The Farmer’s Wife has a Magical Spiritual Spring
The Farmer’s Wife has a Magical Spiritual Spring Chapter 113

Chapter 113: Bringing Up the Division Again!

Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi listened to Shen Ziping and Sun Shi speak up for Shen Youfu, both wearing cold expressions. Regardless, they had made up their minds. No matter how much pressure they faced today, they wouldn’t waver an inch. They were prepared to offend everyone in the Shen family if necessary.

At that moment, Shen Zigui suddenly thudded to his knees, startling everyone in the room. All eyes widened as they looked at him.

“Father, what you’re doing isn’t showing love for me, it’s ruining me! You’re stabbing me in the heart! I’m not even thirty yet! I’m not worthless! Why can’t I have a son of my own? Why do I have to snatch my brother’s son?! Father—”

Shen Zigui knelt on the ground, fists clenched tightly, pounding on his chest with a loud thud, tears streaming down his face, his voice as harsh as tearing silk.

Li Shi, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to reality and began sobbing, joining Shen Zigui on the ground. She grabbed his arms, begging him to stop hitting himself, crying out, “Chunyue’s father, don’t hurt yourself. Hit me instead. It’s my fault for not giving you a son. Hit me! Or divorce me and marry someone else who can give you a son. Don’t torment yourself—”

Chunyue immediately went to hold Shen Zigui’s other hand, while Chuncao embraced Li Shi. Chunyun nestled into Li Shi’s arms, all of them wailing.

The five of them knelt on the ground, crying and calling out, their voices echoing with misery.

Su Zhi hugged Shen Zi’an tightly, watching the Third Daughter-in-law’s family with deep sympathy. What had they done wrong? Just because they didn’t have a son, they were suffering like this. Everything could have remained calm, but because of Shen Youfu’s selfishness and disregard for the feelings of his two sons, interfering in this matter had caused both of them great harm.

Shen Youfu’s selfish and domineering nature was even more disheartening than Shen Zhang shi’s cunning stepmother-like mentality.

The members of the main branch now realized the situation. Wang shi hurried to pull Li Shi, while Shen Zifu went to assist Shen Zigui. Both of them tried to persuade the pair. Chunlan and Chunxiang consoled Chunyue, Chuncao, and Chunyun, while the eldest and second sons stood by with furrowed brows. Although today’s matter didn’t directly involve them, they had a good relationship with the second branch. Seeing their Second Uncle’s family so heartbroken made them uncomfortable too.

Although Shen Zhang shi doted on her youngest son and daughter the most, Shen Zigui was still her son. Seeing him like this, she also felt distressed. She said, “Your father is doing this for your own good. Why can’t you understand? You’re breaking my heart like this. Look at yourself! It’s just because others are unwilling to give their sons to you. It’s not like you only have one brother. Is it worth it to be like this?”

“Mother, how can you say that? Second Brother is upset because Father has always wanted to force his brother’s child onto him. He feels like Father has given up on him having a son of his own, and that’s why he’s upset. It’s not because he can’t adopt his brother’s son. Second Brother clearly stated that he wants his own son and won’t adopt his brother’s son. Father didn’t listen carefully. Mother, you’re so smart, how can’t you understand? Do you also believe that Second Brother is destined to not have a son?”

Su Zhi looked at Shen Zhang shi and thought to herself that she couldn’t care less about saving face now. Shen Zhang shi, at a time when her son was so heartbroken, still didn’t hesitate to stab them with words. Well, then she shouldn’t blame her for alienating Shen Zigui from her!

Sure enough, just as Shen Zigui had calmed down, his gaze shifted towards Shen Zhang shi again, filled with despair.

Shen Zhang shi secretly resented it but pretended to be anxious, saying, “I didn’t mean it that way. I just wanted to advise Zigui. Shen Zi’an’s wife, you’re overthinking it.”

Shen Zhu said, “Fourth Sister-in-law, my mother wouldn’t think like that. Don’t misunderstand her. Even if you misunderstand, it’s okay. Just don’t let my Second Brother misunderstand my mother.”

Shen Youfu slammed the table and said in a deep voice, “What’s all this fuss about? Zigui, I’m doing this for your own good, but you think I’m mistreating you? You’re my son, mistreating you is mistreating myself, isn’t it? What’s all this drama? You’re grown up now, but still crying and making a scene like I’ve taken your life. Are you in such a hurry for me to die?”

After scolding Shen Zigui, Shen Youfu turned to scold Shen Zi’an.

“You’ve really grown wings, huh? Just because I asked you to give a son for your second brother, you think you can treat him like this? If you do any better in the future, will you even disown me as your father?”

Su Zhi interjected, “Father, which word from Zi’an made you think he was treating Second Brother unfairly? We always believed Second Brother would have his own son. It’s you who completely disregards Second Brother’s wishes and insists on forcing him to accept someone else’s son. Your actions have put too much pressure on him, making him feel as if he’s destined to have no son. You’re the one who has pushed Second Brother to this point. Zi’an and I wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“I’m talking to your husband, what business is it of a woman like you to interrupt?”

