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Old Master Zhao was fuming. “So you’re saying you refuse to cooperate?”
“If that’s how you choose to see it, there’s nothing I can do.”
Eldest Zhao glared at his stubborn younger brother. “Third Brother, with me away from home, if you split off, who will take care of Father and Mother? Are you just going to leave it all to Second Brother? You can’t be this selfish.”
“Big Brother, on the day of the family division, Father and Mother made it clear that you’d be responsible for their care. Are you saying you don’t want to support them?”
The old man turned to his eldest son, eyes sharp with accusation.
Eldest Zhao cursed inwardly (‘MMP’), “That’s not what I meant! It’s just that I’m in the county town, and sometimes I can’t be there in person. If both your families look after them together, I can focus on my studies with peace of mind.”
The old man and his wife nodded in agreement—their eldest was indeed filial.
Zhao Dashu smirked. ‘Anyone can talk big.’ So his brother considered himself filial just because he was worried while living comfortably in town? What a joke.
“Why don’t you take Father and Mother to live in the county town then? They’ve toiled their whole lives—shouldn’t they enjoy some comfort in their old age?”
Madam Wang’s eyes widened in shock. ‘No, absolutely not!’ Her mother-in-law had always been difficult to deal with. She refused to live under the same roof as that old woman and endure her control.
“I…” Eldest Zhao flushed red. Old Master Zhao’s heart sank—his eldest had never once mentioned having them stay in town, even briefly.
“I… I don’t own a house in the county town. The courtyard I’m renting now is barely enough for myself.”
Zhao Dashu smiled meaningfully. Did his brother really think his daily trips to town to sell bamboo shoots had been for nothing? Did Eldest Zhao believe he was the only one who could investigate others? The county town might seem large, but in some ways, it was small indeed. He had run into his ‘dutiful’ big brother several times—though his brother, ever the busy and important man, hadn’t noticed him.
Outside these walls, Eldest Zhao was nothing like the meek figure before them now. Oh no—he carried himself with all the swagger of a man of status.
Three times, Dashu had seen him. Twice with other women in his arms. Once at a tavern. The difference was stark: one brother hauling bamboo shoots to sell, the other feasting and drinking.
“Is that so?”
Second Zhao and his wife grew uneasy. What was Third Zhao implying? Had Eldest been living it up behind their backs all this time? They’d never once visited his home in town—he always claimed the rented place was too small to host guests.
Old Madam Sun also eyed her eldest son suspiciously. ‘Surely he wouldn’t keep them from visiting the county town? No, impossible. Her son was the epitome of filial piety. Third Zhao must be spouting nonsense.’
Old Master Zhao, however, was wise to the ways of the world. He’d seen and understood everything. He knew Third Zhao was right—but so what? Eldest was on the verge of bringing glory to their ancestors. Even if it rankled, now was not the time to undermine him.
“Third Son, your elder brother’s affairs are none of your concern. He’s shrewder than you and knows what he’s doing.” The old man’s voice turned sharp. “I’ll ask you plainly: if we call off the division, are you willing to return? And will you handle the bamboo shoot partnership with the Liu family? Do you agree to these two terms?”
Eldest Zhao nodded in relief. ‘Father was far more dependable than Mother.’
Third Zhao looked at this picture of paternal kindness and filial devotion. ‘Ah yes, I really am different from them—no wonder Father never liked me. I lack their shamelessness.’
“I refuse both requests,” he said coolly. “Father, may I leave now?”
“Third Son,” the old man warned, his voice hardening, “think carefully before you act so arrogantly. At the end of the day, you’re a man without roots—no son to rely on in your old age. Your funeral rites will still depend on your two brothers.”
‘Damn it!’
Of all the sore spots to poke—was the old man truly so bothered by seeing him live a few peaceful days?
“I don’t care,” Third Zhao shot back. “I refuse to believe Zhao Dashu is fated to die without a son. Since you and Mother have nothing else to discuss, I’ll take my leave. Wouldn’t want to interrupt your precious family reunion.”
Old Master Zhao trembled with rage. ‘How could he say such things? Was he not part of this family?’ He simply couldn’t understand why this son insisted on opposing him at every turn.
Madam Wang, meanwhile, was drowning in disappointment. Their family was desperate for silver—’desperate’. As his wife, she knew better than anyone how little Zhao Dawen was truly capable of. This round of exams? He was just there to make up the numbers. He wouldn’t pass.
His heart hadn’t been in the imperial examinations for years. Back when he’d at least been diligent, teaching at the academy provided steady income. They’d bought a house, and life had been… tolerable. But ‘just’ tolerable—far from prosperous.
Now, with their children growing and expenses mounting, while the old home’s support remained meager, she was nearly sick with worry. So when they’d heard Third Zhao was involved in the bamboo shoot trade, they’d rushed back without hesitation.
Of course, they’d also returned to secure travel funds for the prefectural exams. But who could’ve predicted the old man would divide the family without warning? And worst of all—the moment they split, that wretched neighbor struck it rich! ‘Everyone’ knew how close that family was with Third Zhao, thick as thieves. If the division hadn’t happened, Third Zhao would’ve obediently handed over the recipe and his recent earnings.
Now? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Those two useless old fools—couldn’t accomplish a thing, only ruined everything! ‘Worthless!’
Zhao Dashu watched them seethe, and the resentment coiled inside him finally loosened. ‘Turns out, making people you dislike miserable really does lift your spirits.’
“So? How’d it go?”
The worried eyes fixed on him from the courtyard warmed him straight through.
“What else could happen? Told you not to worry, didn’t I? Your man’s ‘just fine’!”
Zhao Zhenyu rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck. ‘Keep bragging, keep bragging—one day that inflated ego of yours is gonna pop.’
“What did your father want you back for?” As if it could possibly be because he missed him.
“Nothing much. Said he regrets dividing the family and wants to undo it.”
“‘What?!’”
Everyone gaped. ‘Since when was family division reversible?’ Just because the old man was getting on in years didn’t mean he got to toss shame out the window whenever he pleased.
“Did you agree?”
“Agree my foot! Do I look like an idiot to you?”
(‘Internally:’) ‘Well… kinda. You don’t exactly radiate brilliance.’
“Father, why doesn’t Grandfather want the family divided anymore?”
Zhao Dashu wasn’t fooled by that nonsense about wanting the whole family together for warmth and laughter. It all boiled down to one thing—’money’.
“Seeing how well Shunzi’s bamboo shoot business is doing, they’ve turned green with envy. Even Eldest Brother wants a cut of the profits,” Zhao Dashu scoffed. “They called me over to fish for the processing method, but Mother couldn’t control her temper—too greedy to even play the long game. Bet she’s getting an earful from Father right now.”
“How can they be so shameless!” Madam Song spat out the harshest words she could muster, trembling with anger.
“Silver makes men shed shame. If someone paid me enough, I’d let them walk all over my face too.”
Zhao Zhenyu stared deadpan at her father. ‘Must you voice every ugly truth? Some thoughts are better left unsaid.’
Liu Shunzi sighed. “Dashu, if they find out you’ve bought land to build a house, the trouble’s just beginning.”
Zhao Dashu wasn’t afraid of their tantrums. The only thing that scared him was an empty stomach. “Let them make trouble. I’m abiding by the division agreement—since when does splitting the family mean I’m doomed to poverty? That’s not how it works.” He turned to his daughter with a grin. “Right, girl?”