CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58: KEEPING IT SECRET

Mrs. Chen lowered her eyes, "Father said he would give Liu Lang three acres of land. I just discussed with Liu Lang, and since we have no labor at home, we don’t want the land. Father can give me silver instead. The current land price is five taels of silver per acre, so it counts as fifteen taels."

"Furthermore, there are five rooms in the east wing; we barely have enough space. I don’t want anything else, but all these rooms must be given to us."

"I have only these two demands. If you agree, fine; if not—"

Mrs. Chen suddenly raised her head, "I’ll take my dowry list to the government office to file a complaint."

"I had seventy to eighty taels of dowry silver, and I spent it all on your Jiang Family. I’ve toiled to raise several children, and now you treat me like this?"

Everyone kept silent, calculating in their hearts.

After a long pause, Mr. Jiang said, "Let’s do it this way, you can live in those rooms as if borrowing them. When San Ya gets married, those two rooms on the south side still need to be returned. Liu Lang can only have three rooms, which is already quite a lot."

Mrs. Chen didn’t dwell on this issue and continued, "What about the elderly care for father and mother?"

Everyone looked at Mr. Jiang.

Mr. Jiang contemplated for a while, "Although the eldest is no longer here, our family has raised San Lang for so many years. San Lang should show gratitude for our upbringing. I won’t ask for much; the main family will give us two taels of silver annually."

Two taels of silver might not seem like much, yet it’s not insignificant.

With meat priced at ten wen per pound, even if eating a pound of meat a day, two taels could last for most of the year.

Mrs. Chen was about to lament how she and her lonely children couldn’t afford such silver, but then Mr. Jiang said, "Since San Lang broke his leg, it hasn’t been easy for you. Let’s waive this year’s silver."

"Start giving from the beginning of next year."

These words were well-placed, blocking Mrs. Chen’s argument.

Upon close consideration, it’s only a postponement of three months.

Zhao Lizheng praised Mr. Jiang again.

Then the documentation was drafted in triplicate, with one copy to be filed at the government office.

It clearly stated that Jiang Youzhi was not a direct descendant of the Jiang Family, hence not entitled to any inheritance, and afterward had no relation to the Jiang Family.

This clause was specifically instructed by Jiang Rong to have Zhao Lizheng include, as he heard Mrs. Chen borrowed silver again from Lizheng’s house. He worried Mrs. Chen was borrowing silver everywhere for Jiang Youzhi’s leg treatment, fearing creditors would approach them in the future.

Then there were three acres of land converted to fifteen taels of silver for Liu Lang.

Two taels of silver would be given to the elderly each year for their care until they pass away.

The house details were clearly documented as well.

Upon hearing Zhao Lizheng read the document, Mr. Jiang went into the inner room and came back with fifteen taels of silver for Mrs. Chen.

Mrs. Chen took the silver and sneered.

Before, when she asked for silver to treat San Lang, they delayed saying they had no money, but now they have it.

However, she didn’t bother to say anything further, putting the silver into her pocket.

Mr. Jiang then divided the grain in front of everyone, letting Jiang Rong and Jiang Hua move into the east wing.

Mrs. Chen and Liu Lang both stamped their fingerprints on the family separation document, thus marking the completion of the division.

Mrs. Chen bowed to everyone, "San Lang does not know his own origin yet. I only ask everyone to keep it a secret and never mention it in front of him."

Zhao Lizheng and others nodded in agreement.

Jiang Rong scoffed, not sure what he meant.

Zhao Lizheng took one copy of the document, which needed to be filed at the government office for household registration separation. He said to Mrs. Chen, "At the end of the year, I’ll submit the documentation and then give you the new registration stickers."