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Upon hearing the crying was from her son, Sun Shi immediately grew anxious and hurried outside. While Wang Shi had mocked Sun Shi moments before, she was unaware of the current situation. Concerned it might involve her own children, she followed suit, worried about what had happened.
Li Shi shared similar thoughts. Despite having daughters, the girls didn’t get along with the boys from the third branch, especially Chuncao, who could sometimes get into scuffles with the boys. Hearing the fourth son cry, Li Shi felt uneasy. If it involved her daughters, regardless of right or wrong, a fight on New Year’s disrupting the festive mood would be inauspicious, souring the elders’ joy. Resolving such conflicts would be challenging.
“Fourth Sister, I’ll go check as well.”
Li Shi informed Su Zhi before heading outside, visibly anxious as she vigorously wiped her apron. Just then, more crying from Chunyun echoed through the courtyard, prompting her to rush out.
Su Zhi sighed inwardly, hoping to at least experience some joy amidst the family complexities during the New Year. However, despite her attempts to keep things peaceful, the festive atmosphere seemed to be disrupted by the commotion.
Upon hearing the fourth son’s cries, she suspected it was likely another commotion stirred up by the third branch. While the elderly Shen couple, Shen Zhu, and Shen Ziju might not be the most pleasant, they could still maintain some decorum. However, the third branch always seemed to cause trouble, making everyone uneasy.
Contemplating this, Su Zhi made her way outside. Being close to the door, she only took a few steps before reaching it. Standing at the entrance, she could observe what was happening in the courtyard.
“On such an important day, do you all want to ruin my peace of mind? Quiet down!” Shen Youfu’s voice echoed as Su Zhi approached the door, not particularly loud, almost as if trying to keep things discreet. It made sense not to have family disputes heard on such an important day. The crying of a child could be passed off as a tantrum, but if adults got involved, it could turn into a joke. Especially with a gossiper living next door to the Shen family, if she overheard, the whole village would likely soon know.
Su Zhi saw Shen Youfu standing at the entrance to the main hall, wearing a displeased expression as he observed the people in the courtyard. She couldn’t help but feel a hint of schadenfreude. However, she quickly decided to find out what was happening.
In the courtyard, she noticed the fourth grandson standing there, his crying now subdued as instructed by the elder to avoid crying aloud during the New Year celebrations. Although young, he understood the custom and sniffled quietly. Sun Shi stood beside him, inquiring about the situation.
On the other side, Chunyun was also crying, her face flushed and tearful, being comforted by Li Shi who gently patted her back, urging her to calm down.
The members of the third branch stood to one side, the second branch gathered together, with the main branch individuals positioned in the middle. Their somber expressions revealed the conflict between the second and third branches, with the main branch acting as mediators.
“HUsband, it’s New Year’s. Don’t let this upset you. Come inside first. It’s easier to talk indoors,” Shen Zhang Shi advised Shen Youfu. Then, addressing the people in the courtyard, she continued, “Zifu, you brothers bring the children over. The elders, you all go prepare the meal. It’s not such a big deal that it needed all of you out here. We still have ancestral worship to attend to; everything is almost ready!”
Wang Shi acknowledged and instructed Sun Shi and Li Shi to return to the kitchen.
Sun Shi, understanding the situation, didn’t want to face reprimands and quickly headed towards the kitchen. Li Shi, feeling sorry for Chunyun, entrusted her to Chunyue and followed behind.
Despite Shen Youfu managing to calm the commotion in the courtyard, Su Zhi discerned what had happened. It appeared that the fourth grandson had entered the second branch’s room upon seeing their daughters there. Chunyue, who was returning to retrieve something, caught him with snacks in hand and a bulging pocket. She tried to confront him, but he pushed past her and fled, accidentally knocking down Chunyun in the process. Chunyun fell, and the commotion attracted the attention of everyone in the house.
Su Zhi had initially thought the fourth grandson was merely gluttonous, not realizing he would also steal from others. This incident made her question the parenting skills of Sun Shi and her husband—either a failure or perhaps too successful in the wrong way. This revelation added to Su Zhi’s displeasure towards the third branch, prompting her to be more cautious around them to prevent further theft incidents.
