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Listening to these words, Jiang Mixia calmly set down her tea cup. “Uncle’s words do hold some truth.”
“Exactly.” Song Fengshou, pleased with Jiang Mixia’s agreement, beamed, “I knew it. My niece-in-law is a sensible person, understanding the situation. I’m confident you will agree to have Jingyun return to his ancestral roots.”
“Yes,” Jiang Mixia nodded, but then smirked, “Even at my young age, I understand this concept. It seems like older folks like you, Uncle, who have lived for half a century, might have missed this point.”
“What do you mean by that?” Song Fengshou looked puzzled.
“Uncle, in your words earlier, you were emphasizing the importance of Jingyun’s lineage not ending. But how could Uncle, back then, be so heartless as to let Jingyun become our son-in-law? Did Uncle ever consider the consequences of breaking Jingyun’s family lineage?” Jiang Mixia squinted, “Since Jingyun became our son-in-law, it has been three to four years. Now that Jingyun is doing well, excelling in his studies and achieving success, Uncle suddenly remembers the importance of lineage.”
“I see through it all. If one didn’t know, they might think Uncle is simply considering his younger brother’s family. But if they didn’t, they’d assume Uncle sees Jingyun’s success as a chance to bask in the glory and eagerly seeks to climb the tree of Jingyun for his own benefits in the future.”
These words almost laid bare Song Fengshou’s thoughts.
Song Fengshou’s face paled slightly, then he chuckled after a moment, “Niece-in-law, you jest. It’s not about Jingyun’s success that brings me here; it’s always been about my brother’s affairs.”
“Thinking back to the past, our family was truly impoverished, unable to make ends meet. Jingyun couldn’t even have enough to eat. Your family, on the other hand, lived comfortably, kind-hearted, and with your wit, seeing that instead of letting Jingyun suffer with us, it would be better to send him to your home for a better life…”
“But my parents mentioned that Jingyun’s family left behind considerable assets: a courtyard with five or six rooms and over ten acres of land. Even if Jingyun didn’t cultivate the land and rented it out, the rental income alone would be enough for his sustenance. How is it that once these belongings fall into Uncle’s hands, Jingyun would struggle to have enough to eat and wear warm clothes?”
Jiang Mixia interjected, “Furthermore, when Jingyun was betrothed to our family, I was at the peak of my naivety. It took a lot of effort for my parents to find a suitor for me. After all, no one willingly lets their child become a son-in-law to others, especially someone like me, who was so naive.”
“Uncle agreed at the time and even asked for ten silver coins from my family. When Jingyun became our son-in-law, Uncle’s family wouldn’t even provide bedding. In essence, they took advantage of Jingyun, an orphan, seized his rightful property, and refused to spend money for his marriage. Instead, they sent Jingyun away and still profited from it.”
“Now, wanting Jingyun back once he has succeeded, I must say, Uncle’s schemes are quite cunning.”
“Not…,” Song Fengshou tried to argue but was interrupted once again by Jiang Mixia.
“Allowing Uncle and Auntie into the house was out of respect for you being Jingyun’s relatives, giving you some last bit of dignity. But now, Uncle and Auntie are failing to fulfill the duties expected of blood relatives.”