Jiang Lao San was the only scholar in the village, and he had married a daughter from a wealthy family. Carriages were naturally something they possessed.
But that was old history. The Liu family's carriage had long since been stolen by bandits.
The Jiang family's life had also been quite good originally. It wasn't a luxury to buy a cow, but the problem lay with the viciousness of Granny Jiang's heart. Because she disliked the eldest branch of the family and wanted to torment them, Granny Jiang stubbornly refused to buy a cow, forcing the eldest branch to do all the hard labor. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Who would have thought they would encounter such a famine and hardship!
Even if Granny Jiang had money now, she couldn't buy a cow, so they had to travel on foot, and they also had to take care of Jiang Lao San, who was a burden.
Before, they didn't feel anything, after all, everyone in the village was the same except for the village chief's family. But now, Jiang Pan's family suddenly had a carriage, and two of them. Such a stimulus made even the other villagers feel uncomfortable, let alone Jiang Lao Tou'er's family.
People just can't compare. Once they compare, it's more unbearable than death.
Jiang Lao Er looked at Jiang Pan's family's carriage, feeling so uncomfortable that his legs felt like they couldn't move. He glanced back and saw Jiang Lao Tou'er with a dark face. He rolled his eyes, handed the carriage to Madam Zhou, and ran towards Jiang Lao Tou'er.
Madam Zhou had always been lazy and didn't have much strength. The carriage was heavy, and when Jiang Lao Er ran off, she lost her balance and almost fell. After finally steadying the carriage, she yelled at Jiang Yu, "You little slut, don't you have eyes? Hurry up and come push the carriage!"
Jiang Yu couldn't help but retort, "Isn't Si Lang also idle? Why don't you order him around? He's a boy, and he's stronger than me."
Madam Zhou was already in a bad mood, and when she heard this, she was so angry that she threw down the carriage, took off her shoes, and grabbed Jiang Yu to beat her. "You little slut dares to talk back? You're a good-for-nothing, and you have the nerve to compare yourself to Si Lang? Watch me beat you to death today, you lazy bum!"
Jiang Yu cried out in pain as she was beaten, while Si Lang stood by with his hands on his hips, watching the show.
Jiang Lao Er didn't care if his daughter was being beaten. He went up to Jiang Lao Tou'er and said, "Dad, if Lao San's injury isn't taken care of properly, it might not heal easily. His body is precious, and he still needs to participate in the imperial examinations in the future. We can't let his health be ruined."
Jiang Lao Tou'er glanced at him. "You don't need to beat around the bush with me. Just say what you want to say."
Jiang Lao Er chuckled. "Dad, the eldest branch's two carriages are really a waste. Their family members are all strong and healthy. Whose body is not better than yours and Lao San's? Do they really have the nerve to occupy two carriages? Dad, Lao San is the hope of our Jiang family. We can't afford to lose anything for him."
Granny Jiang also chimed in when she heard this. "Lao Er is right, old man. Our third son can't have anything happen to him. He's going to be an official in the future."
Jiang Lao Tou'er looked up at the two carriages in front of him, his eyes flickering.
Madam Liu heard their conversation and said, "Dad, Mom, why don't I go and discuss it with them and rent their carriages with some money?"
"If you have too much money to burn, give it all to me!" Granny Jiang glared at her. "Are you afraid others don't know you have money in your pocket?"
Madam Liu was scolded into silence.
After spending a few days with the Jiang family, she understood her status. Previously, the Liu family was rich, and that old witch relied on her family to spend money to support Jiang Lao San's studies, so she was polite and even doted on her. Now that the Liu family had also fallen on hard times, Granny Jiang naturally no longer treated her with the same favor.
If she didn't have some savings in her pocket, her life would probably be worse than Madam Zhou's.
However, she was even less willing to offend the eldest branch now.
After all, this journey was long and arduous. Who knew what they would encounter on the road? She knew very well that the second branch and Jiang Lao Tou'er couldn't be relied upon, so she didn't want to make their relationship with the eldest branch too strained.
But she couldn't stop these people from the Jiang family either.
While the Jiang family was discussing how to ask the eldest branch for carriages, they didn't know that their family's scheme had already been overheard by a little squirrel.
After listening to the little squirrel's chattering report, Jiang Wan turned and told Jiang Pan about it. She pretended to look worried and asked, "Our carriages are going to be snatched away. What should we do?"
Jiang Pan's eyes immediately turned cold. He stroked her little head. "Don't be afraid. No one can snatch our things."
Jiang Lao Tou'er came over during the noon break.
As soon as he arrived, he got straight to the point. "You said before that you wanted to sever ties with me. I didn't agree to this before because you are my son. I raised you. This relationship is not something you can break just because you want to."
Jiang Pan listened quietly, without saying a word.
The rest of the family also watched coldly, wanting to hear what nonsense he would spout.
Jiang Lao Tou'er found their reaction a little strange, but he continued. "However, I also know that your family has other intentions and can no longer be as united with me as before. Since that's the case, there's no point in me forcing you to stay. If you want to sever ties, you can. But you must repay the kindness of raising you for so many years."
Many villagers heard these words and immediately gathered around.
There was no way, traveling during a famine was too tiring and boring. If there was gossip to listen to, who would want to miss it?
Jiang Pan waited until most of the spectators had gathered before asking, "How do you want me to repay you?"
Seeing that he had spoken, Jiang Lao Tou'er then said, "We have been father and son for more than thirty years, and I will not make things difficult for you. If it weren't for the extreme hardship at home and your utter heartlessness, I would never have made such a request."
Jiang Wan couldn't help but say, "Grandpa, you should speak with a clear conscience when you say that."
"Pfft—"
Someone among the watching villagers couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Jiang Lao Tou'er felt a bit embarrassed. "It's not your place, a little girl, to talk so much!"
Jiang Pan stroked Jiang Wan's hair, signaling her not to speak. He would bear the name of being unfilial; his children were all good children.
"Since you already have a plan, then state it. Don't beat around the bush. After all, justice is in the hearts of the people."
Jiang Lao Tou'er's face looked extremely unpleasant. He was too lazy to continue talking nonsense and said directly, "Lao San is seriously injured, and the children at home are young. Traveling is too difficult, so I want a carriage."
Jiang Pan sneered, "You want it, so I have to give it?"
Jiang Lao Tou'er stuck his neck out. "If you don't give it, I won't agree to the eldest branch separating from the Jiang family. If you don't separate, and I want to ride in your carriage, you still can't refuse!"
Someone with strong jealousy nearby spoke up at this moment. "Da Pan, what your father says makes sense. I think you'd better hand over a carriage quickly. Don't talk about severing ties or anything. Can filial blood ties be severed just like that?"
"Yes, Da Pan, you can't be foolish. You can't do such a great act of unfilial piety. That would make people point fingers at you for a lifetime."
"Madam Da Pan, hurry up and advise your man. One cannot forget their roots."
...
The more they spoke, the more excited they became, as if not giving up the carriage immediately would be an unforgivable sin for Jiang Pan.
Seeing that the situation was not good, the village chief stepped forward and shouted at everyone, "Are you all too full? Have you all handled your own trivial matters? Is it your place to interfere in other people's family affairs? Hurry up and disperse!"