Chapter 32: Bing Wengu’s Clear Love and Hate: Adoption

Chapter 32: Family Strife

Now that the family's circumstances had improved, Aunt Bing now spoke with authority. Although the wealth hadn’t been earned by her and her husband, since Da Lang had transferred the house under their names, it was now theirs.

“No, we’re not taking her back. Since when does a daughter-in-law get to decide whether my eldest daughter can return home?” Aunt Bing stood her ground. In just the few days since the house was built, at least ten families had come asking about Aunt Bing’s marriage prospects.

Some even whispered whether Bing Sanlang had also separated from his wife, and if so, they could arrange a new match for him.

Others inquired about Bing Silang, though the most frequent questions were about Bing Wengu—many thought he was too good for Xiao Geer.

However, Aunt Bing didn’t even dare bring it up to Bing Wengu and simply dismissed them all.

Seeing that Aunt Bing remained firm and still seemed angry, Bing Sanlang panicked. “Mother, Qian Shi has been with me for four or five years and bore me two children. Even when we were poor, she never scorned me. Now that our family is prosperous, I can’t just cast her aside—that’d make me a monster.”

Aunt Bing brushed it off. “We didn’t kick her out—she left on her own because she couldn’t accept Aunt Bing’s return. Even if outsiders hear of it, no one will call you heartless, so don’t worry.”

Bing Sanlang’s jaw dropped. From his mother’s tone, it almost sounded like she no longer wanted Qian Shi as a daughter-in-law.

His voice trembled. “Mother… are you saying you want me to divorce her?”

Bing’s father, who had been silent until now, spoke up. “If you divorce, fine. Our family isn’t lacking in daughters-in-law now. In fact, someone recently asked about you—their daughter is a never-married girl.”

He fell to his knees with a thud before his parents. “Father, Mother, I don’t want a divorce. I… I still want Qian Shi.”

Bing Sanlang and Qian Shi had fallen for each other freely, and their bond was strong. They’d fallen for each other first, and only afterward did Aunt Bing go to the Qian family to propose marriage.

Back then, the Bing family was extremely poor, and no young woman was willing to marry into their household. Yet Qian Shi had resolutely married Bing Silang. Over the years, despite their individual flaws, they still cared for each other.

Bing’s parents exchanged glances. They weren’t truly intent on forcing a divorce—their words were merely a test, stemming from their dissatisfaction with how Bing Sanlang had handled Aunt Bing’s situation.

At the time, it hadn’t seemed like a big deal, but after reflecting on it these past few days—especially with Bing Wengu’s behavior as a contrast—they grew increasingly uneasy. Was he really so cold to his own sister?

Aunt Bing was his own blood sister, yet he had genuinely considered preventing her from returning home.

Hence this test. Fortunately, Bing Sanlang proved not to be truly heartless—even amid newfound wealth and temptation, he still remembered his humble wife. At least he wasn’t hopeless.

The parents’ silence only made Bing Sanlang more uneasy. He pleaded, “Mother, Qian Shi truly regrets her actions. She’s still young and made a mistake in judgment. If she returns, I’ll make sure to teach her properly.”

Aunt Bing replied indifferently, “This is up to your eldest brother. This house was built with his money, and now it’s under our names—meaning that after we pass, it will be divided among you brothers. If Qian Shi returns, what’s yours would become hers. Who knows if your eldest brother would be willing to divide his hard-earned wealth with someone who shares no blood ties with him?”

Bing Sanlang immediately said, “I’ll go apologize to Eldest Brother.”

Now he was terrified. He could see that his parents seemed disappointed in him and Qian Shi, and might cut them off from the family.

They hadn’t made up their minds yet, but if his eldest brother said the word, his parents might really cast them out.

Bing Sanlang went to Bing Wengu’s room and begged, “Eldest Brother, please let Qian Shi come back. She’s realized her mistake, and I promise she won’t cause any more trouble.”

Bing Wengu slowly set down his book and regarded Bing Sanlang calmly. “Have you thought this through?”

His tone was flat, cool as a pond. There was none of the anger, irritation, or disgust Bing Sanlang had expected—none of the intense emotions at all.

Bing Sanlang had even prepared himself for a beating, like the one Bing Wengu had given Bing Silang. But nothing happened.

