Chapter 9: Don't Take It Seriously

The box of medicinal herbs made everyone in the Li family green with envy. Now that the eldest branch clearly intended to hoard that box of medicine, Old Madam Li felt very displeased.

To make matters worse, when Li Wuya hit Li Changlin yesterday, Jin Yue’e not only didn’t scold her, but didn’t even come to apologize to Li Changlin. This made Old Madam Li even angrier.

At breakfast this morning, Old Madam Li’s face was long, making it clear she was in a foul mood.

In the current social climate, every household was generally headed by the elders. Furthermore, as the Great Chu Empire governed the world through filial piety, the elders undoubtedly held the greatest power in the home; sons and grandsons alike had to obey them.

In the Li family, Old Master Li was the head of the household, in charge of all external affairs.

Old Madam Li, meanwhile, was responsible for everything inside the home, such as the distribution of food and drink, household chores, and financial expenditures.

Now that she was unhappy, everyone else in the house had to tread carefully.

However, the eldest branch simply ignored her, eating and drinking as they pleased.

Li Wuya glanced at Old Madam Li, once again lamenting to herself that her grandmother really wasn't very bright.

No matter the situation, one must analyze the specific circumstances; everything requires a prerequisite.

It is fine for an elder to be the head of the house, and it is fine for an elder to have the final say, but there must be a prerequisite.

The prerequisite is that the elder must have the capability—either by supporting the entire family and ensuring no one goes hungry, or by being virtuous and respected enough to command the conviction of their children and grandchildren.

Old Madam Li possessed neither of these qualities. On top of that, she was biased. Under such circumstances, did she really think she could act as the matriarch of the house?

Seeing that Jin Yue’e and the four siblings of the third branch treated her like air, the fire in Old Madam Li’s heart grew even hotter. She immediately declared

"Eldest daughter-in-law, everything in this house is under my management. Bring me that box of medicine you brought back yesterday immediately after you finish eating."

As soon as these words were spoken, the rest of the Li family looked over.

Medicinal herbs were precious items; surely such a large box could be sold for a lot of money?

A look of annoyance flashed across Jin Yue’e’s face, and she said bluntly, "Mother, that medicine is reserved for my husband."

"These years, the wars at the border have been constant. Every time my husband returns, he is covered in wounds. That box of medicine was obtained by Sanlang and Wuya at the risk of being punished by the nobles. I will not give it to anyone."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Li slammed her hand on the table with a 'thwack' and glared at Jin Yue’e, saying sharply, "I’m your mother-in-law, and I can’t even command you anymore? Look at yourself—do you have any shred of decency left as a daughter-in-law?"

Li Changlin immediately chimed in, "That’s right, Sister-in-law! Talking back to your mother-in-law—this is a grave act of unfilial behavior!"

The others chimed in one after another.

Li Wuya looked at the greedy Li family members with annoyance. These parasites were so used to taking that they thought everything belonging to the eldest branch was theirs. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Li Sanlang stand up.

Li Sanlang didn't look at Old Madam Li, nor did he pay attention to the others; he looked straight at Old Master Li. "Grandfather, is my father still your son?"

Old Master Li was startled and quickly said with displeasure, "What nonsense are you spouting, child? Of course your father is my son."

Li Sanlang: "Since that is the case, my mother has already said that the medicine is for my father. Why do you all insist on taking it?"

Li Er’ya also muttered, "What kind of parents see their son injured and still try to snatch his life-saving medicine?"

These words made Old Master Li lose face. He turned to look at Old Madam Li and barked, "Can’t you even eat a meal in peace? That medicine is for the eldest; you are not allowed to ask the eldest daughter-in-law for it again."

Old Madam Li moved her lips and glared at Li Sanlang, but she actually didn't bring up the medicine again.

Li Wuya glanced at her, finding it quite strange.

Although her grandmother usually listened to her grandfather regarding external matters, she never easily compromised on household affairs.

A box of medicine was definitely a huge fortune for the Li family. Her grandmother just compromised like that? It didn't seem like her style!

The farce ended just like that.

"Brother, you’re amazing!"

After breakfast, Li Wuya gave Li Sanlang a thumbs up.

Li Sanlang laughed helplessly, "At the end of the day, Grandfather still has the final say in this house."

Li Wuya scoffed, "Grandfather is just a figurehead. If you hadn't stood up just now, I guarantee Grandfather wouldn't have stopped Grandmother."

Li Sanlang’s expression darkened, and he was silent for a moment. "Grandfather still needs to save face, after all."

