Chapter 78: The Patriarch’s Attitude

The head of the Zhen family had always been chosen by the elders after the previous patriarch passed away, with each branch's leader recommending a successor. The current patriarch, it could be said, was quite fortunate; he had held the position for over twenty years, and his vigor remained undiminished. It seemed likely he would live another decade or two with ease.

This clear-eyed, keen-eared patriarch, for reasons unknown, suddenly decided to visit the second branch of the Zhen family after hearing news of the impending split. Once he arrived, he showed no intention of leaving, staying for four or five days. With this eminent figure presiding, the household was peaceful; rumors of division ceased, and naturally, nobody dared provoke the patriarch.

Zhen Qian had just entered from the steward's quarters when, somehow, the old patriarch heard of it and followed him into his courtyard.

"Uncle! What brings you here?" Though aware that the patriarch, Zhen Song, was in the house, Zhen Qian feigned ignorance, pretending to have just returned and asking the question with polite surprise.

Zhen Song's gaze swept over the two young maidens, prompting Zhen Qian to gesture for them to leave. The girls quietly exited, closing the door behind them. Only then did Zhen Song speak slowly: "Dalang, when you were ill, I did not visit you personally. Do you bear any resentment against me?"

Zhen Qian was startled that Zhen Song brought up this matter immediately, sensing trouble, and quickly replied with a smile, "Uncle, that's not fair. You sent people to visit me and provided medicine and nourishing foods. I remember all these kindnesses. I had planned to pay my respects to you after returning from visiting friends—who would have thought you would come in person?"

Zhen Song chuckled coldly and found a round stool to sit upon. He inquired after Zhen Qian's health, and upon hearing that Zhen Qian had recovered well and only wandered outside due to boredom at home, he nodded.

During their exchange, Zhen Song's eyes fell upon the folding fan in Zhen Qian's hand. Zhen Qian, understanding, handed it over without mentioning its origin. Zhen Song commented, "This folding fan is quite fine. I heard you gifted a brocade feather fan to the Xing family during a birthday celebration. Tell me about that day."

It was unclear what Zhen Song was truly getting at with these scattered questions. Had Zhen Qian not already been briefed by the steward, he would have found it difficult to handle this elder.

Zhen Song's gaunt face bore a faint, cold smile. Zhen Qian had not expected that Xing would recount all his talk of dividing the family to the patriarch, painting herself as a wronged woman, as if she were being forced by Zhen Qian.

Had he not received the steward's warning, Zhen Qian would have been at a loss in front of the patriarch. Since Xing had pushed him to this point, Zhen Qian saw no need for courtesies. Bracing himself against the possibility of being expelled, he steeled his heart and said, "Uncle, I'm not good with words—perhaps I've read too much and grown dull—but I understand the difference between a birth mother and a stepmother. To speak frankly, none of this is what I wished to see. If you have any criticisms, scold me as you please. I won't talk back, and I know it's my fault, but I cannot accept it in my heart."

Zhen Song had expected Zhen Qian to argue or explain himself regarding his conflicts with Xing. He had prepared a host of admonishments, and stayed in the house precisely to confront this rebellious nephew. But now, he found his strength wasted, as if punching into cotton, and felt deeply unsettled.

"Has Xing treated you poorly?" Zhen Song forced out after a long pause.

"She has treated me well," Zhen Qian replied, knowing that Xing always played the role of a loving mother before others. He had no hope that the patriarch would understand the truth, so he continued indifferently, "I won't speak ill of my stepmother behind her back. There are stepmothers in this world who can treat another's son as their own, though they are rare. As a son, I understand this. Now that my stepmother has two sons and a daughter, my status as the legitimate eldest has become awkward. What can I expect from the Zhen family? I merely wish to strike out on my own—surely that's not unreasonable?"

Zhen Song's face darkened immediately. He had not expected Zhen Qian to neither deny nor conceal his predicament, hinting at his current awkwardness. He wanted to rebuke him, but found himself at a loss for words.

Had Zhen Qian complained of mistreatment or presented witnesses and evidence, Zhen Song could have smoothed things over, chastised Zhen Qian for failing to respect his stepmother, and so forth. But Zhen Qian had laid out his situation plainly, and even with whatever dissatisfaction Zhen Song felt, he could not deny the truth.

Thinking of Zhen Qian's awkward position as the legitimate eldest son, Zhen Song's expression softened at last. He asked gently, "Dalang, I know you are dissatisfied, but the matter of dividing the family is serious. Now that everyone in the Zhen household knows, have you considered the consequences?"

Zhen Qian recalled the advice Wang Qun had given him, and understood that in a large family like the Zhens, reputation was paramount. If he insisted on splitting, who knew how others would perceive the family.

"Uncle, it's not strictly a division. My intent is to spare Father any embarrassment. Call it establishing an independent household, or simply venturing out—it is more a separation of residence than a division of the family. I would be a branch of the second house, and I do not plan to stay in Zhending. I know the Zhen family has holdings in Luquan County; I will return each year for ancestral rites. This way, my stepmother will feel at ease as well."

Zhen Song sighed. Hearing that Zhen Qian did not truly wish to split but merely become a branch of the second house, his reservations eased—at least there would be no gossip.

"In that case, have you discussed this with your father? Why did you not come to me first? Do you think we elders are incapable of understanding?"

Zhen Qian relaxed, knowing that he had weathered this trial unscathed. The steward's information proved correct: Zhen Song had not been furious upon hearing Xing's talk of division, but had pondered deeply before questioning her about whether she opposed Zhen Qian's separation. Xing was left speechless; thinking back, Zhen Qian could well imagine her expression at the time.

Such a situation, Zhen Song must have anticipated long ago.

But for the sake of the family's reputation, he was unwilling to admit it. Thus, upon learning that Zhen Qian did not truly intend to divide the family, his attitude softened further. He asked about Zhen Qian's future plans and finally said, "This matter cannot be blamed entirely on you. When your father married Xing, we elders worried this day would come. But for the sake of the Zhen family, your father had to form a union with the Xing family—I regret that you were made to suffer. If you wish for compensation, speak freely."