Bing Wengu was composed—not just in tone, but in his entire demeanor, as if they were merely discussing something as trivial as the weather.

This calmness didn’t reassure Bing Sanlang. Instead, his stomach dropped, and a sense of foreboding washed over him.

“Eldest Brother, please… I’m begging you, don’t drive Qian Shi away. No matter her faults, she’s never wronged me. Back when our family was so poor that other young women would flee at the sight of me, afraid I’d cling to them, only Qian Shi stuck by me. She married me without hesitation—she was the only one who truly valued me as a person. Those who come asking for a match now just want our money.”

Bing Wengu nodded, "I get what you're saying. Go and call Mother and everyone in the family, including Eldest Sister."

Bing Sanlang suddenly had an inexplicable sense of foreboding, as if something life-shattering was about to happen.

Soon, the entire Bing family had gathered. This included Mother Bing, who was still recovering from childbirth. She was worried about Little Shuang and came carrying the child. The Bing family's seven-year-old twins were too young to weigh in, but since Bing Wengu had asked them to come, they came as well.

"Da Lang, why have you called everyone here? What do you want to say?" Mother Liang looked around the room nervously.

"Father, I remember you saying that if not for Fifth Uncle saving you on the refugee road, you would have died long ago. I don’t know if Fifth Uncle ever married later, so why not have Sanlang adopted by Fifth Uncle? That way, even if Fifth Uncle never married, there would still be someone to offer sacrifices after his passing. It would also be a way to repay his life-saving grace." Bing Wengu's calm words sent the family into an uproar.

"I don’t want to be kicked out!" Bing Sanlang was both furious and desperate. "Elder Brother, I admit Qian Shi was wrong, but you must give her a chance to change!"

"How did it come to this?" Mother Liang staggered, barely steadying herself by holding onto Father Bing.

Father Bing suddenly looked ten years older. Bing Erlang and his wife, along with Bing Silang, remained silent. The two little twins stared fearfully at Bing Wengu, clutching Mother Liang’s clothes tightly.

Mother Bing, seeing how her return had torn the family apart, broke down in tears. "Da Lang, don’t let me be the reason the family falls apart. I can move out and live alone—just don’t make me go back to the Sun family."

Bing Wengu shook his head. "Eldest Sister, don’t take this to heart. This has nothing to do with you."

"Father, Mother, I’ll say it again—just living together doesn’t make a family." Bing Wengu had anticipated the family’s reaction. "No matter what, a person must have some principle and decency, whether it comes from genuine feeling or duty."

Father Bing hurriedly interjected, "Sanlang isn’t heartless! I tested him—I even dangled the idea of divorcing Qian Shi and promised him a fresh match afterward, but he refused to agree."

It was precisely for this reason that Bing Wengu was determined to cast Bing Sanlang out.

On the surface, Bing Sanlang was merely pleading for Qian Shi, but in truth, he had already made a choice between Mother Bing and Qian Shi—he had chosen Qian Shi.

Mother Bing represented family bonds, while Qian Shi represented love. Bing Sanlang had chosen love over kinship.

Qian Shi was a schemer, selfish, and narrow-minded, unable to see beyond her immediate interests. She was also money-grubbing.

Such a person could be blinded by peanuts, and no one knew what foolish things she might do for even the smallest benefit.

Bing Wengu planned to go into government service, and having someone like her around was a liability. No matter how meticulously he planned, he couldn’t afford a loose cannon.

Qian Shi had to go, and Bing Sanlang, who had chosen her, had to go with her. Bing Wengu wouldn’t keep a troublemaker close.

Bing Wengu said, "Bing Sanlang’s loyalty to Qian Shi only proves his disloyalty to Eldest Sister, doesn’t it? Father, Mother, he has already chosen love over family."

Mother Liang and Father Bing were like they’d been struck by lightning, standing frozen in place.

Seeing their expressions, Bing Sanlang knew things had taken a turn for the worse and cried out, "But don’t you also put that Jin Geer first over your parents and siblings?"

"That’s different. I treat Jin Geer like my own life, but that doesn’t stop me from doing my duty to my family." Bing Wengu looked at Bing Sanlang. "As a son and an elder brother, which duty have I failed to uphold?"

