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During the Shen family’s division, everyone except the children gathered in the crowded room. Even the second son, Shen Zigui, who usually worked outside, was called back, creating a full house.
Shen Ziju, typically quiet, remained silent. He knew his wife, Wang Shi, wanted Shen Zi’an to be separated. She had instructed him not to speak out, and though he empathized with his brother, he felt powerless. Ultimately, it was their father’s decision to have his Fourth Brother separated, so he resolved to support Shen Zi’an more in the future.
On the other hand, Shen Zigui, a composed man who seldom spoke, carried a different air of silence from his elder brother. He stood quietly, with Li Shi by his side, who envied Shen Zi’an. She wished she could live independently after the division, but not at the cost Fourth Brother was facing. Despite having no sons, she prioritized her daughters’ reputation.
Shen Ziping and his wife were secretly thrilled. They had successfully maneuvered Shen Zi’an’s departure, relieving themselves of the burden of caring for the ailing sister-in-law. They also anticipated claiming Shen Zi’an’s room. They were keen on ensuring Shen Zi’an wouldn’t take too much in the division; the less others received, the more they would gain. Their primary focus was on preventing Shen Zi’an from acquiring too many possessions.
Shen Ziju also made an appearance today. At just fifteen years old, despite being a rural child, he possessed a fair, jade-like complexion, with refined features and a scholarly appearance. Dressed neatly and decently, he exuded the aura of a scholar. Sitting upright with a calm expression, a hint of sorrow could be seen in his eyes, leaving a positive impression on the observers. They admired his affection for his brothers and his remarkable composure at such a young age, predicting a promising future for him.
Shen Zhu stood behind Shen Zhang shi, harboring some discontent towards Shen Zi’an’s choice of Su Zhi. Her feelings towards Shen Zi’an were not based on affection but rather on his hard work benefiting the family, thus benefiting her. She couldn’t fathom how Shen Zi’an could forsake her, believing Su Zhi to be inferior. She harbored resentment, even wishing for Shen Zi’an to leave with nothing, hoping he would regret his decisions.
Despite the thoughts of those around him, Shen Zi’an remained unfazed. His sole focus was on swiftly completing the division and embarking on a peaceful life with his wife. He yearned for his wife to enjoy a hearty meal of his hunted game and to freely purchase things for her without hiding anything, wanting to liberate her from being confined in their fenced-off thatched hut all day.
“Zi’an, you can’t stay here any longer given the circumstances,” Shen Youfu spoke, glancing at Shen Zi’an, who remained expressionless, leaving him displeased with his son’s unresponsive demeanor.
“Our financial situation isn’t robust. The money we have is your sister’s dowry and Zuji’s examination fees, which cannot be touched. There’s no extra money to build you a house. Your grandfather has two rooms by the river in the east, a bit rundown but spacious. You can go there. There’s also five acres of land there, yours to cultivate,” Shen Youfu continued, matter-of-factly.
While Shen Youfu’s words seemed practical, they were received as a stark display of his thin father-son bond with Shen Zi’an.
The village was named Riverside Village for its proximity to a river; most households resided on the west side, with few on the east. Those living on the east were typically families who couldn’t find space on the west, settling there out of necessity. Over time, residing on the east side came to symbolize lower status, and only those truly in need would build houses there, often maintaining a certain air of pride even in their interactions.
The five acres of land Shen Youfu mentioned weren’t prime; the crops grown there struggled compared to other lands, being of inferior quality. While the offer may have sounded generous, it didn’t offer much benefit to Shen Zi’an.
Shen Zhang shi felt inwardly pleased but maintained a neutral expression, appearing slightly forlorn, with her head bowed as if troubled.
Shen Ziping and his wife were visibly delighted, their smiles almost uncontrollable, causing a slight frown from the Village head and the two Shen relatives. They couldn’t help but wonder why Shen Zi’an, such a good son, is being treated in this manner by Shen Youfu while accommodating such a son and daughter-in-law. It might not bode well for him in the future. However, since it was another family’s affair, they refrained from commenting further.
