Font Size:
Wan Changsheng smiled encouragingly at him. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”
“Uncle Changsheng, a few years ago, my grandparents incurred a lot of debt while seeking medical treatment. My mother has repaid some over the past two years, but we still owe sixteen and a half taels.
We have one mu of farmland, which is worth about fifteen taels, and a small house, estimated to be worth eight to ten taels.
If we sell the farmland, people probably won’t complain, but taking me away might be difficult. I’m a boy, the only male heir for three generations. There’s only one close cousin in the village; if I can’t leave, I might have to live with him for a few years.
If I have to live with them, I can’t go empty-handed. You and my mother would need to contribute some silver as well. The clan has decided this. It’s not that they care about me; it’s more about maintaining face and not having a way out.”
Wan Changsheng felt a bit dazed, as if he were talking to an elder who was giving him thoughtful advice.
“In that case, my mother might not get married again. After all, her son is more important than a new marriage. She wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving me with someone else, especially since that family isn’t great.”
“Uncle Changsheng, I want to give the farmland to the clan and let my cousin’s family live in the house. My aunt said that you would be willing to provide a bride price. If possible, I hope you can give us sixteen and a half taels to help us repay the debts. The additional silver would be repaid by me when I earn money in the future.
I’ll say I’m donating the farmland to the clan, and the yearly produce will be used for repairing the ancestral hall. But I still want to go with my mother. The house will go to my cousin’s family, and they will help with the family grave. Besides that, I need the clan elder to write a divorce certificate and agree to let me leave the clan with the bride, my mother. This is something the clan elder can do.”
Wan Changsheng was perplexed. “Dashun, your father has been gone for over five years, almost six. Why do you need a divorce certificate now?”
“Uncle Changsheng, the year my father had his accident, several people were involved, but only he was never found—no body, nothing. Later, the officials said he must have fallen into a deep ravine since there was a steep cliff nearby.
It’s ninety-nine percent certain, but what if there’s that one percent possibility? If he returns years later without a divorce certificate, your marriage wouldn’t count. What would happen to my mother? Would she have to take him back as a concubine? Once married again, she can’t be the main wife.”
Wan Changsheng was even more confused now. He asked in a daze, “Your father has been gone for six years. He’s definitely not alive. If he were, he would have returned home long ago; he wouldn’t just abandon his family.”
“Uncle Changsheng, I’ve heard Dr. Chang mention a condition called amnesia. If someone accidentally hits their head, they might forget everything for a short time, or even for years. There are cases where someone forgets their past entirely. What if my father is in that situation?”
In truth, Dr. Chang hadn’t said anything like that; this was just common knowledge from his past life.
Wan Changsheng felt his mind racing. “Dashun, does your mother know about this?”
Chang Shun shook his head. “I haven’t told her. If she knew, she definitely wouldn’t want to remarry. I can’t let this one possibility ruin my mother’s life.”
Wan Changsheng exhaled slowly. “You’re right, Dashun. There is a possibility, but it’s small. I’ll give the bride price to repay the debts, and you’ll be responsible for getting the divorce certificate. You must come with us; children shouldn’t be without their parents.”
Chang Shun nodded, looking a bit shy. “Uncle, since we’ve agreed on this, can I make a few small requests? If you don’t want to, you can just refuse.”
Wan Changsheng replied, “Go ahead.”
He felt a bit apprehensive. If Meiniang thought of this one possibility, she might genuinely hesitate to marry him. Even if she married, without a divorce certificate, their future would be uncertain.
“Uncle, first, after I come to live with you, I can take your surname, but for all major matters regarding me, including my future spouse, you need my agreement.”
Wan Changsheng’s heart flipped. A seven-year-old talking about a future spouse? How amusing!
“Second, if your future children grow up and their wives dislike me, I hope you will agree to let me leave. I can’t be pressured by filial piety. I will not neglect my duties, but I can’t endure mistreatment from others.
Also, if I earn my own money, can you let me keep a portion? I don’t want to have to ask my parents for every single cent.”
“Is that all?”
“That’s all.”
Wan Changsheng beamed. The “parents” he was referring to—was that him and Meiniang? This phrasing delighted him.
“Since you’ve finished, I have a few requests as well.”
Chang Shun frowned slightly. “What do you want to say?”
“Dashun, first, once you come to my family, you will be my eldest son. Even if I have more children in the future, you will always be my eldest son. So, I want you to say goodbye to the past completely. You will change your name; I will choose a name for you. How about Wan Ping’an? I hope you live a peaceful and safe life.
Second, if you grow up and don’t want to live with us anymore, I will respect your decision and allow you to separate. But I want you to come into my Wan family wholeheartedly from the first day. Don’t carry unnecessary burdens in your heart.
Third, if you earn money, fifty percent will belong to you and fifty percent will go to the family. The same goes for future children. Otherwise, each family member will have their own thoughts, and we won’t be a family. If we’re still living together after marriage, you can contribute less, but if you separate, you need to give a small amount as filial piety.
But I still hope you will go to school. Depending on our conditions, and your performance in school, I want you to be able to read. A smart child like you should aim to become a scholar, so you won’t have to serve in the military. I’ve been to the border; even without major wars, many still die from skirmishes. What do you think?”
Chang Shun felt touched. This person was genuinely looking out for him.
He nodded. “I’ll follow your wishes. We’ll return home tomorrow, and if you decide, I’ll go to the clan in a few days.”
Wan Changsheng said, “The day after tomorrow, I’ll take a matchmaker to your home to deliver the bride price—eighteen taels. The extra silver will be for you and your mother to make clothes. We’ll handle the farmland and house as you suggested, but I still need to keep some things from your mother.”
Chang Shun stood up. “Then it’s settled, Uncle Changsheng. I’ll head back now, or my mother will worry.”
Wan Changsheng watched the small figure walk towards the riverbank where his mother was. This little child analyzed things so logically that even he felt inferior. No wonder he was from a scholarly family.
Thinking about this, he felt a mix of envy and acceptance. This good child would belong to his family in the future.
Who would have thought that a seven-year-old would lay down the rules for his future stepfather during their first meeting? Wan Changsheng had to admit, this child was impressive.
With the rules established, if things went smoothly, it would work out. If not, he wouldn’t agree to the marriage, and Meiniang wouldn’t marry either. He had heard Sister-in-law He mention how much influence her son had over family matters.
Now that he saw it firsthand, it was indeed true. If Chang Shun became his son, he would gladly consult him on important matters. A clever child like him was rare; it was likely that only children from wealthy families in the city received such careful nurturing.