Chapter 3: Ten Taels of Silver for You

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Tong Chuxue understood the village head’s concerns. “Uncle Lizheng, I know there are some matters you cannot interfere with directly. Today, I only want to ask for your judgment. I am not asking Grandma for ten taels of silver without reason.”

“Ever since my father joined the army three years ago, Grandma has demanded that my mother pay four hundred wen a month for meals; otherwise, we wouldn’t be allowed to continue living in the Tong household. My mother, being just a woman, has no way to earn money except by working daily at the county laundry.”

“Four hundred wen a month adds up to more than ten taels of silver a year. I want to ask everyone—is it unreasonable for me to ask for ten taels if Grandma wants to split off the third branch of the family?”

These words fell like a stone into a pond, stirring ripples. The villagers watching the scene looked at Old Lady Tong with complicated expressions. Since when did a grandmother charge her own granddaughter for meals? It sounded ridiculous. Four hundred wen a month, almost five taels a year, should be enough for the whole family’s food.

Lizheng had not expected there to be such hidden troubles and asked coldly, “Old Lady Tong, is what Chuxue says true?”

Old Lady Tong saw Lizheng’s serious expression and her once arrogant air diminished considerably. “The third son isn’t home, so there’s one less person to work. Shouldn’t the third branch contribute some money to the household?”

“That’s enough.” Tong Shan’s face turned ashen. “If this kind of custom spreads, how will outsiders view Qingshan Village? Who would want to associate with people from Qingshan Village? In all the nearby villages, I’ve never heard of a daughter-in-law or granddaughter having to pay for meals at home.”

Old Lady Tong saw Lizheng’s stance and realized he was leaning toward Tong Chuxue’s side. She grew uneasy. Although Lizheng couldn’t interfere directly in family affairs, if he thought the Tong family was unjust, the entire village’s reputation would be ruined.

Her eyes darted as a plan formed. She shouted hoarsely, “I’m a poor old woman! After living so long, now my own granddaughter schemes against me. I might as well bash my head against the door!” She then tried to slam herself against the doorframe.

If she really hit it, the rumor would spread that Tong Chuxue had driven her own grandmother to despair, and everyone would say the granddaughter was unfilial and cruel.

Tong Chuxue would never allow that. Seizing the moment, she rushed forward and caught Old Lady Tong firmly.

She whispered in her ear softly, “Grandma, you can dislike me all you want, but you must also consider Xiaofei.”

All the daughters-in-law of the Tong family were unlucky, and Xiaofei was the only grandson left, the apple of Old Lady Tong’s eye.

Hearing Xiaofei’s name, Old Lady Tong immediately became alert. “What do you mean?”

Tong Chuxue explained, “I heard the family plans to send Xiaofei to school. If news spreads today that Grandma is harsh to her granddaughter, wouldn’t the tutor think Xiaofei would imitate such behavior and refuse to accept him? After all, one child’s misconduct could ruin the reputation of the entire school.”

Old Lady Tong gripped Tong Chuxue’s hand tightly, with such force it seemed she wanted to crush her bones. “How dare you!”

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Tong Chuxue sneered, “A cornered rabbit still bites. Do you think I wouldn’t dare?”

Her fierce aura was unmistakable, and Old Lady Tong felt a sudden chill. No matter how much she loved silver, she wouldn’t gamble away the family’s only grandson.

“Enough. Here are the ten taels of silver. Take the money and get out immediately!”

Tong Shan saw Old Lady Tong relent and said no more. He had someone fetch paper and brush, and wrote up the document on the spot. Xu Jinniang and Old Lady Tong each pressed their thumbprints, making it official.

Old Lady Tong went back inside and brought out ten taels of broken silver, purposely shaking her hand so the coins spilled all over the ground.

Tong Chuxue paid no mind. Old Lady Tong was surely displeased, but as long as the silver was in her hands, that was enough.

Xu Jinniang stood nearby, too shocked to speak, her eyes blurred with tears as she looked at Tong Chuxue. “Chuxue, does this mean we’re no longer part of the Tong family?”

“No longer,” Tong Chuxue said. “Mother, from now on, it will just be the two of us.”

In truth, Tong Chuxue preferred to be independent rather than stay with the Tong family, hoping to live separately with Xu Jinniang.

After packing a few bundles, they were driven out by Old Lady Tong.

As dusk approached, Xu Jinniang worried, “Where will we stay tonight?”

Tong Chuxue thought for a moment and remembered Xu Jinniang’s good relationship with Lin Chunyan, the third daughter-in-law of the Luo family. The Luo family was wealthy in the village and had just built a new house last year, leaving the old house empty. Perhaps they could borrow it for a while.

With no other options, Xu Jinniang agreed and they went to the Luo family.

The matter with the Tong family had caused a stir all day, and the news spread throughout Qingshan Village, including to the Luo family.

When Xu Jinniang and Tong Chuxue arrived, the Luo family had just finished dinner. Lin Chunyan was delighted to see Xu Jinniang and quickly took them to her room. “You must be hungry after such a long day. I’ll get some noodles for you.”

Xu Jinniang felt awkward about eating at the Luo family’s house, but Tong Chuxue knew appearances were less important now and quickly said, “Thank you, Auntie Lin.”

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Lin Chunyan smiled. “No trouble at all. Don’t be shy with me.”

Soon, Lin Chunyan brought two bowls of noodles to the table, each topped with a large fried egg.

For ordinary farming families, they usually saved their eggs to sell at the market, only eating them on special occasions. The Luo family giving each guest an egg was truly generous by rural standards.

After finishing the noodles, Xu Jinniang hesitated for a long time. Lin Chunyan grew anxious but didn’t understand what she meant until Luo Hui’an, who happened to pass by the doorway, revealed the truth. “Mother, Auntie Xu wants to ask if she can borrow the old house to live in.”

Tong Chuxue looked toward the yard and saw a thin figure standing there. The sky was darkening, so she could not make out the face, only that the person spoke gently and with the air of a scholar.

Lin Chunyan suddenly understood. “Ah, so that’s it. You should have just said so instead of beating around the bush. Alright, I’ll ask my parents. The old house has been empty for a long time, so I don’t think they’ll refuse.”

She then went toward the main house.

Xu Jinniang worried whether they were asking too much. “Chuxue, do you think this might be too difficult a request for Auntie Lin?”

Tong Chuxue was optimistic. “Mother, we’re just borrowing a few old rooms, and not living for free—we can pay some rent.”

“Yes, you’re right. We shouldn’t stay in someone else’s house without paying,” Lin Chunyan nodded repeatedly.

After about fifteen minutes, loud arguing came from inside the Luo family’s main house, with many voices overlapping. Tong Chuxue couldn’t make out what they were saying.

Xu Jinniang suddenly stood up, hesitating whether to go see what was happening, but felt it inappropriate as an outsider to meddle in someone else’s family affairs.

Tong Chuxue pulled her back down into her chair. “Mother, you rest. I’ll go see what’s going on.”