Chapter 202

Wang Yuan’er chatted with Grandma Wang and the others for a while longer before returning to the east room. The moment she left, Madam Zhang started complaining.

“We’re all one family, yet you can’t even lend a small helping hand to your second uncle? Father and Mother, I’m not being petty, but Erlang and Fuquan are idling their days away, and our household has no income. How are we supposed to survive like this?” Madam Zhang shook off Wang Er’s attempt to hold her back and continued, “Other families pull together as one, but our family is so divided. It’s not like we’re trying to outshine the main branch. It’s just a matter of saying a few words—it’s as simple as moving your lips!”

Today, she clearly saw how close Yuan’er was to Cui Yuan. Securing a job with just a word from him seemed effortless.

“You make it sound so easy, Second Daughter-in-law,” Grandpa Wang said, turning toward her with a cold expression. “Of all debts in this world, debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay. The other day, to get Second Brother out of trouble, we already owed a huge favor, and we let that slide. When Erlang was in trouble, wasn’t Yuan’er the one who took care of everything? To invest in that trading ship, the family spent its last savings. This time, Yuan’er not only contributed money but also put in the effort. Have you ever even said thank you? Even the banquet for expressing gratitude was paid for with her silver. As elders, don’t you feel any shame? And now you want to trouble her further? I’m embarrassed on your behalf.”

Grandpa Wang’s words cut straight to the point. Madam Zhang dared not utter a single word in response. Even Wang Er was too ashamed to breathe, his face alternating between red and pale.

In most households, it’s the mother-in-law who reprimands the daughter-in-law. For Grandpa Wang to bypass Grandma Wang and scold Madam Zhang directly showed just how angry he was. This also implicitly criticized Wang Er for failing to maintain peace in his household, making it a slap in the face for him as well.

“The past couple of years, our family has endured more than enough hardships. When it comes to misfortunes, the main branch has suffered far more than you—losing both parents and leaving behind orphaned girls. And yet, they’ve managed to pull their lives together. As second uncle and aunt, have you ever lent them a hand? You haven’t; instead, you demand help from the younger generation. From Min’er’s troubles to Erlang’s affairs, it’s been nothing but headaches. Have Yuan’er and the others ever complained? No, they’ve poured their hearts into supporting you.”

These words made Wang Er and Madam Zhang bow their heads in shame.

“One should never forget their roots. If it weren’t for sharing the same bloodline, who would care whether you lived or died? Back when the main branch faced difficulties, did you offer any help? You didn’t. Now, the main branch has responded to grievances with kindness, simply out of respect for family ties. You should at least keep that in mind and refrain from demanding or accusing them of favoritism. Life is made by one’s own efforts—they owe you nothing.”

The more Grandpa Wang spoke, the harsher his tone became. He turned to Madam Zhang and added, “Second Daughter-in-law, I won’t say much else. But if you continue to act this way, you can either voluntarily step down as wife or go shave your head and live in a temple. The Wang family cannot afford to support you as some untouchable deity.”

These cutting words struck at the heart.

Madam Zhang’s face turned pale, her expression collapsing as she knelt to the ground and trembled, calling out, “Father, I… I’m sorry…”

“In the past, I won’t even mention your conduct. But after marrying into the Wang family, you should have settled down. A virtuous wife brings fewer troubles to her husband. If you focus wholeheartedly on supporting your husband and raising your children, the Wang family will never leave you wanting for food, drink, or clothing. But you insist on stirring up trouble, turning this household upside down and robbing it of peace—don’t blame me, as your father-in-law, for being harsh,” Grandpa Wang said coldly.

His stern words silenced Madam Zhang, leaving her trembling as she responded, “Father, it’s my fault. Please, forgive me.”

After letting her kneel for quite some time, Grandpa Wang finally allowed her to stand. He then turned to Wang Er and said, “After going through jail, you should have learned to steady your temperament and live a stable life. A man must take responsibility and stop blindly following his wife’s whims. I heard from Yuan’er that the Maritime Trading Office is being established. Whether it’s heavy labor or any other work, find yourself a proper job and settle down.”

Having already been intimidated by his father’s scolding of his wife, Wang Er quickly replied, “Yes, Father, I understand. I’ll go tomorrow.”

Waving them off, Grandpa Wang dismissed the couple.

Once they had left, Grandpa Wang sighed heavily and said, “The two of them have always been a handful. In the past, it could be overlooked, but in the future, Madam Zhang must be reined in. Don’t let her cause any further disgrace.”

Grandma Wang nodded in agreement, though she furrowed her brows as if she had something on her mind but chose not to voice it.

“I know you think the same way as Madam Zhang, hoping Yuan’er and her siblings would lend a hand to the second branch. But listen, old woman, human hearts can’t stand constant calculations—when you calculate too much, the heart disappears entirely. We’re already people with one foot in the grave; how much longer do we have to live? What I fear is that if we wear out the goodwill now, there won’t be anyone left to lend a hand when something serious happens later.” Grandpa Wang lit his pipe and sighed deeply.

Grandma Wang pressed her lips tightly together but ultimately didn’t argue with him.

Meanwhile, back in their room, Madam Zhang threw herself onto the bed, sobbing.

“Alright, alright, why are you crying now? Be careful not to let Father and Mother hear you,” Wang Er said, feeling inexplicably irritated.

