Capítulo 1330: Chapter 1330: The Sky Is Falling

Lady Jiang was alarmed upon hearing Wang Yonggui’s words; she knew her husband, despite his past irresponsibility and indifference towards their family’s well-being.

He had even taken a concubine home, disgusting everyone, but perhaps because of this, he felt guilty inside.

Now that life was better, he was trying to make amends to her and their children.

He let her keep the monthly allowance, and at the end of the year, he gave her half of the dividends to hold onto.

Whenever he went to town, he would bring back some snacks for her and the kids.

He had become considerate, asking her to do less embroidery as it was harsh on her eyes.

Their marital relationship was now more intimate than during their honeymoon; Lady Jiang wished these days would continue forever.

But when Wang Yonggui mentioned leaving her, she couldn’t bear it.

Immediately, she collapsed onto the ground, crying, and said, “My two brothers from my maternal home came several times before, saying that their family couldn’t even afford food. Seeing them pitiful, I gave them some grain to get by for a few days.”

“Later, my brother said that taking stuff back home every time felt wrong, and always doing so would displease you, the head of the family, and worried that people might gossip, making things difficult for me.”

“So they thought of borrowing our family’s name to open a shop selling mountain goods…”

Wang Yonggui’s eyes nearly popped out: “What did you say? They also opened a mountain goods shop? Where is it? How long has it been open?”

Lady Jiang, with her head down, whispered, “They mentioned it at the end of March, probably haven’t opened it yet; they didn’t have much capital, said they would gather some money first, and get a few people to join…”

Before she finished speaking, Wang Yongzhu’s face darkened: “Did they really say that?”

Lady Jiang shivered at Wang Yongzhu’s expression: “Yes, they truly said this. They haven’t come for months, probably raising money at home now–”

Song Chongjin clapped his hands, and Yao Da along with the Personal Squad Leader who had been waiting outside entered, bowing to say, “What orders does the Master have?”

Since arriving home yesterday, Song Chongjin had instructed that he should be called Master from now on, no longer Princely Heir.

Consequently, everyone changed their address.

Wang Yongzhu sneered: “Yao Da, take a few people along with my Third Brother, go to Jiang Family and get to the bottom of this. See if they are indeed using our Wang Family’s name, and the name of your Master outside to collect money? If this is true, arrest them and hand them directly to the Town Mayor for punishment! No mercy!”

Understanding the order, Yao Da immediately nodded and bowed to Wang Yonggui: “Third Uncle, please–”

On the side, the Personal Squad Leader quickly went out to gather some clever men to accompany Yao Da for the task.

At this moment, Wang Yonggui dared not refuse, fearing that if he said no, his sister might really break his leg.

He nodded hastily, following Yao Da out.

Once outside, he felt he had escaped a disaster, patting his chest with a sigh of relief.

Turning around, he saw Yao Da and several formidable personal soldiers staring at him, causing him to swallow his breath again and lower his head: “I-I’ll lead the way for you–”

Wang Yonggui led the group to Jiang Family, and the atmosphere inside the house turned tense, only to hear Lady Jiang sobbing.

Jinhua and Jinpan, having understood some of the happenings, were angry and frustrated hearing Lady Jiang’s words; they admonished her harshly, looking at her with disappointment.

Especially Jinhua, who found Lady Jiang so unfamiliar.

Girls mature faster; being the first child of the third household, she still remembered the hardships they faced in the past.

Back then, their grandmother’s house never cared for them; Lady Jiang had once said with gritted teeth that she was as if she had no maternal family.

Now that life was better, had she forgotten those painful scars after healing?

Jinhua, having been confined indoors by Lady Jiang to temper her character these past two years, seemed calm ordinarily.

But when it really mattered, Jinhua couldn’t hold it, “Mother, how could you be so muddle-headed? Haven’t you seen through Jiang Family yet? Why do you still associate with them? Let them use our family’s name for business? Have you forgotten how Jiang Family treated us back then?”

Lady Jiang stammered: “Your uncles can’t survive, their house has no food, I can’t just watch them starve to death, can I? We share the same mother—”

“You remember you were born of the same mother, but didn’t they remember when you were nearly starved back then?” Jinhua retorted straightaway.

Retorting so harshly made Lady Jiang’s face turn pale.

“During those times, your uncles were also struggling, now that our life is better, I can’t really watch them die, can I? Besides, I didn’t give them any silver!” Lady Jiang continued her defense.

Jinpan showed disappointment on his face, but ultimately, he wasn’t like Jinhua with a fiery temper speaking without restraint.

His own father had been taken away by his elder aunt’s husband’s subordinates to deal with the mess caused by his mother’s confusion.

Even though his elder sister was older, she was only bemoaning their mother, which didn’t solve anything.

As the eldest son of the third household, he needed to stand up.

After contemplating, Jinpan stepped forward, first bowing to apologize: “Uncle, Aunt, my mother did wrong! I apologize on her behalf! She didn’t have ill intentions, she made such a mistake because of ignorance! We will definitely talk to her and guarantee in the future there won’t be any relatives, any connections using uncle and Wang Family’s name to cause trouble.”

“If, if it happens again—” Jinpan glanced at Lady Jiang, gritted his teeth fiercely: “If such a thing happens again, if there’s another entanglement between my mother and her maternal family, I, I will drop out of school and personally watch over her and her maternal family!”

Lady Jiang was dumbfounded upon hearing this: “Jinpan, how can you? You are supposed to study and take the imperial exam to be a Scholar, a Graduate! You can’t drop out!”

Jinpan smiled bitterly: “If you can’t manage your relatives there, what good is it if I pass the exams? Now they’re thinking of their schemes just because uncle passed the Graduate exam, finding ways to deceive people by taking their money. If I really pass the exam, won’t they just outright steal money?”

“Mother doesn’t know, if that day comes when someone reports to the authorities, even if I pass the exams they will strip me of my Scholar and Graduate titles and reduce me to a commoner! Instead of struggling for fame only to be reverted, it’s better not to take the exams, to save myself trouble.”

Earlier, Jinhua’s complaints and tears didn’t move Lady Jiang much, knowing her daughter was heartbroken, but she knew Jinhua, despite her fiery temper, had a soft heart. After a few days, soothing words would settle the matter.

But Jinpan’s words hit her right in the heart.

What was she planning for? Wasn’t it for Jinpan and Jinshao?

Hoping they would succeed in their future and make a name for themselves.

If Jinpan had to drop out and return home, what else was there to hope for?

She felt as if the sky had fallen.