The next day, everyone in the Tao family rose early. After breakfast, Old Man Tao led a few of them to the village chief’s house, leaving Tao Qingmiao and the two young children from the second wife to look after the home.
On their way, they encountered quite a few villagers carrying hoes on their way to the fields to tend to their crops. Seeing Old Man Tao leading his family past, they all exchanged a few pleasantries.
Before long, they had reached their destination. Old Master Tao stood outside the gate and called out, “Is Village Head Wang at home?” He then stepped forward and knocked on the door. Soon, footsteps could be heard from within.
A young man opened the door. Upon seeing the visitors, he greeted them: “Is that Old Master Tao?” As he spoke, he ushered the group inside.
Village Head Wang’s family had only just finished breakfast, and the woman of the house was tidying up. Seeing this, Old Man Tao paused in the courtyard, hunched over, and asked: “Am I disturbing you?”
Wang Cunzhen waved his hand. “What brings you here so early in the morning? Is it urgent?”
Old Man Tao rubbed his hands together, paused to think, then said, “We’d previously discussed dividing the household between the eldest and second sons, so I’ve come today to finalise the matter.”
“But your eldest son has no male heirs at present. How can you possibly divide the household?” Wang Cunzhen stopped rolling his cigarette and looked at him in puzzlement.
Seizing the moment, Erlang stepped forward to explain, “We’ve agreed within the family that my eldest sister-in-law will establish her own household as a woman-headed household and raise the two girls on her own from now on.”
A woman-headed household? Village Head Wang furrowed his brow in thought. While there was indeed such a custom of a woman establishing her own household, he had never once encountered it since becoming village head. How on earth would these country bumpkins from the Tao family know of such things?
He suppressed his displeasure, maintaining a placid expression, and asked Zhao Liniang directly, “Madam Zhao, have you agreed to the division of the household?”
Zhao Liniang turned towards the voice upon hearing the question, and it was a long while before she nodded. Seeing this, Tao Qinghe could only answer on her behalf: “Village Head, the division has indeed been agreed upon.”
Seeing that it was a young girl who had answered, Village Head Wang said no more. He glanced at the sun, judging that most people would not yet be out in the fields at this hour, and immediately sent his young grandson out to summon them. Only then did he speak: “Since this is a family matter, I cannot meddle unduly. However, as your Tao family originally fled here and have no relatives in the village, we must find someone else to act as a witness.”
Old Man Tao had no choice but to agree.
The group followed Village Head Wang out of the house and made their way towards the large drying ground. Along the way, they encountered people heading to the fields with their hoes. Seeing the Village Head leading the Tao family past, their curiosity was piqued; they even stopped hoeing and, hoes in hand, followed the procession.
They had barely arrived when the witnesses began to arrive one after another. Seeing that everyone was present, Village Head Wang cleared his throat and raised his voice: “The first and second branches of the Tao family have agreed on the division of the household. The wife of the eldest son, Mother Zhao, is to take the eldest son’s place and establish a separate household. We have gathered you all here today to serve as witnesses.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than the crowd erupted in commotion.
“But didn’t the eldest son of the Tao family leave just a couple of days ago?”
“That’s right! How can this Zhao woman possibly establish her own household?”
“Good heavens! Can the Tao family’s eldest branch really split up without a male heir?”
“Poor girls—they’ll have a hard time of it from now on!”
The crowd that had gathered to join the commotion was now thoroughly entertained, chattering away incessantly. However, the faces of the members of the Tao family’s second branch grew grim as they heard these remarks.
Seeing this, Village Head Wang immediately shouted, “Quiet, everyone! Since so many have gathered, let us all bear witness!”
He turned to Old Man Tao. “Though our eldest son is no longer with us, this deed of division must be drawn up so that Lady Zhao may establish her own household.”
Hearing this, Old Man Tao did not hesitate for a moment. He spoke directly: “Though Mother Zhao was unable to bear a son for my eldest son, she has lived in the Tao household for many years and has been a virtuous and dutiful woman. Therefore, I bequeath to her one tael of silver, one shi of grain, and grant her the thatched cottage and fields at the foot of the eastern mountain. The rest of the household’s possessions shall not be included for the time being.”
As the crowd listened to his words, they could not help but make their own calculations in their minds. Old Man Tao was being terribly biased. How long would a shi of grain last? And how long would a tael of silver last? Not to mention that the plot of land had only just been cleared, hadn’t it? And as for the thatched cottage—who didn’t know it was merely a makeshift hut that Tao Dalang had built with his own money! How were Mother Zhao and her daughters supposed to make a living from now on?
Whispers of discussion rose once more from all sides, and one woman’s voice rang out particularly loud: “Old Uncle Tao! Giving them just these few things—aren’t you afraid your eldest son will be disappointed in the afterlife?”
Tao Qinghe looked in the direction of the voice; it was an auntie whose face seemed vaguely familiar.
Old Man Tao’s face darkened as he retorted, “You all know full well how much the Tao family has spent on Da-lang these past few days! How could we possibly have any more silver to give to that Zhao woman now?”
The woman shook her head repeatedly, tutting, “If Tao Da-lang knew his wife and daughter had been cast out onto the street, I wonder if he’d return in the dead of night to lament his fate!”
Old Man Tao glared at her the moment he heard this; this Ding woman had always been utterly inconsiderate! To utter such words at a time like this—how was the Tao family ever to hold their heads high in the future?
Village Head Wang, wishing to avoid further trouble, quickly intervened: “Ding, say no more! Since this is a matter for the Tao family, and Madam Zhao has no objections, let us proceed as written in the deed of division. Everyone, please come forward to affix your seals.” ”
Tao Qinghe, her face etched with gratitude, gave a slight bow to Madam Ding before helping Madam Zhao to her feet and stepping forward. Once everyone had affixed their seals, the weight on the hearts of the second branch of the Tao family was finally lifted.
Putting away the deed of partition, Village Head Wang looked around. “Now that this matter is settled, you may all disperse. Mustn’t the crops in the fields be watered and weeded?”
Having had their fill of the spectacle, the villagers found the gathering rather dull and began to leave in small groups.
Seeing that the crowd had dispersed, Village Head Wang explained to the remaining members of the Tao family: “Although the deed of division has been drawn up, I must still make a trip to the county town. Once it has been reviewed, the household registration for Mother Zhao and the two young ladies will be issued.”
Old Man Tao, his back slightly hunched, wore a broad smile on his face; naturally, he had no objection.
“Village Head, thank you for your trouble in registering our household,” Tao Qinghe suddenly spoke up.
Village Head Wang looked at her, a sigh rising in his heart. The widow was not one to settle down, and this young girl would have to observe three years of mourning; the days ahead would be hard!
However many thoughts crossed his mind, he gave nothing away. He nodded and replied, “Now you, your sister and your mother will be living on your own; you’ll have to find a way to establish your household.”
Having said this, he glanced up and saw that the sun had not yet reached its zenith. Village Head Wang thought it best to make a trip to the county town to settle the matter without delay. So he dismissed the Tao family and gathered his things to set off.