Chapter 308: Cut Through the Tangle with a Sharp Knife

Xia Qiu had not been married long, so her understanding of her eldest uncle's wife was not deep, but Qiu Shaofeng was different; hearing his sister-in-law's words, he immediately realized: "Chuxue's analysis is correct; the eldest uncle's wife is likely doing this for us, the second branch, to see."

Just as they were speaking, they heard Zhang Shanmei say: "I bore children for the Qiu family; do you think I wanted to have a difficult birth? On what grounds must I return to my maiden family to get money?"

Wang Lihua also stepped forward: "Mother-in-law, you know my family's situation; my second younger brother's marriage is settled, and last month we just sent the betrothal gifts to the other family; the household truly has no money to spare now."

The Qiu family's eldest uncle's wife wore a bitter expression and looked worriedly at Qiu Tai Nai: "Grandmother, what do you think of this matter?"

How could Qiu Tai Nai not see what the eldest branch meant, but the old lady had been stubborn all her life and could not, just as the family division was about to happen, act unfairly and let people laugh at her: "The matter of dividing the family was agreed upon beforehand; Shanmei bore children for the Qiu family, and this time was indeed dangerous, so spending this money on her is right, but to put it plainly, this is the eldest branch's affair; you cannot possibly expect the second branch to bear it for you."

"Originally, I thought about giving Shahe and Shaomei their betrothal gifts and dowry money first when dividing the family, then splitting the remaining money among you, but this time, all the household's small savings were spent on this, so this plan can no longer stand."

At this, the youngest in the family, Qiu Shaomei, asked in confusion: "Great-grandmother, are we not dividing the family anymore?"

Qiu Tai Nai knew everyone had misunderstood and waved her hand, saying: "The family must be divided; after all, your eldest uncle and your father are both grandfathers and grandfathers-in-law now; so many people stirring in one pot will inevitably clash, and dividing it will save worry."

Everyone looked at Qiu Tai Nai and heard her say: "Those two hundred and sixty are all the money the household has left."

Speaking to this point, she glanced at the people of the second branch, sighed, and said: "After your father and I divided the family, I lived with the eldest branch; this was also agreed upon beforehand, so of those two hundred and sixty, I will give you one hundred; do you have any objections?"

Qiu Fu and Qiu Mu exchanged a glance, thinking: Now there is no money; where did this one hundred come from?

The couple nodded to Qiu Tai Nai: "We listen to Great-grandmother; we have no objections."

The Qiu family's eldest uncle's wife glanced at her own husband, then looked at Qiu Tai Nai: "Grandmother, what is this?"

Qiu Tai Nai looked at the people of the eldest branch: "Of the two hundred and sixty, I have decided to give the second branch one hundred, but since you have already spent that money, consider it a loan from the second branch; you must repay it later; do you have any objections?"

The eldest branch naturally had objections, but they dared not say these words.

They heard Qiu Tai Nai continue: "Later is the day for Shaocheng's wedding; originally the household should have provided money to arrange the banquet, but given the current situation, you have seen it."

She looked again at her second grandson: "Laichang, this time Great-grandmother has wronged you of the second branch; can you find a way yourselves to cover the banquet costs?"

Since Great-grandmother had said so, Qiu Fu naturally could not say words like 'no'; he also knew Great-grandmother's difficulties; even if he disagreed, what could he do? In the end, it would likely become an awkward scene for all: "Grandmother, does your meaning mean the family is divided starting now, is that it?"

Qiu Tai Nai nodded: "Yes; previously I thought about waiting until Shaocheng married, when only Shahe and Shaomei would remain in the household; at that time, I would take out their betrothal gifts and dowry money first, keep a few dozen for myself, this dead old woman, and your father, and divide the rest among you, but plans cannot keep up with changes, so I must cut through the tangle quickly and do it directly like this."

(End of this chapter)