Chapter 31: Entering the Village
◎Noble Visitors from the Capital City◎
As the elder, Grandma was more approachable when dealing with outsiders. She inquired about Upper Village and asked where the proprietors were originally from.
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged couple exchanged glances, seemingly cautious. They chuckled and replied, "We're from Upper Village. Where are you folks from? Are you here to visit relatives? Just tell me who you're looking for; we know everyone in the village."
This family didn't seem ordinary to them. In the countryside, they had never encountered such refined people. Not only were their clothes made of fine fabrics, which they had never seen before, but each member was fair-skinned and attractive. The children were plump and rosy, and the young woman was stunningly beautiful. Even the man in charge, despite his sickly appearance, exuded an extraordinary aura. They found it hard to believe that this family had no background.
Grandma wiped her mouth and sighed. "My husband's ancestors were from this area. Now, it's like we've returned to our roots."
Hearing this, the couple asked in surprise, "You're from around here?"
Yu Lian showed them the official documents issued by the government. The couple waved their hands, embarrassed but smiling. "We country folk can't read much, but we do recognize the government seal. So, you really are from this region?"
The Hua family had prospered for a hundred years, and now, having grown up in the capital city, they considered themselves true natives. Officially, their household registration wasn't in this area, but with their recent move, they were reclaiming their roots.
Seeing the official documents, the couple's initial wariness lessened. They then inquired about the family's ancestors' names. The man even instructed his wife to run to the village and summon the village chief and elders to come and verify their story.
The ancestor who brought prosperity to the Hua family was named Hua Bajin – an unusual name with a story behind it. He was a talented scholar nurtured by the entire family. After passing the imperial examinations during the founding of the kingdom, the government was eager to recruit talent, and Hua Bajin seized this opportunity. Despite his humble origins, he was appointed due to his diligence and loyalty, even if his abilities were not extraordinary.
Building on Hua Bajin's success, successive generations of the family settled in the capital, eventually leading to Hua Zhan's father inheriting the hereditary title of East Yuan Marquis. Hua Zhan and his son further consolidated their power, nearly manipulating the prince into the throne, thus gaining complete control of the nation.
"Hua Bajin?" The two men furrowed their brows, pondering for a while before shaking their heads, admitting they had never heard of him.
"However, I've heard the village elders mention that a high-ranking official once came from our village, a long, long time ago. They say he even established the village school."
Yu Lian asked, "The village school? Is it still operating?"
The pair shook their heads. "Not anymore. The village chief and the elders destroyed it recently, claiming it would invite trouble. They also forbade the children from studying there."
This news cast a shadow over the Hua family. If the village school was indeed founded by their ancestors, what did its destruction signify at this point in time?
Silent, the family finished their meal, tidied up, and prepared to leave.
Just then, the tavern owner's wife returned, accompanied by an ox cart carrying a middle-aged man and two elderly individuals with gray hair.
The middle-aged man approached the Hua family, examined them, and smiled. "I'm the village chief of Upper Village. Zhu said your ancestors are from our Upper Village. Are you returning home after all these years?"
Hua Zhan had dealt with the emperor and influential officials in his lifetime; the smallest position he had encountered was that of the Jingzhao Yin (mayor of a capital city). However, he had never crossed paths with a village official before. The man before him seemed polite but was actually cunning, hardly displaying any genuine friendliness.
"My ancestor's name is Hua Bajin. This return to our hometown has been officially approved by the authorities. Here are our travel permits and proof. Please take a look."
The moment Hua Bajin's name was mentioned, the two white-haired elders instantly lost their composure. They jumped down from the ox cart, snatched the documents, glanced at them, then stuffed them back and waved the group away.
"We don't have anyone named Hua Bajin here. You can check our family records if you don't believe us."
"Be off, be off! Don't cause trouble here!"
Despite being in his prime, Hua Zhan was still recovering from injuries and had endured a challenging journey. His body appeared strong on the outside but was weak within. With a shove from the two elders, he nearly lost his balance.
Though mischievous, the twins knew how to protect their father. They rushed over to support him and glared fiercely at the elders, warning, "You're not allowed to bully our dad!"
Supported by Yu Lian, the elderly lady approached. "My late husband once mentioned that our Hua family's ancestor entrusted the care of our ancestral home to the village chief before leaving our original village."
The village chief shook his head. "I've only been in this position for less than ten years, so I'm not familiar with that matter."
This middle-aged village chief appeared somewhat reserved, but the two elders were already hastily urging them to leave. "There's no such thing as an ancestral home. Leave now, or I'll call upon the villagers to drive you out."
"In our village, we're poor. You should seek elsewhere."
The two elders' disrespectful attitude provoked the twins, who clenched their tiny fists, eager to pounce and bite them.
Just then, a group of people hurried over, consisting of both men and women, from the young to the old. At the center was an elderly man whose teeth were almost all gone. Supported by two young men and holding a cane, he shouted, "Stop! Stop right now!"
He then threw his cane towards them.
The village chief and the two elders quickly dodged out of the way.
The elder's mobility was limited, so the two young men hurried to assist him. As they approached, he sized up the Huajin family with a gaze that differed from the village chief's. It seemed like he was looking at old acquaintances or younger generations, either way, it was much more amiable.
Despite his age, the elder's eyes were still sharp enough to see clearly. After observing them, he smiled and said, "You must be the descendants of Uncle Bajin, yes? Since you've returned home, just settle here. However, it has been over a hundred years since Uncle Bajin moved away from the village. I only know this from my late father's stories. Much has changed in the village. Your ancestral home is long gone, no one knows where. If you come back, I'll take charge and allocate a piece of land for you. You can rebuild your house?"
The elder's friendly demeanor and reasonable suggestion were well-received. A hundred years was a long time, and many changes could have occurred. Having a place to settle was already fortunate.
The elder continued, "Consider this land as Uncle Bajin's former home, no payment required."
The village chief hesitated, "Uncle Two..."
The second uncle picked up the cane from the ground and struck one of them with it. "One must never forget their roots. I told you all before that the village school couldn't be demolished or destroyed, but you didn't listen. You're all cowards, afraid of death!"
"How can you chase away Uncle Bajin's descendants when they come to settle in our ancestral land? You have no conscience! Hurry up and get the land approved for them."
The village chief dared not argue but still had his doubts. If they were allowing people to settle, why wouldn't they charge for the land?
The two elders also interjected, "Second uncle..."
He swung his cane at the two elders, hitting them as well. The previously arrogant elders did not even dare to dodge. The second uncle scolded, "You ungrateful wretches, get back home! Don't just stand there, blocking my view!"
There were some things he could not say in front of Uncle Bajin's descendants, so he sent the elders and the village chief back. He then called over the young men behind him to help guide the carriage.
The coachman drove the other carriage back. When the Hua family arrived, they had rented one carriage and bought another, assuming that one spare would be enough.
Sanshu, who was assigned to drive the carriage, climbed aboard with an excited expression. He carefully touched the edge of the carriage and tried to touch the horse's rear, almost getting kicked by the horse. He chuckled and said, "This carriage is great. It's much more impressive than an ox cart, and it's fast and stable."
