Chapter 6: Dividing the Family

Chapter 6: Dividing the Family

"Ninth Concubine, the master's condition... it looks like a brief rally before the end. Let me pick out something in a subdued color for you," Xiaohong whispered.

Lin Zhijin looked at the white coat in her hand and shook her head. White wouldn't do—this wasn't a funeral. Master Chen would surely see it as bad luck.

She glanced around and picked a light blue coat, wearing only a pair of pearl earrings and a pearl bracelet—simple and understated.

Lin Zhijin lived nearby, so besides the First Mistress, Second Concubine, and Third Mistress who had been waiting there since early morning, she was the first to arrive.

"Master," Lin Zhijin walked up to Master Chen, looking at him with a timid, nervous air, then offered a faint smile. "You look in good spirits today. Is your illness getting better?"

Second Concubine furrowed her brows and was about to scold her, but Third Mistress beside her stopped her.

"Xiaojiu's here. Come over," Master Chen looked at his tender, delicate beauty of a concubine, regretting that she hadn't been the one that day.

"Master," Lin Zhijin obediently stepped forward.

Master Chen looked her up and down, nodded, and pointed at his shoulder, signaling Lin Zhijin to massage it.

Lin Zhijin quickly moved behind him and gently massaged his shoulders, switching to tapping when she got tired.

The concubines and children arrived one after another. Except for the First Mistress's two children, all the children who could come were there. As for the chamber maids, they didn't even have the qualification to enter the door. No wonder Hu Xiaoyue wanted to get pregnant and become a concubine.

"Everyone's here?" Master Chen looked around and took a sip of ginseng tea from Second Concubine's hand. "When the eldest went to America, the family had already divided the property. Today, I'll divide up my personal assets as well, so that when I close my eyes, you won't make a spectacle of yourselves over a bit of silver and gold."

"Father, however you want to divide your things is up to you. As your children, we only wish for your good health," a middle-aged man standing in front said with reddened eyes.

Lin Zhijin glanced at him. This should be the current head of the family, Second Master Chen, right?

When his eyes reddened, everyone else started crying too, including Lin Zhijin. Even if Master Chen couldn't see her, she had to look particularly grief-stricken.

"Enough, my time is short. Don't waste it." Master Chen glanced at Shi Qing, who brought up a tray. Looking at his children, he said, "The lion's share of the estate has already been divided. I won't divide my personal assets among you."

No one spoke, all waiting for Master Chen to continue.

Master Chen nodded with satisfaction. "I had Shi Qing divide it into three portions: one for the grandchildren—sons and daughters alike, all the same; one for the nine wives; and the remaining portion, a third goes to the chamber maids, a third to Shi Qing and the rest—they've served me for years with unwavering loyalty, and I can't shortchange my loyal servants. The final third will be kept by the First Mistress for now. If Xiaoyue is pregnant, it goes to her and the child. If not, the money will be donated, as a way to earn me some good karma."

He looked at the First Mistress, and seeing her nod, he asked Second Master and Third Master to stay, telling everyone else to leave.

Lin Zhijin cast a worried glance at Master Chen before following the others out. As soon as she stepped out the door, she saw Seventh Concubine say with a sly, ambiguous smile, "Ninth Sister is truly fortunate. Without lifting a finger, she gets to share equally in the master's personal assets."

In an instant, everyone's gaze fell on Lin Zhijin. Some looks were like sharp arrows, as if trying to pierce through her.

Lin Zhijin's heart tightened. This Seventh Concubine really knew how to stir up trouble. Her mind raced, but her body moved faster—she walked toward the First Mistress, hiding behind her like a baby bird seeking shelter, hanging her head in fear, looking like she dared not say anything.

A slight smile tugged at the First Mistress's lips, then she cut her eyes at Seventh Concubine. "If Xiaojiu didn't have such an auspicious fate, how could she have been chosen to perform the ritual to ward off bad luck for the master? That's settled. The master's personal assets are his to distribute as he sees fit. If you're dissatisfied, you're welcome to take it up with him. Why bully Xiaojiu?"

"The First Mistress certainly protects her," Seventh Concubine said, backing off since the First Mistress had intervened.