Bing Sanlang was left speechless. Bing Wengu was the best brother anyone could ask for. When Mother Bing was mistreated by her in-laws, he withstood all pressure, inside and outside the family, and resolutely brought her home, no matter what people said.

He had earned enough silver to build seven tiled houses but never thought of keeping it all for himself—instead, he willingly shared it with his siblings.

"Father, Mother, if hearts aren’t in it anymore, there’s no point forcing them together. The damage is done," Bing Wengu advised.

"But..." Mother Liang wept as she looked at Bing Wengu. "We’re still family. Shouldn’t we give them a chance to change? To cast someone out like this, even adopt them into another branch—isn’t that too cruel?"

"Father, Mother, do you think I’m the heartless one here?" Bing Wengu said emotionlessly. "Then have me adopted out instead."

Mother Liang stopped crying, staring blankly at Bing Wengu. He met her gaze unflinchingly—no resentment, no anger, as if being adopted out meant nothing to him and he wouldn’t blame her for it.

As for the rest of the Bing siblings, they stared at Bing Wengu, slack-jawed, as if he were some sort of alien.

People in this era had an exceptionally strong sense of clan solidarity. For the older generation, even splitting the household was hard to accept, let alone formal adoption out. In the village, families would only consider dividing when all the children were married with offspring, and the elderly parents were too old to fend for themselves, leaving them no choice but to split the household.

Of course, this was just one reason. Another crucial factor was tied to the policies of the time. The imperial court or local authorities frequently demanded labor drafts or soldier levies, typically requiring each household to provide one or two able-bodied men.

If the family divided, each smaller household would have to contribute separately. But if they stayed as one household, the entire family only needed to provide one or two men. This was also the best way to spare their sons during times of war.

Old Man Bing knew Bing Wengu was dead set. If they pressed further, they would lose this son for good.

Old Man Bing closed his eyes and turned his head away, refusing to look at Bing Sanlang—this was his wordless surrender.

"Father? Mother?" Bing Sanlang called weakly. "If Eldest Brother truly can't stand Qian Shi's actions, then just divide the household and let us leave. Why must I be formally adopted out?"

Mother Liang cut in, "Yes, Da Lang, why not just separate them instead?"

"Mother, have you forgotten? I still have imperial exams to take and an official career to pursue. Someone like Qian Shi, who’s a gold-digger—I don’t want my entire future ruined just because she accepts a few taels of silver." Bing Wengu made no attempt to justify his actions, laying it out bluntly.

Bing Sanlang pointed at Bing Wengu as if he had caught him red-handed. "You accuse Qian Shi of being selfish, but aren’t you the same? Look at what you're doing now—how is it any different from her?"

"Qian Shi isn’t even fit to be compared to me. We’re cut from different cloth. As long as my family doesn’t wrong me, I’d walk through fire for them." Bing Wengu didn’t mind the Bing family knowing his true nature—only then would they avoid crossing his boundaries.

Bing Sanlang staggered back a few steps under the weight of his elder brother’s words. Eldest Brother truly wasn’t like Qian Shi. She was selfish, but he simply had a black-and-white view of loyalty.

"San Lang, I’ve always believed in returning good for good and justice for grievances," Bing Wengu said. "If you repay grievances with kindness, then how do you repay kindness?"

Bing Sanlang lowered his head, speechless. He was calculating and thus saw through people’s hearts more clearly.

"You’ll get one room from the family house. We have twenty mu of unirrigated farmland in total. With five brothers and our parents, it’s divided into six shares—each gets three mu, three fen, and three li. I’ll round yours up to four mu. On top of that, I’ll give you ten taels of silver as compensation." Bing Wengu was fair in his dealings. He wouldn’t let Bing Sanlang leave empty-handed.

No matter what, in the past, the original owner of this body had done no work at home—that was a fact. The original owner had taken advantage of Bing Sanlang. Moreover, from his own perspective, forcing Bing Sanlang out was ultimately to prevent Qian Shi from jeopardizing his official career. That was selfishness, and compensation was due.

Bing Sanlang, who had been seething and desperate moments ago, suddenly calmed down. He hadn’t expected Bing Wengu to be so generous. With this silver, even if he left the Bing family, he could live comfortably.

After careful consideration, Bing Sanlang decided adoption wasn’t so bad. He and Qian Shi could live their own lives, free from constant friction with the family, and with this silver, their days would be pleasant.