He had once had the chance to drive a carriage when he went to the county to help someone with work. Upon his return, he had boasted about it in the village, which was why the second uncle had chosen him to drive the carriage.
After Sanshu got the hang of it, he called for the twins and Little Guo'er to climb into the carriage. Yu Lian asked the old lady to join them, and then called for her father-in-law and mother-in-law. Hua Zhan shook his head, declining, so Yu Lian climbed in herself. Riding in a carriage might be hard on the buttocks, but it was still more comfortable than walking a long distance.
Second Uncle sat in the ox cart, conversing with Hua Zhan as they traveled.
"Uncle Bajin is the most accomplished person our Upper Village has ever seen, and I doubt there's anyone like him in all of Yuzhou. After he prospered, he established a village school for us. But he never returned after that. With so many years passing, only a few villagers still remember him. As the oldest living person in this village, I've never met Uncle Bajin either. He moved away before I was even born. I've only heard these stories from my late father."
"The village school has been running for a hundred years, but unfortunately, the children have limited abilities and are prone to playfulness. There were no truly learned teachers to guide them, so only a handful achieved any real success; most just learned how to read and write."
Sanshu interjected, "But didn't you, Second Uncle, once try for the scholarly title of Juren?"
Second Uncle shook his head. "Embarrassing, indeed. After a lifetime of trying, I only managed to obtain the rank of Juren. Uncle Bajin's descendants are nobles from the capital. They must have seen their fair share of high-ranking officials and top scholars. It's best not to mention my humble achievements."
Hua Zhan replied, "Your Grace is too kind. Back in the countryside, I am just an ordinary person like everyone else, hardly a noble."
Second Uncle reminisced, "I was fortunate to grow up during a prosperous time. Uncle Bajin had just established his village school a few years before I was born. From a young age, I was immersed in reading and writing, which allowed me to comprehend the world and eventually succeed in the imperial examinations."
It was precisely because of this that he had always been grateful for Uncle Bajin's kindness over the years and never forgotten it. Recently, when he heard that Uncle Bajin's descendants had run into trouble in the capital, they, fearing repercussions on their village, demolished the village school. Despite his objections, they insisted on removing Uncle Bajin's lineage from the family genealogy.
Travelling towards Upper Village, Yu Lian lifted the curtains to survey her surroundings. Although the area was impoverished, the scenery was picturesque, with verdant mountains and clear waters that exuded an untainted, natural ambiance. Villagers passing by would crane their necks for a glimpse, and the bolder ones approached to inquire about their identities.
Chapter 32 - Wooden-minded ◇
◎ Kin of the Same Bloodline ◇
Shangyi Village was poor, rarely seeing carriages entering or leaving, and even less often did outsiders visit. So, when the village chief, elders, and the highly respected Second Grandpa accompanied these strangers, many villagers followed them out of curiosity.
Someone asked Sanshu about the visitors, inquiring about their identity and purpose.
Sanshu, being honest and obedient to Second Grandpa, scratched his head and said he wasn't entirely sure. "From what I understand, their ancestors were from our Shangyi Village. They share the same bloodline with us. This time, they've returned home, and Second Grandpa personally led us to welcome them."
"But why does the village chief look so unhappy? His face is as sour as vinegar."
Sanshu replied, "Ah, well, the village chief just got scolded. How could he be happy after getting hit by Second Grandpa's cane?" Now he was being asked to give away land for free. The village chief was not only timid but also quite stingy; it must feel like a piece of flesh was being taken from him.
The two elders also had sour expressions on their faces. Upon arriving at the village, they folded their arms and left without wanting to look any further.
The villagers were somewhat confused. Second Grandpa led this family straight to his own home, as their new house was still under construction, leaving them nowhere else to stay. When they reached the doorstep, Second Grandpa's wife, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter-in-law were all gathered in the courtyard working and preparing dinner. Hearing the commotion, they quickly came out to greet them. Second Grandpa called out, "Hurry up and clean out a few rooms for our guests to stay in."
Second Grandpa's wife was a second spouse. He had had a child bride in his youth, but she passed away before they could officially wed. Busy with his scholarly pursuits, he delayed marriage until he was almost thirty. His wife was ten years younger than him. Though her hair was now white, she was still agile and nimble.
Upon hearing this, she wiped her hands and emerged, inquiring of her father-in-law, "Who is the guest, then?"
"Ask no more questions. Let our two granddaughters tidy up the rooms. The brothers can share one room, while the young lass will sleep with us. We must clear at least three or four chambers."
With a large family, they resided in a spacious courtyard, half of which was built with green bricks, the other half with mud. Despite its size, it was inadequate due to the number of inhabitants. Upon finishing his statement, a few daughters-in-law hesitated, contemplating voicing their concerns. However, at the wave of his hand, urging them to attend to the matter promptly, they dared not speak.
The elderly man, respected for his age and authority, was also an old scholar, holding a dominant position in the household. His word was law, and no one dared to refute him.
The second elder's wife, known as Second Grandma in the village, did not leave. Instead, she instructed her daughter-in-law and granddaughters to prepare the rooms while she personally fetched water for the guests. The second elder was pleased with his wife's attentiveness, inwardly acknowledging her understanding.
Second Grandma offered the water to the guests. Hua Zhan, being the junior, dared not allow such an elderly lady to serve her. She hastily took the bowls.
Second Grandma smiled and said, "You two exude elegance. You've surely enjoyed many fine things in life. Although our rural water lacks high-quality tea, it's sourced from mountain springs and tastes sweet when boiled. Do try it to soothe your throat."
Yu Lian also took a sip and detected a subtle, sweet aroma. Noticing her, Second Grandma exclaimed, "Oh dear, I've never seen such a beautiful maiden. You resemble a celestial being."
It was already noon, and villagers were returning from the fields, preparing for lunch. Hearing the commotion at the second elder's residence, they flocked over to witness the spectacle. It had been years since the village had seen such a grand display, complete with carriages and the second elder personally greeting the visitors.
In no time, a large crowd gathered, with most of the villagers present. The second elder even instructed his grandson to beat a gong and drum, summoning the entire village to hear his announcement.
After everyone had gathered, Second Uncle announced, "Our ancestors in Upper Village had a man named Hua Bajin. This ancestor passed the imperial examination and soon after was appointed to an important position in the court. He even returned to our village once, purchasing clan lands and establishing a village school. After that, he never came back. Now, his descendants are facing hardship and returning home. I've decided to let them settle here in the village. We'll find them a plot of land to build their house, and all of you will help when the time comes!"
He then took Hua Zhan's hand to introduce him. "This is their head of the family, Hua Zhan. They have eight people in total. From now on, treat them as fellow villagers and kin. There must be no bullying or mistreatment."
These words sparked a flurry of exclamations and discussions among the villagers. Had such an impressive figure as a jinshi really emerged from their humble village? And someone who was also favored by the court?
"Aren't they the legendary high-ranking official?"
Second Uncle confirmed, "Yes, that's the official. The village school was established by him, and the income from the ten mu of clan land is used for public and school purposes. Many of you learned to read and write at the village school when you were young. Don't forget the kindness shown to you."
