Chapter 169: I’m Not Dead Yet, and You’re Already Eyeing a Family Split?

Chapter 169: I'm Not Dead Yet, and You're Already Eyeing a Family Split?

The young lady had the surname Jiang, and her personal name was Mengniang. Her family ran a small oil press workshop, and she had a younger brother who was currently studying at a local academy.

Jiang Mengniang was fairly satisfied with Liu Yuanfeng as a potential match.

However, she felt that the situation in the Liu family seemed a bit complicated, and there were too many people in the household.

Wei Sanniang subtly indicated that if the match were to succeed, and given that the Old Master was getting on in years, their branch could move out and live separately after the marriage.

This suggestion pleased the girl's side immensely, and both parties courteously agreed to visit a temple outside Zhoucheng on the ninth day of the month to burn incense.

This was clearly a step further in the matchmaking process.

Wei Sanniang was also quite pleased and, on the way back, discussed the Jiang family with Wei Pozi. “...This family seems quite grounded and doesn’t appear to be problematic.”

Wei Pozi also thought well of them: “I noticed that the mother has a straightforward personality, and the young girl is innocent and lovely, without any hidden agendas.”

Xingxing couldn’t fully understand Wei Sanniang and Wei Pozi’s conversation, but she realized that Grandma was praising the young lady they had just met. Happily, she said, “Xingxing likes that sister!” She nodded emphatically while holding the red and green hair ornaments that Ju Geer had bought her. “That sister liked Xingxing’s hair ornaments! She must be a good person!”

Everyone couldn’t help but smile at her innocence.

Upon returning to the Liu family, Wei Sanniang took the initiative to seek out Old Master Liu.

Old Master Liu, with his cloudy eyes, complained to his attendant, “After being married for so many years, it’s become increasingly difficult to get Sanniang to visit me.”

The attendant remained silent, thinking that this was quite different from when the Old Master was happily being attended to by his concubines.

Fortunately, Old Master Liu didn’t require a response from the attendant.

When Wei Sanniang arrived, Old Master Liu assumed the airs of the family head and even held a cup of tea. “What is it that brings you here?”

Wei Sanniang was silent for a moment.

Old Master Liu squinted as he examined her.

He was nearly twenty years older than her. Although he was already frail and elderly, Wei Sanniang could still be considered charming.

Over the years, aware of her status as a concubine-turned-wife, Wei Sanniang had been extremely cautious. Including now, when she needed to ask him something, she habitually lowered her head.

“Master, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” Wei Sanniang said softly.

Old Master Liu grunted, “Go on.”

Wei Sanniang spoke quietly, “It’s about Yuanfeng’s marriage. You’ve recommended several families, and they are all excellent. I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Master.”

Old Master Liu felt more pleased and grunted in response.

Wei Sanniang hesitated before summoning the courage to ask, “But if Yuanfeng is to marry, where should he live?”

Old Master Liu responded with an “Oh,” frowned in thought for a while, and then said somewhat displeased, “Are you not the lady of this household? Don’t you know which rooms in the house are suitable for a wedding?”

Wei Sanniang lowered her head. “You may have forgotten, Master, but household matters have always been managed by the eldest daughter-in-law.”

With this reminder, Old Master Liu recalled.

He fell silent for a moment before saying, “I’ll call the eldest daughter-in-law over.”

“There’s no need for that,” Wei Sanniang said softly. “At the moment, each branch of the family is quite crowded. The eldest son, Shengge, is also about to marry. The second and third branches also have many children who are reaching marriageable age…”

Old Master Liu pondered for a moment and got a sense, slightly opening his eyes. "What is it that you want to say?"

Wei Sanniang hesitated but ultimately voiced her thoughts. "Master, how about, after Yuanfeng starts his family, making it an official fourth branch, we move to that small courtyard on the outskirts of the city?"

The room became quiet for a moment.

Old Master Liu abruptly opened his eyes wide and looked at Wei Sanniang.

"I'm not dead yet, and you're already thinking of dividing the family?"

Wei Sanniang shrank back, avoiding Old Master Liu's furious gaze, her voice filled with sorrow. "Then what do you propose, Master? Do you believe there's still room for us mother and son in this household? Master, Yuanfeng is your legitimate son as well... After all these years, the two of us have been living like turtles hiding in their shells. Can we not hope for a better life?"

Old Master Liu's anger seemed to be abruptly cut off.

Over the years, Wei Sanniang had lived cautiously, staying in her own courtyard, and never involving herself in family matters. And Yuanfeng too, he didn't even dare to get close to his own father...

Old Master Liu felt a heavy weight on his chest.

He wasn't unaware of what the main branch had done to Yuanfeng and his mother.

But he had always thought that a harmonious family prospers. The mother of his eldest son had passed away early on, and Yuanfeng at least still had his birth mother by his side, so it seemed right to let things slide.

For years, whenever there was a conflict, getting Wei Sanniang and Yuanfeng to step back had become Old Master Liu's habitual way of handling things.

But he had almost forgotten how Wei Sanniang and Yuanfeng felt living in such an environment.

Old Master Liu was silent for a long while.

So long that Wei Sanniang felt bold enough to look up to gauge Old Master Liu's expression.

"Master..."

Old Master Liu fatiguedly waved his hand. "Return for now. I'll think about this some more."

Wei Sanniang detected a glimmer of hope in Old Master Liu's words, and her heart leapt with joy. "Yes, Master. You take your time to think... Don't worry, once Yuanfeng and I move out, I'll make sure Yuanfeng comes to pay his respects every day."

Old Master Liu looked at Wei Sanniang.

Was she really so happy to be moving out of this household?

The house on the outskirts, he still remembered it. It was where he had lived before he became wealthy. After all these years, it was likely in a state of disrepair.

His primary wife and his youngest son were willing to move to such a place just to get away from this household?

Old Master Liu closed his eyes and didn't say anything more, just waved his hand.

Wei Sanniang left Old Master Liu's room with a joyful heart.

In her view, given Old Master Liu's temperament, if this plan had been impossible, he would have rejected it outright on the spot.

The fact that he said "I'll think about it" meant it was as good as settled.

How could she not be happy?

Wei Sanniang was practically humming a little tune!

Madam Da Lin of the main branch was at the other end of the corridor and, seeing Wei Sanniang emerge from the old master's room with a smile on her face, felt her heart tighten.

The old master was getting on in years, and although there wasn't much of an estate left, there was still this large house to consider.

Madam Da Lin furrowed her brows and signaled her maid with a glance.

The maid understood and went to check.

On the following day, Wei Sanniang escorted Liu Yuanfeng, Wei Pozi brought along Xingxing, and Su Rouer was leading Ju Geer by the hand. The family took a carriage to a temple outside the city of Zhoucheng to offer incense and pray.

Not long after their arrival at the temple, the Jiang family arrived as well.

Madam Jiang, being quite understanding, smiled and said, "As we offer incense and prayers, the younger ones might not be interested. Shall we let them amuse themselves?"

This was an opportunity for the younger ones to spend time together and see if they were compatible.