Chapter 226: Chapter 226 Loosening
Old Lady Zhou had been somewhat relenting, but upon hearing Zhou Xuennian accuse her of favoritism, she suddenly became irrepressibly angry.
"You say Iâm biasedâhave your books been read in vain? Am I biased? Yes, I am biased; thatâs why over these years, whenever you wanted to study, your father and I let you be. Who has been managing our lands and fields? Your younger brother. What have you done?" Old Lady Zhou scolded, "Iâm biased, yes, Iâm so biased that I havenât had you out in the fields helping your brother, letting him look older than you despite being only in his teens!"
Old Lady Zhouâs words werenât without basis. Years of laboring in the fields had exposed Zhou Xueli to the elements, his skin tanned and rough, making him look almost thirty despite being not yet twenty.
By contrast, Zhou Xuennian, who had only studied without working the land and lived in comfort, appeared much younger dressed in his scholarâs robes.
So, itâs no wonder Old Lady Zhou was angryâit was perhaps justified for her to favor her younger son.
Yet she hadnât expected her eldest son to be so ungrateful as to speak to her in such a way.
"You are so ungrateful and unappreciative, you might as well not study any longer, because your books havenât taught you how to be a son or a brother!" Old Lady Zhou angrily cursed.
Zhou Xuennian was sprayed with her spittle and wiped his face with his sleeve, then forced a smile and cajoled, "Mother, I was just speaking my mindâdonât take it to heart. I didnât mean it."
Old Lady Zhou sneered, "Even without meaning to, you manage to stab me in the heart. If you had intended to, would you not have taken my life?"
"Mother, look what youâre sayingâhow can you put your son to such shame? I apologize to you, donât be angry. If you become ill from anger, I would be unforgivably guilty." Zhou Xuennian kept up his smiling face, and was now massaging her feet and shoulders, spewing out flattery as if it cost him nothing.
At the end of the day, he was her flesh and blood; no matter what, Old Lady Zhou couldnât stay mad at him, and her expression softened slightly.
"Mother, is there really only ninety taels left?" Seeing Old Lady Zhouâs changing expression, Zhou Xuennian cautiously asked again.
Old Lady Zhou said, "You know very well that we donât have much harvest at home. We live mostly off your fatherâs old savings and the modest income from our fields. Over the years, how many times have you continuously asked for money for various reasons?"
"Mother, havenât I also earned some by copying texts?"
Old Lady Zhou said mockingly, "How much have you earned from copying? Itâs not even enough to cover the expenses you incur. And your wife, donât think I donât know sheâs been skimming money off the top."
Discussing this issue infuriated Old Lady Zhou. She tightly controlled the family income, and since they hadnât divided the property, even what the elder son earned was supposed to be handed over. However, the amount turned in was always insufficient, and sometimes there was none at all, presumably because Madam Lu had taken some for herself.
Not only was the full amount of silver not being turned in, but she also had the audacity to ask for more from Old Lady Zhou. How could she not be furious?
Zhou Xuennian looked embarrassed and said, "Mother, that money was also for my use. Donât worry, as long as I pass the examination for Scholar, and with a little more effort, I might secure an official position at the Yamen. Then I can repay you double the silver."
Old Lady Zhou looked at him intently, "Are you so determined to take this silver away? Do you realize this is what our family depends on in a crisis? And thereâs Dajun; your wife wants to arrange a marriage for him. Doesnât getting married require silver? If you take it, what kind of marriage can he hope for?"
Zhou Xuennianâs gaze darted away.
Seeing this, what more did Old Lady Zhou need to understand? The anger that had just subsided surged again. She said, "Go down, I need to think about this."
Zhou Xuennian had no choice but to leave, but not before saying, "Mother, just remember, once I become a Scholar, our familyâs fortunes will turn. Thatâs the only thing that matters."
Old Lady Zhou was thoroughly exhausted.