In truth, back when Bing Dalang did nothing at home and spent a fortune on books, Bing Sanlang had already considered dividing the family. He only dropped the idea knowing Mother Liang and Old Man Bing would never agree.

Bing Sanlang fell silent, saying nothing more. Bing Wengu knew his offer had met Bing Sanlang’s expectations.

Mother Liang and Old Man Bing knew Bing Sanlang would accept these terms—their objections were pointless.

Thus, the matter was settled. Bing Wengu, being literate, wrote up the separation papers himself without needing outside help.

Once written, the entire Bing family signed with thumbprints. Later, it would be filed at the yamen, and Bing Sanlang’s household registration would be separated. Coincidentally, Aunt Bing’s divorce papers hadn’t been filed yet either. They could handle both matters together after this busy period.

Bing Wengu handed the ten taels of silver to Bing Sanlang in front of the whole family, marking the official end of the Qian Shi affair.

With the family divided, strictly speaking, Bing Sanlang was no longer part of the main Bing lineage. The Bings had no grounds to stop him from bringing Qian Shi back from her family home.

Still, before leaving, Bing Sanlang bid farewell to Mother Liang, addressing her as "Mother" as usual.

Instead of being pleased, Mother Liang said, "Since you’ve agreed to Da Lang’s adoption, from now on, call me Auntie Fourth."

"Mother, you know I didn’t want this. Eldest Brother insisted on adopting me out," Bing Sanlang said bitterly.

"You still took his silver!" Mother Liang suddenly raised her voice, sharp and shrill, piercing the air.

How could she not resent Bing Sanlang? For just ten taels, he had abandoned her. All those years of raising him had been for nothing.

Bing Sanlang muttered gloomily, "None of you like Qian Shi. Even if we stayed together, we wouldn’t be happy. Maybe it’s better this way."

"Get out of here!" The mention of Qian Shi made Aunt Bing wish she could kill her right then. It was all because of this woman that she had lost a son.

San Lang left the Bing household and went straight to the Qian family.

At the Qian household.

Qian Shi's mother was nagging her, "When is the Bing family coming to take you back? A few days ago, their house was under construction, and there was no place for you to stay, so I didn’t say anything. But the house has been finished for days now. Just the other day, I went to take a look, and when Aunt Bing saw me, she didn’t even mention you—as if she’d completely forgotten you existed."

"Little sister, you're about to finish your lying-in period at your parents' home. Who knows how much ill omen you'll bring to our family?" Qian Shi’s sister-in-law complained. "Go out and see if there’s any other married woman in our village who spends her postpartum month at her parents’ home. Everyone fears the bad luck."

Qian Shi retorted, "Aunt Bing returned to her parents’ home for her lying-in period."

Qian Shi’s second sister-in-law rolled her eyes. "Bing Dalang is a fool who ruined his brain from too much studying. You won’t find another idiot like him in our whole village."

As they were talking, a loud cough came from outside. Qian Shi’s father announced, "San Lang is here."

Overjoyed, Qian Shi hurried out but stopped after a few steps. Remembering something, she turned back and sat down on the kang (heated brick bed). She twisted her body to face the window, deliberately avoiding looking at San Lang.

Qian Shi’s mother pinched her secretly. "Listen, you better not cause any trouble again. The Bings are well-off now—you won’t find another family like it even with a lantern. If you ruin this, don’t expect us to take you back."

The second sister-in-law whispered, "You’ve brought such an ill omen by staying here for your lying-in period, yet we haven’t kicked you out. You should be grateful and make sure San Lang pays us generously."

Qian Shi curled her lip, disgusted by her sisters-in-law’s greed.

"Qian Shi, I’ve come to take you home," San Lang said.

Qian Shi snorted. "Why bother coming now? Your family’s doing so well—just have your mother find you a better wife. I’m no good anyway; your whole family looks down on me."

Though San Lang had received the silver, he was in no mood to indulge Qian Shi after the recent turmoil of the family division. His voice was cold. "We’ve been given away in adoption. Happy now?"

At this, Qian Shi forgot her tantrum and sprang up with a shriek. "Adopted out? Why? You absolutely cannot agree to this! I bet this was your eldest brother’s idea—now that the family’s doing well, they just want to kick us out!"

