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Su Zhi and Shen Zi’an exchanged a glance, realizing that the visit was indeed about the ginseng. Luckily, they had already sold the ginseng. Now, if they wanted money, it would be interesting to see how they would broach the subject.
“Father, it’s quite unfortunate. We’ve already sold the ginseng today,” Shen Zi’an calmly stated. His face bore neither a smile nor a hint of anger. He had grown indifferent towards his father; even before the family split, he wasn’t the most compliant son. With the separation, now responsible for supporting his wife, he had become the pillar of the household. He had to prioritize the welfare of his new family. While he had a duty to his father, he couldn’t risk depleting all his assets, knowing his father had other sons to care for, while his wife only had him.
Observing the interaction, Su Zhi thought to herself that her father-in-law had quite the nerve. It was normal for a father to ask things from his son, but considering the family had split, and essentially left Shen Zi’an with little, it was audacious for him to come asking so openly. Requesting something ordinary might have been acceptable, but asking for ginseng, especially a thousand-year-old one, was crossing a line. Such a precious item was scarce, not just in Riverside Village but perhaps even rare across the entire Liang Dynasty. His unabashed demand for it can truly leave one speechless!
“Sold?” Shen Youfu furrowed his brow, accusing, “You left early this morning, was it to avoid us coming for the ginseng? Did you sneak out before dawn to sell the ginseng? You unfilial child! Ziju is your brother. Don’t you consider him at all? If he becomes an official, won’t you benefit too!?”
Shen Zi’an retorted, “Father, how did you know I left before dawn? Did you also come knocking on our door before sunrise?”
Shen Youfu blushed, realizing it wasn’t dignified to confess he had come so early to scheme for the ginseng. “I couldn’t sleep this morning, so I took a walk over here! Is that a problem!?”
Seeing her husband about to escalate the situation, Shen Zhang shi intervened, not wanting an argument to erupt so soon. If they started arguing, it would be heard outside. She had noticed people following them towards their home, likely drawn by the commotion.
“Dear, talk to Zi’an nicely. We’re not here to quarrel.”
Shen Zhang shi turned to Shen Zi’an with a smile tinged with a hint of reluctance. “Zi’an, your Father and I didn’t come here willingly. Please don’t be angry. You know your Father fervently hopes for someone in the Shen family to become an official. Ziju has been praised for his intelligence from a young age. His teachers always said he was destined to succeed. That’s why our entire family has been supporting him all these years. He’s proven himself by ranking first in the preliminary exams. If he passes the imperial examination, it would secure our family’s future!”
Su Zhi admired the emotional appeal in Shen Zhang shi’s words and her theatrical display, even wiping away tears with a handkerchief. She couldn’t help but admire her talent, almost believing her to be a genuinely caring stepmother, despite Shen Zi’an’s warnings about her cunning nature. Observing Shen Zhang shi, despite being a grandmother in her forties or fifties, she exuded charm, hinting at her past beauty. Coupled with her cunning, it was no wonder she had Shen Youfu wrapped around her finger.
Unaware that Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi were merely spectators, Shen Zhang shi transitioned from emotional appeals to the main point.
“However, Ziju’s health is fragile. It’s said the examination hall is rigorous, with even strapping young men emerging significantly thinner or being carried out. We worry he won’t endure it. If he fails, it could crush his spirit and our hopes. Your Father fears for his well-being and our future. That’s why we’ve come to ask for the ginseng, hoping you’ll consider Ziju’s future and help him. He won’t forget your kindness.”
Sun shi interjected, “Fourth Brother, both Mother and Father are pleading with you like this. Won’t you agree?”
Shen Ziping chimed in, “Yes, Fourth Brother, if you still refuse, you’re being too stubborn!”
Observing their relentless pressure on Shen Zi’an for the ginseng, as if denying it would label him as heartless, Su Zhi felt uneasy.
“Father, Mother, Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, I remember Zi’an already mentioned that we’ve sold the ginseng. If you want ginseng, we truly can’t help.”
Shen Ziping retorted, “You have no right to speak. If it weren’t for you, would we have split from Zi’an? They all said you weren’t a jinx, but now I see you are!”
Shen Zi’an, his eyes narrowed, retorted, “My wife has every right to speak! This is her home. Why shouldn’t she have a say? It’s common knowledge that the split was inevitable. Don’t blame my wife for it. If you want to point fingers, remember it was you and your wife who first suggested the separation. Don’t bring my wife into this!”
“Zi’an, watch your words! They are your Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law. How dare you glare like that?”
