Chapter 136: This Family Must Be Divided!
Whether each household wanted to split up or not was their own business.
Yu Zhengqing couldn’t control that.
“I don’t need any grain. From now on, we’ll live separately. Oh, and return my short bow too. You’ve been holding onto it for too long, even though you ran out of arrows. What’s the point of keeping it?”
After dividing the supplies, Yu Haojie’s family found their two carrying baskets among the piles of luggage and went straight to Yu Zhengqing to speak plainly.
Yu Qiang, from the third branch of the Yu family, also wanted to separate.
Because of past grievances, he couldn’t move on and didn’t want to live with Madam Chen’s family.
Hearing Yu Haojie’s request, he followed along.
“Brother Zhengqing, we really appreciate everything you and your father did for us along the way. But now that we’re here, who knows how many years we’ll be staying? Too many people living together will cause conflicts, so it’s better to live separately.”
Hearing this, Yu Zhengqing understood but didn’t want to be separated from Yu Haojie.
“Third Uncle, in that case, let’s call Second Uncle over as well. I’ll give you both some grain, blankets, and warm clothes.”
Yu Qiang nodded and walked back to inform his family, leaving the space for the two brothers to talk.
“Haojie, we’re family. Even if our bones break, we’re still connected by tendons. Right now, times are tough. Can we not separate? Even though you have a short bow, you’re still bringing your wife and daughter. How could I feel at ease if something happens to you?”
If we split up, our days will be so much more peaceful. Don’t worry about us at all!
Yu Haojie thought this but kept his words to himself.
Looking at Yu Zhengqing’s sincerity, he swallowed back his cold response.
“If we can’t stand each other, then we won’t be comfortable living together. No need to force it. Besides, without us dragging you down, you and your sons can focus more on your own family. We don’t need the supplies, but this separation must happen.”
“Second Uncle, I know our family hasn’t always been close, but we’ve all been through a lot. You’ve seen it yourself—my father and I are truly worried about you. Let’s not split up like this. I’ve checked the land here—there are plenty of stones to build houses.
If my father, my uncles, and I work together, we could gather all the stone in two weeks. With another two weeks, we can build houses just like the others here. Once that happens, Grandmother won’t be able to say anything. So just stay with us, please.”
Yu Haojie never expected that Yu Zhengqing and his sons would be so unwilling to let them go.
But his decision was firm.
No matter what they said, he would never live with them again.
If things had always been harmonious, he might have reconsidered.
But the deaths of the original family were caused by Madam Chen—and that was something he would never forgive.
“Xiaoran, you don’t need to say more. My decision is made. Even if you return to the capital someday and regain your former wealth, I will never be involved again. Not even a little. Now, hand over the short bow.”
Seeing Yu Haojie’s determination, Yu Zhengqing knew there was no point in continuing.
Turning to Yu Xiaoran, he said, “Give it to your Second Uncle.”
With a deep sigh, Yu Xiaoran went inside and retrieved the now-arrowless bow, returning it to Yu Haojie.
“We don’t need any grain either. Just give us two horses and two sleds. As for the tent, my wife actually bought it herself. Back then, she pretended to have found it in the grass when in reality, she just couldn’t carry it back. We’ll stay in it for a few days before finding our own place to build a house. Consider it a gift to you.”
Hearing this, Yu Zhengqing was surprised.
He wanted to say something, but he knew nothing would change Yu Haojie’s mind.
So he could only watch as Yu Haojie turned and walked away.
“Father, did you settle everything?”
“Yes. Now that we have nothing else to do, before it gets dark, let’s check out the location the system mentioned.”
Excited, Yu Luo got up and led her parents toward the far western side of the land.
“Where are they going?”
Watching the determined trio, Yu Meiyao couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
She had noticed that Yu Luo’s family had changed.
But in an environment like this, why were they still acting so proud and independent?
Something felt off.
“Who cares? Live or die, that’s their choice!”
Old Madam Chen snorted, then looked at her son’s disappointed face.
She softened her tone slightly.
“Zhengqing, you’ve already done enough. If they don’t appreciate it, why do you keep bothering? Haojie never saw you as an older brother. Why humiliate yourself? Don’t you remember how, when your father had a stroke, Ye Jiamei stood by and did nothing?”
Hearing his mother’s words, Yu Zhengqing’s face darkened.
He never forgot about his father’s stroke—just hearing it made his heart ache.
“Pack your things. Once we’ve rested, you, Huilan, Lan, and Meiyao will start gathering stones. I’ve already picked a place—on the other side of the hill. There are a few big trees there, which will provide shade in the summer.
During summer, this place gets even hotter than the capital. Building houses below the hill is too dangerous—if a wild beast leaps down, it could end up inside our yard.”
Hearing Yu Zhengqing’s plan, Yu Meiyao’s face went pale.
With her broken leg still hurting, Yu Yingying had been quiet recently.
Maybe she had shut herself off completely—but Yu Luo didn’t mind.
At least now, she wasn’t running her mouth anymore.
It made everything quieter.
“Father, if I leave, there will be no one to take care of Grandmother, my sister, or Xiaoyun.”
“Yes! Even Meiyao is leaving? If Yingying needs help, there won’t be anyone around! I’m old, and Xiaoyun is still a child!”
In truth, Yu Meiyao just didn’t want to do hard labor.
She hated the idea of moving heavy stones.
Her hands were meant for poetry, painting, music, and dance—not manual labor.
She didn’t want to return to the capital looking like a peasant woman with rough hands.
So she pretended to be concerned about others—using them as excuses to stay behind.
