Old Madam Liu still remembered what her eldest daughter-in-law had told her about using Daya to exchange for a bride price, so she put on a hypocritical expression and said:
“I admit I’ve been a bit strict with them in the past, but wasn’t it all for their own good?”
“They are my own grandchildren. How could I possibly separate from them or sever ties? Where would these children even go? I can’t bear to part with them either.”
The old madam deliberately showed a pained, reluctant expression, her wrinkled face scrunching together. It was so grotesque that Liu Qingyan felt like vomiting.
At that moment, Doctor Song arrived. Seeing Liu Qingyan’s face and body covered in blood, he was also quite shocked.
He quickly asked, “Daya, where are you injured?”
Liu Qingyan hurriedly replied, “Doctor Song, I was injured on the back of my head—my grandmother hit me. She was trying to beat the three of us siblings to death.”
“I said we wanted to separate and sever ties, but she refused. Could you please take a good look at my injury? Is it very serious? It must cost a lot of money to treat, right?”
“We siblings don’t have any money. Since we haven’t separated yet, then the medical expenses—please ask my grandmother to pay!”
Her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear clearly.
Doctor Song, being an astute man, examined her wound and felt her pulse for a while before sighing:
“Ah… Daya’s injury is quite serious. Including oral medicine and external ointments, it will cost at least 20 taels of silver.”
“If it’s not treated, this child won’t live many more days. Truly pitiful.”
Liu Qingyan thought to herself that Doctor Song was really cooperating—his acting was excellent.
She knew her own condition well. In her past life, she had been a squad leader in a special forces unit and often got injured; she also received medical training and could handle minor injuries herself.
When Old Madam Liu heard it would cost 20 taels, her heart tightened.
She was unwilling to spend that much silver on this “little wretch.” Besides, even if she sold her off for marriage, she might not even get 20 taels back.
At that moment, the eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Liu Zhao, leaned close to the old madam and whispered:
“Mother, the bride price won’t even reach 20 taels. Why not just let those three little brats leave?”
“If they sever ties, and that girl dies from not getting treatment, it won’t be our problem. The other two children won’t need to be raised by us either.”
Old Madam Liu’s eyes rolled as she thought it over.
Then she said, “Alright then. Daya, since you insist on separating and severing ties, then fine—we’ll cut ties.”
“After the separation, don’t come to me for medical expenses anymore. Whether you live or die has nothing to do with our Liu family.”
Liu Qingyan said, “Grandmother, once we sever ties, my siblings and I will never step foot in your house again. Even if we starve to death, we will never come begging to you.”
“Village Chief, please help us write two severance documents—each side keeps one. My father’s compensation silver is 30 taels, all of which is currently in Grandmother’s hands.”
“Now that we are severing ties, we have nothing to our names. How are we supposed to survive? At least give us 10 taels. And the farmland should also be divided for us.”
“Yes, the money and land should be divided among the children,” the village chief said. “Sister-in-law Liu, the second son’s compensation money should give them 10 taels, and at least two mu of land. Otherwise, how can you bear to let these children starve?”
When Old Madam Liu heard she had to give up money, she immediately refused.
“The silver has already been mostly spent! It’s been so long—does the whole family not eat or drink? And there isn’t that much land either!”
“If I give it all to them, how are the rest of us supposed to live?”
To her, dividing the silver was like cutting flesh from her heart.
The village chief tried to persuade her again, but the old madam sat on the ground and began throwing a tantrum.
She shouted, “The village chief is forcing me to death! My grandchildren don’t care about their own grandmother’s life!”
Seeing her act this way, Liu Qingyan said, realizing they would not get that much money:
“Then give us seven taels of silver. One mu of dry land will be enough.”
“There’s no way we can give that much silver!” the old madam shouted again.
“Do you think the whole family doesn’t need to eat? Do you children not eat? You ungrateful wretches! We fed and raised you, and now you still want money? Not a chance!”
“I’ll give you one mu of land and one tael of silver—that’s already scraped from my bones!”
The village chief frowned. “One tael and one mu of land—how are these children supposed to survive?”
“How about you also give them a full set of pots, bowls, knives, and farming tools? Then increase it to three taels of silver. You can’t be so heartless.”
“Aren’t you afraid the spirits of the second son and his wife will come back at night to find you?”
Hearing this, Old Madam Liu shuddered. Superstition about ghosts was deeply rooted in people of this era.
Although she was somewhat afraid, she was still extremely stingy.
She said, “We only have one set of household items. We can’t split more.”
“Fine! I’ll give them two taels of silver and one mu of land. That’s all I can offer. If you push me any further, you’re forcing this old woman to die!”
Seeing that she had started acting shameless again, Liu Qingyan grew tired of looking at her wrinkled, stubborn face and decided not to argue further. She nodded at the village chief.
The village chief understood and said, “Alright, I’ll go draft the agreement.”
The eldest son of the Chen family in the village, who studied at a school in town, volunteered to go home and fetch writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone since his house was nearby.
During this time, the villagers discussed among themselves, feeling that Old Madam Liu was extremely cruel—only giving the three children two taels of silver and one mu of land. How would they survive in the future? Everyone felt sorry for them.
Soon, the severance documents were written. Both parties pressed their fingerprints, and it would become official once stamped at the town office.
Old Madam Liu slowly came out of the house, reluctantly handing over the two taels of silver and the land deed with great pain.
After receiving the silver and deed, Liu Qingyan led her younger brother and sister to bow to the village chief and villagers in gratitude:
“Thank you, Village Chief Grandpa, Grandma Li, and all the uncles, aunts, grandpas, and grandmas.”
The original owner had always been timid and rarely spoke, which everyone knew.
No one expected that today she would be so articulate and even know how to show gratitude.
It seemed the child had been forced to change her personality. But perhaps that was good—now that she had severed ties with the Liu family, she would need to be strong to survive.
If she were still as weak as before, she would not be able to live in this world.
As soon as Liu Qingyan stood up, she felt dizzy. She had lost a lot of blood earlier.
The original body was already malnourished and anemic, so she had no strength left.
After bowing, she collapsed back to the ground, and Erhu quickly helped her up.
Liu Qingyan said, “Second brother, you and Third Sister go pack our things. We’re moving out immediately.”
The two children hurried back inside to pack.
She then said to the village chief, “Village Chief Grandpa, we have nowhere to stay. Can we live in the straw hut at the village end?”
The village chief turned to discuss with the villagers:
“The straw hut at the village end belongs to the village. Do you all agree to let these children live there? It has been unused anyway, so there’s no need to charge rent.”