Chapter 9

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The Shen family returned to Yangliu Brigade around lunchtime and immediately heard about what had happened the day before. A chatty villager told them that Old Shen Seven seemed to have been pushed too far, his temperament suddenly changed, completely unlike before.

Earlier this year, a girl from the Pine Tree Brigade fell and injured her head while gathering mushrooms on the mountain. After returning from the county hospital, she was like a different person—once honest and simple, now acting difficult every day. This news spread throughout the neighboring villages.

Old Shen Seven wasn’t quite as extreme, but there was some truth to it.

Shen Shengli had initially doubted it but now began to believe it. After all, Shen Shaoyuan, who used to be so meek he couldn’t even make a sound when beaten, now dared to openly criticize his elder brother for deceiving people and even flatter the brigade leader!

Shen Shengli felt the situation was more complicated than expected but still spoke before Zhou Mancang could: “Old Seven, those two rooms your nephews have lived in for years, with their families—surely you’re not going to force them to sleep out on the street? As their uncle, if you’re generous, your nephews will remember your kindness. When Mo’er gets married, won’t they support you? When you’re old, won’t they hold ceremonies for you?”

Shen Shengli saw nothing wrong with what he said.

Shen Shaoyuan had no sons, only a daughter, which was almost like having no heirs. If he understood things clearly, he should take this chance to contribute more and maintain good relations with his nephews.

He believed he was speaking earnestly for Shen Shaoyuan’s own good.

But while he had seen thick-skinned people before, he had never seen anyone quite this shameless.

Shen Shaoyuan almost laughed in anger. He pointed at his several impoverished nephews sitting or squatting nearby and sneered, “Ask me who among them looks capable of taking care of me in my old age? Instead of advising me, why don’t you advise them to treat me well? Then I can even burn them some joss paper money!”

Ah, his nephews were princes of the Great Liang Dynasty, each with majestic bearing, unlike these shabby, ill-favored ones here.

At first, Shen Shengli hadn’t thought deeply, assuming Shen Shaoyuan would rely on his nephews for support since he had no sons, forgetting that Shen Shaoyuan was older in seniority but younger in age!

Looking at the nephews, some older than Shen Shaoyuan, others younger but appearing older, Shen Shengli’s lips twitched, and he was too stunned to speak.

“Even if the nephews can’t support you in old age, what about the grandnephews? Besides, take Mo’er for example—no matter where she marries, won’t she rely on her maternal brothers for support? We’re all family; there’s no need to make such a clear distinction. Your family is small; one room is enough. Your nephews will remember your kindness and surely help Mo’er, right?”

This was Shen Yongjun, the second brother, speaking.

They say you judge others by yourself. Shen Shengli, having no daughters and disliking girls, assumed Shen Shaoyuan cared most about support in old age, like himself.

Shen Yongjun, on the other hand, had a pretty daughter with a high school diploma who taught at the village school. Although he was somewhat traditional and preferred sons, he loved his daughter dearly.

So compared to Shen Shengli, Shen Yongjun better understood Shen Shaoyuan’s affection for his daughter and knew his weak spot.

Speaking of daughters needing their maternal family’s support after marriage did touch Shen Shaoyuan.

After all, his Mo’er had once been a noble princess of Great Liang. What stronger backing was there than the royal family and her emperor uncle?

But that was because his royal brother genuinely cared for Mo’er.

As for these people here... Shen Shaoyuan sneered again, “Are they the kind who help by exchanging good houses, or are they the kind who help by snatching all the grain?”

Mo’er hadn’t even married yet, but these people already wanted to grab everything from his family, never sparing any so-called family feelings when bullying others.

Expecting them to support Mo’er in the future?

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That’s just a fool’s dream!

Away from Great Liang, Shen Shaoyuan was like a tiger fallen to the plains, but he didn’t think Mo’er would ever need these shabby relatives to back her up.

With a raised brow, he said plainly, “Enough. All you want is to take advantage of my family. I’m telling you, no way! I was foolish before, listening to your nonsense. From now on, every stitch and thread in my house belongs to Mo’er. If anyone tries to snatch it, I won’t hang myself—I’ll strangle them with a rope!”

Once weak, Shen Shaoyuan had suddenly become aggressive, shouting threats. Not only did brigade leader Zhou Mancang feel troubled, but the whole Shen family was also stunned.

They say the weak fear the strong, the strong fear the ruthless, and the ruthless fear those who have no regard for their own life. Shen Shaoyuan had just jumped three levels, leaving Shen Shengli and Shen Yongjun speechless.

Shen Shaoyuan only had one daughter, while the others had sons and grandsons. If pushed too far, strangling someone with a rope was madness.

Seeing no room for compromise, Tian Fang grew anxious and signaled repeatedly to her sister-in-law Liu Huihua.

Liu Huihua had no mind of her own and always looked to Shen Shengli for cues. Since Shen Shengli remained silent, she didn’t dare speak.

Tian Fang had no choice but to speak up herself: “Old Seven, about the grain, I want to apologize first. I honestly didn’t know the situation. Had I known, I would have stopped your third sister-in-law, right?”

With the third brother’s family absent, Tian Fang shifted all the blame to Cao Mei.

She continued, “As for the house, you did lose a bit, but Old Seven, don’t be fooled by those two rooms—they look decent because we repair them every year. Our two families have putI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.