Reconciliation

Old Master Su was momentarily stunned, his mind twisting through several turns before he finally understood Su Shimao's meaning. Slapping his thigh, he praised, "Shimao is right! Hmph, that little troublemaker Su Lanxiang, getting so worked up over the sickly third uncle almost caused a father-son rift. The culprit is none other than Su Lanxiang! Since Third Uncle can barely support his parents anymore, he should learn from Guo Ju and just bury Su Lanxiang. That way, we can save the money spent on her and use it to honor our parents."

Su Shimao nodded: "Right, Grandpa, you're absolutely correct. It's Su Lanxiang who caused Third Uncle to be unfilial."

Madam Zhao was stunned, her mind still not quite turning around. She said, "Then what do we do? Should we have Third Uncle bury Su Lanxiang? Maybe we'll even dig up a jar of gold, and then our family will get rich!"

Su Shimao rolled his eyes at Madam Zhao, looking down on her as if she were slow-witted: "Third Uncle is bewitched by that dead girl. How could he listen to us to bury Su Lanxiang?"

Madam Zhao immediately worried: "Then what do we do? Now that Third Uncle is bewitched, if he never comes to his senses, won't he never help us again? We'll have to keep eating black bread forever."

Su Shimao didn't want to keep eating black bread forever, so he thought for a moment and said, "It doesn't matter if Third Uncle is bewitched, as long as we're clear-headed, we can help him out."

Old Master Su stroked his beard. He really didn't want to fall out with Su Sanyun. Before, with Su Sanyun around, his life was quite good. But now, without Su Sanyun's extra support, just the fixed monthly filial grain allowance, Old Master Su felt life was unbearable and was eager to return to the days when Su Sanyun was filial to him.

Old Master Su, as if bewitched, asked Su Shimao: "Shimao, you're a learned man with insight. How do you think we can make your Third Uncle continue being filial?"

Su Shimao said, "I do have a way, but I'm afraid Grandpa won't agree."

Old Master Su thought as long as it could keep Su Sanyun's benefits flowing, he would agree to anything. He said, "Shimao, you say it. If Grandpa can do it, Grandpa definitely will! After all, Third Uncle is my son. I don't want to be at odds with him. As long as he can come to his senses, I'll do whatever it takes."

Su Shimao said, "Guo Ju buried his son and found gold, but we're not that lucky. Burying Su Lanxiang might not yield any gold. Besides, she's eaten our food for so many years, it'd be a waste to bury her. It's not worth it! Su Lanxiang may seem like a little troublemaker, but she's still decent-looking. Instead of burying her, it's better to sell her to the slave traders. That way, we can get some money and get rid of the little troublemaker who bewitched Third Uncle, helping Third Uncle and Grandpa reconcile."

Old Master Su lowered his head and thought for a moment after hearing they wanted to bury Su Lanxiang.

Madam Zhao anxiously said, "Shimao, what if we sell Su Lanxiang and Third Uncle finds out? What if he gets even angrier?"

Su Shimao rolled his eyes: "Just don't let Third Uncle know! We'll secretly abduct Su Lanxiang and sell her far away. Who would know it was us? Then, without that troublesome little troublemaker around, Third Uncle will naturally come to his senses and be filial to his parents again. Grandpa, do you think this plan will work?"

Old Master Su stroked his beard, thinking that Third Uncle's falling out might still have Su Lanxiang and Madam Sun playing the innocent and fanning the flames behind the scenes.

Madam Sun was clever and especially doted on Su Lanxiang. If they sold Su Lanxiang, they could get silver and deal a heavy blow to Madam Sun, stopping her from stirring up trouble between Third Uncle and Grandpa and Grandma. It would be killing two birds with one stone!

Then, with Su Lanxiang gone from Third Uncle's household, the remaining three capable workers would earn silver and hand it all over to their father. Wouldn't that be wonderful!