Chapter 889: Chapter 888: Wife of a Humble Home, Concubine of a Wealthy One
Upon hearing Zhou Xueliâs question, Zhou Xuennianâs smile froze slightly. Old Lady Zhou understood clearly, but she wasnât surprised. She wasnât like that foolish woman who thought the man was sentimental. After disappearing for so many years, he must have had a wife and children by now.
Now hearing the man is a fifth-rank great official, thereâs no need to guess. Just seeing the eldestâs expression, whatâs not to understand?
"Well, my brother-in-law comes from a big family, so of course heâs already married." Zhou Xuennian said, "But so what? Which young master from a great family doesnât have three wives and four concubines? Besides, heâs also a high-ranking official."
Zhou Xueli clenched his fist: "So, is he going to take my sister back as a second concubine or just keep her outside?"
"Of course, she has to go back to the Wu Family. Wufu also needs to recognize his ancestors, right?" Zhou Xuennian said, "As for her status, our Zhou family doesnât have a great background, just a farming family. Being a consort to a fifth-rank official is already a tremendous blessing!"
"What nonsense!" Zhou Xueli jumped up, pointing at him: "A daughter of the Zhou family becoming a concubine to someone else; how will people see our Zhou family? How will future girls like Xiuxiu find good marriages? Better to be a wife in a small family than a concubine in a large one, donât you know that? The girls of the Zhou family are meant to be legitimate wives!"
He was truly furious; being a concubine, how could the next generation raise their heads with pride?
Zhou Xuennian sneered: "I think youâve plowed fields until youâre foolish. Better to be a wife in a small family? Hah! Whatâs the point of living facing the soil? Whatâs wrong with being a concubine in a big family, eating and drinking well, served by maids and servants? The next generation will still have origins in an officialâs family. What does a poor farmer have, if not struggling for every meal? Naive!"
"You!" Zhou Xueli was so angry that his hands were clenched into fists.
"Donât act so pretentious. You can go ask the people in Wozi Village. If asked to give a daughter to a fifth-rank official as a concubine, there would be many willing!" Zhou Xuennian snorted.
"Arenât you afraid people will also look down on your daughter in the future?" Zhou Xueli asked through gritted teeth.
Zhou Xuennian glanced at him coldly: "Look down on her? With an uncle who is a fifth-rank official, who dares to look down on her? Good men wonât be in short supply for her to choose!"
Zhou Xueli was stuck, naturally dull and not as articulate as his bookish elder brother, unable to retort.
Old Lady Zhou took a deep breath and looked coldly at her eldest son: "Youâve read a lot, you should know propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. Donât you know that only the relatives of a legitimate wife are considered relatives? What kind of relatives are those of a concubine?"
Zhou Xuennian had already considered this, saying, "Whatâs the matter with that? As long as Ying Mei is favored, itâs not an issue!"
Old Lady Zhou closed her eyes and spoke again: "If thatâs the case, why did you come? Go on and enjoy eating and drinking with them; why return to this poor home? Go on, I wonât stop you from succeeding. Now that you brothers have already divided the family, Iâll just stay with the second son, and as for your big house, do what you like."
Zhou Xuennianâs heart skipped a beat, and he frowned, "Mother, what are you saying? Iâm the eldest son; of course, I must support you, or wonât others talk behind my back?"
"Oh?" Old Lady Zhou lifted her eyelids and glanced at him: "You want to support me? Fine. Iâve gotten used to Wozi Village and donât want to go anywhere. If youâre willing, you can take me to live with you."
Meaning, if you support me, youâll have to stay here; I wonât go anywhere, or else, Iâll follow the younger son.