Chapter 365: Chapter 365: Too Cunning Chapter 365: Chapter 365: Too Cunning As soon as Mo Xiaoqiang finished speaking, everyone was stunned, looking at him with complete astonishment.
“Older brother, what’s gotten into you? Did my wife’s words offend you just now? If so, let me apologize on her behalf,” Mo Daoyan, after a moment of bewilderment, hastily said.
Right now, his son was at the age where spending silver was at its highest, so they really couldn’t afford to actually separate from the main house.
Mo Xiaoqiang gave him a quick glance, thinking that his second younger brother was being too cunning, letting his wife do the dirty work and taking the role of the good guy for himself. He then coldly said, “There’s no need for an apology, I should actually thank her!”
With a puzzled look, Mo Daoyan said, “Then why do you still want to divide the household, big brother?”
“Of course we must split. Her words did remind me, after all. Our main house can’t work ourselves to death just to support your son’s entire life and end up with nothing, right? Therefore, our main house must separate. From now on, everyone should just go their own way,” he explained.
“Big brother! You…” Mo Daoyan looked anxious, trying to say something more.
Mo Xiaoqiang waved his hand, indicating he didn’t want to hear any more useless talk.
Mo Daoyan and his wife exchanged glances, ultimately placing their hope on Old Lady Mo, wishing she would not agree to Mo Xiaoqiang’s decision to separate.
Old Master Mo, upon hearing that Mo Xiaoqiang wanted to divide the household, was also shocked. In his mind, he had never contemplated the idea of splitting up the two branches to live separately. For a moment, he couldn’t accept it and stood there dumbfounded, asking, “Qiangqiang, what are you saying?”
“Father, I’m saying I want to separate,” Mo Xiaoqiang said again, clearly and distinctly.
“Your father and I are not dead yet, what split? I don’t agree,” Old Lady Mo responded vehemently, her voice rising sharply.
She was intent on providing for Mo Hengjian to attend the Academy and become a Juren to bring glory to their family. If the main house divided and moved out, where would they find enough silver to support her grandson’s studies? Old Lady Mo wasn’t foolish; she had long calculated this thoroughly.
Indeed, all the silver that came into the Mo family was supported by the dozens of acres of farmland they owned. If the main house split off, it meant they would only have half the usual silver, which was nowhere near enough for Hengjian’s expenses at the Academy, let alone for their home’s food and drink.
“Mother, you’re too cruel to your own son. For the sake of your favorite grandson, you’d willingly jeopardize the happiness of your son’s entire life, letting our main house toil away like oxen and horses for your grandson. I am your own flesh and blood too, how can your heart be so cruel?”
At that moment, Mo Xiaoqiang felt as if he had finally seen the light. In the past, he lived a muddled life, squandering any silver he had at brothels, never seriously pondering anything. After being scolded by Madam Ruan, he had an epiphany, understanding why his life was so miserable. His life revolved around a boy who wasn’t even his own flesh and blood! The more he thought about it, the more angry he became, resolutely deciding to separate.
Upon hearing her son speak of her in such a manner, Old Lady Mo immediately became upset, her face darkening as she said, “Qiangqiang, speaking to your mother like this is too cold-hearted. Didn’t I treat you well? I even spent silver to take in a concubine for you, worrying you’d have no heirs. And now, you accuse me of being cruel? Has your heart been eaten by a dog?”
As she spoke, she even began to weep softly.
However, Mo Xiaoqiang’s mind was made up, remaining unmoved.
Auntie Sun, observing that Mo Xiaoqiang was insistent on separating, couldn’t help feeling elated inside. A split would be good; she would no longer have to endure a life where she was only entitled to work but not to enjoy the fruits of it. Plus, she was fed up with doing the household chores for the Mo family, which involved serving a whole household, including their animals—there was just too much work.