Guan Xiyue had already investigated the customs of the era: female households existed, typically led by widows with sons or by women whose families had no male heirs. Usually, these women had inherited property from their husbands or parents, so even without an independent income, they could survive.
So Uncle Yang’s first thought was reasonable—Guan Xiyue, now a dismissed concubine, wanted to establish a female household on her own without any permanent assets. How could she possibly live independently?
But seeing her insistence, he guessed she might have received some backup silver from the Zhou family and did not want to share it with her own family, so she was hurrying to register her household.
That complicated things. Even though Uncle Yang, as the village head, wouldn’t fear her grandfather, he would still be bothered if Old Guan caused trouble later.
Guan Xiyue, aware of his concerns, casually explained: “I left the Zhou household without taking a single thing. Uncle Yang, I understand your worries—you’re afraid my grandfather or father might blame you. Why don’t you come with me to my home and see their attitude yourself?”
Yang Lizheng immediately agreed. Being a smooth operator, he naturally wanted to resolve things satisfactorily without inviting trouble, and perhaps gain some credit.
As they walked through the village, people noticed Yang Lizheng and his wife escorting a girl dressed in bright red. Curious villagers came out to watch. After a moment, they realized this was Guan Xiyue, the young woman from the Guan family who had married into the wealthy Zhou family as a concubine.
Like Li, the villagers noted the drastic change. Just over twenty days had passed, and she looked very different.
When the group finally arrived at the old Guan household, the real drama began.
Guan Xiyue’s tears flowed freely as she walked straight up to the stunned Old Guan: “Grandfather, the Zhou family isn’t human. I helped them bring young Master Zhou back to health, but now they say I’m not even worth the twenty taels of silver. I must get ten taels back, or they’ll dismiss me!”
A shockwave ran through the crowd—what a scandal! Even rich families could be so heartless.
Before Old Guan could respond, Grandmother Wang shouted angrily: “What kind of logic is this? How can you take back the bride price? You’re no longer part of their family. Even if they dismiss you, you are not my family!”
After all, the twenty taels of silver were the old couple’s nest egg. With so many children and hoping the youngest son would pass the imperial exams and marry a proper official’s daughter, how could they allow this little “piglet” to take it back?
Guan Xiyue spoke logically: “I understand that I can’t take the bride price back, but if I don’t get it, life in the Zhou household will be difficult. You don’t know—although they are wealthy, I could barely get a meal. Later, once I’m established in the Zhou household, I would have helped support my family.”
Mother Zhang, seeing her daughter’s transformation, was overjoyed, but also heartbroken. She timidly pleaded with her mother-in-law: “Mother, Xiyue makes sense. Why not let her take the ten taels this time? She will repay us someday.”
Elder Aunt Zhao immediately objected: “She’s just a concubine of the third son’s family. Are you out of your mind? Giving her the money is like throwing buns at a dog—gone without return. Even twenty taels, they don’t think it’s worth it. Xiyue, you’re truly unlucky.”
Guan Xiyue quickly scanned the room. Every family member was cautious, afraid she would really take the money.
Her father, Guan Heping, honest and simple, fidgeted with his hands, lips trembling, yet not a word came out.
Her younger siblings, previously distant, now frowned at her request. Life at home had finally improved, and they were displeased with her demands.
Eldest brother Guan Hejin scowled: “Xiyue, you’re grown up. How can you let your husband’s family incite you to come back and make a scene? The Zhou family is wealthy—they don’t care about ten or twenty taels!”
Old Guan spoke sternly: “As the saying goes, ‘A married daughter is like water poured out.’ Xiyue, you can’t cause trouble for your own family on behalf of your in-laws. To your family, you are already ‘poured out.’ Whether wealthy or poor, you live your own life—it’s none of your family’s concern.”
This was the truth. Across all eras, many people thought this way. Even today, a daughter who divorces and returns home often finds her family resentful, considering her a burden and ashamed.
Hence the saying: a daughter, once grown, has no home.
Guan Xiyue wanted to resolve the issue efficiently. Her commotion aimed to secure independent household registration. Severing ties with her family was ideal; she had no real affection for them.
Seeing Old Guan take this stance, she added fuel: “If you consider me ‘poured out,’ then even if I am dismissed by the Zhou family and establish my own household, I will never come back to ask you for anything. If I become wealthy and successful, remember what you said today.”
Elder Aunt spoke sarcastically: “If you become rich and successful, we, the Guan family, will avoid you entirely. We won’t come asking for anything.”
Cousin Guan Maidong added with schadenfreude: “I thought you would be a lady of high rank, but look at you—what a pitiful sight.”
Guan Xiyue paid no mind. She knew the issue was resolved, and the future troubles should be settled.
She held her head high, walking out of the old Guan courtyard.
Mother Zhang ran after her quietly, whispering: “Child, be careful in the Zhou household. Don’t be stubborn; learn to please your husband and mother-in-law. Otherwise, how could I rest easy?”
Tears streamed down Zhang’s face. Guan Xiyue, though not her biological daughter, softened at this. She remembered how her motherly figure had suffered day and night in the poor household, seeing her daughter go off as a concubine, and now return with hardships.
Guan Xiyue discreetly placed a handkerchief in Zhang’s hand: “Mother, don’t worry about me. You should rest a bit, too. I see that Elder Aunt and Second Aunt are not as tired as you.”
Inside the handkerchief were twenty wen. Zhang recognized it immediately by touch.
She tried to refuse, but Guan Xiyue firmly held her hand: “Don’t let others see. You never have money in your hand—take this and use it.”
As Guan Xiyue and Yang Lizheng walked away, Zhang stood crying at the roadside. Her daughter, once clumsy and reckless, now even after hardships, still cared for her.
Elder Aunt Zhao watched Zhang wipe her tears, scoffing: “Why cry? Looks like even this daughter can’t be relied upon. She’s grown, became a concubine, and now comes back to make trouble for the family.”
Mother Zhang, still weeping, left Zhao and Maidong staring at each other in astonishment.