As dusk settled, the Taoist priest’s chanting ceased and the number of mourners dwindled. Grandmother’s burial would take place soon.
Yining gazed at the mountains in the fading light, watching the last rays of sunlight slip beneath the eaves. In the chilly evening, only the main hall remained brightly lit.
“Meimei, what are you looking at?” Luo Yihui asked her.
Yining simply shook her head, saying it was nothing. Just then, a servant opened the doors to the main hall. Luo Yihui led Yining inside, following behind Lin Hairu.
Madam Chen sat in the main hall with Old Master Luo beside her, surrounded by the male family members. Seeing Luo Yihui enter with Yining, Madam Chen’s expression soured. With a forced smile, she said, “Hui’er, Yining is still young. Perhaps it’s better if her nanny takes her to play outside.”
“The child is well-behaved and won’t disturb you, Aunt,” Luo Yihui replied pleasantly.
Luo Shenyuan, seated to Luo Yihui’s right, calmly said, “Yining, come sit by Third Brother.”
Yining obediently went to his side. Her elder sister didn’t stop her, instead sipping her tea. Yining wasn’t sure what the two had discussed that afternoon, but it must have been related to dividing the family property. She looked up at Madam Chen.
Madam Chen was seething inside. She opposed dividing the family. Under her management these past years, hadn’t everyone lived well? True, the main branch used more resources, but that was only natural. Looking ahead, the second branch had Luo Yihui as the future wife of the Ningyuan Marquis’ heir, not to mention connections to the influential Gu family of Baodi. Although Gus had kept a low profile in recent years, Old Master Gu remained the emperor’s teacher. As long as he lived, the Gu family wouldn’t decline.
The main branch seemed prosperous now, but without support, it could fall in an instant.
Madam Chen had discussed this with Old Master Luo, who shared her views and tacitly approved her plan. She’d invited Luo Chengzhang to discuss the family’s future. But before they could say much, the crafty second branch arrived – first Luo Shenyuan, then Luo Yihui bringing Luo Yining.
Old Master Luo had warned Madam Chen that his younger brother, having never known hardship, would be easy to manipulate. But dealing with Luo Yihui or Luo Shenyuan would prove far more difficult.
Still, now that they were here, she couldn’t very well send them away. Madam Chen had a servant bring the account books. Clearing her throat, she began, “Our household can’t go a day without leadership. When the old madam was alive, I managed many affairs. Though not perfectly, I avoided any major mishaps. Now that she’s gone, we have no reason to immediately divide the family. If Second Brother doesn’t object, I’ll continue managing things. Your elder brother agrees.”
Turning to Luo Chengzhang, she continued, “The old madam entrusted some responsibilities to Shenyuan, but he’s young and impetuous. I fear managing household affairs might interfere with his studies. Better to let me handle everything. I assure you the second branch’s needs will be fully met.”
Yining wanted to laugh. When Old Master Luo was alive, he’d decreed the family property be divided equally among the brothers. However, under Madam Chen’s management, the main branch hoarded resources while Luo Huaiyuan and his brother lived extravagantly. Grandmother had long turned a blind eye, but finally couldn’t stand it anymore. She’d allowed Luo Shenyuan to replace Madam Chen’s manager at the tea house, and business was now booming. How could they claim he couldn’t manage well?
Luo Chengzhang glanced at Old Master Luo. Years of estrangement had grown between the brothers, despite their shared blood. His elder sister-in-law’s wishes were as good as his brother’s.
If his eldest daughter hadn’t spoken with him, he might have acquiesced to the main branch’s desires. He wasn’t unaware of their schemes, but like the old madam, he prioritized family harmony and kept silent.
“Sister-in-law, this matter-” Luo Chengzhang said slowly, “I can’t decide alone. Please discuss it with Hui’er.”
How could he confront Madam Chen when his elder brother sat silent?
Madam Chen’s face stiffened. Ever since Luo Yihui’s return, the second branch had found its backbone. She turned to Luo Yihui with a forced smile. “You’re a married daughter now, but given your status, you could certainly manage Luo’s family affairs if you wished…”
Her implication was clear – she wanted Luo Yihui to stay out of it.
Luo Yihui stood, smiling. “You’re right, Aunt. Though married, I retain my status as the eldest daughter. With my younger siblings still small and Shenyuan busy with his studies, who but I should manage things?”
With those words, she’d neatly countered Madam Chen. She continued, “Naturally, I disagree with your proposal. After discussing with Father for several days, I have a suggestion of my own. Perhaps dividing the family would be more appropriate.”
