The Family Had Split, Why Should I Care if They Go Broke? - Chapter 28

Xu Zhichun thought to herself, “Ten or eight? If I actually said it, you’d be terrified.”

Of course, she couldn’t say it out loud.

She remained silent. Lady Zhang rolled her eyes skyward, while Lady Bai sneered slightly, “Not saying? That must mean she’s embarrassed about how little she earned.”

Eldest Uncle Liang obviously thought the same. Generously, he said, “If you’re too shy to say, we won’t ask. Go ahead and do your tinkering, but leave the six acres of paddy fields to us. You’re always off digging ghost taro or running to the town—how do you have time to manage the fields? Leave it to us, and at least you’ll get some grain during harvest time. Otherwise, aren’t you afraid of a total loss?”

“Even though Minglang is gone, doesn’t Mingxuan need to live his life? You can’t just recklessly mess around at home.”

“Even though the family is split, we’re still elders. If you do something wrong, we have the right to intervene. Otherwise, people will say it’s because we elders don’t know how to manage things, instead of blaming your youthful recklessness.”

“Exactly!”

Six acres of prime paddy, divided between the two families—three acres each. No work needed, and the harvest would come in autumn. Where could one find such a bargain?

“Since the family is divided, I will manage my own fields. No one else needs to worry about it.”

Eldest Uncle Liang didn’t wait for Xu Zhichun to finish. He scolded sharply, “What nonsense is that! How dare you talk to your elders like that? Minglang isn’t here, so no one can control you? A sharp-tongued woman who doesn’t understand rules—having a daughter-in-law like you brings shame to the Liang family!”

Lady Zhang, “Why bother arguing with her? She can’t even tell right from wrong. This is decided. We can’t just stand by and watch her ruin good fields. Tomorrow we’ll tend the fields, and at harvest we’ll collect the crops. Why care what she does? I just don’t believe anyone else will benefit from the fields we take care of. Who would dare say otherwise?”

Lady Bai smiled faintly. “Lady Xu, you’re a widow, and yet you’re so ungrateful. Life for a widow is never easy. Later, when you need our help, there will be plenty of times you’ll ask. If you truly offend your own family, what good will come of it? Don’t be so naïve.”

Second Uncle Liang looked at her with disgust. “She doesn’t know any better. Let’s not bother. It’s settled—let’s go.”

Lady Zhang, “Right! From today on, these fields have nothing to do with you. Don’t go there and damage the crops, or I won’t let it slide.”

The four spoke among themselves, “settling” the matter without taking Xu Zhichun seriously at all.

Xu Zhichun was furious, a chill running deep in her heart.

No matter how upright she stood, it was useless without support.

Besides, this was “family business.” Who would interfere in someone else’s family affairs? Even if they did, they had no standing.

Xu Zhichun felt some relief—Chief Liang was an upright man, and her partnership with his daughter-in-law gave her a bit of confidence.

“Mingxuan, go to Uncle Chief’s house and ask him to come here. I want to see—if anyone dares forcibly take our good fields, will Uncle Chief allow such a bully to exist in our village?”

“No, don’t go!”

“Who are you calling a bully?”

“You stubborn girl, what are you trying to do?”

“Why make our family business public? Aren’t you ashamed? You dare report elders?”

Lady Zhang hurriedly blocked Liang Mingxuan.

Liang Mingxuan looked at Lady Zhang calmly. “Aunt, you can stop me for a moment, but not for a lifetime.”

Lady Zhang was stunned—furious and embarrassed. “Ungrateful brat! Your sister-in-law is a disaster, ruining our good fields. We’re only doing this for your own good, understand?”

Xu Zhichun rushed into the kitchen like a gale. When she emerged, she held a gleaming kitchen knife in both hands, her gaze fierce.

Lady Zhang screamed involuntarily and stepped back. “Lady Xu, what are you trying to do?”

Eldest Uncle Liang jumped to his feet. “Lady Xu, do you even respect your elders?”

Xu Zhichun sneered fiercely. “You deserve to be elders? I’m making this clear—my fields belong to me. If anyone dares take them by force, they’re taking away our livelihood. Don’t blame me for being ruthless! If you’re not satisfied with Uncle Chief’s decision, I’ll go to the magistrate myself.”

“You dare!”

“What am I afraid of? If I let you bully me to death, I’d just swallow indignation. I’d rather go to the magistrate—if I die, at least it’ll be on my own terms!”

“You—you’re crazy! We meant well—”

“Whether you meant well, you know in your hearts! The land deeds are in my hands—this is mine. No matter how much you talk, it won’t change that. If you push me too far, we’ll see in court whether the magistrate recognizes your lies or my deeds.”

Lady Bai sighed softly, looking at Xu Zhichun as if she were an incomprehensible younger generation. “Child, you’re so hot-tempered. We’re only doing this for your own good. Why can’t you understand? It’s one thing for you to act stubborn, but don’t corrupt Mingxuan—he’s a Liang family child, you can’t just do as you please.”

Liang Mingxuan didn’t speak, just looked at his big sister-in-law.

His gaze was clear, full of trust.

Seeing her younger brother’s trust, Xu Zhichun felt her heart warm. Her courage remained, and she sneered fiercely, “Yes, I’m so ungrateful. So stop wasting your efforts—can you leave now?”

Lady Zhang, as if she had caught her in a major mistake, complained to Liang Mingxuan. “Mingxuan, look! Your big sister-in-law is reckless—she’ll corrupt you, did you hear?”

Liang Mingxuan, “…”

“Eldest Aunt, no one can corrupt me. If you don’t believe me, just wait a few years.”

Lady Zhang, “…”

A few years? By then, it’ll be far too late.

How infuriating this kid talks!

Xu Zhichun almost laughed—her younger brother was amazing. No wonder she cared for him so much.

“Eh? What’s this—”

Just then, Aunt Zhu’er arrived, holding a steaming large bowl. The aroma of meat wafted through the air, and Lady Zhang and the others couldn’t help but look into the bowl.

Wow—a big bowl of braised pig’s feet stewed with peanuts. The meat looked tender, the broth creamy and rich, garnished with bright green cilantro and scallions.

Incredible—the more you smelled it, the more fragrant it became!

Lady Zhang greedily inhaled the aroma and swallowed hard.

The Liang elders’ joint effort to pressure their widowed niece-in-law into revealing her secrets wasn’t a pleasant situation, and aside from their greed, the four were a little hungry and also a little anxious.

Eldest Uncle Liang glared at Xu Zhichun, “Lady Xu, what are you doing with that knife? Put it down now.”

Xu Zhichun lifted the knife slightly and snorted, “I’ll put it down when it’s time. Eldest Uncle, anything else?”

The four silently seethed with hatred.

Even if they had more to say, there was no way to do it.

Moreover, Xu Zhichun’s fearless defiance actually scared them, and for the moment, they dared not act rashly.