"The Emperor favors the eldest son, the common folk dote on the youngest child," the saying goes, and it's true. If one were to ask who was the apple of Old Lady Zhou's eye? It was neither her only daughter Zhou Yingmei nor her eldest or youngest grandson, but her late-life son, Zhou Xueli.
Zhou Xueli was only a year older than his own nephew, a child that Old Lady Zhou had given birth to when she was nearly forty. How could he not be pampered?
From a young age, Zhou Xueli had grown up amidst Old Lady Zhou's excessive indulgence, fortunately inheriting Old Scholar Zhou's temperament and not turning out to be spoiled.
However, Zhou Xueli did not inherit his father's scholarly pursuits. In his studies, he was a bit slow-witted, so much so that after beginning his education, Scholar Zhou realized his son's limitations and abandoned any hope for him to achieve a distinguished official title. Instead, he placed all his aspirations on his eldest son.
Regrettably, the eldest son, Zhou Xuennian, had taken the exams year after year but remained merely a Child Student, not even reaching the status of a Scholar.
Old Lady Zhou was dissatisfied, yet there was nothing she could do given her younger son's limited talents.
So, by his early teens, Zhou Xueli had stopped his studies to manage the family's fields and crops. Of course, he also took care of the business end of the crops.
According to Old Lady Zhou, since the younger son had no official title, it was only fitting that he handle the family's domestic affairs — she had heard that this was what people from great families did. Those with titles would venture into the political world, while those without would manage the family affairs.
Domestic affairs meant control over finances. Madam Lu was not pleased, but with her in-laws above her, and now with her father-in-law gone but her mother-in-law still living, she wasn't in a position to decide matters. No matter how jealous she felt, she had to endure it, secretly cursing Old Lady Zhou for her favoritism.
She had heard from her mother-in-law long ago that they were preparing a dowry of twenty taels for her brother-in-law, and upon further inquiry, she found out it was intended for Miss Lin from Bamboo Town, of the Scholar Lin family.
Now, she was bringing up this matter, determined not to let the old lady remain indifferent.
"...The family of a Scholar certainly values reputation, Mother. If you want to match my brother-in-law Xueli with that Miss Lin, with my sister-in-law and her daughter causing trouble here, do you think they would accept?" Madam Lu pretended to sigh while dabbing at the corner of her eye, "Scholar families prize reputation above all. With sister-in-law behaving like this, it could ruin the Zhou family's fortune. With such behavior from our women, wouldn't others criticize our family discipline? Oh dear, how is Xiuxiu going to find a good match in the future to make you, Old Madam, proud?"
Old Lady Zhou's face turned dark and grim.
Madam Lu sneaked a glance and felt a surge of secret triumph at the sight of her mother-in-law's grimace. Humph, why should her brother-in-law who lacks any scholarly title be able to marry into a Scholar's family?
If that Miss Lin were indeed to marry into their family, wouldn't she, with her status as a Scholar's daughter, trample all over Madam Lu's head as the wife of the eldest son?
Just like her younger sister-in-law did before, full of airs and graces, acting all elegant and gentle, pah!
However, much as she disliked the thought of her brother-in-law's marriage proceeding, she had to endure it. After all, it was a matter concerning the future marriages of her own son and daughters. Her brother-in-law was just one person, and she had three children; she couldn't let the lesser issue overshadow the greater one.
Considering this, Madam Lu continued to apply emotional pressure, "Mother, one rotten mouse can spoil the whole pot of porridge. My brother-in-law Dajun, and my son Xiuxiu, what wrong have they done? Why should they bear the consequences of her mistakes? Isn't that utterly unfair?"
"So, what do you want?" Old Lady Zhou snapped, her face dark as she spoke, "Strangle those two and bury them? Don't forget the vow you all made in front of your father-in-law on his deathbed—including this old woman!"
As she said this, she packed away the basket containing scissors and fabric and turned back to the house.
Madam Lu, however, was left in a daze. How had they vowed back then?
If they broke their oath, they would be "Struck by Five Thunders, struck down by heavenly lightning!"