Chapter 11: Deliberately Making Things Difficult
Liu Fengjiao finally understood. No wonder her mother-in-law was so confident. It turned out that she wanted to deliberately make things difficult for the eldest brother's family.
If I starve them for a few days, I don’t believe they won’t marry their daughters off obediently.
She turned around, took out half a bag of rice bran and threw it on the ground, crossed her arms over her chest, and acted like she was gloating.
"Qing girl, think carefully. Life will be tough if we separate. Don't come to us like a dog and beg for food."
"Don't worry, even if I beg for food, I won't be able to come to your door. Just don't wait until our family gets rich and then regret it."
"Hey~~ You are so arrogant, kid. How can we regret it later?"
Liu Fengjiao covered her lips and smiled.
"Qing girl, listen to what Third Aunt says. If you don't want your parents to starve to death, I advise you to kowtow to your grandmother and admit your mistake. Just wait patiently to become the bride, and this matter will be over."
Chen Qingqing looked at the half bag of rice bran on the ground and couldn't help frowning.
In this era, having no food means death. People are unable to wear clothes or eat enough. The moral bottom line has been completely destroyed, and they try every possible means just to get a bite to eat.
I remember reading an article in my previous life.
It tells the story of a little girl who was sold to a family in the old society and helped with housework.
As time went by, she discovered that different men would come every now and then, and every time a stranger came, he would chase her and the male host out.
The hostess and the strange man stayed in the house for a long time before coming out.
As time went by, she gradually understood the human world and knew that the mistress's business was what was commonly known as "selling big kangs".
When the family has no money and can't make ends meet, the man will ask his wife to entertain customers and engage in prostitution to earn money to support the family.
If it weren't for the vicissitudes of life, who would be willing to let their wife do this kind of business?
As the saying goes, "In troubled times, a woman is worth half a cake; in prosperous times, a woman is worth ten thousand gold coins."
It turns out that this is what Old Lady Chen was planning.
As long as their family ran out of food and couldn't bear the hunger, they would definitely beg her for mercy.
At that time, no matter who I sell myself to, my father will agree.
But I'm afraid that Old Lady Chen's wish will be dashed. She has medical skills and was a good person in her previous life. Even the King of Hell won't take her. How could she starve to death so easily?
Chen Qingqing sneered, "Put away your kindness, I have the ability to feed my parents."
"Hmph, you don't know what's good for you. I'll see how long you can last." Liu Fengjiao rolled her eyes.
Wu Baoan shook his head helplessly and asked Old Lady Chen, "Auntie, where's the money?"
"We don't have a penny."
Chen Qingqing thought of the betrothal money that Old Lady Chen had received from Butcher Li, and cleared her throat.
“Since we have no money, we don’t want it either, but I’m going to be frank with you in front of the village head.
You accepted fifty taels of silver from Li the butcher. Since I won't marry you, you should return the money and call off the marriage.
If you don't return the money, and Butcher Li comes to cause trouble in the future, it will have nothing to do with our eldest wife."
Old Mrs. Chen waved her hand, looking nonchalant. "Of course, you don't have to worry about that."
"Okay, your words are enough." Chen Qingqing said calmly, "Uncle Village Head, please be a witness in this matter, so that no one will forget what we said today."
After listening to their conversation, Wu Baoan's eyes flashed with admiration. This girl was not as dull as before. Instead, she was very smart and organized. Could it be that this incident had opened her mind?
In any case, marrying Li the Butcher is indeed a dead end. Rather than being beaten to death, it is better to separate the family and break off the relationship. Perhaps there is still a glimmer of hope.
As a village head, it is his job to be a witness, so why not just go along with it.
Thinking about this, Wu Baoan smiled faintly, "Okay, Qing girl, I will be the witness. If anyone uses this matter to threaten you in the future, I will clear it up for you."
Chen Qingqing nodded slightly, "Thank you so much, Uncle Village Chief."
Wu Baoan nodded and said, "Auntie, are you going to give Zhanshan that piece of land?"
Old Mrs. Chen frowned and thought for a while, "The two acres of land on the western hillside belong to the old family."
"West Mountain is all sandy. I'm afraid the five of us in Zhanshan wouldn't even have enough to eat with just two acres of land!"
Old Mrs. Chen curled her lips in disdain. "Giving them two mu of land is already a kindness on my part, considering the bond between mother and son."
Chen Qingqing knew that the two acres of land given by Old Lady Chen were sandy. If it was a good year, it would be bearable, but if it was a drought year, not only would there be no harvest, but she would also have to lose the money she spent on seeds.
But she was not worried. As long as she had money, and her parents wanted to farm, she could just earn money and buy a few acres of good land.
"Dad, we'll take whatever piece of land my grandma gives us. Don't worry, you and mom are blessed people. Even sandy land can grow abundant crops."
Chen Zhanshan's body swayed, his heart bleeding. "Mother, the two acres of land in Xishan didn't produce a single crop this year. Are you deliberately starving your son to death?"
Old Mrs. Chen rolled her eyes at him, her words full of sarcasm.
"Didn't your precious daughter say that you'd make a fortune after the family splits up? Are you still afraid of starving to death after hearing that? Just wait and enjoy a peaceful life with your precious daughter!"
Liu Fengjiao curled her lips in contempt.
"Brother, don't you think about Chen Han and Chen Feng? If Zhan Cai passes the imperial examination one day, they will be his nephews. How much credit will they get?
Is it worth it to split up the family just for a girl? You should apologize to your mother immediately and marry Qing off to save her from starvation when the family is split up."
Chen Zhanshan was so angry that his eyes turned red and tears were about to fall out. "Don't say it, I will not marry Qing girl to Li the butcher."
"Feng Jiao, don't try to persuade him. Your elder brother is determined and has been deceived by that damn girl." Old Lady Chen said coldly with a stern face.
"Village head, we don't have many houses, so I won't give any to the eldest family. I'll give them the two cowsheds next door as a temporary shelter.
Also, I gave birth to a child and raised him. He was born from my intestines, so he must give me one or two taels of silver a year as support. If he agrees, you can write the document."
Wu Baoan felt a little embarrassed and asked again seriously, "Auntie, if you insist on dividing the family property and signing the agreement, you will become two families. You should think it through carefully."
"I understand all this, so don't try to persuade me."
Wu Baoan nodded and looked at Chen Qingqing, "Zhanshan, Qing girl, do you agree to the maintenance fee of one tael of silver per year?"
Chen Zhanshan looked embarrassed. "Mom, I'm willing to pay for your support, but one ounce of silver a year is too much, isn't it?"
Old Lady Chen gritted her teeth and glared, then started cursing, "You heartless bastard! I gave birth to you and raised you, and I only gave you one ounce of silver a year, and you think that's too much? If I'd known you were so heartless, I should have strangled you to death when you were born!"
Chen Qingqing knew her father's concerns. An ordinary farmer's family could not save more than two taels of silver in a year, and Old Lady Chen asked for one tael of silver, which was obviously an exorbitant demand.
But as children, they have the obligation to support their elderly parents no matter what era. As long as the old lady Chen and her husband don't cause trouble for her family in the future, she will accept the one or two taels of silver.
"I agree. I'll give you one tael of silver a year, but not now. My father will send it to you every Spring Festival."
......
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