"Second Uncle... Since their ancestors are from our village, they are our siblings, and it's only right for them to settle here. However, it's currently peak farming season, and we're all busy trying to plant before it's too late. If we delay, the seedlings won't grow well, and they might wither under the sun. Who has the time to help build a house?"
Disregarding these concerns, Second Uncle scolded, "If not you, then who? Here's what we'll do: Anyone whose children or grandchildren have studied at the village school, or have learned to read there, stand up. You must make time, no matter how tight your schedule is, to help them build their house. Otherwise, where will they live?"
The villagers fell silent. Someone muttered, "Didn't they say the village school was destroyed... The village chief said he won't allow the children to study anymore. What's the point?"
Upon hearing this, Second Uncle glared at the villagers. The village chief became the scapegoat. He slammed his cane into the ground a few times and cursed, "Ignorant fools! Listening to rumors and being afraid of death. We still need to reopen the village school; it's the only way out for the children. We can't shut off their only hope. If we do, our village will never produce someone capable in this lifetime!"
"Agreed. Starting from tomorrow, each family should spare some time and send at least one person to lend a hand. Be it selecting tiles, lifting bricks, cutting wood, or moving stones, do whatever you can. With everyone's combined efforts, how long could it take to build a single room?"
The old lady was quite moved by this. Initially, the village chief and the two elders had indeed treated them poorly. But considering their petty mindset, if they found out about the family's situation and wanted to distance themselves to avoid being implicated, that was only natural. Since the incident occurred, the people from the capital had shown their true colors, and she had seen the coldness of the world. It wasn't surprising, given that even the noble families behaved similarly, let alone ordinary villagers.
This Second Uncle was both reasonable and magnanimous. At his age, he was still willing to help them, which deeply touched her. If not for his assistance today, they might not have been able to enter the village at all.
The old lady publicly thanked Second Uncle, who modestly waved it off, saying it was nothing.
"I owe my education to Uncle Bajin. Without the village school he built, I wouldn't have known how to read a single character, let alone have this large family now. Helping you is only right. Besides, you are descendants of Upper Village, all bearing the same family name, Hua. There's no need for formalities."
Upon learning that the family all shared the Hua surname and were of the same lineage, the villagers' gazes became much warmer.
After finishing the important matters, Second Uncle asked the villagers to return home for lunch and to come back to help the next day. The village chief tried to leave, but Second Uncle stopped him. "Today, you should start clearing the land. Tomorrow, we'll finalize everything. If it's not done, I'll have a word with your father."
The village chief left with a grim face. His father was the previous village chief, and he had taken over the role from him. Though his father was no longer young, he was still a generation younger than Second Uncle. Normally, he would endure any scolding or punishment without complaint. If his father received any grievances from Second Uncle, he would vent them on the village chief by wielding a broom. It was truly a case of bigger fish eating smaller fish, and the smallest fry always suffered the most. What was the point of being the village chief in such circumstances?
Once everyone dispersed, Second Uncle led the Hua family into his courtyard.
It seemed that Second Uncle's house had undergone expansion later on. Half of it was made of mud, while the other half was constructed with blue bricks. A large walled courtyard connected the two halves together.
The second elder chuckled and said, "The longer one lives, the more descendants there will be. With more people in the family, the space becomes cramped. Don't mind the tight quarters. I know that the capital is vast. When I went to the provincial city for the exams, I was amazed. It must be even larger under the feet of the emperor. Unfortunately, after a lifetime of trying, I never passed the provincial exam, let alone qualified for the imperial examination in the capital."
"Ah, Hua Zhan… Ah, such an elegant name. In our countryside, we usually use nicknames. They sound more down-to-earth and easier to call. What's your nickname?"
Hua Zhan replied, "… I've never had one…"
The second elder looked at him and suggested, "Since you don't talk much and seem like a block of wood, how about I just call you 'Wood'?"
Hua Zhan remained silent.
Yuan Lian, who lagged behind, almost tripped over the doorstep when she heard this. She laughed silently, wondering what kind of trauma this was causing her father-in-law. This was the East Yuan Marquis, a villain who dared to rebel with his son!
The old lady also chuckled and added fuel to the fire, saying that the name suited him well. "From now on, Mother will also call you 'Wood'."
Hua Zhan's back stiffened even more.
The second aunt went to help in the kitchen. Although rice had already been cooking before the guests arrived, it was no trouble to prepare another pot. With a large family, their kitchen had more stoves and pots than most households.
The second elder then introduced his eldest son's family.
Second Uncle had three sons, and he had divided his household among them. Currently, he resided with his eldest son, Hua Qiushou. Otherwise, with all three sons already being grandfathers, living together in one house would have been chaotic due to the overcrowding.
Eldest Son had two sons and two daughters. The daughters were married off, but each of his two sons, upon taking a wife, had given birth to nine grandchildren… This was indeed a large, four-generation family under one roof.
Second Uncle's daughter-in-law brought along her two daughter-in-laws, saying that the rooms were prepared and that they could move the children into one room, freeing up three spaces.
"Wood, your family can settle down here comfortably. Once the new house is ready, we'll choose a good day for you to move in," Hua Zhan said.
"..."
Chapter 33: Settling In
◎ Wooden Father, Wooden Father, Wooden Father! ◎
The rustic meal was far from extravagant, consisting of a thin rice porridge mixed with sweet potato chunks, half-solid and half-liquid. There was stir-fried cabbage, sliced cucumbers, and an egg dish minced with pickled mustard stems, prepared especially for the guests. Each guest was also given half a salted duck egg, causing the children from Uncle Two's family to whine in desire upon seeing them.
Grandma Two swatted them away, but eventually, her daughter-in-law, moved by her grandchildren's longing, sneaked into the kitchen to retrieve one. She pierced the salted duck egg and spoon-fed it to the children. With almost half of the nine kids still young, each took a few salty bites to satisfy their cravings.
Observing this, Yu Lian realized that life here was even poorer than she had imagined. Upon entering, she had noticed the large household of Uncle Two's family and assumed they must be getting by, only to discover that they couldn't even afford to give their children a whole salted duck egg.
Yu Lian had seen glimpses of ancient peasant life through books and TV dramas, some of which were dramatized, yet still depicted similar levels of poverty. However, she had mentally prepared for such conditions. For someone like Mrs. Chen, who was accustomed to a comfortable life in the capital, the reality before her was truly shocking.
Silent for a while, she watched the children's joy as they licked the salted duck eggs. The twins each held half an egg, finishing it in just a few bites. Finding it too salty, they then drank sweet potato porridge, downing half a bowl each. Witnessing this, the two felt a rare sense of embarrassment, lowering their heads to look at their empty hands, now holding only half an eggshell.
Hua Yan pulled out a few pieces of osmanthus candy from his pocket, but there wouldn't be enough for all the children. He asked his brother to contribute as well. Hua Xing pouted, initially reluctant, but remembering that he had first enjoyed the salted egg, he reluctantly retrieved his own candies. These sweets were initially given by Brother Li Xiang to his sister-in-law, who didn't like sugar and passed them on to the twins.
They had been saving the candies all the way, only occasionally taking one to savor in their mouths. Now, they were willing to offer them up.
Hua Yan counted and found that together they had about seven or eight pieces. He picked out five and walked over to distribute them among the little children.
