Li Xiaohan followed behind the others as they made their way to the clan head’s house, all the while recalling everything she knew about him. 

The current clan head’s surname was Li, and his full name was Li Manjing. Although his blood relation to Li Xiandong’s family was distant, he was of the same generation as Li Xiandong and about ten years older. 

Back in the days of war and chaos, it was a capable member of the Li clan who had led their people in fleeing to Pingshan Village. The journey was full of danger and hardship, but the clansmen had remained united, and the previous clan head had been wise and capable. Because of this, the clan head held significant authority over clan affairs. 

This was true for other clans with different surnames as well. In times of chaos, those who didn’t stick together couldn’t survive. 

Even after settling down, clans still competed fiercely with each other, fighting over land, water, government-distributed supplies, and easier labor tasks. All of these depended on which clan had stronger fists and more capable members. 

This mentality had carried on to the present. 

Thinking of this part of clan history, Li Xiaohan finally understood why Li Xiandong and Madam Wang were so desperate. 

It wasn’t just about Li Changrong’s success. It was because they had no hope—no money, no sons, and not even anyone willing to accept a child through adoption. Their family’s future would only continue to decline. 

That was why her father had risked everything to look for ginseng. Only with money could they have a chance to turn their lives around. 

Sure enough, after Li Shengli finished explaining the matter of the family separation, the clan head frowned and remained silent for a long time. 

Clan Head Li naturally understood why Li Shengli wanted to divide the family. 

Studying under Scholar Zhu was nothing like studying at the village clan school. The seasonal rites, ink, brushes, paper, and especially future examination fees—without property to support them, the second household wouldn’t be able to carry on. 

Li Xiandong was indeed the eldest son, and Li Changrong was indeed accomplished. As clan head, Li Manjing instinctively considered the clan’s legacy and future growth. 

Weighing both sides, the potential that a scholar could bring was too tempting to ignore. 

“Since ancient times, even the most upright official would struggle to resolve family matters. Since all of you are in agreement, I have no objections,” the clan head finally said with a sigh. 

He took out a sheet of xuan paper, bound it into a booklet, and began to carefully write in small regular script with a brush, recording the reasons for the family division, the house, and the fields exactly as they had just been discussed. No one dared to interrupt. 

Except for Li Xiaohan. 

“Grandfather, Clan Head, the five strings of coins are for building the house. But what about the fat pigs, chickens, and ducks that my mother raised? Can we get a share? If we sell the livestock, we could use the money to buy pots, bowls, and utensils.” 

Earlier, they had only discussed the land, not any money, because Li Xiaohan’s family of three had no idea how much silver was in the household. If they brought it up at home, Li Shengli and the others would just insist there wasn’t any. That would be pointless. 

But saying it in front of the clan head was different. The clan head had a reputation for being fair. Whether he truly was or not didn’t matter; bringing it up in public meant he couldn’t just pretend he didn’t hear. 

Anything they could get was better than nothing. 

The moment she said it, the atmosphere stiffened. The clan head paused and asked, “Uncle Shengli, the five strings of coins were for building the house. How much silver are you giving Xiandong for the separation? And how are the livestock, iron pot, and other household items being divided?” 

According to clan seniority, the clan head called Li Shengli “uncle,” but everyone knew it was just a formality. No one would dare challenge the authority of the clan head based on seniority alone. 

Sure enough, Li Shengli hesitated for a moment before replying guiltily, “There are still about ten strings of coins at home. We’ll give Xiandong two strings—one as separation money, and another for the livestock and miscellaneous items. That includes half a year’s worth of food. The rest, they can buy on their own.” 

A faint smile flickered in Li Xiaohan’s eyes. From memory, her grandfather was a man who cared greatly about saving face. Her own father, being quiet and inarticulate, couldn’t help him preserve that image. And with Madam Chen whispering in his ear, Li Shengli had gradually come to see this son as a disgrace, until he was finally willing to drive their whole family out. 

But this concern for appearances could now be used as leverage. With the clan head weighing in, her grandfather had just given them extra money. 

Don’t underestimate those two strings of coins. Some people would feel real heartache over them. 

Li Xiaohan glanced at her step-grandmother and, sure enough, saw her face was dark, her lips tightly pressed together, clearly unhappy. 

But Li Xiaohan wasn’t worried she would speak out. Her grandfather cared deeply about saving face, and her step-grandmother had always used a subtle, behind-the-scenes approach. She would never embarrass him in front of others. 

With the two elders nodding, younger members like Li Xiannan and Li Changrong wouldn’t dare object either. 

The two strings of coins were secured. 

Sure enough, when no one objected, the clan head added that amount to the official household division record. Then he wrote two identical copies. 

“All right. Uncle Shengli, Xiandong, and his two brothers, place your thumbprints. Changrong, as the eldest grandson, you as well. Xiandong, your household—” The clan head suddenly paused. 

After all, there was no son. 

“I’ll place it,” Li Xiaohan said clearly. “I’ll stamp it on behalf of my future little brother. If it really comes to it, I’ll marry a husband into our family.” 

What, she wasn’t a person just because she was a girl? They thought they could bully her entire family just because of that? 

Besides, Li Xiaohan had a strong feeling her step-grandmother vaguely wanted their branch to die out. So she figured she’d plant this seed early and warn them now that, if needed, she would take in a son-in-law. 

Li Xiandong and Madam Wang thought she meant she was stamping on behalf of her unborn brother. The clan head thought maybe Xiandong was giving up and planning to marry off his daughter. Li Shengli and the others just wanted to keep things civil and avoid more trouble. 

So Li Xiaohan, for the time being, became the stand-in heir and pressed her thumbprint on the household division document. 

“One copy will be kept by the clan, one goes to Uncle Shengli, and one to Xiandong,” the clan head announced. 

Then he turned to Li Xiandong and asked, “Xiandong, where do you plan to buy your house plot?” 

“Isn’t there still a plot next to the big tree’s house at the east end of the village? Can we take that one?” Li Xiandong thought for a moment and asked in a low voice. 

That plot was the farthest from the current Li household. 

“All right, I’ll write the deed for you as well. I’ll take you to the village head this afternoon.” 

Once the division papers were done, they would go out to the fields to mark boundaries. If everything checked out, the village head would sign. 

Only Li Shengli and Li Xiandong needed to go to the village head’s house. Li Xiaohan and the others returned home first.