The three Chen siblings were overjoyed. From now on, they no longer needed to worry about relatives and elders. If they displeased them, they could just give them a good beating!
The village head also breathed a sigh of relief. The best time to sever ties was when Chen Ping was completely clueless.
This wasn't an act of unfairness on his part; he was thinking of the whole village!
Cheng Yue is a capable person and the hope of their entire village. How can such a promising person be dragged down by Chen Ping's family?
He's doing this for the benefit of the whole village!
After some self-reflection, the village headman's slight unease vanished completely.
With both families present, severing ties becomes much simpler.
The process involves opening the ancestral hall to inform the ancestors, with clan elders serving as witnesses, and finally, pressing handprints on the document. Then, the document is stamped by the government.
With the matter settled, the village head reprimanded, "Since the kinship has been severed, we are now two separate families. However, since we live in the same village, we should still live in harmony."
He trusted Chen An's family; the warning was mainly directed at Chen Ping.
“Uncle Village Head is right.” Chen An added to himself, “I won’t offend others unless they offend me.”
He shouldn't say that the village head was leading the breakup of the family ties, lest he put the village head in an awkward position.
Chen Ping glanced at Chen An and said with a forced smile, "We will all listen to Uncle Village Head."
The village head didn't care what the two were thinking; as long as things looked good on the surface, that was enough. He said to Chen Ping, "Your wife and Chen Gen's handprints are still missing. Go and put them on together!"
Chen Gen was seriously injured and couldn't come to the ancestral hall. Li Manying was taking care of Chen Gen and didn't come either, but it's okay if she can't come or not.
"I don't know what Chen Gen did wrong, but he got a beating. Hey? You guys are still running your business, you weren't implicated, were you?"
After pressing their fingerprints, Cheng Yue and the others had just come out of the house when Aunt Li approached them first, looking somewhat worried.
Severing ties with relatives was not considered a good thing in ancient times, but surprisingly, people not only didn't think much of it, but even considered their feelings.
Cheng Yue shook her head and smiled, "We're fine, we haven't been affected."
"That's good! It's right to break off this relationship! This family is no good; they might cause trouble for others in the future!"
Aunt Li patted Cheng Yue's hand and leaned closer to whisper.
Cheng Yue touched her nose. She had experienced Aunt Li's loud voice before, so there was no need to get close to talk to her; it was practically the same as shouting anyway.
As soon as Aunt Li took the lead, the women standing around also came over.
"Now that Chen Gen has entered the government office, I'm afraid he won't be able to continue his studies, right?"
"Of course! They've committed crimes, which academy would dare to accept them?"
Although they were illiterate, they still understood the principles. Those who entered the government office and were even beaten with a cane must not have been able to study.
"I just don't know what they did wrong? Cheng Yue, you're doing business in the city, do you know anything about this?"
She knew all too well, after all, she was the one who sent the people in, but how should she put it?
Just as Cheng Yue was getting ready, a woman who didn't like Zhao interrupted her, saying, "Whatever he did has nothing to do with us."
If you ask me, it's better if Chen Gen can't study! It'll save that old hag Zhao from constantly snobbish and looking down on everyone!
Now look what's happened! His precious grandson will end up like us, a peasant who can only go home and farm!
Everyone gathered around the doorway, discussing the matter quite loudly. Zhao, sitting inside, became increasingly agitated as she listened, and eventually, in a fit of anger, she ran out and started cursing.
"You foul-mouthed, black-hearted bastard! My grandson is destined for high office. If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll tear your stinking mouth apart!!"
They actually said his grandson couldn't study and wanted to go home to farm—what utter nonsense!
The academy hasn't even given any instructions, yet these stupid women are spouting nonsense. Aren't they cursing her grandson?
"Pah! Are you out of your mind? What kind of time is this to be dreaming?"
He's already in the yamen getting a beating, and he's still thinking about studying! It's laughable!
The woman rolled her eyes, finding it both amusing and speechless.
"Mother! Stop talking. Xiaogen is already like this, aren't you ashamed?"
Chen Ping came out and whispered to stop Zhao Shi, otherwise who knows what her mother might say if he didn't stop her.
Although Chen Gen couldn't get an education, he was still his son, and he would have to rely on the villagers for help in the future.
If they offend everyone, how will they survive in the village?
"Boss, what...what do you mean?"
Chen Ping didn't answer, but Zhao Shi already understood. It seemed that Chen Gen really couldn't continue his studies.
How can she maintain her glamorous image after this?
Zhao clapped her hands together, her body went limp, and she was about to fall to the ground.
Chen Ping quickly helped her up and whispered, "Mother, this grandson won't do. You have other grandsons. I'll tell you about them later. Get up first."
Zhao immediately stopped crying and looked at Chen Ping suspiciously.
She only has two grandsons, right? Besides Chen Gen, it's Chen Shu. What does the eldest son mean by this? Could it be...?
Chen Ping didn't care what Zhao was thinking; he was only thinking that he had lost face today and was eager to regain it.
So he changed the subject, saying, "Uncles and aunts, brothers, the wheat harvest is in a few days. Our family is short of labor, so we were thinking of asking some villagers to help out. We can earn some extra money for everyone, ten coins a day. Who wants to come?"
Ten coins a day—who else but themselves would be so generous? For the sake of the money, the villagers probably wouldn't point fingers at them anymore.
Chen Ping's expression was gentle, but his tone was extremely arrogant, as if he were bestowing a handout. He probably still expected everyone to be grateful to him!
Cheng Yue snorted coldly, waiting for Chen Ping to be humiliated.
Sure enough, Aunt Zhou's incredulous voice rang out, "How much did you say? Ten coins?"
Chen Ping straightened his clothes, puffed out his chest, and said, "Exactly!"
See? He said that these peasants have never seen silver in their lives, yet they can get a few copper coins at any time.
"You have the nerve to say 'ten coins'? I thought I misheard you!"
Aunt Zhou's voice was almost split in two. Her son could earn thirty coins a day building chicken and duck coops for Cheng Yue, the same price as carrying heavy loads in town.
Harvesting wheat requires working under the scorching sun, bending over all day, which is no easier than carrying heavy sacks. Yet Chen Ping offered only ten coins. Isn't that deliberately bullying people?
"Ten coins? You think you can give a beggar that much?"
"That's right. If you're unwilling to spend the money, then collect it yourself. Anyway, your son Chen Gen can't continue his studies. It's a good opportunity for him to get some experience in the fields, so that he won't be unable to cultivate the land and go hungry later!"
Aunt Li stood with her hands on her hips, finding Chen Ping and Zhao Shi increasingly unpleasant to look at, and relentlessly stabbed them in the back.
Chen Ping was basking in the thought of everyone eagerly signing up, feeling quite pleased with himself, when suddenly everyone poured cold water on his enthusiasm, leaving him stunned for a long time.
Zhao was so angry that her heart ached, and she dared not say another word.
She didn't know anything because Chen Ping wasn't home, but she had heard about Chen An's family building a chicken coop, and the wages were thirty coins a day!
As soon as she heard Chen Ping mention ten coins, she knew something terrible was about to happen!
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