Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 67

“Split the household? Grandfather would never allow it. As long as the elders are still alive, suggesting a split is a grave act of filial disrespect,” Yu Zhixing said in confusion.

Wang Mengyan, of course, knew that with Old Master Yu still around, splitting the household was impossible. But bringing it up served another purpose, it was a way to pressure the old master and old madam indirectly, to make them think twice before continuing to overtly favor the third branch.

“We’re the younger generation. Saying something rash isn’t such a big deal,” Wang Mengyan said calmly. “Just do as I told you.”

Yu Zhixing knew his wife was always level-headed. Since marrying into the Yu family, she’d carried herself faultlessly. He had never gone wrong listening to her.

Inside, Madam Zhao had rolled up her sleeves, hands on her hips, yelling furiously, “Pah! What do you mean, all the silver goes to our third branch? What, the rest of you are living on air?”

“Didn’t the family pay a bride price when Yu Zhixing married the Wang family daughter? Doesn’t it cost money to send Zhizhou to the town academy? Zhang Qiulan, your mouth really knows how to twist things. Someone ought to rip it right off!”

Yu Hanshan quickly echoed, “Eldest Sister-in-law, how many times have I even gone drinking with others? And it’s not always me treating, they invite me back just as often. We’re all one family. Saying these kinds of things is really going too far.” 

“If you talk too much, you’ll be guilty of one of the Seven Grounds for Divorce, stirring trouble and turning Big Brother against his own kin!”

(TL/N: Seven Grounds for Divorce: Not obedient to the in-laws (不顺父母), Childless (无子),Adultery (淫佚), Jealousy (嫉妒), Disease (恶疾), Talking too much (多言), Theft (偷盗.) In this case, Yu Hanshan is accusing her of talking too much, sowing discord in the family. Which can be used as a ground for divorce.)

Pulling out the Seven Grounds for Divorce to accuse her of such a serious offense made Madam Zhang’s chest ache with rage. But then, unexpectedly, the usually quiet Yu Qiaoshan spoke up.

“My wife has been in this family for many years. If she were truly someone who loved to sow discord, could we have lived in peace for so long? She has always been patient and respectful.”

“But your wife, Madam Zhao, is overbearing, disrespectful to her elders, and even dares to call her elder sister-in-law by name. If anyone is driving a wedge between us, it’s her mouth that’s most guilty.”

Madam Zhang turned to look at her husband, warmth rising in her chest. In a woman’s life, the only ones she could truly rely on were her man and her children. Though life in the Yu household had been hard, and she’d endured many grievances, at least her husband stood by her.

Madam Zhao was so enraged by her brother-in-law’s scolding that she practically exploded. She plopped to the floor, wailing and flailing as she howled, “You’re bullying us! I can’t take it anymore! Eldest Brother, you two just can’t stand to see our third branch doing well!” 

“You’re trying to drive me and my sons to death! We’re the only ones who are Mother’s real children, so what if Jinshu and Jinyan wear new clothes and go to the county academy? What’s your first branch even worth—”

As Madam Zhao’s words grew more outrageous, Old Madam Yu’s face darkened. She barked, “Silence! Third daughter-in-law, what nonsense are you spouting? Aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock in front of outsiders?”

Madam Zhao immediately shut her mouth, seeing the fury in both Old Madam Yu’s glare and Old Master Yu’s stormy expression. She realized she had let her anger run wild and said far too much. 

Since marrying into the Yu family, Old Madam Yu had carefully maintained the image of a kind stepmother, determined not to earn a reputation for mistreating the children left behind by her husband’s late wife.

Madam Zhao had quickly seen through this as an act, and the more obvious the favoritism behind the scenes, the more arrogant she had become. She’d grown used to always having the upper hand, but now, she had clearly crossed the line.

As the scene spiraled out of control, Yu Ruhai gave a cold snort, and Madam Zhao immediately toned down her hysterics. Before Yu Ruhai could say a word, Old Madam Yu rushed to speak, eyes reddened, face full of guilt.

“Eldest, Eldest daughter-in-law… this is all my fault. Your younger brother and his wife are still young and thoughtless, please don’t take their words to heart. I may not have much education, but even I know that treating step children unfairly is the mark of a petty woman.” 

“When I married into this family, I promised your father I’d treat you and your brother like my own. I’ve tried to honor that promise all these years. I never imagined it would still make you feel distant from me. Everyone says it’s hard to be a stepmother.” 

“All these years, I’ve been so proud to see our Yu family full of warmth and harmony. I truly believed we had raised kind children and a happy household. But now, hearing this… it feels like a knife to the heart…”