As for the older ones, Hua Yan believed they were grown enough and didn't need sweets anymore. They only gave candies to those younger or around the same age as themselves. The even older children were expected to take care of the younger ones; it would be shameful if the younger ones were giving them candies.
How could these little children have tasted such fine candies before? Each piece was golden yellow, translucent, and adorned with osmanthus blossoms. They hesitated to eat them, with a little girl staring blankly and asking, "Is this candy? Why does it look so pretty?"
At most, they had only tasted malt sugar, which they could only enjoy occasionally during festive seasons. How could they have come across other varieties?
Hua Xing lifted his chin proudly. "This is from our Li Xiang brother. He brought them from the capital, so of course, you've never had them before."
"Wow...the capital...where's that?"
Hua Yan: "..."
Hua Xing: "You really lack knowledge. Let me tell you what the capital is like..."
Yu Lian tugged at the boy whose tail was wagging in triumph. "What's so great about the capital? How dare you speak like that?"
Hua Xing was held back by his sister-in-law, unable to move his small head as he howled for her to let go, "Is it wrong for me to broaden their horizons when they don't understand?"
Yu Lian: "Speak with humility. There's nothing extraordinary about the capital, and there's nothing impressive about you coming from there. Did your brother Li Xiang give you sugar? Put your tail between your legs, speak properly, and behave like a decent person."
After scolding him thoroughly, Hua Xing initially remained defiant. However, catching a glimpse of his father's stern gaze, he quickly pleaded for forgiveness and admitted his mistake. Yu Lian then released him. She suddenly realized an issue – these twins were fundamentally not bad, and even possessed innocent hearts. It was just that they had been born into wealth, with influential fathers and elder brothers. They were accustomed to a life of luxury, with the best of everything, and were often fawned upon. This had cultivated their bratty behavior.
How would they react to seeing country children of their age living such meager lives after abruptly returning from the noble residence in the capital? How should they interact with them? Would they develop a condescending attitude and look down on others out of habit?
If they didn't correct this behavior promptly, it could have a significant negative impact on the entire Huá family, as well as their future establishment here and the formation of their worldview.
She sighed. These mischievous children needed guidance.
But in her previous life, she had been single-mindedly focused on career advancement and had had a few relationships without any intention of marrying or having children. As a result, she lacked experience in parenting.
At that moment, Uncle Two spoke again, "Blockhead, since your family has just arrived, there'll be many things you need to purchase. If you run short of anything, just tell Uncle. We can lend you what we have at home..."
Upon hearing the nickname "Blockhead," Yu Lian looked at her father-in-law. He was the twins' father, and perhaps letting him take on the responsibility of educating the twins would keep him occupied and prevent him from dwelling too much on his eldest son and family matters, which might lead to his spirits plummeting.
The old matriarch had privately confided in her, expressing concern that her son might have been holding on by a thread to protect them during their journey. Once they were truly settled, she feared he might sink into despair once more.
After the meal, the family informed Uncle Two of their intentions and gathered for a brief family meeting.
The main topic was their future life in every aspect.
Hua Zhan looked at his family and said, "We've been through so much on our journey from the capital, and it hasn't been easy. I appreciate your efforts, especially Mother, who, despite her age, endured the hardships with me. As your son, I have failed to ensure you a peaceful and comfortable life in your old age."
The elder lady waved her hand. "Our family being together and alive is the greatest happiness. At my age, life or death doesn't matter as long as I see you all living safely. In my opinion, our Yu Lian has suffered the most. She's a delicate lady, pampered since birth, yet she never complained about the journey, nor did she neglect her duties in caring for me. Mrs. Chen was busy attending to you, and Yu Lian also had to help look after the three children. She couldn't eat or sleep properly. Who has it harder than her?"
Hua Zhan sighed and looked at Yu Lian. "My dear wife, you have indeed been hardworking. Losing the luggage and managing our expenses along the way were your responsibilities. Father has been useless."
Yu Lian shook her head. "Grandmother, Father and Mother, I've already promised my husband to take care of you all. Please don't say such things again. Our priority now is to plan how we will live here. From what I observe, although the village chief lacks understanding, Uncle Two is reasonable. He holds a high status, and even the chief listens to him. We should seek his assistance in the future."
"Moreover, since we plan to settle here, Yu Lian wishes to build a larger house. This way, we won't need to renovate later. It won't be completed within ten days or two weeks. Staying in Uncle Two's house indefinitely, even if he has no objections, might affect others. Perhaps we could ask Uncle Two if there are any empty houses in the village that we can rent temporarily until our new house is ready."
Her suggestion made the elder lady and Hua Zhan ponder.
After a moment, the elder lady nodded. "You're right. Yu Lian, you've thought this through. It wouldn't be appropriate to trouble others for too long, especially since they cleared a room specifically for us. Staying longer could lead to conflicts over food, drink, or shelter. It would be more comfortable for us to live on our own, and we wouldn't owe them this favor, avoiding putting Uncle Two in an awkward position."
While it was gracious of them to offer, it was another matter to impose on them. Uncle Two was undoubtedly a good man, but with four generations under one roof, how could everyone remain completely unbothered?
Hua Zhan nodded. "In that case, I'll go and ask Second Uncle later to rent the house first, then discuss building a new one. How much silver can we afford for construction, daughter-in-law?"
Yu Lian was straightforward. "I had some savings for emergencies which I still have. After our journey, there's over five hundred taels left. We should keep at least three hundred for daily expenses. If possible, I think we should buy fertile fields in the village or start some sort of business so we don't exhaust our resources."
The old lady nodded repeatedly. "We're not familiar with the prices here. Building a house, buying bricks and mud, and hiring villagers for labor – all of these require money. We need to clarify these details before deciding. Lian'er is right, we should save some silver for future livelihood. Our family has just come from the capital; none of us have experience in rural life. Who knows how to farm? Our future livelihood is a major concern. Having silver might seem secure, but it could be riskier than having no silver but knowing how to farm."
After saying this, she looked at her son. "Is it really true that the emperor won't send anyone else? Can we truly settle down peacefully?"
Hua Zhan pondered for a moment before answering, "Although Third Prince pretends to be benevolent, he values his reputation. Since he's already reneged once and made three promises, there's no reason or motive for him to send more people. Otherwise, the court officials would criticize him harshly if word got out."
The old lady patted her chest in relief. "That's good." She suddenly teased her son, "Well, wooden head, hurry up and ask your Second Uncle about these matters."
The twins clapped their hands and chanted, "Wooden head dad, wooden head dad, wooden head dad!"
Hua Zhan: "…"
When Hua Zhan shared the family's plans with Second Uncle, the latter waved his hands, insisting he didn't mind the trouble. "It's only a matter of staying for a while. Just stay comfortably!"
Hua Zhan explained that the boys were energetic, and his daughter-in-law was a young lady, raised as a pampered noblewoman. He worried she wouldn't be accustomed to living with others. "After my eldest son, Hua Ji, encountered trouble, she married into our family. She has shown great kindness and affection towards Hua'er and has been loyal to the Hua family. As her father-in-law, how can I bear to make her uncomfortable?"
