Tianliangyuan

Chapter 233: Split up the family?

After hearing the news that Zhu Zi had inquired about, Xu Zhaozhao seemed to be deep in thought.

She had no impression of the Chang family. In fact, there were countless officials in the capital, and a family like the Chang family could no longer be considered a powerful or wealthy family.

“Go and investigate. Master Chang has held the title for several years, but he only made his move now, and he hit the mark with one strike. There must be a master behind him guiding him.”

"Yes, I will go and inquire immediately."

After responding, Zhu Zi did not rush to leave. He looked up and observed his master's expression, then asked, "May I ask, Master, do you wish to plant a few spies in the Chang residence as well?"

Xu Zhaozhao thought for a moment. Although Master Chang's official position was not high, it was still a minor official with real power compared to other members of the Chang family.

Moreover, it is said that none of Master Chang's sons are spoiled brats, which shows that he is quite patient and capable.

"You can make the arrangements as you see fit, just make sure not to alert the Chang family."

"I understand. It just so happens that there has been a change of leadership within the Chang family, and many servants have been dismissed. I think this is an opportunity."

"Good, go and do it."

Xu Zhaozhao sat alone at the table, her fingers tapping lightly. She hadn't expected the Chang family, a small family, to be so decisive and efficient.

I had heard that the old concubine, Kong, had always been in charge of the inner quarters of the Chang family. I never expected that a mere street robbery of a runaway slave would leave Kong completely without any support.

What face would a woman who had her hairpins removed and was beaten with a cane in public have left to act arrogantly and domineeringly in the mansion?

The Chang family acted very quickly. Before even the Second Master Chang could be rescued, all the Chang family properties that the Kong family used to manage were quickly unearthed.

Kong was naturally unwilling to accept this. She lay on the bed, her face pale, and still couldn't help but shout.

"This is insubordination! That property belongs to my son and grandson. How dare you do this? This is plotting to seize your master's property! I will file a lawsuit with the authorities and you will be punished for the crime of murdering your master!"

The old woman who was sent over was someone from the Third Madam's side, so naturally she wasn't afraid of her.

Moreover, over the years, the Kong family, relying on the old master's power, has bullied the legitimate sons quite a bit.

"Oh, Aunt Kong, where did you get this temper? You're just a lowly concubine. All the properties you own belong to the Chang family. Not to mention that Third Master inherited the title and is the well-known master of the Chang family, just the fact that he's the legitimate son means that at least 70% of the Chang family's assets belong to him. Even if we go to the authorities, what do we have to fear?"

Kong's eyes widened: "You old scoundrel! That's mine! It was a gift from the old master."

"Yours? Do you have any proof? It clearly says the name of the Chang family here. Auntie, you have quite the nerve to claim anything as your Kong family. Such shamelessness! Do your family members behave the same way?"

Kong was so angry that her blood rushed to her head, and coupled with her existing injuries, she lost control and fainted.

The old woman was startled. After confirming that he was still breathing but had fainted, she said with a look of disdain, "You really don't know your place. A concubine is a concubine. You used to bully our Third Master and Third Madam because of the old master's favor. Now that you have no one to rely on, what can our Third Master do if he sells you off?"

Confucius, of course, could not hear these words.

But the two ladies waiting nearby heard it, and at that moment they suddenly realized that things were really about to change.

Although the two women had been married into the household for many years and dared not directly confront the Third Master and Third Madam, they had made things difficult for them both openly and secretly, and readily took advantage of them.

Now that they are about to be purged, they are naturally afraid.

Especially the second wife, her husband is still in jail, and her children will be affected by this. What should be done?

Before Second Master Chang came out, Third Master Chang first invited the elders of the clan to his residence, and at the same time, he also ordered someone to call back his eldest half-brother.

Grandpa Chang has been extremely busy these days.

It wasn't just his own problem, but also his second brother's. Plus, his wife was crying and sobbing in his ear, saying that many things in the house had been stolen. What could he do?

They came with the old lady's dowry list from back then.

It doesn't matter how these things ended up in the old master's hands or how they were later sent to the Kong family.

Importantly, these were the old lady's dowry.

That alone leaves them helpless.

Are you really going to let word get out that the Chang family used a concubine to suppress the legitimate heir?

That would get you jailed!

Grandpa Chang had just returned from the county government office and hadn't even had a sip of tea when he was summoned to the front hall.

Upon seeing this, he secretly sensed something was wrong.

"Today, we trouble our uncles and elders to come and witness the decision of our three brothers to divide the family property."

There is a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children.

How this family divides the property is not entirely up to Third Master Chang, but it is definitely not something that First Master Chang can decide.

According to the rules, 70% of the Chang family's assets should be left to the eldest son for inheritance. Moreover, the Third Master Chang is now a nobleman. This mansion was previously altered and, because it did not comply with regulations, it has become smaller, but it still belongs to the Third Master Chang.

The remaining family property will be easy to divide.

In the past few days, Madam Chang has been tidying up the inner quarters, thinking of taking back her mother-in-law's things first. Since they were the dowry of the late Madam, these things should be inherited by the Third Master, and the illegitimate sons are not entitled to a share.

What they were going to divide was only the family property left by their ancestors.

The shops and estates that were previously secretly seized by the Kong family are still under investigation. The amount of money that the Kong family and their children and grandchildren embezzled from the mansion will soon be determined.

The reason why Master Chang invited the elders here today is not to divide the family property, since the second son is not here, and the family property cannot be divided today.

This is just a pretext so that the main event can begin.

Sure enough, upon hearing about the division of the family property, Grandpa Chang immediately objected.

"Third brother, even if we're going to divide the family property, we should wait for second brother to come back, right?"

The other elders shared the same opinion.

They used to be somewhat biased towards the Confucian lineage, but in reality, they knew in their hearts whether they had violated the rules of etiquette.

It's now clear that the direct line is gaining power, and even if these old folks are blind and incompetent, they know they can't afford to offend them.

"Logically speaking, everyone should be present for the division of the family to be accepted by the public."

Master Chang smiled and said, “What the elders say makes sense. Brother, please don’t be in a hurry. I just invited everyone here today to discuss this first. After all, dividing the family property cannot be decided in just a few words. To put it bluntly, we don’t have any elders in our family right now, which is why we’ve troubled you elders to make so many trips. In the future, when the younger generation is in charge, we will inevitably have to consult with you elders on many matters.”

This is quite clear. It means that although Third Master Chang will be in charge of the family from now on, he still respects the elders of the clan. This is meant to reassure the clan that he has no intention of holding a grudge.