Chapter 524: Chapter 524: Qin Er Lang Suffers a Setback
Third Grandpa heard this and said, "That’s right, Da Fu, there’s no need for brothers to settle accounts so clearly; it hurts the feelings."
Gu Dafu was persuaded and hung his head low, "I just want to give Da Gui a bit more."
He was the eldest brother, and what he heard most often since childhood was that he should take care of his younger brothers and sisters. So, when dividing the family property, he wanted to give Da Gui a bit more so that Gu Dagui’s family could lead a better life in the future.
Mrs. Chen was ungrateful: "We are in our prime, with able hands and feet; do we need you to give us more? We only want our fair share. Besides, did you ask Brother Xing when you decided this?"
Gu Dexing was standing in the room with his head bowed and was stunned when he heard this.
Seeing this, Mrs. Chen scoffed and said, "Look at Brother Xing’s face; you definitely haven’t asked him."
Mrs. Chen was straightforward and asked Gu Dexing directly, "Brother Xing, do you agree with your father giving more silver coin to your second uncle and aunt?"
Gu Dexing didn’t dare to express dissatisfaction and nodded, saying, "I’ll listen to father."
Mrs. Chen glared at him, "That’s surprisingly honest of you."
If this were before, Gu Dexing would’ve immediately shown her a sullen face.
Mrs. Chen continued addressing Gu Dafu, "Let’s just do this: our family will take two more months of dividends, and the rest will be divided equally, but the courtyard must be left to the elder brother’s house. We will build another house for ourselves."
This old clay courtyard house was decrepit, but they had bought several acres of empty land in front and behind the yard, which was worth a dozen or so taels of silver.
Gu Dafu wanted to split the value of the yard and give half to Gu Dagui’s family, but Gu Dagui spoke first, "Eldest brother, if you still regard me as your real brother, you’d agree. As the head of the house, it’s only right that you get a larger share when the family property is divided. Now, my household is already taking advantage of the situation."
He added, "Eldest brother, it’s fine that you want to be generous to your brothers, but you also need to consider Brother Xing. Brother Xing is grown up, and in a couple of years, he will have to marry. Getting married, studying, and seeking an official position all require money. If you are so generous to me, what will Brother Xing do?"
Gu Dafu saw that Gu Dagui was genuinely angry and thought about Brother Xing... He had already lost a daughter, now only this son remained, so he must treat him well.
"Alright, let’s do as the sister-in-law suggested," Gu Dafu finally nodded in agreement.
Third Grandpa saw that they had settled the matter and didn’t linger any longer, returning home.
Upon entering the house and seeing that Dashan and his wife, along with the old woman and Brother Cheng, had returned, he felt very happy.
Brother Cheng, the little rascal, even dragged a stool over and offered, "Third Grandpa, please sit."
Third Grandpa’s face, weathered and brown, wore a smile as he praised Brother Cheng and then, smelling the aroma coming from the kitchen, called out, "Xiao Yu, Sister Xiu, what delicious food did you make tonight?"
Third Grandma chuckled and said, "You old man, you’re even getting greedy? We made fried fish and fried meatballs, they smell wonderful."
Upon hearing this, Third Grandpa shouted towards the kitchen, "Xiao Yu, pack up two bowls of fried fish and meatballs, and send them to Grandpa Qin’s family."
Then he said to Third Grandma, "The three generations there are all Old Masters, not very good at cooking. Since we’ve made some good dishes, sending some over will give them something savory to enjoy."
Third Grandma glared at him, "Look at what you’re saying, you old man. Am I that stingy? Can’t I even allow you to send two bowls of meat dishes to Brother Qin’s family?"
Third Grandpa didn’t answer but just smiled and picked up Brother Cheng, asking him, "Brother Cheng, is your Third Grandma stingy?"
Brother Cheng’s eyes spun around as he smiled sweetly, "Third Grandma is as generous as Third Grandpa."
