Chapter 83: Zhang Ershui

Chapter 83: Zhang Ershui

"You, of the Zhang family, since you married into our Qin family, you are now one of us."

"My father was afraid that you would suffer, so he separated the household with Eldest Brother and Second Brother, entrusting the money to your care. That's not something I can interfere with."

"But you'd better be careful, don't think about using my father's money to subsidize your impoverished natal family!"

Previously, she had cursed the Song family for their decline, saying that her predecessor took money from the Qin family to support the Song family.

But what about herself? How much better was the situation in the Zhang family?

If it weren't for the ten taels of silver dowry given by her father, their situation might have been even worse than the Song family's.

Not to mention, Lady Zhang had a gambling-addicted younger brother.

Upon hearing these words, the expressions on everyone's faces varied.

Lady Zhang's knuckles nearly turned white.

But Qin Xiaoyao's presence was too overwhelming, and both Qin Dahu and Qin Erhu stood on his side, staring at her together. Qin Dazhuang remained silent, and she didn't dare to refute.

Nor could she refute it.

Because her younger brother indeed kept coming to the house to ask her for money.

To get rid of him, she did indeed give out quite a bit of money, especially after she gained control of the household finances.

When Qin Xiaoyao saw Lady Zhang's reaction, he knew that his guess was correct.

After Lady Zhang married into the Qin family, her younger brother, Zhang Ershui, visited frequently.

After being disciplined twice by his predecessor, Zhang Ershui became somewhat restrained.

But he still harbored hopes and found opportunities to contact Lady Zhang, all for the sake of clinging to this cash cow.

Once his predecessor got married and left the Qin family,

this situation would only become more frequent.

Thinking about this, Qin Xiaoyao looked at Qin Dazhuang again.

"Father, earning money is no easy task for you. Spending it on your wife and son is natural. But if someone wants to take your hard-earned money to support their natal family, especially a gambler who can't be helped, what do you think should be done?"

In an instant, everyone looked at Qin Dazhuang.

Especially Qin Dahu and Qin Erhu, whose faces were somewhat sullen.

Although they had divided the household, as long as their father was alive, the Qin family was generally considered a whole.

If Lady Zhang really acted against the family's interests and used their father's money for that Zhang Ershui, they wouldn't let her off easily.

After all, if their father's money was truly depleted, they might have to take care of their younger brother and sister in the future.

And their wives, one already pregnant and the other likely to conceive soon.

At that time, they wouldn't have the energy to help Lady Zhang raise her children when they were busy raising their own.

The two daughters-in-law of the Qin family finally realized something and also looked at Qin Dazhuang.

This matter seemed unrelated to them, but in reality, it was closely related.

If Lady Zhang's child ended up being a burden on their father-in-law, wouldn't it fall on the shoulders of the eldest and second sons' households?

Seeing this, Qin Dazhuang's face turned from red to black.

He was somewhat annoyed at his daughter's words, but upon careful thought, he felt that she made sense.

He actually knew about Zhang Ershui's situation.

But because his wife was pregnant, he had turned a blind eye to her actions.

But now, his daughter brought this matter to light in front of his two sons and their wives.

If he didn't handle this, it would only lead to discord within the family.

Moreover, his daughter's concerns were not without reason.

If his wife drained the family's money, how would his younger son or daughter fare in the future?

Thinking about this, Qin Dazhuang finally looked at Lady Zhang again.

"Has Zhang Ershui come looking for you again?" he asked unhappily.

Lady Zhang's eyes flickered.

"No—no," she replied.

"You listen to that girl's nonsense!" Then she deliberately raised her voice, looking at Qin Xiaoyao, trying to make her answer sound more convincing.

After all, before entrusting the household management to her, Qin Dazhuang had warned her not to assist her younger brother anymore.

But he was her own younger brother; how could she completely ignore him?

"Hmph." Qin Xiaoyao chuckled lightly, giving Lady Zhang a disdainful look.

Who would believe that?

Qin Dahu, Qin Erhu, and their wives exchanged glances, also disbelieving.

Qin Dazhuang, however, glanced at Qin Xiaoyao and then gave her a warning look.

"It's good that there isn't," he said in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, everyone except for Zhang looked towards Qin Dazhuang,

with confusion and anger in their eyes.

Does Father mean to let this matter slide and spare Zhang?

Zhang, on the other hand, was relieved at this moment.

A sense of triumph welled up within her.

Indeed, with her sons around, Qin Dazhuang wouldn't dare to do anything to her.

Seeing the reactions of the family, Qin Dazhuang furrowed his brow again.

"Since San Ya has brought this up today, I will make my stance clear here," he began.

"San Ya is right. It's only natural for a father to earn money for his son or daughter to spend. But there's no reason to give it to outsiders," he said, looking at Zhang.

This made Zhang tense up once more.

But then, Qin Dazhuang shifted his gaze from her to his eldest and second sons.

"Now that our family has split households, when your younger brother or sister comes along, there won't be any reason for you to bear the burden."

"If—" Qin Dazhuang paused.

He continued, "If someone truly does something to squander the family's wealth by siding with outsiders, rest assured, as your father, I will give the family an explanation."

Qin Dahu and Qin Erhu were both startled.

Then they saw their father warningly look at Zhang.

Zhang lowered her head again, feeling uneasy once more.

After a moment,

"Eat," Qin Dazhuang said in a dull tone.

The family sat down and started eating.

But this meal was destined to be eaten in silence and without much enjoyment.

After the meal, Qin Dazhuang personally escorted Qin Xiaoyao out.

Once outside the courtyard gate, Qin Xiaoyao finally pulled her father aside and apologized.

"Dad, I—shouldn't have said those things in front of Eldest Brother and Second Brother." After venting her grievances from her past life, she felt relieved, but she had disrupted the atmosphere of the Qin family.

Qin Dazhuang looked at his daughter.

Sighing, he patted Qin Xiaoyao on the arm.

His slight resentment towards his daughter dissipated instantly.

"You're not wrong. The dowry issue was indeed mishandled by me. When the time comes, I'll make it up to you."

Qin Xiaoyao quickly refused.

"No need!"

Seeing her father look at her, she continued, "I'm delivering goods to Lai Fu Building now, and I'm making a decent amount of money. My days will only get better."

"It's you, Father, who will have many expenses after the birth of Little Brother." She went along with Zhang's claim that she was carrying a son.

Qin Dazhuang looked at Qin Xiaoyao again.

Seeing that his daughter had no intention of continuing, he sighed inwardly.

He realized that his daughter was still concerned about his dignity.

So he said, "I will warn Zhang."

"I won't burden you."

Qin Xiaoyao was taken aback.

"What burden?" she asked in surprise, smiling at Qin Dazhuang.

Before Qin Dazhuang could speak, she added, "Even if that day comes, I don't care what Eldest Brother and Second Brother do."

"You and Little Brother are with me."