Chapter 213 - 107 Severing Ties_2
Li Zheng’s words were meant to persuade Sang Pingliang and subtly remind Sang Hong and his brother, hinting at Sang Hong to apologize first, and once he apologized, Sang Yufei would naturally follow suit. Then, with the help of the fellow villagers, the matter would be smoothed over and considered resolved.
In the past, Sang Hong would have apologized long before it escalated to Li Zheng’s involvement, but considering his brother’s future and Second Uncle Sang’s actions indeed being disheartening, reflecting on the past, he decided to let it go. Such an elder, it’s better off not having one at all! Thus, he pretended not to see Li Zheng’s hints.
Seeing Li Zheng speak in such a way, clearly flaunting his critical status, Sang Pingliang felt increasingly pleased. Glancing haughtily at Sang Hong and his brother, he swiftly decided, and arrogantly snorted: "I can forgive them, but they need to show sincerity! Kneel and kowtow three times to me, swear they will never talk back to me again! Also, Yu Fei, obediently return to farming, forget those unnecessary dreams, and send me 200 taels of silver, then I will no longer hold this against them!"
Everyone gasped upon hearing this: demanding kowtows, oaths, and even 200 taels of silver! His appetite was indeed not small!
Li Zheng was caught between laughter and tears, finding Sang Pingliang’s demand completely unreasonable.
"They are your nephews after all. I think a simple apology would suffice! Younger brother, you do have daughters who will also need their natal family’s support in the future!" Li Zheng tried persuading him again, also reminding him, you only have daughters, no sons, and the nephews would be needed to carry on familial duties in the future! Daughters and sons-in-law are, after all, from other families, who can be more reliable than your own nephews?
Upon hearing this, Sang Pingliang could not help but become highly vigilant and secretly thought: No good! It’s better to sever these ties, or else, wouldn’t these brothers covet my property in the future?
Thinking of the house devoid of people after his daughters are married off, fearing the property, house, and fields would ultimately go to his nephews after his death, Sang Pingliang felt a pang and covertly made up his mind.
"Thank you for your kind intentions, Li Zheng. I have my plans regarding our family issues, no need to trouble you anymore! Please proceed with drafting the document to sever our relations!" Sang Pingliang said, bowing his hands.
Mrs. Fang could not help but interject, "Whether the younger brother studies or not, it’s us who support him; we never complained. Second Uncle, what are you worried about? Oh, you’re not scared that if the younger brother becomes a top scholar or a high-ranking official and our main family gains prestige, you will feel jealous, right?"
"What nonsense you speak, woman!" Pointing out Sang Pingliang’s insecurity made him furiously jump up, he glared and scolded Mrs. Fang, taking the chance to complain vehemently to Li Zheng: "Do you see? How unfilial they are! How dare they speak to an elder like me in such a manner! You must decide for me today!"
This behavior was unacceptable, Li Zheng frowned and scolded Mrs. Fang: "Mrs. Fang, you are not supposed to speak here, apologize now! Sang Hong, keep your wife in check!"