Uncle Two let out a sigh. "If that's your wish, then let it be. There's an empty cottage by the river on the eastern edge of the village. It used to have problems with wild boars, so hardly anyone dares to live there."
Chapter 34: Cleaning
◎It seems the old lady has double standards.◎
Aside from the empty house by the river, Second Uncle mentioned that there was another deserted home next to Widow Zhao's place in the village. It had belonged to a widowed elder, but after his passing, no one had lived there. Although people had considered occupying it due to the village's poverty – many families of ten or more squeezed into tiny homes – no one dared to move in after a neighbor tried and faced trouble with Widow Zhao. Eventually, they moved out, and since then, no one else had ventured to live there.
The village chief's old residence was also vacant, but they were not on good terms, so renting that place was out of the question.
Yu Lian said, "From what we've discussed, we don't have much choice. We can only consider the riverside house. Who does it belong to? Should we go take a look while there's still daylight?"
The old lady was hesitant. She wasn't afraid of conflicts but worried about safety, especially with three young children, three defenseless women, a sick son, and herself to protect. "It sounds good, but those wild boars… I'm unsure if it's true. If there really are wild boars coming down the mountain, it might not be safe…"
Upon hearing his mother's concerns, Hua Zhan reassured her, "When I led troops in the wilderness years ago, I encountered wild boars. Although they can cause some damage, it's manageable. We can set up wooden stakes as a fence and place straw dummies around it to deter them."
"If they do attack, you don't need to be afraid. Even though I'm ill, I can protect all of you. If that wild boar dares to come, I'll catch it for a feast."
Hua Zhan rarely displayed such determination lately. His demeanor seemed livelier, and Yu Lian realized that giving her father-in-law something to do would indeed help. With a task at hand, he wouldn't dwell on his worries, and his mental state would improve naturally.
Taking advantage of the remaining daylight, the family decided to rush over and inspect the house. If it was inhabitable, they would clean it and move in immediately to avoid bothering Second Uncle's family.
Uncle Two repeatedly insisted it wouldn't be a bother, but in the end, he led the way. He took his grandson to guide the family, and they found that there weren't many houses by the river; they were rather sparsely distributed. Compared to the dwellings in the village, only a few houses were scattered along the riverbank, each with a considerable distance between them. Yu Lian counted only five houses in total.
Pointing to one of them, Uncle Two explained, "The other houses have owners, but this one is unoccupied. It was initially built for the village schoolmaster. After the wild boar incidents, no one dared to live here anymore, so the place has been empty."
"According to custom, this house belongs to the village. However, the funds for its construction came from the village school. Where did the village school's money come from? When your ancestor, Uncle Bajin, prospered, he purchased ten acres of land, with all its produce dedicated to the village school. That's how the school has been sustained for a hundred years. Since you are direct descendants of Uncle Bajin, there's no need for you to pay for the house. I'll just inform the village chief about this. If you're not afraid of the wild boar, feel free to move in. I'll take care of the rest."
From a distance, the house seemed small, but upon closer inspection, it was fully equipped, albeit compact. It had a decent-sized courtyard that concealed a pigsty, and next to it were two small plots of land suitable for growing vegetables. The fence surrounding the yard was already in place, albeit somewhat dilapidated and unstable.
The main gate of the courtyard was sturdy, but when Uncle Two slapped it, quite a bit of wood debris fell off. He said, "This door has been around for a long time. The wooden planks have been damaged by insects. It needs to be replaced."
The family proceeded inward, entering a spacious reception hall. On the left side of the hall stood a larger main chamber, while on the right were two smaller bedrooms. All were uniformly covered in dust, with spider webs intricately woven across walls, eaves, and door frames. Remarkably, the beds were already in place; after giving them a firm press, the matriarch deemed them sturdy enough not to require replacement. The furniture was scarce, consisting solely of a wooden dining table and chairs in the reception hall, clearly crafted by local villagers, evidenced by the marks of wood smoothing. They were plain, unornamented, yet carried an authentic and antiquated charm.
"Replace the main gate, tidy up the interior, and retouch the window paper. If possible, use excess fabric to create curtains for protection against the wind."
The elderly matron seemed quite content, her face showing no sign of disdain. Only Mrs. Chen and Aunt Mei stood at a distance, neither daring to step inside. The room was small, dimly lit, filled with dust and cobwebs everywhere. For them, it was a psychological hurdle that they couldn't easily overcome; accustomed as they were to the opulence of their days in the Marquis's residence, even though their journey had been bumpy and tumultuous, they had never entered such a dilapidated abode.
After Second Master finished speaking, the matriarch reassured everyone, "We have many hands. If we help each other clean up, we'll be able to settle in tonight."
Second Uncle exclaimed, "Stay here today? There's no need to be in such a hurry. Why the rush? You can stay at my place tonight. Tomorrow, I'll have my daughter-in-law bring her two daughters-in-law to help with the cleaning. We must check if the roof leaks; I'll also have my two grandsons take a look. The doors and windows will need some repair before it's suitable for living. Have you ever lived in a house like this in the capital? You wouldn't know how to do these tasks, so there's no need to rush into moving in."
The elderly lady agreed, "Second Master has thought it through. However, we can still assist with the cleaning. We've all come to the countryside; there's no reason to maintain the airs of the capital."
Although she didn't name names, Mrs. Chen and Aunt Mei, standing by the entrance, stiffened as they realized the comment was directed at them. They exchanged glances, raised their feet, but ultimately retreated without entering.
There might be spiders and insects in there!
Observing this, the elderly lady sighed inwardly. "Please, Second Master, help us arrange for the repairs on the doors and windows."
To save time, the family decided to stay and clean together. Second Master instructed his grandson to return home and ask his wife and daughter-in-law to bring cleaning tools, such as mops, brooms, and buckets. "Ask your brother to come help with the window sealing. The main door is tricky... Tomorrow, go cut some wooden planks and nail them temporarily. They just need to hold up for a while."
Soon, Second Master's grandson arrived with a group of people. His wife and daughter-in-law carried two buckets, filled with old rags, while a few villagers joined them. One carried a hoe, another held a broom, and two others came empty-handed.
Second Master seemed pleased, praising, "At least they have some sense of responsibility. Come, help with the cleaning. Oh, and who can fetch the village chief? I need to speak with him."
A quick-witted child who had accompanied the adults offered, "I'll go call Uncle Village Chief."
Familiar with hard work, the country women swiftly divided tasks among themselves. For instance, Second Master's two daughters-in-law cleaned the house, while their mothers-in-law and other aunts took care of weeding the courtyard. Initially, they wanted to take on the task of wiping tables and chairs as well, but the elderly lady promptly intervened, insisting that they should let others contribute too. How awkward would it be to just stand and watch others work for them? It wasn't like they were their former servants.
The granddaughters-in-law from Second Master's family fetched two buckets of water. Since there was no well in the yard, they had to retrieve it from the river, which fortunately wasn't far away, making the task manageable.
The matriarch herself took up a cloth and, bending down, moistened it with water to wipe the table. Not only did she personally undertake this task, but she also tossed two more cloths to Mrs. Chen and Aunt Mei, instructing them, "Both of you should lend a hand as well; don't just stand idle."
