After returning home, Gu Mingxiao learned of what Old Man Gu had done.
Mingxiao, usually indifferent, didn’t bother to fight for anything anymore—he simply distanced himself from the second branch and from Old Man Gu.
But Gu Qishan was honest and straightforward, and Madam Zhou was timid by nature. For years, both had been under the weight of filial duty, and when faced with the demands of Old Man Gu and Grandmother Sun, they could only do their best to comply.
Gu Mingxiao was often away from home, and the original master of the household was soft-hearted, content to let life drift by. When the second branch oppressed the first, he simply looked the other way.
But Li Xingyue was not of a gentle temperament. She was straightforward and disliked beating around the bush.
“One should not worry about having little, but about unequal treatment.” Faced with injustice and exploitation, she was determined to resist.
“Father,” Gu Qishan finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse.
“How much silver will An’er need this time to go to the prefecture city?” he asked in a deep voice.
At his words, Madam Zhou clenched her hands tightly.
Earlier today, Li Xingyue had just given her a hundred wen; it was still warm in her hands. She truly had no desire to hand more over to the second branch for nothing.
Before Old Man Gu could speak, Grandmother Sun smiled and said, “Isn’t it said that the poor may have limited wealth but not limited ambition? An’er is going to the prefecture city for the exams, a great affair. It’s only right to prepare more silver.”
She added, “Expenses in the prefecture city are high, money is needed everywhere. If An’er can pass the xiucai exam, he will be the first from our old Gu family. A little hardship at home is nothing. Isn’t that right, eldest son?”
Gu Dashan quickly nodded in agreement.
Madam Zhou also looked expectantly at her husband.
Gu Qishan nodded as well. “Mother is right.”
Grandmother Sun’s face showed a hint of satisfaction.
But then Gu Qishan continued, “However, we cannot fix an exact amount. We must act according to our means.”
Gu Dashan was displeased, his face showing impatience. “Big Brother, just tell us how much you can give!”
Li Xingyue, hearing someone ask for money with such confidence, couldn’t help but be impressed.
Gu Qishan’s voice grew serious. “Second Brother, Mingxiao isn’t home. Recently, my wife fell ill, as you know, and just the medicine cost over three hundred wen.
Now she’s pregnant again. This is a family matter. The doctor insists she must be well cared for. Our household is small, our young ones weak. At my age, where could I earn more money?”
When he finished, Madam Zhou visibly relaxed. Fortunately, her husband hadn’t said anything about giving money to the second branch.
Thankfully, she hadn’t had a chance to tell him that his daughter-in-law had just handed her a hundred wen today; otherwise, he might have agreed to give money to the second branch.
But Old Man Gu, Grandmother Sun, and Gu Dashan all looked displeased.
“Big Brother,” Gu Dashan could no longer contain his temper.
He glared at Gu Qishan. “Big Brother, your nephew is taking the xiucai exam, and you just sit back? You will be the xiucai’s uncle one day—are you fit to be an uncle like this?”
Old Man Gu and Grandmother Sun also looked at Gu Qishan.
Gu Qishan’s face flushed red.
Li Xingyue couldn’t help but sneer internally. These people were acting as if Gu Shao’an had already passed the exam.
Madam Zhou looked at her husband, hesitating, afraid he would say something improper, her fists clenched tightly, breath quickened.
Seeing Gu Qishan still silent, Gu Dashan became even more arrogant.
He sneered, “Big Brother, if you don’t want to contribute, don’t think the first branch will benefit at all when An’er passes!”
“Second Brother, you—”
Gu Qishan was also angry, but could not utter a word.
Gu Dashan snorted coldly, about to speak again.
Outside the room, Li Xingyue could no longer tolerate it. Since these people had no shame, she would tear off the last shred of politeness.
She sneered coldly, her smile not reaching her eyes. “Second Uncle, Second Brother is at least a scholar. Second Uncle, do you think he knows about the way you hold your bowl to eat and then speak ill of others?”
She continued mockingly, “Over all these years, while Second Brother was studying, how much silver has our first branch handed over to your second branch? Grandfather, Grandmother, Second Uncle—you all know it well. Now, because you can’t get money this one time, you turn on us and deny the accounts. If this spreads, who knows if it will damage Second Brother’s reputation?”
“As for whether Father-in-law is fit to be a proper uncle, in all these years, he has treated Second Brother like his own son. Don’t talk about being an uncle—he’s fit to be a father. As for you, Second Uncle, wanting to fund your own son’s studies while forcing your Big Brother to provide both money and effort, yet neglecting your nephew… I’d say you’re fit to be neither uncle nor father!”
When she finished speaking, Gu Dashan was furious, veins practically bulging from his face.
Old Man Gu and Grandmother Sun were equally enraged, glaring at Li Xingyue.
Grandmother Sun gave Old Man Gu a glance. He assumed a stern elder’s posture and shouted, “Li Shi, how can you speak like this as a junior? Do you have no respect?”
“Respect?”
Li Xingyue sneered. “If we’re talking about lack of respect, the Old Gu family is the worst: no distinction between kin or outsiders, no regard for age, elders unkind, brothers disrespectful, sisters at odds…”
“The Old Gu family may look prosperous on the outside, but inside it’s filthy. Don’t think others can’t see it—you’re just deceiving yourselves.”
Old Man Gu’s chest heaved with anger; he nearly fainted. Grandmother Sun hurried to soothe him, softly murmuring to calm him.
That Grandmother Sun was a true white lotus.
Gu Dashan was also incensed, pointing at Li Xingyue. “Big Brother, this woman is unfit to be a Gu daughter-in-law. She must be dismissed!”
Li Xingyue scoffed. “Second Uncle, do you think everyone craves to be a part of the Gu family like you?”
She raised her brow at him, disdain evident. “Second Uncle, what the first branch decides isn’t up to you!”
Gu Dashan was furious beyond control. He turned to Old Man Gu. “Father, you must decide! She must be dismissed!”