Chapter 2

Seeing the old village chief’s displeased look, Liu Lian still wanted to say something, but her husband quickly pulled her back. Didn’t she notice how the people accompanying the village chief were glaring at them? If she kept this up, they might even get hit. This woman really couldn’t read the room.

With Liu Lian silenced, the group quickly settled down, and the ox cart began to trundle along the road. Almost everyone was weighed down with a sense of heaviness, feeling lost about their future.

They were exiled to Lizhou Island for life, never to return home. On the journey here, they had used up all their hidden silver, bribing the officials to avoid suffering. Now, they had nothing left and had fallen to the status of rural peasants, the very people they once looked down upon. What would they do now?

Most people were in low spirits, but the mother and daughter felt somewhat hopeful. They figured that in the modern world, they probably would have died anyway, so getting to live again was something to be cherished. Although ancient times lacked the vibrancy of the modern world, there were aspects of it that modern times couldn’t match.

For example, the air here was incredibly fresh, untouched by pollution, and the food was likely healthier and more delicious. Here, people rose with the sun and rested with its setting, leading a slower pace of life with less work stress.

In their view, each time had its own pros and cons, and the mother and daughter didn’t mind adjusting to this life. Instead of missing the modern world, they’d rather embrace this new life with a positive attitude.

Jiang Wan, feeling weak from hunger and exhaustion, soon fell asleep against her cousin on the bumpy ox cart. When she woke up again, the surrounding mountains were much taller, the trees lush and green, and she could even see the vast sea not far away. The salty sea breeze mixed with the forest’s fresh scent occasionally brushed against their faces, easing the heat of the journey.

Though it was only June, this area was already warm compared to the north. Riding on the ox cart with the breeze was bearable, but the men walking behind were drenched in sweat. By the time the old village chief led everyone to the village, they were exhausted and hungry, sitting down on the ground without caring about their dignity as former nobles.

This journey of exile had taught them that manners and appearances meant nothing now; finding food and rest were what really mattered.

The village chief told his two sons to watch over them, and after everyone had caught their breath, he led them toward the edge of the village. The end of the village wasn’t an ideal place to live, so some villagers watched the newcomers with expressions of schadenfreude.

Their village was named Lianjia Valley, after the river that encircled it. This river curved around the mountains, resembling a scoop, and flowed into the sea. Most villagers lived in the mountain basin, while the village outskirts, at the “tail,” were close to the sea on a small hillside.

This location, open on three sides to the sea, was breezy and comfortable for much of the year. But during typhoons or storms, it became problematic. Nearly every year, the houses at the tail of the village needed repairs, which cost a fair amount over time. Knowing this, the villagers preferred not to live there, so the people on the outskirts were usually exiles or those who were ostracized by the village, with a few families who simply had no other place to go.

The old village chief gave only a brief explanation, as he was responsible for arranging their housing but wasn’t interested in further involvement.

“Alright, there are a few empty houses here at the village’s edge. Each family should send someone forward to draw lots. Whatever you get, that’s your house. If anyone causes trouble or tries to take someone else’s, I’ll personally have you expelled from the village.”

Though he said it lightly, everyone understood the gravity of his words. Even the few who were usually arrogant kept quiet. They were exiles, and if they were expelled, they’d lose their registration, making life even harder.

The families exchanged glances and quickly chose someone to draw lots.

Yin Huaishan, eager to settle down, was the first to go. He picked up a paper ball, opened it, and saw a black, fish-shaped drawing on it.

“Old Yu’s family…” the village chief raised an eyebrow and noticed a sickly young girl who had also taken a paper. She opened it to reveal a drawing of a mountain.

“Dashan Family, not bad luck,” the village chief commented, showing a rare smile, and called his eldest son, Lian Jiabao, to lead the group to see those two houses.

Encouraged by this “good luck,” the Cai and Zhou families quickly picked their papers. The Zhou family’s had a flower on it, while the Cai family’s had a black smudge that looked somewhat like… dung.

“What does this mean?” The two families were baffled.

The village chief glanced at the papers, then called over two young men from the village and instructed, “Take the smaller family to the Jinhua House and the larger one to the Fendan House.”

The Cai family: “…”

Was it really what they thought? Was that dirty word someone’s house name?

The very idea of living in a place with such a name was repulsive to the Cai family, but they didn’t dare show their displeasure in front of the village chief, so they reluctantly followed the villagers to their “new home.”

As the group continued walking, they soon saw the Yin family stop in front of a row of houses—an actual row, and quite spacious.

The Dashan Family that Jiang Wan had drawn turned out to be a row of five rooms with a courtyard. Though the fence was half-collapsed, with repairs it could provide shelter from the elements. In this village, it was considered a decent house.

Was that what the village chief meant by “good luck”—that it was big?

