face!

Could she tolerate that?

If this had been before, Mrs. Liu would have been torn apart by her own hands!

“Mother.”

Cheng Dahai glared at his wife and then lowered his voice. “The third brother has been earning a lot for the family these years. Do you really think he’d stand by if you sold off Mrs. Liu?”

As always.

Without the continuous financial support from Cheng Dashan over the years, this family would have long since fallen apart.

...

Old Madam Han frowned slightly at his words.

Still unwilling, she said, “Just let that wretched woman go like this? A mother’s heart can’t accept that! You don’t know what that woman and her daughter said about me in front of the villagers today!”

“I’d chop those two wretched people to pieces!”

One was her daughter-in-law, the other her own grandson.

Yet from Old Madam Han’s mouth, they sounded like mortal enemies.

“Enough, Mother...”

Cheng Dahai restrained his anger and continued to persuade. “I had no choice but to borrow some money outside to prepare for the provincial exam. That Liu Cuiyun must have found out and stirred up trouble between me and the third brother.”

“You owe money outside?”

Old Madam Han and Qin Dongzhi both looked at him.

Cheng Dahai’s teeth itched with rage inside.

But he could only sigh helplessly. “I didn’t want to tell you, since it’s not something to be proud of... but this provincial exam is tough!”

Is studying hard or not?

Just looking at his genius son, who had failed the provincial exam twice in a row, was proof enough that studying was no easy matter.

Though displeased, Old Madam Han nodded firmly in belief.

“You shouldn’t have borrowed money, it harms your reputation!”

Her eyes filled with deep affection as she patted her son’s hand. “You’re the most promising in the family. For the honor of the Cheng family’s future, others should bear more for you... How much do you owe?”

“A little over two taels.”

Cheng Dahai didn’t dare to exaggerate.

Since Cheng Dashan mentioned Du Xiu’s name, he knew this matter might spiral out of control. Not to mention the debts outside...

Even the secret household he was maintaining—

If that were exposed, the Cheng family would be shaken to its core!

Even if his mother sided with him, what about the second brother’s family?

And Qin Dongzhi...

If this got out in the village—

It might even ruin his future.

A scholar—

Isn’t it all about face?

Upon hearing this,

Old Madam Han said without hesitation, “That’s no problem! Spring is coming, there are plenty of wild goods in the mountains. I’ll have the second and third brothers go up more often; in three or five months, you can pay it off.”

“Sigh, it’s my fault too!”

Cheng Dahai said with guilt. “If my son had passed earlier, you wouldn’t have to worry and work so hard for me...”

“Nonsense.”

“I’m your mother; if not for you, then for whom?”

Old Madam Han’s eyes were full of warmth as she spoke gently, “What mother in the world doesn’t love her son? As long as you’re doing well, no matter how hard I work, I’m willing!”

“Mother...”

Cheng Dahai’s voice choked with emotion.

For a moment, mother and son were full of affection.

“It’s all that damned Liu Cuiyun’s fault!”

Qin Dongzhi also spoke angrily, “If it weren’t for her and that brat causing trouble, our family would still have half a tael left. The head of the house wouldn’t need to borrow money outside!”

...

At this moment,

In the pitch-dark west room,

Mrs. Liu tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

...

Cheng Dashan turned to glance at his sleeping son, then gently embraced his wife.

He whispered, “Forget it, after all, this is a serious matter... Eldest brother has already backed down today, so we mustn’t act rashly... Our son is smart enough, isn’t he? Didn’t you notice he stayed silent today?”

Whether the son was truly smart, Cheng Dashan wasn’t sure.

But his mind was sharp!

Just from a few words, he had nailed Old Madam Han and Qin Dongzhi to the pillar of shame, and casually composed a poem that even the teacher applauded.

So even if the son wasn’t a genius,

He was definitely a rare troublemaker...

“I know that...”

“But I’m just so angry!”

Mrs. Liu lightly tapped her husband’s arm, pouting like a spoiled child. “Why can Cheng Dahai live a life of debauchery outside, and his wife and son act all high and mighty? What about us? I’ve really had enough!”

“Don’t worry...”

“When the time is right, we’ll split the family!”

Cheng Dahai spoke with grave seriousness, as if bolstering his own courage.

“You better mean it!”

Mrs. Liu immediately brightened, turning over to lie on her husband’s chest, teasing, “I’ve long wanted to leave this family. You can’t lie to me!”

“When have I ever lied to you?”

“Pft!”

Mrs. Liu shyly retorted.

“You lie plenty!”

“No, I don’t!”

“Yes, you do!”

“Don’t!”

“Do!”

Their voices deepened gradually, mingling into soft breaths.

“Mm~~”

In the darkness,

Mrs. Liu let out a muffled moan,

Then hastily covered her mouth, trembling softly.

“Keep it down, don’t wake the child.”

“Okay!”

Cheng Dashan’s voice was hoarse.

Gradually...

The bed creaked.

Cheng An curled up in the corner, burying his head deep under the covers.

Right now, only one thought filled his mind—

Split the family!

They had to split up as soon as possible!

He didn’t want to share a room with his parents even for a second, especially since inside his eight-year-old body lived a thirty-something-year-old old ghost...

This kind of suffering was truly unbearable for ordinary people.