Though Madam Chen had anticipated this, hearing it still discomfited her. She forced a laugh. “Hui’er, your words seem rather heartless. Grandmother has just passed – shouldn’t our two branches remain unified? Dividing now would be unfilial. If she knew, it would surely grieve her spirit!”
Luo Yihui wouldn’t be cowed by accusations of impiety. She met Madam Chen’s gaze. “Because of your words, Grandmother didn’t see Yining one last time before she died. Afterward, you immediately tried to banish her favorite granddaughter to a dilapidated courtyard. I wonder who truly deserves to be called unfilial? For whom would Grandmother grieve?”
Madam Chen twisted her handkerchief, fuming. Luo Yihui cared most for her sister Yining. Now that she’d returned, every word was in Yining’s defense!
Seeing Madam Chen speechless, Luo Shanyuan quickly stood.
“Elder Sister speaks as if she witnessed everything firsthand,” said Luo Shanyuan, Madam Chen’s son. “That day, Mother sent Seventh Sister away out of concern for her health. Grandmother’s condition worsened as soon as she left – how can you blame Mother for that?” His lips curled in a cold smile. “Let’s be reasonable. Seventh Sister has always been willful. That day she stubbornly refused to leave. If not for Mother’s urging, how would she have gone?”
Hearing this, Lin Hairu trembled with anger, remembering how Yining had cried until she could barely breathe. She’d never confronted Madam Chen about it, and now Luo Shanyuan dared twist the facts! She retorted, “By that logic, I suppose moving Yining to the decrepit Luming Hall was also for her good? What kind of heart does it take to house a child in such a place?”
Luo Huaiyuan realized his brother had misspoken. He tugged Luo Shanyuan down and stood up himself. “He’s blunt and speaks without thinking. I apologize if he’s offended you, Second Aunt. But there’s truly no need to divide the family. Please don’t blame Mother. She’s managed the Luo household for many years – if not meritorious, at least she’s worked hard…”
Luo Huaiyuan, with his scholarly title, spoke far more eloquently than Luo Shanyuan.
At this point, Yining stepped forward and said softly, “Elder Brother, has Yining always treated you well?”
Luo Huaiyuan looked at Yining standing beside Luo Shenyuan, her eyes raised to meet his. Unsure of her meaning, he replied gently, “Yining has always been very close to Elder Brother.”
“If I’ve always been close to you, why do you treat me this way? You say Second Brother is blunt, implying his words are true. So on the day Grandmother died, it was entirely my fault? No one else is to blame.” Yining’s clear, steady gaze pierced Luo Huaiyuan’s gentlemanly facade, chilling her heart. “Is that what you mean, Elder Brother?”
Luo Huaiyuan’s lips trembled. After a long moment, he said, “Seventh Sister misunderstands. I’ve always doted on you – how could I say such things? I only meant dividing the family now would be unfilial. That’s all I was trying to say.”
Luo Shenyuan finally stood, stepping forward to grip the little girl’s shoulders and guide her behind him.
“Elder Brother is right – dividing now would indeed be unfilial,” Luo Shenyuan said coolly. “But we haven’t finished explaining. We don’t mean to truly separate, only to divide the household affairs, properties, and residences. We’ll still conduct ancestral rites together, fulfilling our filial duties. Separating accounts will prevent future disputes, actually promoting family harmony. There’s nothing unfilial about it. To outsiders, the Luo family will appear unchanged. Even if word spreads, people will only praise our brotherly affection. What do you think, Uncle?”
Luo Shenyuan addressed the silent Old Master Luo directly.
Old Master Luo understood Luo Shenyuan’s meaning. He was already in mourning, his position at court precarious. If rumors of family discord spread, giving imperial censors an excuse to impeach him, he’d face no end of trouble. Those censors cared nothing for truth, eagerly submitting memorials to the emperor at the slightest pretext, fearing no official however highly ranked.
He looked at Luo Shenyuan and said flatly, “Enough. Shenyuan’s suggestion has merit. We can indeed live separately.”
Hearing her husband agree, Madam Chen cried urgently, “My lord, how can this be”
Old Master Luo waved his hand. “Have your housekeeper come out and divide up the family property. I won’t be involved. No need to invite the village head either – you and Hui’er can work it out.” With that, he called for his attendant and left the hall. Seeing his elder brother depart, Luo Chengzhang advised Hui’er briefly before following.
Madam Chen’s heart burned with resentment. How could they divide everything equally? How would the main branch support so many people? Huaiyuan and Shanyuan still had to take the imperial exams – their lifestyle couldn’t suffer. Old Master Luo, never having managed the household, didn’t understand how expensive daily necessities were. His meager salary couldn’t feed the whole family. Suppressing her anger, she said coldly, “Since the master has spoken, we’ll divide the property. But one point is non-negotiable. Yining has already received the old madam’s bequest. As her aunt, I won’t examine exactly how much. But the second branch’s share must be reduced by 10% – that’s only fair.”