"In the countryside, one must adopt a rural lifestyle, be diligent, and cast aside any airs. Only then can life flourish. Standing idly by, how can you expect others to shoulder your responsibilities for a lifetime? If you don't tend to the crops in the field, how will they grow?"
Mrs. Chen felt deeply embarrassed by the old lady's words, her face flushing with embarrassment.
But how could it be right for a mother-in-law to toil while others stand by? The matriarch, having enjoyed a lifetime of comfort and prestige as the dowager of a marquisate, now finds herself in a dilapidated rural house, compelled to undertake manual labor herself. In light of this, what else could they possibly find fault with or disdain?
Bearing her discomfort, Mrs. Chen entered the room with a rag in hand. As she bowed her head to dip it into the water, she noticed its dark, soiled state. With great effort and awkward, unfamiliar gestures, she began to wipe the table.
What could Concubine Mei do? The matriarch and the head wife had already taken action; could she just stand by idly? Mrs. Chen could still afford to be pretentious, but as a concubine herself, she was little more than half a servant, with no right to such behavior. She had no choice but to hold her nose and join in the cleaning.
Yu Lian observed all this. She also took a cloth and prepared to help wipe. Mrs. Chen and Concubine Mei were too slow and clumsy; they couldn't even clean a table properly after a long while. It made Yu Lian's obsessive-compulsive disorder flare up, so she decided to assist them. If they were left to their own devices, it would take them a month to clean just one room.
As soon as Yu Lian touched the water, the matriarch exclaimed, stopping her from getting wet. "With your delicate skin and tender flesh, you shouldn't be doing this. Just stand aside... No, don't stand here. Go outside to the courtyard where the air is fresh and there's less dust."
Mrs. Chen and Concubine Mei heard this and thought, "...So the matriarch has double standards." To them, she said they were countryside folk who needed to put aside their airs and work, but to her granddaughter-in-law, she treated her like a delicate flower that shouldn't be roughed up and complained about the dust indoors, urging her to go outside for fresh air?
Concubine Mei had originally had no objections to Hua Ji's wife. Moreover, she had contributed significantly to their safe journey, helping to arrange everything with loyalty, affection, and capability. She seemed like an excellent person. However, the matriarch's blatant favoritism made her unable to resist whispering into Mrs. Chen's ear, "The matriarch truly dotes on her, even surpassing you, her mother-in-law, in her affection."
With her head bowed, Mrs. Chen wiped the table, her movements pausing for a moment before she dismissed the matter. "Fen'er is such a kind-hearted girl; it's only right for me, her mother, to dote on her."
Feeling embarrassed by her own curiosity, Aunt Mei regretted her intrusion and decided to remain silent.
With the assistance of the villagers, the dilapidated house and courtyard were soon cleaned and renovated in the span of an afternoon. The village chief arrived rather tardily at this point.
Chapter 35: Seizing the Opportunity ◇
◎Blessed to Have Such a Granddaughter-in-Law◎
Upon entering, the village head noticed the cleanliness and his already sour expression darkened even more. He immediately asked, "Second Master plans to let them stay here? If they're going to live here, that's fine, but this house was initially built with the village's money and labor. It's only fair to charge some rent. I won't ask for much, just a reasonable price. How about one thousand copper coins per month?"
Second Master was so enraged that he almost threw his slipper at him. He refrained from doing so because of the crowd and instead tossed a dirty rag from the table, cursing fiercely, "Reasonable? One thousand copper coins per month? How can you even say that?"
One thousand copper coins equaled one tael of silver. Most villagers who relied on farming might not spend even one tael in half a year. The poorest could stretch it to a whole year. Yet, he dared to demand one tael per month. Was he trying to extort them?
"This house was built with the silver earned from the ten mu of land used for the village school. The labor was provided by the villagers as well. What does that have to do with you being the village head? You merely shouted a few orders, and now you think you deserve credit?"
"Well, if we're talking about fairness, that ten mu of land was purchased by Uncle Bajin. Now that you've discontinued the village school, shouldn't it be returned to its rightful owner? Wood and his family are direct descendants of Uncle Bajin. It's only logical for them to inherit the land. Do you really think it's fair to use that word?"
The village head was blasted, and he actually pondered over what Second Master said. He found himself agreeing with the logic and felt guilty. He quickly changed his tune, "Then... five hundred copper coins, is five hundred acceptable for a month?"
When these words were spoken, the villagers working nearby exchanged skeptical glances. Five hundred copper coins weren't enough? Just how arrogant had the village head become? He clearly didn't want this family to settle down.
Sanshu's wife, who had earlier helped the Huas bring their carriage into the village, chimed in, "If it's really about money, a hundred copper coins would be the absolute limit for this tiny, dilapidated house. The village head should be ashamed."
A matron chuckled beside them. "He's doing it on purpose; it has nothing to do with the money. He just doesn't want anyone to stay here."
Second Uncle finally took off his shoes. Instead of scolding the village chief, he picked up his footwear and headed for the door. "I'll go reason with Dog Egg."
Dog Egg was the village chief's father. His real name was Wen Gui. Once an aspiring scholar, he had failed to pass the exams despite trying for half his life. Eventually, he returned to his hometown to farm. At Second Uncle's recommendation, he became the village chief and later passed the position to his son. In this entire village, only Second Uncle dared to call him by his childhood nickname, Dog Egg.
The village chief, Dog Egg's son, turned pale. He quickly stopped Second Uncle. "How much do you think is fair?"
Second Uncle threw his shoe at him. "What's fair? Have you become so money-minded as a village chief? Are you deliberately making things difficult for people? Let me tell you, let our fellow villagers decide if I, your Second Uncle, am bullying others with my age or standing up for justice!"
The villagers present chimed in. "Tell us, Second Uncle!"
"Let me ask you, did Uncle Bajin purchase those ten acres of land for the village school?"
The village chief nodded, as did the villagers.
Second Uncle continued, "This house was built with the silver earned from that land, and our fellow villagers helped construct it. The family who lives here now are descendants of Uncle Bajin. Do you think it's right to collect rent from them? If you have any conscience left, since the village school is no longer operating, you should return both the land and the house to the rightful owners."
The villagers were still simple folk. After some thoughtful consideration, they agreed. It made sense. Although the land belonged to their ancestors and was given to the village school, since the school was no longer running, it was reasonable for the descendants to claim it back.
A voice timidly inquired, "Uncle Two, Chief, are you really not going to open the village school? What will happen to the children if they don't learn how to read and write?"
The chief's face fell. Concerned about losing those ten acres, he hastily replied, "Of course we'll continue! We can't let the children be illiterate and have no future."
Uncle Two glared at him, too annoyed to bother with this rogue.
With so many people watching, the chief felt embarrassed to charge rent for his house. Thus, he reluctantly agreed to waive it.
Seizing the opportunity, Uncle Two said, "Since you're determined to keep the village school running and not give away the land, you might as well gift them the house. It's only fair, besides, nobody lives here anyway."
The chief had already planned on granting the Huas land for free. Hearing this, he readily agreed, "Alright, consider that area allocated. No need for another permit." Calculating in his mind, he figured it didn't matter since the land was deserted and unused; granting it wouldn't make a difference. It wouldn't waste fertile fields, and it was a good deal.
