Chapter 46: Truly Thoughtful and Well-Intentioned

Chapter 46: Truly Well-Intentioned

“I am the matriarch of the Qian family, not your grandmother from the Zhu family. You won’t be so lucky as to call me ‘Grandma.’ Just call me Old Madam,” the Old Madam Qian said without mercy.

Zhu Jiegen forced a dry laugh, feeling awkward. “Then… Old Madam, you called me here for something?”

“Let me ask you—ever since Shi Jiang took you in at age four, has he ever wronged you in the slightest?” Old Madam Qian asked coldly.

“Well… of course not,” Zhu Jiegen’s eyes darted nervously. He felt uneasy; what was the old lady implying? Was she settling accounts with him? He shouldn’t have come.

“I’ll ask again: he raised you, built you a courtyard, found you a wife and had children for you. Has he ever treated you unfairly?” Old Madam Qian continued.

“Never,” Zhu Jiegen lowered his head. Although he could turn his back on anyone, with so many from the Qian family glaring at him, he had no grounds to argue.

“Good. Now tell me, has the Qian family ever offended you or caused you dissatisfaction?” Old Madam Qian’s gaze sharpened.

“Grandma, that’s not true at all,” Zhu Jiegen quickly denied.

“If that’s the case, then the Qian family owes you nothing. As for what you owe us, you don’t have to repay it. From today on, you and the Qian family are completely severed—water and fire shall no longer mix. Whatever happens to my family—death, fire—it’s none of your concern. Even if I die, you need not burn any memorial paper for me. Do you understand?” Old Madam Qian gave him a stern look.

Zhu Jiegen nodded repeatedly, “I understand.”

But out of others’ sight, he sneered disdainfully. The Wens don’t have anything in hand. Why should he care about a connection with the Qian family?

To put it bluntly, that relationship was already over. Old Madam Qian was simply tearing off the last veil, making it official. Paradoxically, Zhu Jiegen felt much relieved.

“Eldest daughter-in-law, come here,” Old Madam Qian smiled and beckoned to Wen Shi.

Wen Shi obediently stepped forward. “Grandma.”

“Bring me the deed to the winery,” Old Madam Qian said, reaching out to Aunt Li.

Aunt Li pulled a deed from her sleeve and placed it in Old Madam Qian’s hand.

Ding Shi’s eyes almost popped out as she watched, repeatedly pinching Qian Shihai’s arm. That old shrew really had a stash hidden away—she was saving a card to give to that widow in the end!

If she had known the item was hidden with Aunt Li, she would have beaten that old woman half to death to force it out!

Qian Shihai kept dodging without a word. Since his elder brother’s passing, he felt guilty toward Wen Shi and hadn’t fulfilled his duties as an uncle. It was hard for the widow alone; having a shop to rely on was good for her.

“This is the old wine shop at the old market—tiny, barely worth anything. It was left to me by your father to support myself. Now I’m giving it to your eldest sister-in-law to support her. Shihai, do you have any objections?” Old Madam Qian glanced at Qian Shihai and Ding Shi.

Ding Shi naturally objected and jumped up to cause a scene, but Qian Shihai grabbed her, whispering, “Do you still want other things or not?”

Upon hearing this, Ding Shi calmed down. If the old shrew had other shops, causing a fuss would only ruin her chances. She had to endure and listen.

“To sister-in-law, your son has no objection,” Qian Shihai replied.

“Good,” Old Madam Qian placed the deed into Wen Shi’s hand. “Today, I give this old wine shop to your eldest sister-in-law in front of all of you. From now on, no matter the matter or person, no one may claim this shop from her under any pretext. This shop is her private property, completely separate from the Qian family.”

Ding Shi gritted her teeth in fury. She silently cursed herself. When the old man died, he had entrusted affairs to the eldest and second eldest sisters-in-law—easier to control. Now all five sisters were here, especially the formidable third sister. No matter how much she acted up, she wouldn’t get away with it.

Moreover, Sheng Ge was also present. The boy was good in every way except overly righteous. He would never agree to let her reclaim the winery.

The widow was getting a huge advantage. The small shop’s annual income was not insignificant, and Wen Shi didn’t need much for personal expenses.

“Eldest daughter-in-law, from now on, you shall live in the shop and make a living selling wine,” Old Madam Qian patted Wen Shi’s hand.

“Grandma…” Wen Shi’s eyes brimmed with tears.

She knew her mother-in-law was planning for her future, first clearing any ties with that ungrateful adopted son, so he would not covet the shop later.

And in front of all these people, she sealed Ding Shi’s lips, forbidding her from reclaiming the shop in the future.

This arrangement placed all the blame on the mother-in-law, but all the benefits on her—it was truly well-intentioned.

Zhu Jiegen watched enviously, regretting deeply. He should have realized long ago that even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Now that Wen Shi had a shop, wasn’t it better than him toiling in the fields?

If only he hadn’t turned hostile earlier.

But the old lady had already made her decision clear. It was too late to make amends now. He would have to plan carefully after returning.

Fortunately, Wen Shi was agreeable. With more effort, the shop would surely be hers.

While Zhu Jiegen schemed on one side, Old Madam Qian spoke again, “Alright, Aunt Li, bring the promissory notes.”

Aunt Li obediently took out a stack of bills and handed them over.

“There’s 100,000 in promissory notes, also left by your father. Half is held at Sitong Bank, the other half at Datong Bank,” Old Madam Qian flipped through the notes. “Fifty thousand goes to Shihai, the rest to Shilin and your five sisters. Though Shilin is your uncle’s heir, he is still my biological child. Treat him like a daughter and give him some of the money. Second daughter-in-law, do you object?”

Ding Shi gritted her teeth, nearly tearing her handkerchief. “Grandma’s money is naturally hers to decide.”

“Mm,” Old Madam Qian nodded, handing half the notes to Qian Shihai and the other half to her third daughter, Qian Fangji. “Third daughter, you’ve always been fair. You’ll distribute your third brother’s and sisters’ shares. Keep harmony and don’t disappoint your mother’s intentions.”

“Mother, rest assured,” Qian Fangji took the notes solemnly.

Ding Shi’s eager gaze nearly melted the notes, yet she was powerless.

This third sister was not to be trifled with. Though a shrew, she was calculating, and better not provoked lightly.

“I have no more to say,” Old Madam Qian continued, “only the old residence remains. Shihai, you’ll take care of the old house and manage it well.”

“Yes,” Qian Shihai responded.

“Guan’er,” Old Madam Qian looked at her youngest daughter.

(End of chapter)