Lin Hairu could no longer contain herself. She slammed the table and stood. “How dare you, Chen Lan! Usually, you’re so high and mighty, but now you nitpick like a petty market woman. Are you jealous of the little Yining inherited? That includes not just the old madam’s bequest, but what her birth mother left her. Must that all be counted as family property too?”
She wouldn’t stand by while the second branch’s share was reduced because of Yining. How would the others in the second branch view Yining then?
Madam Chen had never been so openly mocked by Lin Hairu before – they usually waged cold wars. Hearing Lin Hairu’s insults, Madam Chen lost control. She too slammed the table. “How dare you speak to me that way! My Chen family’s scholarly heritage can’t be compared to your vulgar merchant background! I’m not after the money – I’m preventing the old madam’s unfairness from becoming a laughingstock!”
Madam Chen shouldn’t have engaged Lin Hairu. In an argument, ten of her couldn’t match Lin Hairu. Their specialties differed – Madam Chen lectured her children daily, while Lin Hairu berated Concubine Qiao in her chambers.
“What unfairness? It all comes down to money! Why use such pompous excuses? Just say you need silver – I’ll fetch some from the Lin family. However much you want!” Lin Hairu’s forceful tone brooked no argument. “Why use a child as an excuse? It’s embarrassing to watch! If the old madam saw this, she’d come back to haunt you. And you claim to be from a scholarly family – what respectable family produces someone like you?”
Madam Chen trembled with rage at Lin Hairu’s words. A scholar meeting a soldier – she feared Lin Hairu’s unrestrained insults. She had no concept of saving face.
Luo Yihui waited for her stepmother to finish. In this arena, she was quite reliable.
Seeing Madam Chen speechless, Luo Yihui smiled and continued, “Please don’t be angry, Aunt. My mother is blunt and speaks without filters. We’re all family – don’t let this harm your health. I think Mother has misunderstood you. You’ve always viewed wealth as worthless – how could you deprive the second branch of their rightful share over the trifling gold and silver Grandmother left Yining? Surely you were only joking.”
Madam Chen felt utterly stymied by this family. A trifling amount? The old madam had left Yining nearly ten thousand taels of silver! And when had she ever considered wealth worthless?
Yet Luo Yihui’s words were so reasonable that even Luo Huaiyuan and his brother could find no fault. Indeed, Madam Chen should divide the property equally.
Yining watched from the side, wanting to applaud. Her elder sister’s skill was unmatched – if she were Madam Chen, she too would be rendered speechless.
At this point, Luo Shenyuan stood. A servant handed him a box, which he brought to Madam Chen. “I have some account books here for your reference, Aunt.”
Madam Chen took the books. As she opened them, her expression changed. Finally closing them, she said tonelessly, “Granny, bring out all the Luo family account books. Fetch the deeds and documents for our properties and lands as well. We’ll divide everything tonight. Let’s never speak of this again.”
She clutched the account books tightly, as if unwilling to let go for even a moment.
Luo Shenyuan smiled faintly. “Keep those safe, Aunt. Don’t worry – I have many more. After tonight, I’ll send someone to deliver them all to you in the morning.”
Madam Chen gritted her teeth in silence. If Luo Shenyuan had even obtained these, what more could she say?
The candles burned until midnight as they took inventory for hours. When Madam Chen finally left the main hall, her face was ashen, as if a layer of flesh had been flayed from her.
Lin Hairu clutched the account books, marveling, “I had no idea our family was so wealthy!”
Luo Yihui turned back, waiting for Yining and Luo Shenyuan trailing behind. When Luo Shenyuan caught up, she asked, “How did you obtain Aunt’s secret account books?”
“I replaced the tea house manager. The other managers, fearing I’d come for them next, handed everything over early on,” Luo Shenyuan said casually.
He must have been plotting for some time… Yining looked at her third brother’s slender fingers, suddenly at a loss for words.
Luo Shenyuan’s thoughts ran incredibly deep. Few could match him.
“Meimei, let me take you back to wash up and sleep. Otherwise, you’ll oversleep again tomorrow,” Luo Yihui said, changing the subject. She took Yining’s hand, casting a final glance at Luo Shenyuan before leading Yining toward their quarters.
Yining waved goodbye to her third brother, pulled away by her elder sister before she could say anything. She only saw Luo Shenyuan standing there, a solitary silhouette in the darkness. The lantern light illuminated just his side, his expression hidden.
She suddenly felt a twinge in her heart, though she couldn’t say why.