Chapter 9: Finding a Place to Stay

After finishing the meal, everyone except Wen Liyue gathered in the main hall.

Granny Wen and the eldest Wen brother wore sullen faces, while Mrs. Luo shot fiery glances at the third branch and others.

Wen the Third and Mrs. Lin didn’t even dare to sit down; Wen Lan clung to Wen Chuizi, shrinking quietly in the back.

"Third brother and sister-in-law, please sit! Mei, bring two chairs for your younger uncle and aunt to sit," Mrs. Fang said.

Wen Mei reluctantly grabbed two stools and slammed them down behind Wen the Third.

The couple pressed their lips together, still too afraid to sit.

“Let’s talk about the family division now,” Mrs. Fang said, looking toward Granny Wen. “Mother, you speak first.”

Granny Wen’s face drew long. "You’re the one with the best ideas in the family. You say it."

“Alright, I’ll get straight to the point,” Mrs. Fang said, gazing at Wen the Third and Mrs. Lin. “The family’s money is down to two taels; there’s the old house, two pigs, and seven acres of farmland.”

“But since you insisted on dividing the family yourselves, not because we forced you out, and since Chengwen and Chengwu’s bride price hasn’t been settled, the family urgently needs money. The old house, livestock, and money cannot be divided. You’ll only get one acre—the plot at the western foot of the mountain.”

Wen the Third and Mrs. Lin nodded shamefully, not daring to argue.

Just as Mrs. Fang said, it wasn’t that they were driven out, but that they left of their own accord. Not walking away empty-handed was already generous.

Wen Ye yawned, squinting. “Then let’s draft the family division document quickly! Chuizi, call Grandpa the village registrar.”

Just as Wen Chuizi was about to leave, Mrs. Fang stopped him.

“Wait. Since Chengwen and Chengwu aren’t home, the document must have their seals. If we’re dividing, the paperwork must be complete.”

“They’ll be off duty in ten days. No matter how urgent, we have to wait for Chengwen and the others to return and handle it. What do you say, Third brother, sister-in-law?” Mrs. Fang asked.

“Ah, yes, yes.”

Given the family had already granted them an acre, Wen the Third felt unworthy and dared not refuse whatever she said.

Yet at the corner of Wen Ye’s mouth curled a cold smile. The division was the Third brother’s matter; whether Chengwen and the others sealed or not was irrelevant.

Clearly, they wanted to delay. But if she forced the division now, she’d be out of line and couldn’t argue with the registrar.

She was curious to see what tricks they’d try next.

Mrs. Fang continued, “Since that’s decided, let’s all get along well for the remaining days.”

---

“Earlier, Young Lady Ye said your third branch would rest for sixteen years. But since the division is in ten days, our third branch will still take turns cooking, every two days. It’s the last bit of filial piety from the third branch to mother. Sister-in-law, what do you say?”

“Yes, yes, second sister-in-law is right,” Mrs. Lin quickly agreed.

Both Wen the Third and Mrs. Lin were humble by nature; any kindness made them feel indebted and eager to repay it manyfold.

They’d already taken an acre in the division and felt they’d gotten a bargain.

Now that Mrs. Fang spoke gently to them, how could they refuse?

Mrs. Fang smiled. “Then it’s settled.”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Luo immediately said, “Then the rotation started yesterday! I cooked yesterday and today’s lunch. Tomorrow it’s the second branch’s turn.”

Seeing Mrs. Luo try to seize even such a small advantage, Mrs. Fang just smiled and said nothing more.

...

After the discussion, the third branch returned to their small hut.

Sitting together at home, an unreal feeling lingered; in ten days, they could separate.

“Ah... where will we live after the division?” Wen the Third sighed. “One acre just won’t feed us.”

After the brief happiness, worry returned, mingled with regret.

“Hands and feet intact, will you starve to death?” Wen Ye raised an eyebrow. “Even if there really isn’t an acre, we can still lease land. It’s better than being beasts of burden here, too hungry to eat. At least no one will sell me and my sister.”

Mrs. Lin nodded. “Young Lady Ye is right—we must divide.”

Wen Ye said, “As for the house, we can ask Uncle Shengli. Doesn’t he have a few empty huts? We could ask to stay there for a while.”

Mrs. Lin and Wen the Third’s eyes brightened. Mrs. Lin said, “I’ll go ask right away!”

Wen Shengli was a taciturn man; his wife, Zhao Guihua, was very close with Mrs. Lin. They often washed clothes and gathered firewood together.

Those huts were temporary shelters Wen Shengli built when he first divided his family; he later bought land nearby and built a courtyard with earthen walls and a tiled roof. The huts had since been abandoned.

...

Wen Shengli’s home was somewhat remote, at the foot of the mountain, but a small stream nearby to the east made washing clothes convenient.

Mrs. Lin brought Wen Ye to Wen Shengli’s house.

---

Aunt Guihua and her daughter were mending clothes in the yard.

Aunt Guihua’s daughter, Wen Yuer, was fourteen this year, bore a six-point resemblance to her mother, with a round, adorable face and sweet demeanor.

Seeing Wen Ye and Mrs. Lin, mother and daughter quickly welcomed them in.

Upon hearing the third branch was separating, Aunt Guihua slapped her thigh.

“You should’ve divided long ago! As long as you’re hardworking, you’ll never starve. Forget saving money, at least you won’t have to beg for food.”

Unexpectedly, outsiders supported her, easing Mrs. Lin’s guilt somewhat.

Aunt Guihua added, “Where will you live after the division? Oh, my house has two huts—if you don’t mind, you can stay there for a while.”

Mrs. Lin, deeply moved, grasped Aunt Guihua’s hand. “Sister Guihua... I came today to ask if I could borrow a place to live for a few months... but you offered first... I really don’t know how to thank you...”

“Thank nothing! Just stay as long as you like!” Aunt Guihua was straightforward and generous. “They’re small and have thatch roofs that leak when it rains. I’ll ask the head of the house to fix them later.”

“No need, no need—we’ll fix them ourselves,” Mrs. Lin said gratefully.

Wen Yuer told Wen Ye, “Once you move in, we’ll be neighbors.”

“Yes, please take care of me!” Wen Ye smiled.

Wen Yuer was slightly surprised.

Because of Mrs. Lin’s close friendship with Aunt Guihua, Wen Yuer had often looked after the sisters, though they were all rather stiff, rarely speaking even when asked.

Now seeing Wen Ye smile so brightly, she was amazed.

But recalling Wen Ye’s recent feats, Wen Yuer felt relieved.

Poor thing must have been repressed for too long, pushed to the brink.

She vowed to guide Young Lady Ye well, so she wouldn’t wander further down the path of madness.