Volume One, Chapter 27: Exceptional Parents, The Weight of Filial Piety Crushes the Honest

Chen Zhonghe listened to these words, and a rush of indescribable bitterness welled up within his heart.

Affection?

From childhood to now, had Pingchuan ever truly received even a sliver of genuine love from his grandfather? Yet now, just because of these two taels of silver, he had suddenly become, in the old man's words, the promising and well-loved grandson who hadn't been doted on in vain.

Old Madam Chen snatched those few pieces of broken silver from the eldest aunt’s hand, clutching them tightly in her withered palm as if they might fly away at any moment.

Old Master Chen turned his gaze to the silent Chen Zhongwu.

“Third son,” he said flatly, “your second brother has contributed two taels of silver.”

“And you?”

Chen Zhongwu’s expression froze instantly.

Just earlier, he had been eager to ingratiate himself before the old man, beating his chest with loud pledges: “Whatever Second Brother gives, I’ll match it—won’t be a penny less!” Who would have thought that the usually reticent Second Brother would suddenly bring out a full two taels of gleaming silver!

Where was he supposed to come up with that kind of money?

Cold sweat seeped silently from his temples. His darting eyes spun even faster now, desperately searching for a way to muddle through this predicament.

All this while, Mrs. Wang had been silent, but as she saw her husband’s embarrassment, she had already formed a plan. Her eyes sparkled, her face blooming with a coy and charming smile as she spoke in a sweet, delicate voice, “Father, Mother, since the whole family is here today, I just happen to have something I’d like to discuss with you both.”

She paused, her gaze glancing almost imperceptibly over at Chen Zhongwen of the main branch. “Eldest Brother is now a certified scholar and will surely become an official one day, bringing honor to the Chen family. My Zhongwu, though not as accomplished as Eldest Brother, has always seen him as a role model and wishes to contribute more to our family as well.”

The smile on Mrs. Wang’s face deepened as she changed the subject. “Now, our Huzhi is already eight years old.”

“That child, he’s always imitating his uncle—taking twigs to scribble and draw on the ground, murmuring lines under his breath. In my eyes, he’s a natural scholar, a good seedling who loves to study.”

“So, isn’t it time to send him to the academy and begin his education?”

“In the future, who knows—perhaps he too can earn his name on the honor roll, bringing further glory to our family!”

The Huzhi she spoke of was her own and Chen Zhongwu’s only son, Chen Pingxi.

The boy was sturdy and lively, with a sweet tongue and a naturally clever manner that made him instantly endearing to his elders.

Compared to him, the siblings of the second branch, Pingchuan and his sister, were seen by Old Master and Old Madam Chen as little more than wild grass by the roadside.

The moment Mrs. Wang finished speaking, everyone in the main hall was stunned.

After all, supporting just Chen Zhongwen’s studies had already strained the family’s resources to the breaking point—everyone had been tightening their belts just to get by.

Now, to sponsor another child?

Wouldn’t that be the death of them all?

The eldest aunt was the first to lose her composure. Her sharp, acrid face twisted with displeasure as she raised her voice, “Third Sister-in-law, aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?”

“Pingxi is just a child! What does he know about studying?”

“Besides, my husband is about to take the autumn exam—it’s precisely when we need money the most! At a time like this, where would the family find spare silver to send another child to school?”

“You’re just causing trouble for everyone and jeopardizing my husband’s future!”

Chen Zhongwen immediately stroked the sparse stubble on his chin, shaking his head with feigned anguish and sorrow. “Third Sister-in-law, you’re being foolish!”

“Our family’s resources are already stretched thin. The utmost priority now is to focus everything we have on helping me win top honors and bring home distinction. That is the best course for all!”

“We mustn’t lose the greater for the lesser by dividing our already limited energy and funds!”

The couple sang in perfect harmony, their meaning clear: they were firmly against letting the third branch’s Pingxi study as well, for that would threaten Chen Zhongwen’s fundamental interests.

But Mrs. Wang was not to be cowed.

Straightening her back, she raised her voice, undaunted, to counter, “Eldest Sister-in-law, I can’t agree with you there!”

“We’re all children of the Chen family. Why should only Eldest Brother have the right to study, while my Pingxi does not?”

“Are not both the palm and the back of the hand made of flesh? Father, Mother, you can’t possibly show favoritism to such an extent, can you?”

She added pointedly, “Besides, having another scholar in the family gives us another hope, another path forward. We can’t put all our eggs in one basket, can we? What if that basket has a hole?”

These words struck a chord with Old Madam Chen. She had always favored this clever, winsome grandson of hers. Now, hearing Mrs. Wang’s sound and reasonable analysis, she found it quite convincing.

Quietly, she tugged at Old Master Chen’s sleeve, leaning in to whisper at length in his ear.

Old Master Chen’s brow furrowed deeply as he pondered. At last, he nodded.

He cleared his throat heavily, his stern gaze sweeping across everyone in the hall before coming to rest on the third son, Chen Zhongwu, and Mrs. Wang.

“Enough, enough. Since Pingxi also has the heart to study, it’s a good thing.”

“As for your share of the contribution this time, the third branch is exempt.”

“Keep it... keep it to use as tuition for Pingxi. Let him study well.”

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Chen carefully snipped off a small piece—about two tenths of a tael—from the silver that had just been wrung from Chen Zhonghe, and handed it straight to Mrs. Wang.

“Take it, take it!” she beamed. “Use this money to buy pens, ink, paper, and inkstones for my good grandson. You mustn’t let him go without!”

Mrs. Wang was overjoyed, though she dared not let it show too plainly. She quickly put on a show of tearful gratitude, overflowing with thanks to Old Master and Old Madam Chen, her words tumbling out in torrents.

The entire main branch could only look on as the third branch not only avoided paying a single coin but also received two tenths of a tael from the old lady’s own hand. Their faces showed both envy and jealousy.

But at that moment, the one suffering most was Chen Zhonghe.

Never could he have imagined that, after all the twists and turns, the money meant for new clothes and lavish gifts for the old master would fall upon the shoulders of their second branch in the end.

Summoning all the courage he had never possessed in his life, Chen Zhonghe’s voice was dry and trembling as he pleaded, “Father, this money from Pingchuan... it’s for his mother’s medicine...”

“Please, I beg you, leave a little for our family—even just one tael...”

“Just something to buy some food for Pingyu and her mother, or a decent pair of shoes for Pingyu... Her shoes are nearly worn through, her toes poke out as she walks...”

Before he finished speaking, his eyes were already rimmed red, unable to hold back his emotion.

He thought of his wife, wasting away in sickness, and of his little daughter tiptoeing every day, afraid that her tattered shoes would fall apart before she got home. It felt as though an invisible hand was clutching his heart, squeezing so tightly he could scarcely breathe.

The old master’s face, which had just softened a little, instantly darkened again, black as thunder.