“Sigh, in my whole life, I haven’t had many days of comfort!” She looked up at Second Uncle Edward Carter, and said in an almost pleading tone, “Second, is it really necessary to split up the family?”

Edward Carter gritted his teeth. “Grandma, there’s no other way. Eldest Brother and Fourth Brother both refuse to help me pay off my debts, and I don’t want to drag them down. A man should take responsibility for his own actions. Let’s just split up.”

Mrs. Carter was silent for a long time. She glanced at her daughter-in-law Foster, who was already in her fifties and looked even more worn out than Mrs. Carter herself.

“Mother, I have nothing to say. It’s just that, although Second made mistakes, he’s still somewhat responsible. We can’t let the children suffer too much.”

Mrs. Carter nodded, helplessly saying, “Fine, split up, split up, let’s just make a clean break!”

Edward Carter exchanged a glance with his wife, then took a document from his chest and, smiling, handed it to Eldest Uncle.

“Eldest Brother, take a look. This is the family division agreement I drafted. If you agree, just sign it.” Henry Carter took it in his hands. He wasn’t very literate, but managed to read the gist of it. He wanted to sign, but hesitated.

“Fourth, you take a look too.”

Charles Carter reached out to take it, his face dark. “I can’t read anyway, so it’s pointless for me to look.” He looked up at Edward Carter. “Second Brother, let’s think of another way. Didn’t you go to the yamen to file a complaint? What did the authorities say? If we can get the money back, maybe…”

Edward Carter waved his hand impatiently. “Fourth Brother, the yamen faces south, but if you have reason and no money, don’t even bother going in. Expecting the officials to help us? That’s just wishful thinking! You’d better sign quickly!”

Charles Carter hesitated. When he first told Second Brother to go to the yamen, Second Brother was so grateful, as if he’d found a lifeline. How come in just two days, his attitude changed so much, becoming so impatient? It was really strange.

He was puzzled and still didn’t sign. Bennett sneered, “Fourth Uncle, are you willing to pay for us?”

Charles Carter blushed, picked up the pen, and was about to sign when a hand grabbed his wrist.

“Is it Andrew?”

“Wait.”

Andrew Carter took the document, read it over, and suddenly chuckled. “Second Uncle, do you want my father and Eldest Uncle to end up in jail?”

Edward Carter snapped angrily, “This is grown-ups’ business. Who said you could butt in?”

Charles Carter didn’t understand and hurriedly pulled his son aside, scolding, “Andrew, what nonsense are you talking about?”

“I’m not talking nonsense. According to the law, if children propose to split the family and divide the property while their parents or grandparents are still alive, they get three years of penal servitude. If the parents or grandparents order the split, it’s two years, but the children aren’t punished. Right now, both Great-Grandmother and Grandmother are alive. If my father and Eldest Uncle sign, it means they’re the ones asking to split the property, and that’s three years of penal servitude!”

After Andrew Carter finished, he tossed the document onto the table and stepped behind Charles Carter. Without him saying more, Henry Carter jumped up, furious.

“Good for you, Second! What are you up to? Just because we won’t help you pay your debts, you want to set us up? How could you be so ruthless! Luckily Andrew is clever and saw through it, or else we’d all have been tricked by you!”

Edward Carter was scolded until his face turned red. After studying for over ten years, of course he knew about the “Law on Separate Registration of Property.” Out of the principle of governing the country with benevolence and filial piety, dynasties had always strictly limited the division of family property, especially since some children, after their parents died, would fight over inheritance, even neglecting funeral rites and showing no filial piety. There were even brothers who fought over property and caused deaths.

To prevent such things, the “Song Code” had strict regulations on separate registration of property. Of course, rules were rules—there’s a saying that even an honest official can’t settle family disputes. Family splits were still very common, and the authorities often turned a blind eye.

But illegal is still illegal. Even though he’d only been here a few days, Andrew Carter was not above suspecting the worst of Second Uncle’s family.

Their sudden eagerness to split the family—there was definitely something fishy!

Andrew Carter didn’t know what their scheme was, but it never hurt to be cautious.

“There’s no need to be so particular. Haven’t plenty of families split up over the years? When has the yamen ever cared?”

“That’s different!” Andrew Carter chuckled. “Isn’t Second Uncle still planning to take the imperial exams and bring honor to the family? If you carry the crime of splitting the family, that’s a stain for life. If a censor finds out, your whole career is finished. You can’t be careless!”

Of course, Andrew Carter didn’t really think Second Uncle had any hope of passing the exams. He was just looking out for himself. After all, he’d written historical essays in his previous life and knew a thing or two about ancient rules.

Charles Carter wouldn’t suspect his brother of such malicious intent, but he also knew it was best to be cautious.

“Second Brother, it really isn’t appropriate for Eldest Brother and me to propose splitting the family.”

Edward Carter was furious. He glared fiercely at Andrew Carter, but Andrew Carter wasn’t afraid at all, meeting his gaze boldly.

“Fourth Brother, if you won’t do it, then we’ll have to let Grandma sign.”

“What?” Mrs. Carter slammed the table in anger. “You want to split the family, and I’m already being generous by not stopping you, but now you want me to order it? Dream on!”