Li Wuya smiled, "Yes, Grandfather wants face. In the future, if Grandmother tries to snatch things from the eldest branch again, we’ll go straight to Grandfather. If he doesn't step in, I’ll make sure the entire military colony knows about it."

Li Sanlang heard this and ruffled Li Wuya’s hair. "Family scandals shouldn't be aired in public. It’s best to resolve things behind closed doors. If Grandfather and Grandmother lose face, we’ll be talked about by others too."

Li Wuya disagreed, "As long as the goal is achieved, let them talk. It won't cost me a piece of flesh; I don't care."

Li Er’ya walked over, "You don't care now, but you will when you grow up. Which girl doesn't care about her reputation?"

Li Wuya curled her lip. She wouldn't dream of wronging herself for the sake of a mere reputation.

Li Er’ya looked unhappy, still angry about what happened at the table. "I really don't know why Grandmother just can't stand us. Is Father not her son?"

Li Wuya: "Sister, you don't need to be angry because of Grandmother, lest you make yourself sick."

She truly didn't take Old Madam Li seriously. No, rather, she didn't take anyone in the Li family seriously, except for those in the eldest branch.

Her grandmother had three main ways of controlling the eldest branch: first, by withholding their food; second, by assigning them more chores; and third, by spreading rumors of their unfilial behavior throughout the military colony.

In the past, when their rations depended on the output of the military fields—and the grain was always collected by Old Madam Li—she could control the eldest branch by withholding food.

But ever since her father became a *xiaoqi* (small flag officer), he could bring home a monthly salary, and Old Madam Li could no longer withhold food from the eldest branch.

There was no other reason: her father handed his salary directly to her mother for safekeeping.

As for assigning more chores, her mother wasn't one to suffer in silence. Once she discovered the eldest branch was doing more work, she would immediately demand the second and third branches do the same. If Old Madam Li disagreed, she would dare to drop everything and quit.

As for spreading rumors about the eldest branch being unfilial in the military colony, if Old Madam Li could spread them, couldn't they do the same?

Ever since Li Wuya learned to speak, whenever she discovered Old Madam Li secretly giving food to the children of the second and third branches, she would take Li Qilang out and tell everyone she met about her grandmother’s favoritism.

After three or four years, the fact that Old Madam Li was biased and mistreated the eldest branch was already deeply ingrained in the minds of everyone in the military colony.

Furthermore, Li Changsen had gone to serve as a soldier at the garrison at thirteen. The reason he went so young was that he had taken Old Master Li’s spot.

If you called someone who had served in his father’s place for over twenty years unfilial, it would be a miracle if anyone believed you.

It came back to the same point: without the means or ability to control others, Old Madam Li couldn't stir up any trouble; at most, she could only put on a show of authority with her words.

Li Qilang, who was standing nearby, added, "Fifth Sister, we should have asked for silver. Silver can be hidden, and Grandmother wouldn't know."

Li Wuya laughed, "Qilang, the value of medicinal herbs is much higher than silver. For us, silver is just currency used to buy things, but medicinal herbs are genuine, scarce resources."

"In prosperous and stable areas, silver is easy to carry, so naturally, one would take silver. But we are at the border. Border medicinal herbs are not only expensive but also rare. Since we don't have connections, we naturally have to ask for the herbs."

Li Sanlang looked at Li Wuya in surprise, "Little sister, where did you hear these principles?"

Li Wuya: "...I heard them from Scholar Fan in the colony." Not wanting Li Sanlang to continue asking, she quickly changed the subject, "I wonder if those garrison generals from Dieling Pass have left yet?"

Li Er’ya shook her head, "Not yet. When I went to get firewood earlier, I saw Guzi from the postmaster’s family. Guzi said that group of generals is staying at the post station for two days, waiting for the new postmaster to arrive before they leave."

Upon hearing this, Li Sanlang looked shocked, "A new postmaster? Doesn't that mean the old postmaster will be replaced?"

Li Er’ya nodded, "It should be. Guzi was very unhappy today." She said, looking worried, "If the postmaster is replaced, will Mother lose her job?"

Li Sanlang was silent for a moment, "I heard the secret passage under the post station leads directly outside the pass. General Zhuang will definitely want to have someone more capable guarding the station."

Li Wuya frowned, "They wouldn't fill in the secret passage, would they? I still have things hidden in there."

She was afraid that the blood ginseng and blood ganoderma she had obtained from Huyan Ji would be confiscated if she brought them out, so she had hidden them in the secret passage.

Li Sanlang: "I’ll go check the post station in a while."

"I’m going too," Li Wuya said quickly.

(End of chapter)