Uncle Two, wise with age, could easily see through the chief's intentions. He turned to Mu Tuo, seeking their opinion.
Yu Lian, overhearing the conversation, tugged on her father-in-law's sleeve and whispered, "Father, I think this place is suitable, but the land is too small. We should acquire the entire riverfront area. Then, we can build our own estate, cultivate the land, and turn it into fertile fields. With the river nearby, it would be convenient for both living and irrigation. It's a great location."
Having been accustomed to power as a noble lord, Hua Zhan was more familiar with grand political strategies and global affairs than petty village matters. However, since this decision affected his family's future, he was willing to invest his thoughts into it and engage with the chief, a cunning and unpleasant figure.
Upon hearing his daughter-in-law's suggestion, he looked at his mother, who nodded in approval. Frowning, he said, "We could rent the house, but at a rate of one hundred copper coins per month. Could you please grant us a better piece of land elsewhere in the village? Our family consists of elders, women, and children, and my health has yet to fully recover. Living here long-term might be too remote. If wild boars were to descend, we wouldn't be able to handle them."
He was born with an honest and handsome face, which, when creased with a frown, made him appear genuine. When he said he was telling the truth or expressing his disdain, it seemed believable.
The village head, who was initially calculating whether giving away a house for free would be a loss, quickly responded, "There's hardly any land left in the village. What's wrong with this place? Besides, the house is already built, so you won't have to spend more to construct another one. You can move in right away."
Hua Zhan replied, "It might be safer to live within the village."
Seizing the opportunity, Yu Lian said, "Father, could we also reclaim the land that our ancestors allocated for the village school? After all, we're currently facing difficulties..."
Upon hearing this, the village head's eyebrows nearly shot up in anger. "That's impossible. It was agreed upon to be for the village school, and I'm planning to restart it soon. Hiring a teacher will cost money."
Second Uncle chimed in, "Then give them a decent plot of land, not just this dilapidated house. What's the point of that?"
Yu Lian then spoke up, "Father, establishing a village school is a rightful cause. We can make sacrifices so that the children can read and write, and perhaps have a chance at passing the imperial exams for a better future. Otherwise, could we ask the village head to allocate us more land by the river? With eight of us arriving here without land or a house, we can't rely solely on what we have. Although this land is remote, if we work hard to cultivate it, we can grow enough to sustain ourselves and avoid starvation."
Her words moved the villagers, making them feel both touched and ashamed. Initially, they had remained silent when Second Uncle asked for a prime plot within the village because the fertile land was limited, and taking more meant less for them in the future. However, Yu Lian's selfless concern for the children's education made them appear petty and narrow-minded.
Thus, the aunties and young wives present began to speak up in support, urging the village head to agree, "They're willing to give up those ten acres just for the sake of our village's children. We can't be ungrateful, Village Head. Please allocate the land to them quickly."
"Yes, do it promptly! The land is already quite remote; giving it to them won't hurt you."
The village chief, succumbing to the pressure from the villagers and Second Uncle, reluctantly agreed but realized it was indeed a fair deal. Reviving the village school would put an end to the dispute over the ten acres of land. Moreover, by granting them more of this remote area, he could silence Second Uncle and prevent him from bringing up the issue in the future.
With his decision made, the village chief led them to inspect the land. The villagers followed, acting as witnesses. Once the boundaries were set, they would all need to press their seals onto the deed.
Pointing to an area within a hundred-meter radius of the house, the village chief asked, "How about this piece? Will this be enough?"
The villagers shot him a disdainful look. Calling him a miser would be an understatement; a hundred meters could barely accommodate any crops.
Hua Zhan sighed and shook his head.
The village chief gritted his teeth. "I'll double it."
Hua Zhan remained silent and turned to his daughter-in-law. "Since you're now in charge of our household, speak up, my child. Your father will listen."
Yu Lian stepped forward, and the villagers were surprised to learn that this beautiful, fairy-like young woman was the one running Uncle Bajin's household. Initially, they had mistaken her for a daughter of the Hua family, but she turned out to be their daughter-in-law. Where was her husband? Why wasn't he present?
Confused by the Hua family's dynamics, the villagers listened as Yu Lian spoke up.
She pointed to the upper and middle reaches of the river and declared, "I want this stretch."
The house was situated on a gentle slope at the foot of a mountain, with a small river flowing right in front of it. Following the river downstream revealed vast expanses of land on both sides. To Yu Lian, this land, with its water source, was a treasure trove. Perhaps there would be no need to purchase additional fields; by cultivating the land moderately and planting crops, fruits, and vegetables, they could achieve self-sufficiency.
Building a new house here would be more desirable than squeezing into the village with other families.
The village chief pointed at her, his fingers trembling, "That much? Impossible!"
"You also can't demolish someone else's house just like that."
Yu Lian replied, "I heard from Uncle Two that this house is no longer inhabited. If that's the case, we're willing to compensate accordingly."
Coincidentally, one of the houses belonged to Sanshu's family. It had essentially been abandoned, as no one would come to live here, especially since they had already built a new house after relocating to the village. Thus, the old house served no purpose. Upon hearing this, Sanshu's wife immediately said, "Alright, we're willing to have our house demolished. Just give us a reasonable amount."
This decision now affected the other households with houses in the area. There were a total of five houses, including the one intended for the Hua family, which meant four families would receive compensation. Although the other three families were not present, their willingness was evident from Sanshu's wife's reaction. It was bound to cause some commotion.
The village chief's head throbbed. He rubbed his temples, pacing back and forth several times, reluctant to agree outright due to the financial burden. He procrastinated, saying, "Let me think about it overnight and we'll discuss it tomorrow."
Although the village chief postponed the decision until the next day, Sanshu's wife spread the news when she returned home that night. The rest of the villagers became aware of the situation. Other families didn't mind, as it didn't directly affect them, and they weren't interested in the village's prime land anyway. Thus, no one opposed the proposal.
However, the four households with houses along the river banded together and visited the village chief's house that very night, pleading with him to consent to the plan.
They spoke as if they were doing a favor, mentioning that the heir was a descendant of Uncle Bajin, whose ancestors had generously contributed to the village and were a source of pride. Caring for them a little wasn't much to ask, was it? Just allocating a piece of land? They weren't even asking for ten acres of fertile fields, so what was the big deal about giving them a plot?
The village chief calculated in his mind and realized that the land might actually exceed ten acres – it was a gross overestimation.
"What does the size of the land matter? Can it compare to ten ready-to-use acres of fertile fields? That land is overgrown with wild grass and trees; even if they cultivate it, it won't be an easy task. It would require great effort and hiring laborers. Otherwise, how could someone from a place like the capital be capable of such manual labor? You're not losing out, Village Chief. Approve it quickly."
Angered by their words, the village chief spat after they left. They were clearly rushing to persuade him just to get a small compensation, pretending to be noble while treating him as the villain – all for their own benefit!
Village Chief's father, Hua Wenguai, summoned his son and said, "Don't push too hard, or else Second Uncle will come knocking on my door for an explanation. If it's not excessive, just approve it. Otherwise, people will think you're stingy and ungrateful. How will you maintain your position as village chief in the future?"
