“Enough. Do you think I don’t know what you’re scheming? Who are you trying to fool with such words? If we’re separating the family, let’s do it quickly. That way I can move out sooner and stop being an eyesore to you.” Shen Wenhe had no intention of engaging in their hypocritical games.
Madam Shen gave Shen Wenhe a penetrating look. She had always known this son of a concubine wouldn’t be easy to deal with, which was precisely why she wanted him out of the household as soon as possible.
“Very well, the matter of separating the family is settled. Your father and I have already made the arrangements. You just need to listen.” Madam Shen’s declaration left no room for argument.
Shen Wenhe fell silent. There was no room for him to oppose this matter anyway.
Though called “separating the family,” how much each party received was entirely up to their discretion.
Fortunately, he didn’t plan to rely on what little he might get from this division.
The family separation proceeded quickly, without involving any outsiders.
Master Shen merely outlined the general distribution of the family assets.
According to tradition, the eldest son was entitled to seventy percent, so Shen Laoda received seven-tenths of the family wealth.
Of the remaining thirty percent, Master Shen decided it would be divided among Shen Wenhe and his two brothers.
Since Shen Wenbo and Shen Wenbin were legitimate sons, they each received an additional half-percent share.
In the end, Shen Wenhe was left with only half a percent of the family assets – scarcely different from being cast out with nothing.
“What? Are you trying to send me away empty-handed? You think a few hundred taels of silver will suffice? Your greed is utterly shameless. If this is how you intend to proceed, I’ll find someone to judge whether this is fair.” Shen Wenhe straightened his posture as he spoke.
“Whoever you bring will reach the same conclusion! Our family only has this much to distribute. Moreover, the eldest son receiving seventy percent is the established rule. The remaining thirty percent is to be divided among you three. Since your second and third brothers are legitimate sons, they naturally deserve larger shares than you. You should be grateful we’re giving you half a percent at all. What more could you possibly want?” Master Shen reprimanded sternly.
“Hahaha, Father, can you say that without guilt? Does our family truly possess only this much? Do you truly believe I’m unaware of the full extent of our family’s holdings? I won’t comment on Madam’s actions – after all, I’m not her biological son, so her favoring her own children is understandable. But Father, I’m your son too. I don’t expect perfectly equal treatment, but this disparity is too extreme.” Shen Wenhe spoke with bitter indignation.
Something in Shen Wenhe’s words struck a nerve in Madam Shen. Before Master Shen could respond, she erupted in harsh criticism.
“What? You dare compare yourself to my sons? You’re nothing but the illegitimate offspring of a bed-climbing harlot. You should be grateful I allowed you to grow up safely. How dare you expect treatment equal to my sons? Know your place! If I’d known you’d become such an ungrateful wretch, I should have let you follow your whore of a mother long ago.” Madam Shen glared at Shen Wenhe with pure hatred.
“Heh, I survived to adulthood through sheer luck, not any kindness from you. Shall I recount all the ‘accidents’ I’ve experienced since childhood? Nearly drowning at six, encountering kidnappers at eight, food poisoning during my first child examination at thirteen. Breaking my leg the following year, and then the next year… That’s why I’ve abandoned imperial examination aspirations these past two years. Were these truly all accidents? Then why did only I suffer these misfortunes while your sons remained unscathed?” Shen Wenhe grew increasingly agitated, his eyes reddening as he spoke.
Bai Nianqing had known that sons of concubines faced difficulties in great families, but she never imagined their plight could be this severe. The thought made her heart ache with sorrow.
“My dear.” Bai Nianqing stepped forward and grasped Shen Wenhe’s hand in support.
“I’m fine.” Shen Wenhe clasped Bai Nianqing’s hand in return.
He had indeed been somewhat agitated earlier. All these years, he had been barely surviving, living with difficulty in the inner courtyard.
Now he no longer wished to endure. Since they were going to separate the family, he wanted to make a clean break of it.
If possible, he would actually prefer leaving the house with nothing and severing all ties with them.
Wait—sever ties? Why hadn’t he thought of that before?
After all, he held no status in this household, and they would be more than happy to kick him out.
Moreover, if he didn’t cut ties with them now, there would be endless troubles in the future.
In short, when good things happened, they would never come his way, but when bad things occurred, he would certainly be implicated.
Might as well take this opportunity to sever relations with them—it would save him future worries.
Having formed this idea, Shen Wenhe maintained a calm expression, not letting anyone detect his thoughts.
Others might have some understanding of what Shen Wenhe had endured over the years, but Master Shen was hearing about these matters for the first time.
“Wen He, is everything you said true? Why have you never told your father about this? If I had known earlier…”
“If you had known earlier, what would you have done? Would you have stood up for me?” Shen Wenhe asked with sarcasm in his voice.
“I…” Master Shen was at a loss for words.
Shen Wenhe let out a cold laugh. “Heh, I knew it. Even if you had known, you wouldn’t have done anything.”
Master Shen choked on his words. He had to admit he had neglected Wen He all these years.
But what could he do? His wife’s family was influential, and his business relied on their support.
Moreover, he had his own selfish motives—he didn’t want his sons to end up like him, stuck in business their whole lives.
That’s why he had sent all his sons to study early, hoping they would eventually take imperial examinations and become officials.
His father-in-law and brother-in-law were both officials, albeit minor fifth or sixth-rank positions, which was still better than being merchants.
Hoping his wife’s family would help his sons advance, he had constrained himself in dealing with his wife.
That’s why, apart from Wen He’s mother, he had never taken any concubines all these years.
Was he truly unaware that Shen Wenhe had been suffering under his wife’s treatment?
Even if he was careless, he had some inkling.
That Shen Wenhe had managed to grow up safely was partly due to his discreet protection.
He had even harbored suspicions about the incidents that occurred before Wen He’s examinations, but for the sake of family harmony, he had chosen to turn a blind eye.
Now that Shen Wenhe had brought everything into the open, he couldn’t just remain silent without losing face.
“Madam, is what Wen He said true? Did you really interfere before his examinations?” Master Shen demanded angrily.
“Master, how can you believe his nonsense? After all these years, don’t you know what kind of person I am? If I had wanted to target him, would he have survived until now? He claims all the accidents before his exams were my doing—where’s the proof? I say this Shen Wenhe is nothing but an ungrateful wretch. As his legal mother, he slanders me without any evidence—that’s unfilial! I want to bring this before the clan elders. Such an unfilial son should be driven out. I…” Madam Shen seized the opportunity to counterattack.
“Madam! What nonsense are you spouting? How is Wen He unfilial?” Seeing his wife becoming increasingly unreasonable, Master Shen quickly interrupted to stop her.
“Fine, let’s sever our ties then. After all, your goal has always been to drive me out. I’ll grant your wish. No need to persuade me, Father. Isn’t this exactly what you all planned from the beginning? Putting on this act now – don’t you find it hypocritical?”