Goldfield
Chapter 63: Dividing the Family (1)

Madam Liu almost fainted upon hearing her mother-in-law and sister-in-law wanted to sell her daughter. Are their families so poor that they need to sell their own children?

“Mother, Cao’er's health is good enough to help the family. Lian’er feeds pigs, raises chickens, and takes care of the garden. So, she was already one of the main workers in the family. Please don't sell our children. Please, I beg you. ”Mad Liu has a weak temper, so despite being harshly bullied, she never dared to refute her mother-in-law in the past. However, as this concerned the future of her two daughters, she could not help but cry as she pleaded with compassion.

Madam Zhang frowned and had an impatient expression on her face, “Think of yourself. For the injury of the second son, we have spent dozens of taels over the past few days. The weather is not very good in early spring, so your father and eldest brother cannot catch fish. So, the family does not have any income at this time. If we don't sell your daughter, do you want us to sell your oldest brother-in-law's son? Do you still want to take care of your husband's wounds? ”

Madam Li also secretly agreed, “That's right, that's right! Doctor Sun said that even if your husband had woken up, his legs would still be paralyzed. Don't we need money to support those useless things? There is also you, who occasionally fall ill. Don't we need money for your medical expenses? The third brother-in-law has to take the district exam next year and the youngest sister-in-law has to get married .. Which of these things doesn't need money ?! If you use all of our family's money, how can we live? Can we just keep holding on? ”

“In addition..” Mrs Li cleared her throat and continued, “The Zhou family is one of the richest families in the city. Zhenxiu Restaurant had even opened another shop in the capital. The servants in their homes ate and dressed even more elegantly than most young families longed for. Not only would they receive a one-tael monthly salary, but the family employer would also reward them. If Xiaolian and Xiaocao were to leave, then they would live a quiet and comfortable life! ”

Xiaolian nervously supported her mother and angrily said, “If this is so good, why don't you go? Hey Auntie, doesn't the Zhou Family also need to buy a senior servant? Eldest Aunt, you can also enjoy an easy and comfortable life. ”.

Madam Li's expression instantly changed and scolded, “Fucking boy, what are you saying?”

Yu Xiaocao let out a cold snort and said, “Oldest Aunt, Xiaolian is right. Since you think that being a servant in the Zhou Household is a blessing, why don't you leave? After being sold to a noble family, you will no longer be a free person. Whether you are beaten, killed, or sold again, it all depends on the mood of your employer. The Eldest Aunt only saw the bright side of being a servant, but inside the red lacquered door of the wealthy household, was it without some dead servant? Oldest Aunt just tried to kill us! ”

It was unknown whether she was angry or scared, but Madam Liu trembled slightly when she heard this. However, his tone was usually firm as he spoke, “Although I live in a bad and difficult condition, I still will not sell my own daughter! Mother, this matter is not negotiable! ”

Madam Zhang was instantly enraged upon hearing this. Furthermore, it was time for the old man to return from fishing. So, he had to send the girls away before he came back. Therefore, he did not allow any disputes and said, “It is not up to you whether they are sold or not! I am not dead yet, so I still have the final say in this family! Wholesaler Zhuang, you can accept these two girls with twenty taels! ”

Madam Zhang's daughter, Yu Caidie, was already sixteen years old. He could not bear to see his two cute nephews sold, so he could not help but defend them, “Mother, our family has not yet reached the point of selling the children. If the villagers find out, how can we raise our heads in the future? ”

Madam Zhang pushed her gently and sullenly said, “Come back and sew your dowry. This has nothing to do with you! ”

Yu Xiaocao looked at his younger uncle, who rarely went home, held a book and stood at the entrance with a frown, so he hurriedly said, “Grandmother, you need to think about the future of Young Uncle. He has to take the county exam next year. If his classmates find out that he sold his two nephews for this chance, how could he continue to attend the academy? ”

Originally, his younger uncle, Yu Bo, did not approve of Madam Zhang's decision because, after all, his two nephews were also descendants of the Yu Family. If this were to spread, there was no way he could continue living with such shame. Therefore, he decided to speak up to persuade Madam Zhang to give up his idea.

Madam Zhang had placed all her hopes on her youngest son. His greatest wish was for him to pass the imperial examination to become a government official, earning a noble title for him. However, when he heard that this had the potential to affect his son's future, he couldn't help but doubt.

Yu Xiaocao continued, “Grandmother, aren't you just afraid that our family will become a burden for you guys in the future? Let's just separate the families! No matter what happens to our family in the future, even if our entire family starves to death, we will not take a single penny from you! ”

Madam Zhang and Madam Li looked at each other with eyes that sparkled with excitement. Madam Zhang put on a stern expression and asked, “Setting apart the family? You're just a little girl making empty promises. Can you make a decision? ”

“He can't make a decision, but I can!” The west room door slammed open. With pale skin and red eyes, Yu Hai stood at the entrance. However, he could not support himself with just one foot and fell hard in the doorway.

“Dad!” Yu Xiaolian and Little Shitou shouted together. They hurriedly rushed towards Yu Hai and tried to help him, with one person on each side.