The mother and daughter didn’t particularly want such a large house, so they turned to follow and check out the Old Yu’s family drawn for their family.

Yin Huaishan’s house was much smaller, consisting of just two small mudbrick rooms and a kitchen, with a latrine behind the house.

“It’s fairly complete—just right for a family of three. Jiang Wan asked her uncle first if he wanted to switch houses, but Yin Huaishan declined, saying he thought this house was perfect for their family.

‘This house isn’t bad; it’s pretty clean inside.’

Yin Huaixi followed her elder brother and sister-in-law to look around, while Jiang Wan leaned on her cousin and wandered down the path, staring at a small house nearby in a daze.

This small house was different from most of the others in the village. It was built from stone. In a place filled with dull gray mud-brick houses, this beautiful stone house was truly a sight to behold.

A stone house—pretty and sturdy, no need to fear typhoons. Jiang Wan was tempted, considering asking the village elder if they could swap houses.

At that moment, the Zhou family also finished viewing their house, their faces all clouded with displeasure.

‘Village elder, this house is way too small! It’s just one room, and our family has ten people. How are we supposed to live here?!’

The old village chief squinted and, without much concern, said, ‘It’s not cold here, so you can just throw down a few boards outside to sleep on. Once you’re settled, you can look for some wood and thatch to build a few more shelters.’

The Zhou family: ‘…’

They were just about to plead further when they saw the Cai family approaching with similar complaints.

‘Village elder, the house you assigned us is too small! There are only three rooms, and we have more than ten people. How are we supposed to fit?!’ The daughters-in-law of the first and second branches of the Cai family spoke up, while the men hung back.

‘Hmph! Don’t push your luck. There are plenty in this village who live ten or more to three rooms. Do you still think you’re some high-ranking officials? Get real! I’m only lending you a place to live because I know the journey has been rough. If you don’t like it, you’re welcome to buy land and build your own house—if you have the money!’

The village chief wasn’t about to spoil these people. He made it clear that they could take it or leave it. If they didn’t want to live there, they’d have no house at all.

Everyone felt a sinking feeling. They hadn’t even moved in yet and already realized that they were just borrowing these houses. And, as the village chief put it so bluntly, they were completely out of money.

The village elder scolded them a bit more before turning on his heel and leaving without a backward glance.

The Cai and Zhou families were upset, especially the Zhou family, whose one tiny room seemed barely fit to cry in. The Cai family didn’t linger—they had three rooms, which was better than the Zhou family’s single room.

Everyone from the Zhou family walked back with dark faces. When they passed by the house assigned to Jiang Wan and her mother, they all stopped simultaneously.

Now *that* was the kind of house they deserved!

They decided they would demand a swap with Jiang Wan and her mother.

The head of the Cai family’s eldest branch and his wife were already discussing how to divide up the house between family members.

‘There are five rooms in total. Father and Mother can have one, we in the main branch can take one, the second branch can have one, and the third branch can have one. The last one can go to Shuyuan.’

Shuyuan, the eldest son of the first branch, had just come of age. Thin and weak, he had fainted during the trek back to the village and was still recovering in their assigned house.

‘Why should Shuyuan get his own room? We have three sons in the second branch, and they’re older—they should get their own space! Let them share a room!’ protested the second branch’s wife.

‘Because my son Shuyuan is the most promising child in the family! Did any of *your* sons pass the imperial exam at fourteen?’

‘Oh, please! Imperial exam. Now that we’re exiled, we can’t even leave the island, let alone worry about academic success. He can’t even study anymore! And with his poor health, who knows how long he’ll last here. And you still have high hopes for him?’

Her words hit a nerve with the elder couple, and they seemed lost in thought.

It was true. With no possibility of furthering his academic career, Shuyuan couldn’t bring honor to the family anymore. Living in a rural village, they needed healthy young men who could work, and Shuyuan simply couldn’t measure up.

The eldest grandson was as good as useless.

Mr. Cai looked at the second branch’s sons with newfound appreciation. The second branch had three sons, the eldest already eighteen and the second sixteen, both quite capable. Even the youngest, though small, was healthy. In a few years, these three grandsons would be the pillars of the household, able to secure a comfortable life for them.

It seemed it was time to shift their favor to another branch.

Mrs. Cai understood immediately, chiming in, ‘Ru’s mother is right. We have so many people; we can’t just think about Shuyuan. I think that room is big enough—if you put up some partitions, the boys could share it just fine. Or perhaps, Lian’s mother, you could give up part of your room for Shuyuan so it’s easier for you to care for him.’

Liu Lian was struck as if by lightning. Did her mother-in-law just imply that Shuyuan, her beloved grandson, didn’t matter anymore?