Third Grandpa was taken aback, but after hearing Third Grandma’s laughter, he poked Brother Cheng on the forehead and said, "You little rascal, always finding ways to side with your Third Grandma. Looks like you’re closer to her than to your Third Grandpa."
Brother Cheng laughed heartily and hugged Third Grandpa’s arm, saying, "Third Grandpa is as dear as Third Grandma."
Gu Dashan laughed, "Kid, why do you always talk like this? Who taught you?"
Brother Cheng turned to look at his own father and said, "Elder brother taught me."
Gu Jinli, holding two bowls of meat dishes, heard this and looked at Brother Cheng, "Taking advantage of the elder brother not being at home, you push everything onto him. Just wait until he comes back, you’ll be in a bad spot, he’ll have you writing until you cry."
Although Brother Cheng liked reading and writing, he couldn’t do it all day long like Gu Jin’an. Hearing this, his little face scrunched up, pleading, "Second Sister, I was wrong, please don’t tell elder brother."
Their elder brother was a meanie; he always thought of unpleasant ways to punish him whenever he was naughty.
Gu Jinli laughed, "That depends on whether you behave or not."
As she spoke, she glanced at the two bowls of meat dishes in her hands.
Brother Cheng immediately understood, rushing over to take a bowl of fried meatballs, smiling at Gu Jinli, "Second Sister, I’ll help you deliver it to Grandpa Qin’s family."
Gu Jinli nodded in satisfaction, and the brother and sister, each carrying a bowl of meat dishes, headed to the Qin family.
Just as they left the yard, they ran into Luo Huiniang, "Xiao Yu, Brother Cheng, where are you off to? I’ve brought wine for your family, it’s what elder brother brought back from the county town."
Wine, brewed from grains, was a luxury item in Great Chu. If anyone bought some, they would share it with Third Grandpa and Elder Qin, the two elders.
Gu Jinli said, "We made fried fish and fried meatballs at home, and were just about to deliver them to Grandpa Qin’s family."
Luo Huiniang said, "I’ll go with you."
She was also on her way to deliver wine to Grandpa Qin’s family.
"Okay." Gu Jinli nodded, and the three of them headed to the Qin family’s house in high spirits.
Qin Er Lang’s face looked quite unpleasant when he saw the three of them.
However, Luo Huiniang was delighted to see him, "Brother Qin Er, I’ve brought wine for you, it’s Songhua Wine that elder brother bought from the county town, it’s very tasty, you should try some."
Then she hastily added, "No, no, that won’t do, you’re injured, you can’t drink, then you should go ahead and eat. Xiao Yu family made fried fish and meatballs, they are delicious."
Qin Er Lang’s forehead throbbed with anger as he listened to Luo Huiniang’s endless chatter, and he asked in a deep voice, "Are you a duck?"
Why do you keep quacking away, aren’t you tired, I’m exhausted just listening!
Luo Huiniang wasn’t offended at all, but seriously replied, "Brother Qin Er, I’m born in the year of the Ox, not a duck."
Qin Er Lang really wanted to strangle her.
Fed up with lingering among these rustic peasant girls, he turned to leave, but Luo Huiniang called after him, "Brother Qin Er, where are you going? Aren’t you going to eat the fried fish and meatballs? They’re really tasty and fragrant."
Qin Er Lang couldn’t hold back anymore and turned around to yell angrily, "Such lowly stuff! Only peasants would eat that, I don’t care for it!"
His words were very harsh, and the faces of the people in the room turned sour, Elder Qin, who had been smiling before, now had a gloomy expression.
Luo Huiniang, who wasn’t bothered easily, heard this and pointed at Qin Er Lang, "Brother Qin Er, even if you’re not happy, you shouldn’t insult yourself, you’re a peasant too."
Qin Er Lang’s face immediately turned green with rage.
Elder Qin, watching Qin Er Lang’s crestfallen face, couldn’t help but laugh out loud.