Chapter 48: Dividing the Family Estate

Li Pinghua had originally thought that even if she were discovered, the worst consequence would just be a scolding. But upon suddenly hearing that she would no longer be allowed to make the siu mai, her world collapsed, and she frantically shook her head.

"No, no, no! I won't dare do it again! I won't cut corners anymore!"

Seeing that Liang Yunqing ignored her, she lunged forward and tugged at her sleeve.

"Yunqing, Second Auntie won't dare do it again. Please don't take back the siu mai business! I've only just finished paying off my debts, and I have no money left!"

Li Pinghua pleaded endlessly. She could never have imagined that in the span of a single day, all her savings and her livelihood would both be gone.

"You reap what you sow."

Liang Yunqing was not one to dwell on the past; she firmly believed in the principle: "If you employ someone, do not doubt them; if you doubt them, do not employ them."

Li Youyong lowered his head, feeling deep down that his own mother's actions had been terribly wrong.

Liang Zhiyan slumped onto the ground. He had been counting on the siu mai business to help him earn back his lost wealth, but now he had nothing left—Xiao Tuo was gone, and the money was gone too...

Unwilling to waste any more time, Liang Yunqing spoke up directly.

"I will now address the matter of dividing the family property. Once we've agreed on the terms, we'll go to the squire tomorrow to sign and press our fingerprints on the deed."

As the words left her mouth, the others knew there was no room for negotiation and lowered their heads one by one. Only Lady Chu looked at her with gentle eyes.

"Starting today, the old house will be divided according to the size of the space each branch occupies. Grandmother will take the main chambers, Second Uncle will take the left wing, and our family will only take the right wing and the kitchen. As for the one mu of farmland belonging to the household, I will expropriate all of it. The Sichuan peppercorns grown there will be valued at one hundred wen per jin, and half of the yield will be given to you as compensation for the land occupation. You can put any thoughts of the siu mai business out of your minds. As for Grandmother's support, she can decide for herself which household she wishes to join. If Second Uncle is the one to support Grandmother, our family will contribute five hundred wen each month for her maintenance. Does anyone have any objections?"

Liang Mingxue was the first to express his agreement.

Liang Zhiyan, however, asked weakly, "If we aren't allowed to make the siu mai anymore, can we still work for the business?"

"Yes, your wages will still be calculated at twenty-five wen a day."

Hearing this, the others heaved sighs of relief. Only Li Pinghua remained immersed in a dazed trance.

"Mother, whose household do you choose to live with?"

Liang Mingxue asked calmly. This time, he no longer wanted to fight for the so-called maternal love. After what had just happened, his eyes had been opened. No matter how long he tried, he would never receive his mother's favoritism. Since that was the case, he no longer wished to contend for it.

Lady Wang quickly chimed in, "I want to go to the second household! I'm going to the second household!"

She had no intention of going to the eldest household and facing Liang Yunqing every day; she had no idea how many years of her life that would shave off.

Listening to her mother's decisive reply, a trace of relief flashed across Liang Mingxue's face.

Liang Yunqing took out the earnings from the previous few days. Thirty liang of it was handed over to Lady Chu for safekeeping, and she drew out the remaining twenty liang. Following last month's distribution method, she set aside seven liang and eight hundred wen for Auntie Ma.

The five liang and four hundred wen earned from their own plot of land was converted, and one liang was given to the second household. After distributing the wages as usual, Liang Yunqing was left with only seven liang and six hundred wen in her hand.

"These five hundred wen are Grandmother's maintenance fee."

Liang Yunqing took out another five strings of copper coins and handed them to Li Pinghua.

With the money divided, everyone retreated to their respective rooms, each harboring their own heavy thoughts.

Liang Mingxue pulled the quilt over himself, facing the wall as he recalled the lullabies his mother used to sing to Second Uncle Liang back in the day. In the end, tears finally streamed down his face. He sniffled, trying not to let his family in the other room hear, but Liang Yunqing had sharp ears. She reached out to stop Lady Chu, who looked as though she wanted to go comfort him, and said in a low voice, "Let Father cry."

After all, having to accept that the people closest to you do not truly love you was a cruel thing indeed.

Early the next morning, Liang Yunqing led her entire family to knock on the squire's courtyard gates once again. Welcomed by Uncle Lin's puzzled expression, they signed the property-division contract.