The second branch’s wife, Chen Minru, could barely contain her glee. Her sister-in-law, who always boasted about her sickly son, had finally been put in her place.

Filled with pride, Minru felt more confident than ever.

‘*Ahem*… you all seem to be discussing the house my family drew, though.’

Jiang Wan was utterly speechless. The Cai family’s brazenness was beyond her imagination. They were standing right in front of her house, shamelessly discussing how to divide it, as if they were certain she’d swap with them.

‘Ah, Wanwan!’ Liu Lian and Chen Minru immediately dropped their rivalry and came forward, smiling as they grasped Jiang Wan’s hands.

‘Wanwan, we’ve been through so much together since leaving the capital. No one understands that bond better than family. We’ll be living together here from now on—let’s look out for each other like family!’

‘And look at the Cai family! So many people, and with your uncle and cousins from the Yin family, no one in the village will dare bully us with our numbers.'”

 Jiang Wan saw a figure flashing behind the window of the main house with her sharp eyes, and she suppressed her smile and said seriously: “I think the old village chief is a good person. No one has made things difficult for us along the way, and the villagers have also…

“It seems pretty good here; how could anyone bully us? Grandpa Cai, it’s getting late. You should hurry back to organize your house. We need to start arranging ours too.”

Grandpa Cai was called out, feeling stuck between staying and leaving.

Liu Lian pinched Jiang Wan hard, unhappy as she said, “Girl, you just got here, so you don’t know how tough these poor mountain villagers can be. Us outsiders need to stick together. Aunt Lian knows you have a kind heart, so why don’t you talk to your mother about switching houses with us? With three rooms, it’s spacious enough for you two, and our family could all fit comfortably. Wouldn’t that make everyone happy?”

Indeed, it would make everyone happy—if only Liu Lian hadn’t insulted her uncle on the ox cart. Jiang Wan might have even considered the swap. But since she’d badmouthed her uncle, Jiang Wan had no goodwill toward the Cai family. Besides, she was eyeing that little stone house and wanted to see if she could trade these rooms with the Zhou family.

“No!”

Jiang Wan firmly pulled her sore hand back and replied with unwavering conviction.

“What?!”

The Cai family was stunned; they hadn’t expected that Jiang Wan and her mother would refuse to swap houses.

“Why shouldn’t you switch? The two of you can barely use two rooms—why are you occupying these five?”

“Exactly! So selfish! No wonder your father divorced your mother!”

As soon as Chen Minru finished her sentence, a lump of mud splattered across her mouth. She looked up to find Yin Huaixi standing there. Although somewhat guilty, her anger overpowered her shock.

“How dare you, Yin Huaixi! Throwing mud at me! You’re nothing but a cast-off woman. We’re doing you a favor by asking to switch houses. If you don’t know what’s good for you, remember we all have to live here together. Don’t accuse the Cai family of bullying you later.”

“My daughter already said no. No means no. If you’re unhappy, go talk to the village chief. If you have the guts, get him to evict us.”

With a cold expression, Yin Huaixi shielded her daughter and turned back to the courtyard. The Cai family, unwilling to let go of such a good house, followed her inside in a large group.

Liu Lian, growing impatient, reached out to grab Jiang Wan. Jiang Wan, already weak, was yanked forward and nearly hit the doorpost, saved only by her mother’s quick support.

Yin Huaixi was terrified. Her daughter was her lifeline. She quickly helped Jiang Wan onto a bench, then turned and slapped Liu Lian twice across the face.

In the capital, noblewomen rarely resorted to physical fights, and the group was stunned. After a moment, they realized it was one of their own who’d been struck. Feeling challenged, the Cai brothers finally acted tough, demanding Yin Huaixi hand over the house.

“If you dare, go ahead! The village chief warned us multiple times not to cause trouble. If you try to take the house by force, I’ll report you immediately!”

Yin Huaixi, who had raised her daughter alone, was no pushover. Watching her mother stand protectively in front of her like a hen shielding her chick, Jiang Wan felt a pang of emotion. She had finally grown up and could protect her mother, but now she was back to being small and weak again. It was maddening.

“What are you waiting for, you three?” Grandpa Cai shouted at his sons. “If they don’t give up this house, throw the mother and daughter out. Yin family girl, don’t be ungrateful. Do you think a mere village chief has any real power here? And if you’re not afraid of the entire village knowing that you and your daughter were tossed out after being touched by men, go ahead and report it.”

Grandpa Cai’s words were a venomous trap. If his sons laid hands on the mother and daughter, it would cause a scandal, and he knew Yin Huaixi would never risk her daughter’s reputation.

Yin Huaixi froze. Even though she and her daughter, coming from a modern background, didn’t mind some physical contact with men, this era was mercilessly harsh toward women, and rumors could be deadly.