The village chief nodded, acknowledging the advice, but then he turned to seek the opinion of two clan elders.
However, the clan elders refused to see him and ignored his request. Frustrated, the village chief reluctantly agreed after dragging the matter on for two days. The land technically belonged to the village, registered as uncultivated by the government. According to village records, if a villager reclaimed such land, no silver was required for the transaction, but taxes still had to be paid. This tax would fall on the Hua family to settle.
To complicate matters further, the village chief stated that the land was registered as a single unit. If they wanted it, they would have to take the entire plot, meaning Yu Lian would need to purchase any area beyond the initial ten acres. Although the price per acre was reasonable, the total sum was still substantial, not to mention additional taxes and fees...
Assuming this condition would deter them, the village chief was surprised when they returned and agreed, albeit with one condition: after signing the deed, the village chief must also sign a guarantee promising that Upper Village would treat them as part of the community, without discrimination, and ensuring that the village wouldn't interfere with whatever use they made of the land.
Reading the guarantee, the village chief felt ridiculed, believing it was a safeguard against him. Nevertheless, due to the incoming money, he reluctantly signed with a sour expression.
"Each family will compensate with two taels of silver, making a total of eight taels. In addition, the purchase of the land and the land taxes amount to ninety-eight taels and eight hundred sixty copper coins. The transaction will be finalized when the money is exchanged for the deed."
Yu Lian smiled and said, "Tomorrow, when Ming goes to the government office to register, they'll stamp it, and then you'll receive the silver."
The village chief awkwardly withdrew his outstretched hand and left in a huff. On the other hand, the other four women, elated, each received their two taels of silver from Yu Lian. To them, it was as if the silver had fallen from the sky. How fortunate that an abandoned, dilapidated house could fetch them such a sum! They could now afford some pork for the upcoming holidays.
The following day, Hua Zhan, accompanied by Sanshu and the second elder's grandson, went to the county office in a carriage with the village chief to register the land and pay the taxes. With the official seal stamped, the land officially belonged to the Hua family.
Hua Zhan held the deed, lost in thought. He had never paid attention to such trivial matters of peasant life before – the petty squabbles in rural areas. Back when he was still the East Yuan Marquis, his estate consisted of countless lands and manors, and he had never concerned himself with any of them, let alone a humble plot in the countryside.
Yet, at this moment, he felt a sense of grounding and a complex reality. His family had truly transformed from the noble East Yuan Marquis household into simple peasants in the countryside. This deed, representing ownership of the land, was the foundation of their new life here, their means of survival...
They had truly descended from the heavens to the earth.
Sanshu drove the carriage, feeling quite pleased, "Uncle Wood, why are you daydreaming? Let's go, we're heading back to the village."
Uncle Wood, Hua Zhan, expressionless, put away the deed and returned to the carriage without a word.
"...
By the time the formalities were completed, the small dilapidated house of the Hua family had also been renovated to a livable condition. The two grandsons from Uncle Two's family had helped fix the roof and doors, while the village aunts had weeded the courtyard, leaving it clean and ready for habitation.
While Hua Zhan was at the county office, Yu Lian moved the women and children from Uncle Two's place into their new home. There wasn't much to move anyway; each person had only brought a small bundle of belongings when they first arrived.
Grandma Two paid them a visit and observed, "Moving has its rituals. On the first day of occupation, you need to 'warm the house,' or 'heat the room.' Today, we'll light the fire in the kitchen and cook a meal. I'll invite some neighbors over to chat, eat some sunflower seeds, and have a meal as a way to welcome you and bless your new home. This will ensure your days here are prosperous."
This meant they needed to prepare many things, such as pots, pans, utensils, firewood, rice, oil, salt, and various ingredients. None of these were available in the Hua family's new home, so they would have to purchase them hastily.
Grandma Two reassured them, "No need to rush out and buy everything. With a pinch of salt from one neighbor, a handful of rice and vegetables from another, we can manage. I'll ask everyone to bring their own cooking supplies and ingredients. You can gradually replace them with your own as time goes on. There's no hurry."
Yu Lian pondered for a moment and suggested, "Let's visit the village butcher and purchase two pounds of meat to entertain our guests. This way, we can celebrate our relocation and also make a good impression on our fellow villagers since it's the first time the Huas have returned home. We want to establish friendly relations for the future, as we will all be neighbors and part of one community. It's also important to express our gratitude to the villagers and the Second Master's family for their assistance to ours."
Grandma Yeye's eyes crinkled with amusement. "You truly live up to your family's reputation, my child. Your words and manners show great upbringing. It's not easy to think of such things. But I've heard from your Second Uncle that times are tough for you. A pound of meat stewed with Chinese cabbage would suffice to give them a taste of something savory. There's no need to spend extravagantly. In the future, when you rebuild your home and cultivate the land, those will be the times when you'll need money."
Yu Lian shook her head and said, "Since our family moved here a few days ago, Second Master and Second Grandma have been of immense help to us. We intended to show our gratitude by presenting you with a pound of meat separately, but since Second Master declined, we decided to invite you both over for a meal instead, hoping you'll enjoy a hearty feast."
Maternal Grandpa looked at Grandma with a smile, praising her, "How did this child grow up to be so lovely? She's not only beautiful but also carries herself with grace and poise in everything she does. How could she be so admirable?"
The granddaughter-in-law was praised, and the old lady was also happy. She sighed and said to the second grandma: "Old sister, you don't know how much our poor son is so painful. After my grandson's accident, not only did she not leave him alone,I didn't want to clear up the relationship, but instead I walked in alone with a baggage on my back. How heartbroken I felt. She was the concubine of Duke Wei's mansion in the capital. At that time, the old lady of Duke Wei's mansion was still planning her marriage, and the bride was also from the 's family is also a Hou family, and it is similar to our family before."
"Yet, out of her deep affection for our Hua'er, Lian'er was determined to join our family, even forsaking wealth and comfort. She endured hardships alongside us on this journey. Lian'er's character and integrity are impeccable. It was no easy feat, yet she managed every detail, ensuring our safety. When we were robbed and lost all our belongings, it was Lian'er who had the foresight to carry silver on her person, allowing us to continue our journey."
Unable to hold back her emotions, the elder lady dabbed at her teary eyes with a handkerchief. She wasn't merely flattering her granddaughter-in-law in front of others; her gratitude stemmed from the bottom of her heart. She was at a loss as to how to repay such devotion.
Though Lady Second was old and hadn't seen much of the world, living in the countryside all her life, her years of experience had given her a keen understanding of human nature. She could easily imagine the struggles a young girl must have faced, defying her elders to be with her beloved, and then leading an entire family on a long journey from the capital to this remote place.
Her eyes also reddened with emotion as she said, "To think such a thing happened. Recently, people have been inquiring about your family, wondering why you only have a daughter-in-law but no son. They now understand that something occurred, and Lian'er entered your household alone. This child has had a tough road. Treat her kindly, please."
"This child is indeed remarkable. Despite coming from a noble family, she carries no airs when interacting with a countrywoman like me. She speaks politely and knows how to build relationships with neighbors and fellow villagers. She is sincere and resourceful. Your family is blessed to have such a granddaughter-in-law."
The elder lady smiled warmly, "Indeed, she is."