Shen Zi’an nodded in acceptance, having anticipated this outcome. Having a place to live was all he needed. Although the east side of the river was secluded, it suited his wife. The people there were familiar to him – poor but honest and straightforward. They were also outcasts within the village and might be more accepting of his wife’s illness and reputation. He believed that with his own hands, he could build a better house for his wife. As for the land, he was determined to work hard, supplementing their income through hunting and odd jobs.
Seeing Shen Zi’an agree, Shen Youfu continued, “With the addition of the five acres, we have a total of twenty-eight acres of land. Each of the five siblings will get one share, while your mother and I will have two shares each. After dividing, each person will have four acres, and with the extra five acres for you, although it’s not prime land, it’s still an additional acre. Don’t hold any grudges.”
Shen Youfu’s words were somewhat shameless; the five-acre plot was of poor quality, barely equivalent to two acres elsewhere, putting Shen Zi’an at a disadvantage.
“I won’t, Father,” Shen Zi’an replied calmly.
Shen Zi’an had long shed any grievances. Over the years, he had grown despondent towards his father, expecting this kind of division. If there was any resentment, he preferred to channel it into his own efforts.
The Village head and the two Shen relatives gazed at Shen Zi’an’s serene face with compassion. Having watched him grow up, they knew his temperament well. They recognized his potential but lamented that he wasn’t appreciated by his father and had married someone like Su Zhi.
Shen Zifu and Shen Zigui felt indignant on behalf of Shen Zi’an but remained silent.
Shen Ziju glanced at his fourth brother and spoke up, “Father, give my share to Fourth Brother, two acres of land.”
All eyes turned to Shen Ziju. Shen Zhang shi’s gaze briefly flashed with sharpness, swiftly dissipating. Shen Zhu involuntarily clenched her handkerchief before releasing it just as quickly. Sun Shi and her husband’s eyes flickered with greed. The eldest felt a pang of guilt, wanting to say something but was restrained by Wang Shi, causing him to lower his head. Shen Zigui remained silent, lost in his own thoughts.
The Village head and others admired Shen Ziju’s compassionate and loyal nature towards his elder brother. They envisioned a bright future for him, believing that if he entered officialdom, it would be a blessing for the people and the nation.
Shen Youfu intervened, advising, “Ziju, Father knows you care for your elder brother, but in this matter, it’s best not to intervene. I’ve already let him choose his path, and he has accepted it. He must bear the consequences. What’s yours is yours. You’ll need plenty of money in the future, so don’t waste it.”
Shen Zi’an expressed gratitude to Shen Ziju, stating, “Thank you, Fifth Brother, but I can’t accept. Thank you in advance.”
Shen Ziju fell silent.
With the house and land distributed, the remaining items to divide were household belongings, animals, and money.
The household items were simple, with each receiving a set of dishes, bowls, and cutlery, along with two clay pots, an iron pot, cooking utensils, a broken bed, and blankets. Shen Zi’an also took a set of farming tools.
There were two pigs and eight chickens on the property. Shen Zi’an wasn’t allocated the livestock. After some contention, Shen Zhang shi intervened, giving Shen Zi’an a hen. Sun Shi selected the least energetic chicken, which had been frightened by her son recently, resulting in several days of reduced egg production.
Concerning the money, Shen Youfu stated that Su Zhi had already spent a significant amount on medical expenses after entering the household, so they wouldn’t be receiving a share of it.
The division of the household was swiftly concluded, appearing highly unfair to outsiders observing the distribution to Shen Zi’an. However, as Shen Zi’an remained silent, the Village head and others could only sigh internally. They helped finalize the division paperwork, with Shen Zi’an and Shen Youfu pressing their fingerprints as a sign of agreement. It was declared that the family assets were now separated, and both parties were to refrain from interfering in each other’s financial matters. . Shen Zi’an was only required to give Shen Youfu 1,000 coins annually, equivalent to about one or two pieces of silver, along with two bushels of grain. Additionally, he was to present gifts during festivals and holidays, demonstrating filial piety.
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