Madam Zhang turned her head and said, “I’ve been humiliated and wronged in front of Father and Mother, and you didn’t even speak up for me. And now, I’m not even allowed to cry? What kind of logic is this? Do you even have a conscience?”

“Father wasn’t wrong—we should be content,” Wang Er replied.

“Content? Bah! That’s easy for you to say! The girls in the main branch eat well and live well; even before marriage, they’re already securing other jobs. What do they have to worry about? Father and Mother only care about the main branch because it makes them proud while we’re seen as an embarrassment. And for whom am I even scheming? Isn’t it for this family? You don’t back me up, yet you blame me,” Madam Zhang sneered coldly.

“Fine, fine, you’re always right. Cry as much as you want. Just don’t cry in front of Father. I’ve never seen him so angry before. If you push him too far, even I won’t be able to protect you.” Wang Er threw down these words and left the room.

“You heartless man, Wang Er!” Madam Zhang shouted after him and threw a pillow in his direction.

After being scolded by Grandpa Wang, Madam Zhang didn’t dare to cause any more trouble. With her family now estranged and her position in her in-laws’ home shaky, she knew she had no other options. So, she resorted to muttering bitter and sarcastic remarks behind others’ backs to vent her frustrations. Wang Yuan’er and the others, however, simply treated her words as background noise, letting them pass without reaction.

Wang Er was fully focused on finding work. However, given the widespread rumors about his previous embezzlement, securing a stable job proved challenging. Left with no choice, he began working as a day laborer at the docks, carrying heavy loads. Within just a few days, he became noticeably darker and thinner from the toil.

Watching this, Madam Zhang felt both distressed and anxious. With no support from Wang Yuan’er, she decided to turn to Wang Min’er to see if there were any opportunities to be found. Using the pretext of visiting Wang Min’er and her daughter, she dragged Wang Er to the estate in Dongshan.

Wang Yuan’er, knowing her true intentions, didn’t try to stop her. She understood that this effort would likely yield nothing, as Wang Min’er herself was barely able to manage her own situation.

Sure enough, within two days, the couple returned. Wang Er entered the house seething with anger and immediately began venting about the Tang family to Grandma and Grandpa Wang.

“The Tang family is heartless, and Tang San isn’t fit to be a father. He abandoned the mother and child at the estate without care, leaving them to fend for themselves. Even in poor families, women recover plump and healthy after childbirth, but Min’er is pale and emaciated—it’s clear she didn’t recover properly during her confinement. And as for the baby, even after the full month, she’s as frail as a newborn kitten. The servants around them are negligent, all arrogant and self-important,” Wang Er said, his eyes reddened with anger.

Madam Zhang wiped her tears on the side.

“Mother, you wouldn’t believe it—when we arrived, Min’er was washing clothes herself! The Tang family promised that her status would be elevated after she gave birth, but there’s been no word of it. They don’t even provide her with attendants. What kind of ‘aunt’ is this supposed to be?” Madam Zhang sobbed. “My poor daughter—she never endured such hardships at home!”

Listening to their complaints, Grandma Wang pressed her lips into a straight line. After a long pause, she finally said with trembling lips, “She sowed the seeds herself, so now she must bear the bitter fruit.” With that, she turned and retreated to her room.

Madam Zhang remained crying, sitting on the ground.

“I’ll go to the Tang family and settle this!” Wang Er stood up, ready to storm over.

“If you go to the Tang family, Min’er won’t be able to stay there any longer! Our entire livelihood is tied to the Tang family—if we fall out with them now, how will we manage in the future? And what will happen to Min’er?” Madam Zhang grabbed his arm, holding him back.

“At a time like this, you’re still thinking about money? Is our daughter’s well-being not more important?” Wang Er, frustrated, nearly raised his hand.

“Min’er herself said she’ll manage,” Madam Zhang cried. “Besides, what’s the point of going to the Tang family? Are you planning to bring her and her child back here? Where would that leave our family’s reputation?”

Wang Er froze, stunned. He squatted down, clutching his head, and began hitting it in frustration. “It’s my fault as her father for being useless. I let my daughter suffer like this—it’s all because I’m incapable.” Seeing Wang Yuan’er, his eyes lit up. “Yuan’er, you’ve always been clever. Help Min’er, please?”

Wang Yuan’er sighed and said, “Second Uncle, let me ask you this: On that estate, does Min’er have food and drink? Is she physically unharmed?”

Wang Er was momentarily stunned but shook his head.

“Though there may be fewer attendants, at least she’s not lacking food or drink. Second Uncle, to be honest, would you rather Min’er go back to the Tang family and live a so-called life of envy and admiration or have her simply live safely and healthily?”

Wang Er and Madam Zhang exchanged a glance, struggling to respond.

“Returning to the Tang family might mean fine clothes, good food, and servants, but she’d still be living under someone else’s thumb. As a concubine, she’d be at the mercy of the main wife. If the mistress is ever displeased, beatings and scoldings would be commonplace. Do you think Min’er could endure that?” Wang Yuan’er’s gaze was cold. “It’s not that I don’t want to help her, but we lack the power to do so.”

If the Wang family had influence and resources, they could serve as Min’er’s backing. But the Wangs were a humble household, while the Tang family, though diminished, still retained the status of a fifth-ranking official family. Even a weakened camel is larger than a horse; for the Tang family, dealing with Min’er would be effortless.

Hearing this, Wang Er and Madam Zhang slumped to the ground, utterly defeated and speechless.