The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Chapter 557 Separation
"The main reason I called you here today is that Fengnian and his wife want to separate their household."

After discussing Gu Xiaoxue's matter, Old Master Gu finally revealed the purpose of inviting Tong Huaqiong over.

In this era, family division is a major event.

Generally, families don't separate while both parents are alive.

There was a reason why Grandpa Gu separated Grandpa Gu from his original job.

Tong Dajiao was unhappy that her in-laws favored Gu Youtian, so she encouraged Gu Youtian to disobey his parents every day. Gu Youtian naturally didn't dare to, so Tong Dajiao started trouble every day.

She either argued with her in-laws or quarreled with Gu Youtian and Jia Shi.

The noisy family finally couldn't take it anymore, and with the clan as witnesses, Grandpa Gu separated Grandpa Gu and Tong Dajiao.

Even now, Grandpa Gu doesn't believe that his favoritism towards the second wife was the cause of the family division; instead, he blames everything on the troublemaker, Tong Dajiao.

This division of the family property involved separating the grandson, Gu Fengnian.

Originally, this matter had nothing to do with Tong Huaqiong; it was Wei who suggested that Tong Huaqiong come and be a witness.

The idea of ​​dividing the family property was also proposed by the Wei family.

On the day that Grandpa Gu and others returned to Qinghewan from Pingchuan, Madam Wei proposed to divide the family property.

Grandpa Gu, Grandma Gu, and Gu Youtian and his wife Jia all disagreed.

Originally, Gu Fengnian was persuaded by Wei to divide the family property, but under the scolding of Old Master Gu and the tearful offensive of Jia, Gu Fengnian compromised.

The matter of dividing the family property was never mentioned again.

Wei was very disappointed and barely paid any attention to Gu Fengnian during the three months he spent in Qinghe Bay.

Taking advantage of Gu Xiaoxue's situation, Madam Wei made a huge scene for Gu Fengnian, saying that the whole family had almost given their lives for Gu Ruinian, and she couldn't stand living like this anymore.

She threatened that if Gu Fengnian didn't agree to separate the family, she would get a divorce.

Her words were not a threat.

What's there to be afraid of in a divorce?

Tong Pandi's life after the divorce was better than that of any other young wife in the village.

After her divorce, she went south to live with her parents and raised the Yao family by running a small shop. If her brother and sister-in-law didn't accept her, she could always remarry with the Yao family in tow.

Gu Fengnian was afraid that Wei would be heartbroken and actually divorce him. In addition, Gu Ruinian's matter had driven Gu Xiaoxue to the brink of despair. Therefore, Gu Fengnian decided to separate and live alone.

Despite Old Master Gu's attempts to persuade Gu Fengnian with both gentle and forceful words, Gu Youtian's proposal to divide the family property, and Jia's crying, tantrums, and threats of suicide, nothing could dissuade Gu Fengnian from his determination to separate the family.

In the end, Old Master Gu compromised and invited the clan chief and other respected elders to witness the distribution of Gu Fengnian's estate.

The feeling of separating the family this time was completely different from the last time.

When the eldest son's family was separated last time, Old Master Gu had no regrets at all. Without the troublemaker Tong Dajiao, their lives could only get better and better.

This time, however, Old Master Gu was filled with helplessness. Gu Youtian, after so many years in business, was no longer accustomed to or willing to settle down in farming. After parting ways with the Wu family, he lacked the capital to open a shop, and he was unwilling to work as someone else's apprentice. For the past two months, he had been depressed and holed up at home. Gu Ruinian, after so many years of schooling, was even less able to work in the fields due to his broken leg. Gu Honglian, pampered since childhood, was unreliable. Jia Shi hadn't worked in the fields since marrying Gu Youtian and wasn't skilled at farm work. He and Old Madam Gu could work in the fields, but they were too old to do heavy labor.

Gu Fengnian and Wei Shi were in their prime. Since returning to Qinghewan, the couple had been hardworking and diligent, and the work in the fields for the past two months had been entirely done by the two of them and Xiaoxue.

After Gu Fengnian and his family of three moved out, there was no one left in the family to work.

When Gu Ruinian gets married and has children, who will pay for it?
Although Gu Ruinian's scheming against Gu Honglian angered the old master Gu, he did not hate Gu Ruinian like the old lady Gu did. After all, Gu Ruinian was his grandson and the continuation of the Gu family line, and he was still reluctant to give him up.

