The sickly son died young? After the marriage exchange, I will bring prosperity to his entire clan f

"Sit down and eat." Ling's mother didn't say a word, remaining silent as she ate her meal.

Seeing this, everyone else ate their food in silence.

After dinner, Ling's mother called Du Mingxian to her room.

Du Mingxian followed her inside. Only Ling's mother was there. She called out, "Mother, did you need something?"

"Please sit down." Madam Ling gestured to a stool. "You know Si Lang's health condition. Now that he can eat the food you cook, how about you cook for him separately from now on?"

"Okay." Du Mingxian had no further thoughts.

Ling's mother added, "From now on, your three sisters-in-law will take turns cooking. You don't need to worry about it. You just need to prepare meals for Silang alone."

Du Mingxian frowned slightly. Ling's mother's obvious favoritism would probably cause dissatisfaction among her sisters-in-law.

Over the years, Ling's mother's favoritism towards Ling Silang had been deeply ingrained in the hearts of Ling Dalang and his siblings since they were children, and they could only silently accept it when their previous wives entered the family.

But she was different; she had married into the family from outside. If her sudden appearance were to receive such preferential treatment, her sisters-in-law would definitely feel uncomfortable.

If certain balances are broken, this family will probably not be able to have peace.

“Mother, how about I go up the mountain more often and hunt some wild game? I can keep some to eat and some to sell for money. That way, I won’t have to work and no one will have any complaints.”

Ling's mother didn't think as much as Du Mingxian; she only wanted what was best for her son.

"Okay, but you have to remember that Silang will always come first. Cooking for him is your main job. As for hunting, if you can catch something, great; if not, that's fine too. We won't force you."

"Okay, I know."

After Du Mingxian left, Ling's mother sat alone for a long time before she came back to her senses when Ling's father came in.

"Si Lang told me to sell the ginseng." After saying this, Ling's mother covered her face and cried. In front of her children at home, she was always strong and never cried, but in front of her husband, she could no longer hold back.

She felt sorry for her son.

Ling's father remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Then let's sell it."

When Ling's mother saw that Ling's father agreed, she cried even harder. "He said he was unwell and asked that all the children in the family be sent to school."

“This is his compensation to his brother,” Ling’s father said in a hoarse voice. “Listen to him.”

"Old man, I don't want to! That's a life-saving treasure! How can I bear to see my fourth son die? I don't want a parent to bury their child!" Ling's mother cried so hard she could barely breathe, yet she dared not cry out loud, her voice filled with suppressed emotion.

Before Ling's father could speak, Ling Dalang rushed into the house first, "Mother, we can't sell it. If we don't have any money at home, I'll go out and earn some. I'll make sure my fourth brother gets better."

Ling Erlang and Ling Sanlang also rushed in and said the same thing.

Seeing their reaction, Ling's father fell even more silent. Finally, he waved his hand at them and said, "Alright, all of you, go out. Your mother and I will discuss this some more."

After leaving the house, Ling Dalang took his two younger brothers into the mountains, and the three brothers stayed at the foot of the mountain.

Ling Dalang looked at his two younger brothers with a particularly serious expression, "From now on, the family's affairs will depend on you. Please help your sister-in-law and the children more."

“Brother, you stay. You are the eldest son, so it’s most appropriate for me to handle this,” Ling Erlang said.

Ling Sanlang also spoke up, "The army needs young people. My eldest and second eldest brothers are too old, so they are definitely not suitable. I am the most suitable one. Don't argue with me."

“No, your eldest sister-in-law is older, and I believe she can take good care of the three children. Your second and third sister-in-laws are younger, and the children are also young. You can’t leave. This matter is settled.” Ling Dalang was very assertive this time.

Ling Erlang and Ling Sanlang were also locked in a dispute.

Ling Sanlang said, "Liu is young. If she is willing to wait, I will. If she is not willing, she can remarry. I will join the army. I believe that my family can take good care of my two children. I will handle this matter."

The three brothers were all determined to win. They had all heard that the imperial court was conscripting soldiers, and those who went to serve would receive a resettlement allowance of ten taels of silver.

They wanted to join the army, partly for the money, and partly to go out and make more inquiries, earn more merits, and climb the ranks, hoping to find a miracle doctor to cure their fourth brother's illness.

The three brothers, who had never argued before, quarreled for the first time. They ignored each other and awkwardly returned home.

Large room.

Ling Dalang said to Wang Shi, "The imperial court is conscripting soldiers, and I plan to join the army. Please take good care of the children at home. I have also spoken with my second and third brothers, and they will take good care of you."

"What?" Wang felt as if the world was spinning before her eyes. "What did you say? Say it again."

"I want to join the army."

"No, no way." Wang firmly disagreed. Ling Dalang had gone to join the army; what would she do? How could she, a woman, raise three children?

Even if we haven't separated now, we will eventually. Joining the army is like going there and never coming back.

Ling Dalang sighed deeply, "I'm not discussing this with you, I'm informing you."

“That won’t do either. Since I came into this family, what haven’t I done to please you? I’ve worked like a slave at home without ever complaining. I’ve never complained about my parents’ favoritism either. If this matter is unacceptable, then it’s unacceptable.” Wang Shi was also filled with resentment.

Next door, Ling Erlang and his wife were in a slightly better situation.

Zhou cried uncontrollably, speaking softly, "Swords have no eyes, I'm so worried about you."

Ling Erlang hugged Zhou Shi and gently patted her back. "Don't worry, I will take good care of myself and come back alive. I will also come back alive to bring you lots of delicious food."

"I don't want to eat anything delicious, can you not go?" Zhou looked up, large tears silently sliding down her cheeks.

"Honey, you've always understood me best. I believe you can live a good life even without me."

"But I'm not happy without you." Zhou buried her head in Ling Erlang's arms and sobbed softly.

The third family remained calm.

Liu's voice was flat and her face expressionless. "Are you really going?"

"I'm going." Ling Sanlang said resolutely.

After a moment of silence, Liu lowered her head and said softly, "Go ahead."

"Thank you for taking good care of the children at home, I..."

"You're welcome. Take care of your own child. If you don't want to, then let your family take care of him. I won't interfere."

Ling Sanlang clenched his fist. "I'll give you the divorce papers. You can go find someone better."

"No need, you go your way, don't worry about me."

Ling Sanlang just watched Liu Shi in silence, while Liu Shi lowered her head and fiddled with the thread in her hand, as if the two were not talking about important matters, but some everyday things.

Ling's mother had no idea about her sons and daughters-in-law. At lunch, her eldest daughter-in-law looked terrible and lost in thought. Her second daughter-in-law had red and swollen eyes, while her third daughter-in-law looked calm but was clearly distracted.

Looking at her three sons, she saw that none of them dared to meet her gaze, and they all seemed very guilty.

Ling Dalang and the others also noticed the state of the other party's wife. They exchanged glances, each with a hint of warning and resentment in their eyes.