Once everything was settled, she hurried to the village entrance to ask Uncle Ma to pass a message to Mother Miao in the town: they would take a day off today and temporarily suspend the sale of siu mai. Uncle Ma accepted the coins and readily agreed.

In her heart, Liang Yunqing plotted to hand the siu mai business over to Third Aunt; after all, she completely trusted Auntie Ma's family.

True enough, upon learning that they were to take over the siu mai business, Auntie Ma's family was overjoyed. Only Third Aunt asked with some hesitation, "Will your Second Aunt agree to this?"

"Third Aunt, you just need to follow the method I taught you. Everything has already been settled with my Second Aunt."

Third Aunt nodded in agreement and meticulously fetched pen and paper, preparing to use them later for recording purchases of rice and flour as well as the output of goods.

By noon, a batch of exceptionally flavorful siu mai was successfully whipped up by Third Aunt. Only then did Liang Yunqing leave with peace of mind, leaving behind a bag of freshly ground Sichuan peppercorn powder before she departed.

Bidding farewell to Auntie Ma's family, Liang Yunqing headed straight for the county town. Boarding Uncle Ma's cart, she stopped by several peasant households along the way to purchase some beef and mutton. Cradling the meat in her arms, Liang Yunqing felt a fresh pang of heartache—this small amount of meat had cost her a full four hundred and fifty wen. She began pondering whether she could get Shopkeeper Xia to reimburse her.

Yet, remembering that Steward Yang had bailed her out just yesterday, she sighed. Oh well, four hundred and fifty is four hundred and fifty; a person shouldn't be too stingy.

By the time she reached the county town, it was already afternoon. The Prosperity Restaurant was packed to near capacity, and the carriages parked outside blocked half the main street. Cradling the meat, Liang Yunqing squeezed her way inside with difficulty. The waiter at the door recognized her and immediately stepped forward to help carry the meat in.

"Miss Liang, Steward Yang has given instructions: whenever you arrive, you may go straight up to the third floor."

"Alright."

Carrying the meat up, Liang Yunqing realized that lugging it all the way to the third floor seemed somewhat improper.

"Um, could you take this to the back kitchen for me?"

"Of course, of course."

The waiter took the meat and headed toward the back kitchen, while Liang Yunqing stretched her aching arms and climbed the stairs. She was now as familiar with the place as if it were her own home. Walking all the way up to the third floor, the passing waitresses smiled and nodded at her.

"Shopkeeper Xia, long time no see. I've missed you so much!"

Her bright voice rang out once again. With that, she pushed open the exquisite wooden door. Inside, Steward Yang was standing off to the side with a dejected expression. Xia Shi'an rested one hand on the desk while holding a thick ledger in the other.

Sensing that the atmosphere suggested she had come at a bad time, Liang Yunqing was just about to quietly back out when Xia Shi'an called out to her.

"Come in and take a seat. I need to finish handling some business first."

Realizing she couldn't slip away, Liang Yunqing resigned herself to her fate and sat down at the side under the heavy atmosphere. Observing Steward Yang's gloomy expression, she suddenly thought: could it be that he got scolded yesterday just for helping her?

"Uhm, Shopkeeper Xia, did I cause trouble for the Prosperity Restaurant yesterday?"

Shopkeeper Xia lightly lifted her eyes and swept a glance over her. "What kind of trouble could you possibly cause for the Prosperity Restaurant?"

Though these words sounded somewhat condescending, Liang Yunqing couldn't snap back—after all, the other party was her primary client.

"I thought Steward Yang only got scolded because of yesterday's incident."

Hearing this, Shopkeeper Xia put down the ledger in her hand and remarked nonchalantly, "That petty little matter isn't enough to get him scolded."

Realizing it had nothing to do with her, Liang Yunqing sensibly shut her mouth and asked no further questions. She focused entirely on sipping the tea beside her. After two cups, she felt a little hungry again, so she simply picked up a pastry and began to eat.

In the room, one side featured the dejected Steward Yang, while the other featured Liang Yunqing with her mouth full of pastries. Xia Shi'an, who had been fully prepared to lecture someone, found herself momentarily speechless and had no choice but to let it go.

"I'll spare you the punishment this time. Let it serve as a lesson."

Upon hearing that she wouldn't be punished, Steward Yang's face instantly bloomed with smiles. "Thank you, Shopkeeper! This subordinate will definitely be more mindful next time."

Shopkeeper Xia stood up, the dark fabric of her long hem gently swaying, and walked over to Liang Yunqing. "Why didn't you bring your little food box today?"