About half an hour later, sobbing sounds came from the room. Everyone exchanged glances and quickly pushed the door open. They saw Second Master half-holding Master Chen. Seeing them enter, he wept and cried, "Father has fainted! Where's the doctor? Quick, get the doctor in!"

Both Chinese and Western doctors arrived. After several physicians took turns examining him, they all shook their heads. His life force was spent—there was no saving him.

On his deathbed, Master Chen held the First Mistress's hand and said a few words. Finally, looking at his wives and children before the bed, he shut his eyes, filled with regret.

"Father..."

"Master!"

"Grandfather..."

Lin Zhijin knelt and wailed with the others, while inwardly a great weight lifted from her heart. Her chastity was finally safe, and the old man had been quite generous to her—he'd actually left her a share of the property. Though it was one-ninth of one-third, judging by Seventh Concubine's reaction, it certainly wasn't a small amount.

She looked at the room full of people with their own agendas. If the property was really substantial, with her being alone and without backing, she'd likely lose it.

After crying for a while, the First Mistress told them to go back. Lin Zhijin followed the crowd, doing whatever the other concubines did.

"Ninth Sister, wait. Why are you walking so fast?" Seventh Concubine called out to Lin Zhijin. "Ninth Sister, are you still angry about what I said earlier? You're still too young. You don't realize that those who seem kind to you aren't necessarily good, and those who speak harshly aren't necessarily bad."

Lin Zhijin didn't respond. She wasn't really a seventeen-year-old girl; of course she didn't believe the First Mistress would be kind to her without reason. But she was trapped here now, without the strength to fight head-on, so she could only appear weak.

Seeing that Lin Zhijin was unmoved by her words, Seventh Concubine turned on her heel and left in a huff.

"Ninth Concubine, you must be hungry. The master just passed away, so the kitchen only has plain noodle soup," a young maid said, carrying in a food box.

"Go ahead and set it out," Lin Zhijin said, touching her stomach. She was indeed hungry.

She thought the property would only be divided after Master Chen's burial, but unexpectedly, the First Mistress summoned them to the main courtyard that very afternoon.

When Lin Zhijin arrived, most people were already there—the room was full to bursting. Fortunately, though she was young, she ranked high in the family, and she actually had a seat.

Sitting down, trembling with nervousness, Lin Zhijin sat primly with her legs together and waited meekly for the First Mistress and the others to speak.

"Second Brother, how did the sale of the land that the master asked you to sell go?" the First Mistress asked Second Master Chen first.

"What? Selling land? Why sell the land?" Third Concubine looked at her son in shock.

"This was Father's instruction. He said times are different now. Our family has too much land—it draws too much attention. Sell as much as possible," Second Master Chen explained.

Lin Zhijin raised an eyebrow. Master Chen had remarkable foresight, able to see what was coming down the road.

"Why sell the land? This is the backbone of the family. People only sell land when they have no other choice. Our family isn't at that point," Fourth Concubine chimed in.

Everyone spoke one after another, none agreeing with selling the land.

"Enough. Father's decision is correct. Sell off the family's land as quickly as possible. The times... are changing," Fourth Master Chen said in a deep voice.

Suddenly, everyone fell silent, including Third Concubine and Seventh Concubine who had been making the biggest fuss.

Lin Zhijin knew him—Fourth Master Chen of the Chen family, who worked for the Southern City government. He was the real power behind the family.

The First Mistress smiled, acting as if none of this bothered her. "Regarding the personal assets the master divided before his death, no one objected at the time. So now, sign your name and press your fingerprint on these documents. Once I've gotten everything in order, I'll have someone deliver your shares to your rooms."

Lin Zhijin's cover story was that she was illiterate and only trusted the First Mistress, so when she received the paper, she pretended not to know how to sign, while secretly scanning the contents. Then she was floored.

She'd forgotten—the characters were still in traditional form, and there were quite a few she couldn't recognize.

Connecting it with the context, she half-guessed, half-decoded it. Luckily, she didn't get anything wrong, and with Xiaohong's help, she pressed her fingerprint.

After handing in the document, she continued to sit there like a bump on a log.