Wei sneered inwardly. Old Master Gu opened his mouth by saying that Gu Fengnian and she wanted to separate the family, instead of giving a specific plan for the separation.

This was an attempt to put pressure on her and Gu Fengnian within the clan, so that the couple could continue to be treated like slaves.

As long as Gu Ruinian is around, her determination to separate the family property will never waver.

“In this prosperous year, your parents and grandparents haven’t separated from the family yet. It’s inappropriate for you to do so. As the eldest son, you should be responsible for supporting your parents in their old age. Aren’t you afraid of being gossiped about if word gets out that you’ve separated from the family? Can you bear being labeled as unfilial?” the clan chief said.

Gu Fengnian was provoked by the clan chief's words and wanted to back out, but he remembered what Master Su had told him: Yao's family had some talent for studying. Wei Shi had told him that if they didn't separate the family, their son's talent would be dragged down by the family. Upon hearing this, Gu Fengnian's determination to separate the family became firm.

Gu Fengnian said, "Grandpa Clan Chief, my separation from the family does not mean I will abandon my parents. I will still be filial to them as always."

The clan chief said, "If you are so filial, why do you want to separate from the family? Separating from the family is already unfilial. I usually think you are a very honest and upright person. Don't let someone's words sway you into wanting to separate from the family."

“You have a son yourself. Think about it, what will you think when you get old and your son makes a fuss about separating the family property? You are both a son and a father, so don’t you have to set a good example for your son? Otherwise, your son will follow suit.”

Wei couldn't hold back any longer and interrupted the clan leader, saying, "Clan leader, what are you saying? You said that Feng Nian was instigated by someone to split the family with just a few words. Why don't you just say that I instigated it? That's right, splitting the family was indeed my idea. I married into the Gu family, I was filial to my grandparents and parents-in-law, I gave birth to a son for the Gu family, and I used my own dowry to support my brother-in-law's education. I have done so much, even if my grandparents were alive, they couldn't find fault with me."

“I accept that I haven’t enjoyed a single day of happiness since marrying into the Gu family, but I don’t want to continue living like this. The clan chief just brought up my son, and it’s precisely because I’m thinking of my son that I want to separate from the family. If we don’t separate, all the money that Fengnian and I earn will go to Gu Ruinian, and all the grain we grow will end up in Gu Ruinian’s mouth. I’m not so selfless as to support my brother-in-law; I have my own son to support. As for what the clan chief said about my son getting old and wanting to separate from the family, what do I think? Well, I can only say that either I’ve done something that has broken my son’s heart, or I haven’t raised him well. Whatever the outcome, I, as his mother, will accept it.”

The clan leader is just talking without understanding the situation.

If they don't separate, she and Gu Fengnian will be exploited to the point of being drained dry by Old Master Gu and others.

Her son is a good student, but she doesn't expect him to be as successful as Gu Jingzhe; she would be content if he became a scholar.

Gu Jingzhe is destined for an official career, and he will inevitably support any promising members of his clan.

She hoped that her son could be on Gu Jingzhe's side in the future. If she and Gu Fengnian didn't separate, how could she curry favor with her aunt's family?

As a mother, Madam Wei had her own selfish motives.

She didn't think her selfishness was wrong.

This is also why she insisted on having Tong Huaqiong as a witness; she wanted Tong Huaqiong to see that she was different from Gu Youtian and others.

At this moment, Grandpa Gu's cousin said with dissatisfaction, "The eldest sister-in-law is like a mother. Isn't it your duty to take care of Ruinian? Besides, Ruinian is still young. When he grows up, he will definitely repay you. You can't just look at the present."

Madam Wei chuckled and said, "I have parents-in-law to take care of, so I wouldn't dare take on Ruinian's responsibilities. Don't worry, no matter how successful Ruinian becomes in the future, I'll always avoid his house when I'm begging for food."

"Fourth Grandfather, you always say that your eldest son can't have a son and your family line will end. Ruinian is so good, would you like to have him as your grandson?"

Isn't this fourth grandfather afraid that if she and Fengnian separated, Gu Ruinian would have no one to supply blood in the future, and that Grandpa Gu would ask the clan for money and end up borrowing it from him?