The Peasant Wife: The Prime Minister's Beloved

Chapter 165: Going their separate ways, no more ties

There was a loud "clang" and the earthenware jar broke into pieces, scalding hot water splashed everywhere, and the steam and debris intertwined into a chaos.

This sudden change immediately attracted the attention of Chen Xi and Xie Tianyi, and they looked at each other.

"That's basically the arrangement. Uncles, please continue with your work. Thank you all very much." Xie Tianyi gave a few brief instructions and was gently pulled aside by Chen Xi.

"It's easy to separate, but if you graduate from high school or even enter the official career, this complicated relationship will probably become a hindrance to you."

Chen Xi's words were gentle but hit the nail on the head. Xie Tianyi naturally understood in his heart that the Xie family would eventually become an unbearable burden for him.

No, saying "burden" is an understatement. Apart from his elderly father, the rest of the family are more like greedy leeches, always ready to squeeze every last drop of blood and sweat out of him.

"I understand what you mean, thank you for your kindness." Xie Tianyi responded briefly. He knew that he had to walk his own path in the end.

Chen Xi continued to supervise the progress of the project, while Xie Tianyi turned around and went out. Not long after, he returned with his old father, the village chief, and the head of the village.

"Didn't I tell you not to disturb Tianyi anymore? Why don't you listen?" As Mr. Xie stepped into the courtyard, he spoke sternly to his two sons and daughter-in-law.

With the patient mediation of the village chief and the head of the village, Mr. Xie and his family finally returned to their residence.

Xie Tianyi also left quietly.

Chen Xi found another clay pot and started a fire to boil water again.

Under the eaves of the Xie family, Mr. Xie had a sad face and a helpless tone in his voice: "Tianyi, do we have to go this far?"

He never expected that such a deep rift would arise between him and his third son.

"Dad, you've seen it all. I really have no other choice." Xie Tianyi's tone was calm and firm, leaving Grandpa Xie unable to refute.

He also saw Qin's frequent picking on him, and it hurt him.

"No, it's fine to split up the family, but why do you have to sever ties? Do you really want to become such a heartless and ungrateful person?" The eldest brother of the Xie family obviously could not accept such an outcome.

Seeing that Xie Tianyi was becoming more and more wealthy and could build a new house, if they severed their relationship with him, wouldn’t they not be able to gain any benefit at all?

"How about this, Dad and Mom, Big Brother and Third Brother, give me some silver as tuition for my studies. When I finish my studies at the academy and come back, I will definitely repay you double for your kindness in raising me."

As soon as Xie Tianyi finished speaking, the faces of the Xie family members suddenly turned ugly.

"You have money to build a house, so how come you don't have money to go to school?" Aunt Zhang asked sarcastically.

"Second sister-in-law, you're joking. How could I have any money? These bricks and tiles were given to me by people out of gratitude for helping Chen Xi with his treatment. As for the wages, I saved them up through my frugal life these days. It's just enough to build a house. I also plan to find a job in town to supplement the family income." Xie Tianyi answered frankly, without any evasion in his tone.

"If you really want me to come back, why not just give me some silver? I promise that I will repay you well in the future."

As Xie Tianyi spoke, a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, making it difficult to understand for a moment.

Aunt Qin frowned, and a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes.

Boss Xie patted her back gently and motioned for her to follow him to the side room.

"You know, if he doesn't have enough money to support his studies, his achievements in this life may only be limited to that of a scholar, and he will never have the chance to gain glory in officialdom." There was a hint of helplessness in Boss Xie's tone.

Aunt Qin immediately said, "It's better to end it sooner rather than later to avoid trouble. He might come back to ask us for money later."

Her words were crisp and clear, revealing her determination.

In the conversation between the mother and son, they only focused on the immediate petty gains and never considered that if they gave their all to support Xie Tianyi to complete his studies, they might gain not only material rewards in the future, but also unlimited possibilities for family glory.

At this time, Xie Tianyi stood silently aside, without any panic or impatience on his face. His eyes were deep, as if everything had been expected.

Soon, Qin and the eldest son of the Xie family re-entered the hall with self-righteous complacency on their faces. To Mr. Xie, that expression was like a sharp knife, piercing the old man's heart.

He sighed secretly, feeling sad for his children's short-sightedness.

"Tianyi, now that you have said this, you also know that you were saved by our kindness back then. If we really want to sever ties with you, although it is not what we want, it is not completely impossible. It's just that..." Qin's words were tentative and hesitant.

Xie Tianyi looked solemn, but he remained calm: "Do we really have to cut off all ties? As long as my parents are willing to continue to support my studies, I will definitely repay them generously when I pass the imperial examination."

Qin and Boss Xie exchanged a subtle look, and this small action did not escape Xie Tianyi's keen observation.

They were thinking about how to get rid of this burden, but they didn't know that they had already stepped into the chess game carefully arranged by Xie Tianyi step by step.

Qin pretended to wipe away the tears that didn't exist at the corners of her eyes, "Hey, Tianyi, look at your eldest brother and third brother's families. The children will have their own families and careers in the future. How can there be any extra money in the family? If we really have to cut off the relationship, mother will have to be cruel."

Xie Tianyi sneered in his heart. The fickleness of the world and the warmth and coldness of human nature were fully displayed at this moment.

He understood that when family interests conflicted with personal future, the so-called family ties were so fragile.

There was a gloom in his eyes. Twenty years of family affection finally dissipated without a trace.

"Then, please ask the village chief and the head of the village to be witnesses and put everything to an end." There was an unconcealable sadness in Xie Tianyi's voice.

Mr. Xie had mixed feelings and wanted to salvage something, but was rudely interrupted by the eldest and second sons of the Xie family.

The looks from his two sons made the old man feel even colder.

"Dad! Stop talking!" Just as Mr. Xie was about to speak, he was blocked by his sons' tough attitude.

The old man was so angry that he turned away.

"Tianyi, your father and I have raised you for so many years, and I feel bad for you, but you are also aware of the situation at home. We have many sons, and I..." Qin's tone was filled with helplessness and evasion.

Xie Tianyi took a deep breath and said calmly: "In this case, I will give my parents another five taels of silver as a final reward for their kindness in raising me."

The Xie family boss frowned upon hearing this and questioned, "Isn't five taels too little?"

Xie Tianyi looked at Boss Xie firmly, then turned to Qin, clenching his teeth, as if he had made a great sacrifice: "I only have ten taels on me, I'll leave it all to you two elders."

"Please ask the village head and the head of the village to bear witness that from today on, the Xie family and I will go our separate ways and have no further connection."

There was a sense of tragedy and grandeur in Xie Tianyi's words, and everyone who heard them could feel his inner determination.