"Brother gave us a house, four mu of land, and ten silver taels as compensation," San Lang said flatly.

Only then did Qian Shi slowly sit back down. "That’s more like it."

The thought of the ten silver taels and the big tiled house, free from her mother-in-law’s control, made her grin. "Did he give you the silver? Make sure he counted it right then, or don’t sign with your fingerprint on the agreement."

"It was given on the spot."

"That’ll do." Far from being upset, Qian Shi was still smiling.

"You’re happy?"

Only then did Qian Shi notice San Lang’s mood. "What’s with that look? Don’t tell me you’re actually thinking of dumping me just because I objected to your mother’s separation! Go ask around the village—who would accept a divorced woman back home?"

"What others do doesn’t matter. Mine is mine. In my family, everyone but you would accept it," San Lang shouted.

"So what, you want to dump me?" Qian Shi snapped, her voice shrill.

San Lang crouched, holding his head in his hands. "No, I’m just in a bad mood. I did want to separate, but not like this. Qian Shi, I’m really upset right now. Even if you won’t comfort me, could you at least not look so happy?"

"What’s there to be upset about? From now on, we’ll be our own masters, and we won’t have to keep funding your eldest brother’s studies. Isn’t that great?"

Qian Shi wasn’t afraid of San Lang. She went on, "With your eldest brother’s level of learning, he’d be lucky to pass the exams! Yet he thinks too highly of himself and insists on studying. Just watch—he’ll never pass, not even if he tries his whole life. And another thing—just for a wedding, he had to buy Nan Jia Xiao Geer such an expensive bridal gown and pearl-embroidered shoes. What a waste of silver! At this rate, it won’t be long before he blows through all of it. The Bing family will be back to eating scraps!"

San Lang tuned out her nagging. After crouching silently for a long time, he finally calmed down and took Qian Shi home.

Qian Shi’s mother had initially been unhappy that the now-wealthy Bing family had separated her daughter and son-in-law. But upon hearing about the ten silver taels, her dissatisfaction vanished. Instead, she patted Qian Shi’s shoulder happily. "I’m so glad for you, my child. You’ve finally made it. No more mother-in-law to boss you around, no more dealing with sisters-in-law, and a good chunk of silver in your hands. Your good life ahead is just beginning!"

Qian Shi was about to let out a big laugh but held back upon noticing Bing Sanlang wasn't in good spirits. Still, the smile in her eyes was unmistakable.

The second sister-in-law pushed her way past Qian Shi’s mother and said with a grin, "Sister, brother-in-law, no matter what, your sister stayed for her postpartum recovery in our home. Who knows how much bad luck this might bring to the family? Don’t you think some compensation is in order..."

Bing Sanlang handed the second sister-in-law a little over a hundred copper coins, but she was dissatisfied. "Only this much? You just received ten taels of silver from the division. What a cheapskate! A married woman returning home for postpartum recovery—just this one stay could ruin the family’s fortune."

Qian Shi shot back angrily, "Aunt Bing also returned to her maiden home for postpartum recovery. Did that ruin the Bing family’s luck? They even built a grand tiled house!"

"Of course it did! Didn’t the Bings just have Third Brother adopted out? Liang Shi lost a son for nothing—that’s terrible luck. Besides, the money for the house wasn’t earned after Aunt Bing returned. It was already there. I say it was her coming back that ruined the family’s fortune." The second sister-in-law spoke with conviction.

Qian Shi seethed with anger.

"Brother-in-law, since you’re not in urgent need of that silver, and my nephews aren’t yet married, why not lend it to us first?"

"I haven’t even helped my own younger brother get married, let alone yours," Bing Sanlang said to Qian Shi. "Hurry and pack. Let’s go."

"So stingy," the second sister-in-law muttered.

Qian Shi hadn’t brought much when she arrived, so packing was easy. She simply picked up a small bundle and left.

When Qian Shi returned, not a single person from the Bing family came out to greet her. She curled her lip and went straight to her room—she didn’t care for their welcome anyway. From now on, they were two separate households.

"Come to think of it, I’ve never even seen our new house properly since it was built. This time, I’ll take a good look," Qian Shi said, touching the walls here and there, examining everything with delight. Bing Sanlang, however, remained in low spirits, lying silently on the kang.