“My husband, be careful! Nothing is as important as your body! ” Madam Liu's lips trembled as tears filled her eyes. At the moment when Yu Hai was unconscious, his heart always felt anxious, as if the sky would collapse at any moment. As long as her husband was alive, even if she was disabled and they lived in harsher conditions, she would still be willing to endure it.

He had always felt very sorry towards Madam Liu. In the past, for the sake of peace at home, he had always believed that it was also a blessing that could be utilized and that everything would be fine if he took a step back. However, her stepmother, Madam Zhang, and her eldest sister-in-law, Lady Li, became increasingly violent due to her tolerance.

Every year, he earned over ten taels from hunting alone. Moreover, without him, it was impossible for their fishing boats to catch that much fish every day. He worked hard for this family, but his wife and children never had enough to eat or warm clothes to wear. In addition, they must also suffer verbal and physical abuse …

As he was in a coma these past few days, he was not fully conscious. He had heard clearly and remembered everything that was happening in the house. Before he was injured, Madam Zhang had sent her ten-year-old son to work as an apprentice in a carpentry shop under the pretext that they could not support so many people in the family.

She had not expected that her stepmother and the first branch would conspire to sell her two cute and thoughtful daughters when she was alive! Even if he had to risk his life, he would never let his own children be sold!

Xiaocao's right! There is no place for them in this family. If they continue to live here, sooner or later his family will be destroyed. Separate from family! No matter how harsh their living conditions were, their entire family still had to stay together!

“Second boy! You're the one who mentioned being separated from family. We never forced you! ” Madam Zhang suppressed the excitement in her heart and immediately exclaimed, afraid that Yu Hai would retract her words.

Yu Caidie looked at the injured leg of her second brother, pulled up Madam Zhang's sleeve, and whispered, “Second Brother has yet to recover from his wound. Isn't it inappropriate to divide the family now? I won't agree either! ”

Madam Li interrupts, “What is inappropriate about that ?! The second brother-in-law was the one who mentioned farewell. As long as he insisted, Dad can't do anything either! Youngest brother-in-law, stop being stupid. With such a family dragging us along, you will also have less dowry in the future! ”

Yu Hai looked at this eldest stepmother and sister-in-law in disappointment. They have long wanted to drive them out of the family. Later, his wife will not be mistreated at home anymore. His children also did not have to worry that they would be scolded or beaten all day. With his ability, even if one of his legs was paralyzed, he would still not allow his family to suffer from hunger and cold.

Madam Zhang glared at her daughter and shouted, “Then it's decided! When your father and elder brother return, we will ask the village chief and the Yu Family elders as a witness, and then break up the family! ”

“Why did you guys fight in the morning? What do you mean split the family? Who wants to go? The Oldest Son's Family? ” Old Yu enter from outside, holding a fish that has not been sold. The eldest son, Yu Dashan, followed him inside with a fishing net in his hand.

Mrs Li hurriedly explained, “Not me, Dad! Second brother-in-law was the one who mentioned it! ”

“Second boy? It was impossible for Second Son to make this suggestion when he was injured. He still hadn't gone through a critical period, so why would he suggest separating from the family on his own initiative? ” Although Old Yu is not good at expressing his emotions, he is not stupid. He looked at all the strangers in the courtyard and furrowed his thin brows.

Madame Zhang quietly approached Merchant Zhuang, put a handful of copper coins into her hand, and secretly asked her to leave. The merchant Zhuang looked despicable at his behavior, so he pushed the money back and left with the ox carriage in which he had entered.

Old Yu was usually silent and did not interfere with the affairs at home. But he has the final say in all the important things in the family. Madam Zhang was still somewhat afraid of her, so she awkwardly explained, “Second Son volunteered to leave the family for fear that he would become a burden to the family. See, our third son has to take an important exam next year. I heard that the third part of the regional inspection will take place in the prefectural city. We need to prepare more money..In addition, Heizi is approaching the age of marriage.. there is not enough space at home. ”.

Old Yu frowned and glared at him, as he said, “What do you mean there is not enough room in the house ?! Caidie is getting married in a few years, so aren't we going to have an empty room by then? Second Child's legs have not recovered, but you've been desperate to force him out of the house. Aren't you afraid that people will curse you behind your back ?! ”

“How can I force him out? The second son is the one who mentions farewell. Even if they curse, it has nothing to do with me! ” Madam Zhang screeched, “Alright! So it turns out that's how you, Old Yu, really think of me in your heart! I worked very hard for this family, but in the end, I was accused of forcing my stepson out of the family. My god! How can I live now! It's better for me to die than ruin the view! ”

Madam Zhang sat on the ground, patting her thighs and lamenting the sky. However, he had not even managed to pull out a single tear from his eyes for half a day. Yu Xiaocao inwardly rolled his eyes. You rascal! Of course, she would do cliche routines like crying, shouting, and suicide.

Yu Hai shook his sleepy head and looked towards his wife and children. Their faces are pale and thin due to long-term malnutrition. They had been wearing tattered clothes that were covered in patches for somehow long. Afterwards, she turned to look at the new clothes her stepmother and sister-in-law were wearing, which were made before the New Year. He became even more determined to leave this family. After all, they would definitely have a better and more comfortable life than they do now!