Chapter 2: Requesting the Village Chief

At present, Xu Jinniang barely had a place to sleep, yet she remained wholeheartedly concerned for her daughter. Tong Chuxue’s eyes grew slightly moist. Having been alone in this apocalypse for so long, she had nearly forgotten what it felt like to be cared for and protected by family.

“Mother, you don’t need to worry. Even if we separate, we’ll still manage well,” Tong Chuxue said firmly.

Though her wood-element power was faint, it could still greatly aid in farming. As long as they had a patch of land, it would be enough for the two of them to survive.

Old Madam Tong sneered at Tong Chuxue’s bold words. “Snow girl, you’re too young to understand. Given how things are with our third branch, even if I kick you both out now, it would be perfectly justified. No one can say a word against it. I’m only sparing you the shame by calling it a family division, out of respect for the Yao family.”

“Xu Jinniang, your daughter may be naive, but aren’t you? The Yao family is a scholarly household. If Snow girl gains a reputation for disrespecting elders, this marriage might not happen at all,” Old Madam Tong threatened, narrowing her eyes.

Having lived under the same roof for so many years, Old Madam Tong knew Xu Jinniang’s sole weakness was her daughter, Tong Chuxue.

Sure enough, Xu Jinniang’s face paled. She tugged on Tong Chuxue’s clothes and whispered, “Chuxue, I don’t care anymore, but you’re still young. If today’s matter gets out, your reputation will be ruined. Until you marry into the Yao family, the marriage might fall through. Listen to me for once—just accept that we have bad luck…”

Tong Chuxue, having struggled and fought her way through life, could not bear to hear words of resignation. Her voice grew firmer toward her mother. “Mother, one’s fate is in one’s own hands, not ordained by heaven. Just watch—I will make sure you leave the Tong family smoothly today.”

Looking at Tong Chuxue, Xu Jinniang felt both familiar and strange.

Well, the child was grown and had her own ideas now; she wouldn’t listen like when she was little. Besides, Old Madam Tong’s actions had been excessive. Chuxue was probably pushed to the brink.

Tong Chuxue strode to the Tong family gate and pushed it open. The scene inside was clear at a glance. Old Madam Tong’s right eyelid twitched uncontrollably—a bad premonition.

Sure enough, without warning, Tong Chuxue suddenly sat down and began to wail miserably. “Grandmother, all these years, I’ve done every chore in the Tong household. I get up before dawn to feed the chickens and pigs, cook breakfast, water the plants, wash clothes—I haven’t had a full night’s sleep in ages! And my mother works almost daily at the laundry in the county town. Even with frostbite on her hands in winter, she still washes clothes, earning only a few coins a day, and has to pay 400 coins monthly for food at home.”

“Grandmother keeps saying that after father passed, the Tong family raised us, but I do all the work. The money comes from my mother’s labor. We rise earlier than the chickens and sleep later than the dogs. Tell me, whose daughter-in-law or granddaughter in Qingshan Village works harder than us?”

Old Madam Tong just got the compensation money for father yesterday, barely had time to warm it, and now she wants to drive us out? Is she trying to force us to die?

Tong Chuxue’s voice, sharp as a woman’s naturally is, drew neighbors crowding around the gate, whispering.

“Old Madam Tong is so unreasonable. If the daughter-in-law and granddaughter say no, then no.”

“This poor girl is pitiful, but listen—she just said her mother has to pay for food every month. Who else has a grandmother demanding food fees from her own family?”

Tong Chuxue recognized one of the men as Uncle Li, who had a good relationship with her father. Wiping her tears, she pleaded, “Uncle Li, can you please help me call Overseer Li? My mother and I just want an explanation.”

Uncle Li was shocked to learn of Old Madam Tong’s harsh treatment behind the scenes. He promised, “Snow girl, don’t worry. I’ll ask Overseer Li to come and sort this out. If this isn’t dealt with, the customs of Qingshan Village will be ruined.”

Having done manual labor for years, Uncle Li was quick. Soon, Overseer Li arrived.

The village overseer of Qingshan was Tong Shan, a just and fair man trusted deeply by the villagers. People always came to him first with issues.

Old Madam Tong saw Tong Shan and, before he could speak, pounded her claw-like hand on her chest and wailed, “Overseer, you must defend your old wife! My third branch girl has completely rebelled!”

Tong Shan frowned. “What’s the matter?”

Old Madam Tong wouldn’t let Tong Chuxue speak. “You don’t know, Overseer. The officials came yesterday with news of the third’s death and gave twenty taels of compensation. I was heartbroken and cried all night, but the third’s wife and Snow girl showed no sorrow at all. Today, they even demanded the compensation money from me.”

She spoke with great emotion. “The third just died, and the third branch is already eager to divide the family’s assets. When I refused, Snow girl threw a tantrum at the gate.”

“Overseer, you must put a stop to this. If other girls follow their example, Qingshan Village will never have peace!”

The old woman thought for a moment. “Since the third branch no longer cares about the Tong family, just let them separate and live independently. That way, they won’t scheme over the money my third earned with her life.”

Tong Shan listened but didn’t immediately judge. Instead, he looked at Tong Chuxue. “Snow girl, what do you have to say?”

Tong Chuxue stopped crying, stood, brushed off the dust, and said seriously, “Nothing grandmother said is true. Today’s matter is clearly her forcing our branch to separate. When my mother refused, grandmother threatened us.”

Old Madam Tong’s temper flared. “Nonsense! When have I ever threatened you?”

Tong Shan frowned, displeased, and stopped Old Madam Tong as she charged forward. “Let Snow girl finish first.”

Tong Chuxue continued, “We understand if grandmother wants to divide the family, and we don’t refuse. But there is one condition: half of father’s compensation money must be given to us. The other half can be grandmother’s, as a filial gift. But grandmother refuses no matter what. Overseer, we asked you here as a witness. If grandmother gives us ten taels, our third branch will officially separate from the Tong family.”

Tong Shan felt troubled. Family divisions are ultimately private matters to be settled within the family. As the overseer, his role was only to witness and, if needed, draft documents for those who couldn’t write.

But for a younger family member to directly demand ten taels to separate didn’t sound very proper.

After some thought, Tong Shan said, “In principle, how a family divides its property is something you Tong family members must settle privately…”