Although Han Shi knew her mother-in-law would not give them anything, she still felt sad upon hearing this and cried, "Mother, if you don't give us our share, what are we supposed to eat and drink?"
Old Madame Qi raised her chin and said mercilessly, "What do I care what you eat and drink?"
"Oh my, I thought the Fourth Sister-in-law was so virtuous and kind! Turns out she's this vicious, wanting to starve her predecessor's daughter-in-law and grandson to death! And this is supposed to be a scholarly family?"
Hearing the word "scholarly," Yan Shu remembered that Old Madame Qi's eldest grandson was studying in town. In ancient times, scholars cared most about their reputation. This time, Old Madame Qi had no choice but to give them their share!
Old Madame Qi said angrily, "Tian Shi, you gossip-monger! This is our family's business—what right do you, an outsider, have to stick your nose in?"
Tian Shi said coldly, "Old Madame Qi, heaven is watching what people do. If you weren't so outrageous, I wouldn't bother with your family's dirty business! Let everyone judge—am I right or not?"
Instantly, everyone began chattering about how outrageous Old Madame Qi was.
Seeing Old Madame Qi's face growing worse and worse, as if she wished she could tear their mouths apart, Yan Shu said, "Thank you all for your kindness. We never expected to split the family property in half.
However, what rightfully belongs to our eldest branch must be given to us. Otherwise, we will take my husband and mother-in-law to the county magistrate to file a complaint.
I heard my husband is a Baihu in the military camp and was injured protecting Daxing. If the magistrate learns that Grandmother is sending her gravely ill grandson and his family out with nothing, who knows how he might rule!
But no matter how he rules, Grandmother is after all a stepmother, so her reputation would certainly suffer. Perhaps even Eldest Brother might not be able to attend school anymore?"
Seeing that Old Madame Qi was so brazen that she didn't even fear the village chief, Yan Shu decided to bring up the county magistrate. She didn't believe Old Madame Qi wouldn't soften!
Upon hearing this, the second daughter-in-law Chen Shi panicked instantly. Her son had just passed the tongsheng examination this year, and she was still waiting to become the mother of a top scholar!
If her mother-in-law ruined her son's future because of this, she would die of grief. She hastily tugged at Old Madame Qi and cried, "Mother!"
Old Madame Qi was furious. This woman actually dared to threaten her with the county magistrate and her grandson's future—she truly needed to be taught a lesson.
But she was only a stepmother-in-law, and if it went to the county magistrate, she indeed wouldn't have the upper hand.
Still, she wasn't so easily fooled.
She said coldly, "Our Daxing rules the realm with filial piety. When a junior sues an elder, they must first receive twenty strokes of the board! Liu Shi, after twenty strokes, your life would be gone."
Yan Shu was stunned for a moment before remembering that before her marriage, the original owner had changed from Yan Shu to Liu Yanshu.
She sneered, "Ha! Either way it's death. If I file the complaint with the county magistrate, I die but can save six people, and you won't fare well either. But if I don't, our whole family dies!"
Old Madame Qi gnashed her teeth and said, "Fine, I'll give you your share! In our Daxing, only men who have undergone the Shufa ceremony can receive land.
In your eldest branch, only one person has reached the age of Shufa. I'll give you your father's plot as well, plus one bag of grain, and the old house. Is that enough?"
Yan Shu saw Old Madame Qi looking as pained as if her own flesh were being cut away, while the village chief seemed to want to say something but held back. She knew this division was unfair. Liu Zheshu's mother, Wang Shi, had told the original owner that the Qi family was a wealthy household in Qingshan Village, owning as much as twenty mu of land!
But now this family had the weak and the young, and she didn't know how to farm anyway. Having more land would be useless.
"Grandmother, at least five bags of wheat, five taels of silver, and some pots, bowls, and farming tools."
Old Madame Qi flew into a rage instantly. Five taels of silver—she might as well take her life!
She stepped forward and struck at Yan Shu, shouting angrily, "Yan Shu, you troublemaker! You dare demand my silver? I'll beat you to death!"
Old Madame Qi's movement was fast and fierce. Although Yan Shu had recovered some strength, she hadn't eaten for a day and a night and was running on sheer willpower. She couldn't dodge in time.
Suddenly, a figure pushed her aside, followed by a sharp smack.
Once Yan Shu steadied herself, she saw five finger marks on Han Shi's face. She was furious, but with so many people watching, she couldn't retaliate in kind. She pressed her lips together in displeasure and asked with concern, "Mother, are you alright?"
Han Shi was in great pain, but she shook her head and said, "Shu'er, Mother is fine!"
Her face was already red—how could she be fine?
Yan Shu turned and said coldly, "Grandmother, I gave you a chance. Since you won't cherish it, then we'll meet at the county office!" With that, she pulled Han Shi and said, "Mother, let's go—we're going to the county office!"
Han Shi was startled for a moment, but then nodded and followed Yan Shu outside.
Old Madame Qi was dumbfounded: Han Shi had grown bold!
And when Chen Shi saw Qi Zhishan following behind, she panicked and rushed forward to block Yan Shu, saying:
"Shu'er, such a small matter—why drag it all the way to the county magistrate! That wouldn't be good for the village chief either. Isn't that right, Uncle Village Chief? Come and persuade her! This child, she's got such a hot temper!"
The village chief shot Old Madame Qi a glare. Dividing the property unfairly was bad enough, but striking someone right in front of him—what was that if not slapping him in the face?
However, going to the county magistrate would make him look incompetent, so he said, "Fourth Sister-in-law, are you sure you want to make a big deal out of this?"
Old Madame Qi shot Yan Shu a glare. It was all this little wretch's fault, forcing her to give up so many things. But if it went to the county magistrate, not only would her eldest grandson be affected, but she'd have to part with even more silver.
Gritting her teeth, she said, "Fine, isn't it just silver? You just wait!"
Yan Shu knew when to stop pushing, and said, "Then thank you, Grandmother. Please bring out the land deed and the house deed."
Old Madame Qi shot her another glare, then turned and went back to her room.
Yan Shu said, "Second Brother, go help Third Aunt move the grain."
Qi Zhishan nodded and followed Zhao Shi into the house.
Yan Shu was about to head to the kitchen when she saw a boy and a girl running over.
They were carrying bamboo baskets, filled entirely with grass. Their thin, small bodies formed a stark contrast with the huge baskets, bending their backs under the weight. The little boy, running too fast, was soon pressed face-down onto the ground by the weight behind him.
Han Shi hurried over and helped him up. "Qing'er, are you alright?"
Seeing Han Shi's worried expression, Yan Shu suddenly remembered.
Her mother-in-law, Han Shi, had three sons and two daughters. The eldest daughter was already married. The two in front of her should be the second daughter, Qi Wuniu, eight years old, and the one who fell was the youngest son, Qi Zhiqing, six years old.
Qi Zhiqing stood up and saw that Han Shi's eyes were swollen and there was a slap mark on her face. Trembling, he said, "Mother, did Grandmother hit you again?"
Han Shi said through tears, "Mother's fine, but your grandmother wants to split the family. Mother… wuwuwu…" At that point, she couldn't continue and burst into tears again.
Qi Zhiqing had already heard that his grandmother wanted to split the family. Now hearing his mother say so, a look of joy crossed his face. "Mother, don't cry. Splitting the family is great! Once we split, we won't be bullied by them anymore!" With that, he looked at the village head.
The village head nodded and said, "Don't worry, we're in the middle of splitting the family! Your grandmother has gone to get the things allotted to you." Seeing Qi Zhiqing freeze for a moment, he added, "This is all thanks to your sister-in-law."