*Smack! Crash!*
The room fell into stunned silence as Shen Youfu, to display his frustration, forcefully slammed the table, inadvertently shattering it into pieces…
That table was brought by Shen Zi’an from the old Shen home during the split. Shen Zi’an had only taken a few pieces of furniture, including a bed. He had received a table, a long bench, and two small stools, all quite aged. While some might find them adequate, the forceful slam broke it apart, making Shen Youfu feel like he had struck himself in the face!
Although Su Zhi felt she should be upset, seeing the expressions on the faces of the Shen family, she couldn’t help but smile, remarking, “Father, it’s alright. Out with the old, in with the new. Fortunately, the bench you’re sitting on was newly made by Zi’an. If it was also from the old house, you would’ve surely fallen by now.”
Shen Youfu’s expression darkened like a storm cloud, but he couldn’t unleash his anger. He knew he was in the wrong for breaking his son’s table, a piece he had given to him. Now, being teased by his daughter-in-law, he found it hard to muster any rage.
Sun shi chuckled, “Fourth Brother’s wife is right. Out with the old, in with the new. With Fourth Brother’s newfound wealth, even this house might be replaced soon, let alone a table!”
Shen Ziping added playfully, “Exactly, Fourth Brother, you’re quite prosperous now. Just don’t forget about us, your brothers.”
Su Zhi chuckled and said, “Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, you’re not quite right. Weren’t you calling me a jinx? Claiming I hindered your son’s prosperity? We should limit our interactions to avoid affecting our nephew’s future, otherwise, my guilt would be significant.”
Third Grandson and his two younger brothers also entered, despite Shen Youfu’s initial reluctance. He allowed them in nonetheless.
Upon hearing Su Zhi’s seemingly apologetic tone, Third grandson thought she was acknowledging her fault. He raised his voice, “If you truly feel sorry, hand over the money and stay far away from us in the future. Your guilt would be lessened.”
Su Zhi was speechless, wondering if this young man was a simpleton. Could he not comprehend reason or pleas?
Feeling ashamed of the situation, Shen Youfu scolded his Third grandson, “Go to the back and stay quiet!”
Frightened, the Fifth grandson started crying and clung to Sun shi’s leg, nearly knocking her over along with the chair. Shen Ziping faced a similar situation, struggling to regain his balance. In his haste, he accidentally tripped the Fourth grandson who started crying on the floor. Panicked, Shen Ziping slapped Fifth grandson, making him cry even louder, the room filled with wailing.
Sun shi, holding her Son, began shouting, “Why are you hitting the child? This is your son! If you want to hit someone, just hit us all and be done with it!”
Seeing the broken table beside him, Shen Youfu’s face darkened as he considered slamming it again. However, he restrained himself and bellowed, “Everyone, be quiet! Or you can all leave and wail outside! I’m not dead yet!”
Sun shi fell silent, the children stopped crying, their tear-streaked faces prompting even Su Zhi to turn away, feeling that nothing good ever came from encountering this family.
Shen Zhang shi redirected the conversation, asking, “Zi’an, when you sold the ginseng, didn’t you leave even a small piece? Even the root would suffice. If you have any left, give it to Ziju. Mother would appreciate it.”
Shen Zi’an shook his head, explaining, “We didn’t keep any. Once the ginseng is removed from the root, it loses its value. That’s why we sold the whole thing.”
Shen Ziping chimed in sharply, “Zi’an, do you even care about your family? Knowing Mother and Father are getting older, my wife and I have health issues, and our younger siblings are frail. Couldn’t you have saved some ginseng for us? Moreover, your wife is unwell. You must have saved some for her, right? If you did, bring it out. Let us use it first. This is a matter of family honor!”
Su Zhi interjected, “I just need some medicine for my condition; I don’t need the ginseng.”
“Then use the money to buy a ginseng root for my younger brother! You sold a thousand-year-old one, getting a hundred-year-old one won’t dent your coffers, right?!” Sun shi finally brought up the request for money.
Su Zhi thought this was akin to blatant robbery, shameless in its approach. While someone more easily swayed might have given them the money, she wasn’t going to make it easy for them to get what they wanted.
“Father, Mother, I’m sorry, but the money from selling the ginseng has other uses. We can’t spend it on buying more ginseng. Honestly, I’m worried that the money I have won’t be enough!” Shen Zi’an explained.
Shen Ziping exclaimed, “Nonsense! A thousand-year-old ginseng can fetch hundreds of taels of silver! What could you possibly need that costs that much? Stop trying to deceive Mother and Father!”
Su Zhi added, “I need to build a house, buy land, and enclose a large courtyard because I intend to invite a sacred beast to reside with us!”