The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 127 - 116: Resolution (Additional 51)

Chapter 127: Chapter 116: Resolution (Additional 51)

Old Liu’s chest deflated suddenly as he looked toward Old Zhou, who sat across from him in silence, and he knew Old Zhou felt the same.

After all, their families had been in-laws for eight years, and he probably understood Old Zhou’s temperament, knowing that Old Zhou would never just return the dowry without any compensation at all.

But giving back an identical dowry was out of the question too; it was too expensive. If they gave that as compensation, it would mean spending the equivalent of three betrothal gifts for Eldest.

Old Zhou was not inflexible. He had never expected the Liu family to be able to compensate with a dowry exactly identical to the one they brought.

In the end, after discussion, the Liu family agreed to return to Zhou Xi all of the dowry she had brought with her. The bedding and clothes had to be newly made, and beyond that, they would also have to give Zhou Xi a silver bracelet and a string of cash, as her compensation.

Of course, the Liu family could not produce these things immediately, so the divorce papers could not be drawn up just yet, Old Zhou said, "These matters must be settled before the new year. Our Zhou family doesn’t have the time to wait for you. We’ll give you three days to prepare everything. The seams on the clothes and bedding must be sturdy. In three days, we’ll invite the Chief to handle the divorce papers."

A letter of divorce wasn’t effective just by being given, and a divorce agreement didn’t have legal effect simply by being signed; it had to be registered at the government office.

However, this was not their concern, because these matters were usually reported directly to the Chief, who would then report to higher authorities.

The government offices were closed for the New Year, but the Chief did not take a break.

A hundred households make up one district, and Qili Village and the Liu family’s village did not share the same Chief. When the time came, they needed to invite both Chiefs to serve as witnesses.

In front of witnesses from both clans, Old Zhou and Old Liu discussed the compensation. The two villages’ chiefs were witnesses. As long as both families wanted to continue living in the village, they couldn’t go back on the agreement.

Only then did the Zhou family leave with cold snorts. On their way out, Junior Ms. Qian went with her sisters-in-law into Liu Dalang’s room, took away all the belongings that were Zhou Xi’s, then went to Mother Liu’s room, took out the camphor wood chest, and carried it away directly.

The faces of the Liu family looked very ugly.

This matter was settled, and for the Liu family, it was a resolution. But for the Zhou family, the difficulties had just begun.

Upon returning home, Old Zhou told Ms. Qian, "I’ll stay in Four’s room tonight. Ask Xi what kind of man she would like to marry if she remarries. We’ll take all the things the Liu family returned and give them to her."

Ms. Qian sighed, "She doesn’t want to get married again."

"Not get married? Then where will she live?" Old Zhou said, "What will she do when she’s old? Depend on her brothers?"

Ms. Qian didn’t speak. She had tried persuading Zhou Xi for an entire afternoon. Although Zhou Xi didn’t say a word, Ms. Qian could feel her attitude, and, most importantly, she feared that pressing her too much could make the child desperate, so Ms. Qian also dared not say much.

Manbao was counting money on her bed; it was the money her brothers Wulang and Liulang had earned from selling candy in town yesterday. Manbao had received a sizable share.

Although she had counted it yesterday, she counted again today. Hearing her parents’ voices growing louder, seemingly about to argue, she scooped all the coins into her clothing at her belly, slid off the bed, and ran over, "Dad, Mom, stop arguing. Look, I have money."

The couple turned their attention to Manbao.

Manbao pulled the edge of her garment down to show them the money in the pocket, "Dad, why don’t you ask the Chief to approve a plot of land for Eldest Sister to build a house? Right next to ours will do. Teacher said since Eldest Sister has neither a husband nor a son, she can establish a ’female household.’

Old Zhou let out a sad sigh, "You’re thinking too simply, child. If your sister doesn’t marry, how will she manage her life?"

"I’m not married either."

Old Zhou and Ms. Qian: "..."

Manbao had asked Keke, and Keke said that in the future, many girls wouldn’t get married. They would still live well.

Why?

Because they had money!

Manbao thought carefully, even made a list on paper, and found that Keke was absolutely right. It all came down to money.

If Eldest Sister had money, would her parents be so keen on her marrying off?

She said, "Mom, I’ve thought it all through for Eldest Sister. We’ll build her a house and have our brothers reclaim some land to farm. Eldest Sister is so capable; she’ll surely be able to live well."

Old Zhou said, "She’s young now, her hands and feet nimble, but what about when she’s older?"

Old Zhou continued, "When she can’t move around or work anymore, what will she eat or drink?"

"If Eldest Sister has money, she could hire someone. Take Datou, for example; as long as she pays him, he’ll take good care of Eldest Sister."

"From what you say, earning money seems as easy as picking up stones. Is money that easy to earn?"

Manbao: "It’s not very difficult."

"All right then," Ms. Qian said, "Why are you arguing with Manbao? She just got back. If she’s to marry, it should be after the new year. We can’t just marry her off to anyone; we need to look carefully. Let’s wait a year or half a year before discussing it."

Old Zhou gasped, "But how will we manage living arrangements in this house?"

This was indeed a major problem and of utmost importance; the house was getting too cramped.

When they built the house, Zhou Xi had been married off for years already, so they hadn’t even considered her.

Moreover, at that time, the Zhou family wasn’t very wealthy. Didn’t even Silang, Wulang, and Liulang all share one room?

Ms. Qian glanced worriedly at the yard outside and said, "Let’s set up a straw shed next to the woodshed. Move Four and his family there to live. Prepare a couple more blankets for them; it won’t be so cold after spring arrives."

Old Zhou then fell silent.

The Zhou family fed the villagers who had come to help a meal, then sent them on their way, leaving behind the three Qian uncles who didn’t leave.

Eldest Uncle Qian said, "We’ll go to Liu’s village with you again after three days. Since the person has returned, don’t scold her. She’s still young and not bad-looking; she won’t have trouble finding a husband."

Though she might not marry particularly well anymore – the countryside is full of bachelors. Toads with two legs may be hard to find, but men with two legs are everywhere.

Third Uncle Qian then said, "What’s the point of marrying again? Xi can’t have children; marrying her off would just make her a laborer elsewhere. Better she stays and helps at home. If not, she can find work outside; I know that some wealthy families treat their servants well, and if she works hard, they might support her until the end."

Ms. Qian, incensed, glared at him, "Shut your mouth."

Third Uncle Qian feared his sister the most, so he hung his head and didn’t dare to speak.

Second Uncle Qian also gave him a sidelong look and said, "Let’s wait to get the money from the Liu family, and then take her to the county town for a checkup. Other than looking a bit pale, she doesn’t seem to have any serious issues. With treatment, she might be cured."

If she could be cured and have a child, that would be the best outcome.

Eldest Uncle Qian nodded, "Head to Jishi Hall. If money is tight, we’ll pitch in to help."

Speaking of chipping in, Eldest Uncle Qian remembered something and turned to Zhou Silang, asking sternly, "Silang, do you still gamble?"

Zhou Silang shuddered, not understanding how the conversation had suddenly turned to him. Head bowed, he nervously shook his head, "No, I don’t gamble anymore."

Eldest Uncle Qian, who detested gamblers most, harrumphed coldly, "If you gamble again, I don’t care what your father, mother, or brothers do; I will have your cousin break your legs first."

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