“But Father—Third Sister-in-law will only be here a handful of days before leaving for the garrison! Has all our betrothal gift been given for nothing?” Xu Zhenzhu would not let the matter rest, still determined to pick a quarrel.
“Xu Zhenzhu!” Huang Jinfeng’s expression turned stern. “What has come over you today? Why do you keep heaping criticism upon Qiqi? She is a daughter of this family the moment she marries in. The betrothal gift came from Third Son himself—Third Son, who is one of us! Every grain we eat and every thing we use in this house owes much to Third Son’s support. Continue this senseless bickering and do not expect me to show leniency!”
Xu Zhenzhu fell silent beneath her mother-in-law’s rebuke, yet inwardly she remained unpersuaded. In her heart, she felt the Lu family had taken unfair advantage: their daughter would do no work, yet leave to live comfortably at the garrison, while those who labored year-round at home received nothing.
Gu Mufeng cast Xu Zhenzhu a cold glance. The woman’s behavior was growing increasingly intolerable. He rose and addressed Huang Jinfeng directly. “Mother. In the past, contributing more to the household caused me no hardship while I was unwed. Now that I am to marry, however, I can no longer contribute as I once did. I shall set aside ten yuan each month for you and Father to support your needs in your old age.”
Huang Jinfeng nodded. “Since the subject has arisen today, let us speak plainly. Your Father and I have long agreed: once Third Son takes a wife, we shall divide the household…”
“Divide the household? How can you speak of such a thing, Mother? As long as parents live, the family ought not to part ways!” Gu Muzheng—Second Brother—spoke abruptly, having thus far held his peace.
Huang Jinfeng cast him a sharp glance. “‘As long as parents live…’ A fine saying, yet there is another: when the tree grows tall, its branches spread. We delayed division because Third Son was yet unwed. Now that he is to marry, your Father and I may consider our duty fulfilled. With so many beneath one roof, eating from one cooking pot… it cannot go on forever. This household will be divided.”
At his mother’s unyielding tone, Gu Muzheng’s head drooped visibly. Xu Zhenzhu hastened to speak up. “Mother—let our Second Branch remain! We have no wish to part! We are well content to share one hearth with all!”
“Hah!” Huang Jinfeng let out a cold laugh. “It is not ‘sharing one hearth’ you crave—it is having all the household feed and rear your children for you! Do not think I cannot see through your schemes!”
Her intent laid bare, Xu Zhenzhu showed not the least shame. She lifted her chin defiantly. “Mother, as the saying goes: growing boys eat their father out of house and home. Zhiqiang and Zhigang are at an age where their appetites are large. If we divide the household, the work points earned by myself and Second Brother alone shall never feed four mouths! Everyone knows boys consume more! Had we borne two girls as Eldest Sister-in-law did, we should have no worry. But Zhiqiang and Zhigang—they are the Gu family’s precious grandsons! Surely you cannot bear to see them go hungry?”
“Xu Zhenzhu, speak not to me of ‘precious grandsons’! In my eyes, grandsons and granddaughters are valued equally! In this family we have never held the foolish belief that boys are worth more than girls! You gave birth to them—so you must raise them! Other mothers may urge their daughters-in-law to conceive more; I have never once spoken such a word. I have always held: a family needs children, yet how many—and whether sons or daughters—rests entirely with the couple themselves. Had you chosen to bear daughters alone, I should not have minded in the least. Yours might have been a household of sons and daughters alike, as Fourth Brother’s is. Instead, you willfully ended your second pregnancy when you learned it was a girl! Now that you have two sons, you strut about as though you alone have rendered the Gu family some great service—head held high, tail held aloft—and still you speak of bearing yet another son! Let me say this plainly once more: the Gu family values sons and daughters alike. Beget as many as you choose—and feed them yourselves. Do not look to me to raise your brood!”
Xu Zhenzhu flushed crimson beneath the scolding, yet stubbornly refused to yield. She knew full well: once the household divided, she and Gu Muzheng must bear the full burden of supporting their family—a prospect that weighed heavily indeed.
Gu Mufeng watched the dispute unfold and felt a profound weariness settle upon him. He knew division must come eventually, yet this scarcely seemed the hour. He stood, stepped to his mother’s side, and spoke gently. “Mother—let us lay this matter aside for now and speak of it later. Hearts are hot and words fall on deaf ears when tempers run high.”
Huang Jinfeng nodded, acknowledging the wisdom in his words. She drew a long breath and composed herself, then fixed Xu Zhenzhu with a steady gaze. “So be it for today. We shall revisit the matter of division. Yet let it be said plainly: prepare yourselves, for divided we shall be. Now go to your room. Add no further strife to this day.”
Xu Zhenzhu, though still aggrieved, recognized that further protest was useless. She cast Lu Qiqi a venomous glare, turned on her heel, and withdrew.
Gu Mufeng watched her retreating form and shook his head in quiet despair. He stepped to Lu Qiqi’s side and clasped her hand gently. “My wife—forgive me. You have borne rudeness undeserved.”
Lu Qiqi shook her head, unperturbed. She met his gaze and spoke softly. “Blame not yourself. I married you—not the rest of this household. All I ask is this: when disputes arise, stand by me and see matters from where I stand. And let it be known: I shall not stir trouble unprovoked. Yet should others choose to provoke me, neither shall I endure it in silence. Prepare yourself—that is all.”
She spoke clearly enough for Huang Jinfeng and the others still present to hear. She meant to make her position plain from the start—that she was not some meek new bride, young and defenseless, to be trampled by all. She had seen enough already: Xu Zhenzhu had made trouble from the very hour of her arrival, and the days ahead promised no peace.
“Be assured, Qiqi—come what may, I shall stand beside you,” Gu Mufeng vowed, returning her grip firmly, his gaze steady and unwavering.
Huang Jinfeng looked upon their clasped hands and felt a quiet comfort rise within her. This third daughter-in-law… she suited her well. A woman ought never to be overly yielding. Wrongdoing must be spoken aloud; one must never suffer mistreatment in silence. It seemed the match arranged by Old Master Gu had indeed been well chosen—though the girl was perhaps somewhat slender and frail of constitution…
She stepped forward and patted Lu Qiqi gently upon the shoulder. “Qiqi, fear not. So long as breath remains in me, this household shall answer to me. If anyone dares misuse you—come tell me. I shall see to it.”
Lu Qiqi looked gratefully up at her and nodded. “Thank you, Mother.” She paused briefly, then continued. “Mother—Mufeng is away often and cannot attend to you and Father as a filial son ought. While we remain home these few days, pray include our Third Branch in the cooking rotation. All matters of the wedding rest in your capable hands, and little can I contribute there. Let me but share some measure of the daily burden shouldered by my sisters-in-law.”
Huang Jinfeng listened and felt deep satisfaction swell within her.