In the kitchen, Wang Shi glared at Sun Shi and said, “I’ve been losing things, and I mentioned it was your son taking them. You dismissed it as nonsense, talking about catching thieves and evidence! How do you explain this now? The fourth grandson was caught stealing! How have you been raising your son that he’s already stealing at such a young age? What kind of future are we looking at with such children in the Shen family?!”
Sun Shi actually knew about his son’s stealing tendencies, something she had encouraged. To her, taking others’ belongings was merely taking advantage, especially when it involved family members, not really considered theft. Even if caught, it would likely end with just a few words.
It wasn’t just the fourth grandson; the third grandson also took things from others without being caught in the act, which made Sun Shi gradually less fearful. Seeing the stolen items, she felt that even if discovered, it wasn’t a big deal—maybe just a quarrel and missing out on some meat. Thus, she indulged and even instigated them.
However, Sun Shi hadn’t anticipated the fourth grandson’s slip-up during the festive season. Not only was he caught, but this time, he wasn’t stealing his usual snacks but silver coins, suggesting a significant amount. Thinking about Shen Youfu’s expression upon hearing about the theft, she worried, realizing that what might seem minor on regular days could have more serious repercussions during such a festive occasion.
Sun Shi, feeling anxious, listened as Wang Shi scolded her. Her anger flared up like hot oil, causing her to toss the potatoes in her hand and loudly retort, “What’s it to do with my son if you lost things before? You never caught him red-handed! Are you trying to blame my son for things you lost before I had my child? You might not have even lost anything; you just want to pin it on me. Don’t think I’m oblivious! If you claim to have lost things, I could say I lost things too and blame your eldest and second sons!”
Wang Shi, eyes glaring, responded, “My eldest and second sons are known for their good behavior throughout the village, unlike your son, who can’t keep his hands to himself! I advise you to discipline them well. They’re still young, and they’re family; we won’t harm them. But if they grow up to be thieves, they’ll face severe consequences! Don’t blame us if we have to kick you out. The Shen family doesn’t want thieving descendants!”
“You just said it yourself, they’re family. How can taking from family be considered stealing? Watch your words, sister-in-law. If you tarnish my son’s reputation, we’ll have a serious issue!”
Su Zhi couldn’t believe it. Sun Shi’s audacity was astonishing. Her son stole without shame, claiming it wasn’t theft. With parents like Sun Shi and her husband, it’s no surprise if their children grow up to be troublemakers.
Wang Shi sneered, “If that’s your argument, how do you explain Chunhua taking a strand of green thread from Zhu’er’s place? Are you still going to claim that wasn’t stolen from you? Why didn’t you mention back then that your niece using her aunt’s items wasn’t considered theft? Besides, what Chunhua took wasn’t even yours!”
Sun Shi was taken aback, wondering how someone could remember such a long-past incident so vividly. It seemed like a grudge was being held.
Li Shi, who had remained silent, spoke up at this point, “Third Sister, we’ve already split households, so we’re not one family anymore. It’s unacceptable for your child to take our belongings without consequences. Please ensure better discipline for your children. If this happens again, it will truly be considered theft!”
With a stern gaze fixed on Sun Shi, Li Shi contemplated the necessity of moving out swiftly, finding it unbearable to continue living in this environment.
Sun Shi, taken aback by Li Shi’s firm stance, paused momentarily before adopting a stern expression, sneering, “Speaking of splitting households, you all seem to have become quite wealthy. The amount of silver coins appeared quickly and abundantly. Just a few days after splitting, you already have such a fortune hidden away? Must have been secretly saved! It’s quite audacious to claim you’ve never stashed away private funds, now that it’s all been uncovered. If it weren’t for my son, you might have continued deceiving our parents, making them think they had mistreated you. You truly are cunning.”
In a sudden realization, Sun Shi thought she could spin the situation by suggesting that her son discovered the second branch’s hidden money, implying it wasn’t theft but a revelation. This might redirect blame and even earn praise for his apparent discovery.
Sun Shi’s plan was halted as Su Zhi, observing her expression and the words spoken, vaguely discerned her intentions and promptly intervened, determined not to let her spread falsehoods.