Shen Youfu actually felt somewhat wary of Su Zhi, his daughter-in-law. When he went to see Shen Zi’an after selling the ginseng during the tiger incident, Su Zhi had managed to outsmart him, and he didn’t gain any advantage. Moreover, this daughter-in-law could come up with things like kang, shoes and gloves, had medical skills, and is even literate. When those eyes stared directly at him, he felt as if they were like knives. Despite being older and having been assertive his whole life, he inexplicably felt somewhat intimidated.

Su Zhi stood her ground and said, “Father, you’re even scheming against my son now. If I don’t speak up, my son will be lost, and the relationship between my husband and Second Brother will be ruined. Of course, I have to make things clear.”

Turning to Shen Zigui and Li Shi, Su Zhi continued, “Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, as parents yourselves, you naturally understand that a mother would never willingly give her child to someone else. If someone wanted my three nieces, I’m afraid Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law wouldn’t give them away either. So, don’t blame me for not giving my son to you. Just now, Zi’an and I kept saying that you’re still young, why have just one more son, you can even have three more.. If you’re truly worried about your health, I also have some medical skills and can help regulate your body. I’ll definitely help Second Sister-in-law fulfill her wishes as soon as possible.”

Li Shi immediately wiped her tears and said, “Fourth Sister-in-law, thank you. We don’t blame you. This has nothing to do with you. We’ve implicated you in this matter. Sister-in-law, we owe you an apology.”

Shen Zigui also added, “Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, rest assured, even if we desire a son, we won’t take yours. I promise, even if we never have a son in this lifetime, I’ll live with my three daughters.”

Shen Youfu felt extremely frustrated upon hearing this. He felt like his earlier words were in vain. However, considering that Shen Zigui had just refused and Shen Zi’an and his wife also disagreed, he thought it best to hold off for now and address the matter later.

Shen Ziping interjected from the side, “Second Brother, not having a son is unacceptable. How about my son…”

“Shut up! Did you not hear what I just said? Wanting me to raise your son, impossible!”

Shen Zigui’s tone turned harsh. Normally reserved, today he finally voiced his inner thoughts. Seeing his wife and daughters beside him, their faces streaked with tears, Shen Zigui clenched his teeth and turned to kneel before Shen Youfu.

“Father, things have escalated to this point today. Let me resolve one thing for you. Let us, our whole family, be divided.”

Now, everyone in the room was stunned once again.

Li Shi immediately covered her mouth, and tears welled up in her eyes once again. She had previously mentioned the idea of splitting the family to Shen Zigui, especially as Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi’s life improved. Her desire for it only grew stronger. She wasn’t seeking wealth or prosperity, just enough for her daughters to have food and some dowry, and she would be content. But Shen Zigui always postponed, saying to wait until Shen Ziju passed the provincial examination. Now that he finally brought it up, Li Shi’s heart raced like never before. She was hoping for the family to be split!

Shen Youfu slammed the table fiercely, cursing, “Split the family? I do it for your own good, and you hate me for it? I’ve raised such an ungrateful child! Get back to your room, and let’s pretend this conversation never happened!”

Shen Ziping wanted to speak but was restrained by Sun Shi. They didn’t want to add fuel to the fire. This incident was caused by their side, and if they pushed further and risked punishment from the patriarch to appease the second branch, it wouldn’t be worth it. It was better to step back for now.

Sun Shi believed that the family couldn’t be split. Splitting off Shen Zi’an had already damaged the family’s reputation. For the sake of the family’s name and Shen Ziju, the patriarch and matriarch would never agree to further division within the Shen family.

Wang Shi, standing aside, also felt her heart racing. Honestly, she also wanted to split the family, but being from the main branch, it wasn’t quite appropriate for them to propose it. Now that the second branch had brought it up, it set a precedent. Even if they couldn’t split off together this time, it would be much easier for them to do so in the future.

Shen Zifu, on the other hand, was anxiously rubbing his hands, but he didn’t know what to say.

A group of children stood by, watching wide-eyed but not daring to speak.

Shen Zhang shi and Shen Zhu were also persuading Shen Zigui on the side. They shared the same concerns as Shen Youfu. Splitting the family not only had a negative impact on the family’s reputation but also affected their financial income. The money earned by the second branch was also contributed to the family’s common fund. If they split off, the family’s income would decrease. Shen Zhu was not yet married, and Shen Ziju still had to pursue his studies, both of which required money.

Shen Zigui, however, insisted on splitting the family. He remained kneeling on the ground, refusing to get up. This incident had truly hurt him deeply, and he couldn’t bear to see his wife and daughters suffer any longer. In this household, all three daughters were naturally gifted, but they were thin and frail, to the point where even eating an egg became a luxury. They were treated as burdens, and his wife bore the brunt of the most household chores. Even if she wanted to bear him a son, she was too exhausted to conceive. Every time he heard them talk about the days in his fourth brother’s house, longing not for its grandeur but for the autonomy it offered, able to eat three meals a day even if it was just porridge, his heart ached.

This time, Shen Zigui was determined to fulfill their wishes. If he didn’t seize this opportunity, who knew how long they would have to wait for another one!

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