There was a lot of hubbub for a while, then the First Mistress told them to leave, and Lin Zhijin followed the others out.

Next came Master Chen's funeral. The body lay in state for seven days. As a minor wife, Lin Zhijin had to go perform the mourning rituals every day until her face was puffy from crying. Finally, when Master Chen was buried, she slept for over a dozen hours straight. She might have kept sleeping if Xiaohong hadn't woken her.

"Ninth Concubine, the First Mistress asks you to come over," Xiaohong said in a low voice.

Lin Zhijin's heart skipped a beat. Here we go.

She wore a white dress and a white coat, with a white flower pinned in her hair. Wherever she stood, she looked strikingly lovely. Indeed, there's nothing like mourning clothes to make a woman look stunning.

"Ninth Concubine, you truly are beautiful," Xiaohong said, having watched Lin Zhijin grow prettier over time; otherwise, she'd have sworn it was a different person.

Lin Zhijin slightly curled her lips. She could enjoy looking pretty for now, but once liberation rolled around, she'd have to keep things as plain as possible.

"Come, have a seat." The First Madam gestured for her to sit, beaming at Lin Zhijin's current look. "You've changed so much since marrying into the Chen family—you're prettier than ever."

"That's all thanks to you, Madam, for sending me so many tonics and finding me a doctor." Lin Zhijin was quick to give all the credit to the First Madam.

The First Madam nodded approvingly. "You're someone who doesn't forget a kindness."

"Of course. Though I may not understand much, I know who treats me well." Lin Zhijin reaffirmed her loyalty.

"In that case, Ninth Sister, I'd like to ask you for a favor. Would that be alright?" The First Madam asked with a smile.

Lin Zhijin looked at the First Madam cautiously. "Me? If you can't manage it, how could I possibly pull it off?"

"Don't worry, it's easy." The First Madam waved her hand, and Chunlan handed a booklet to Lin Zhijin. "This is the private property the Old Master set aside for you."

Lin Zhijin glanced at the First Madam in confusion, opened it, and took a look. Whoa, that was a lot. She quickly closed it and said with some embarrassment, "I don't know how to read."

The First Madam slapped her forehead. "I forgot. Let me give you the short version: besides a hundred mu of land, a mountain, a three-courtyard mansion, and two shops, I'll skip the little odds and ends. But what do you plan to do with these properties?"

Seeing her shocked expression, the First Madam said earnestly, "Xiaojiu, you're too young, and you can't count on your mother's side of the family. I'm afraid... you won't be able to hold onto these."

Lin Zhijin was genuinely stunned. She hadn't expected that one-ninth of a third would amount to so much—land, a mansion, and even a mountain...

"Madam, it's too much. I dare not accept it. You should keep it instead." Lin Zhijin said, at a loss.

A flicker of satisfaction passed through the First Madam's eyes. "How could that be? These were all left to you by the Old Master. How about this: I'll pay you the market price."

Market price? She'd probably be dead before she could spend a cent of it. In this deep household, a little something slipped into her food could easily do her in.

Moreover, these things were ticking time bombs, didn't fit her whole 'oppressed woman' image. Better to play along and hand them straight to Chen Lishi, to avoid drawing unwanted attention.

Lin Zhijin shook her head repeatedly. "No, no need. I eat and live in the mansion now, so I don't need that much money. And... too much money scares me."

"Then how about this: I'll keep them safe for you, and return them when you're older." The First Madam said with a smile.

Lin Zhijin nodded immediately, looking at Chen Lishi with gratitude. "Thank you, First Madam."

When she left, she didn't even take the booklet. Since she'd given everything to the First Madam, there was no point in keeping it.

Back at Zhuwen Courtyard, Mother Sun followed closely, delivering many items. "These are ornaments, jewelry, and fabrics from the Old Master's private property. These two chests are gifts from the Madam."

Lin Zhijin had thought Chen Lishi would take everything, but she only wanted the real estate. Yet the more generous she acted, the more Lin Zhijin suspected she had an ulterior motive.

Author's note:

Sorry, I fell asleep last night. This is yesterday's update. There'll be another one at six this evening. Mwah (づ￣3￣)づ╭❤～