Chapter 2: Splitting the Family

However, while everyone’s attention was drawn to the sharp-tongued woman, Xia Daohua had already carefully observed both her surroundings and herself—if this wasn’t transmigration, how could she possibly have become a little girl only seven or eight years old?

Her emotions were instantly complicated.

It wasn’t easy to quickly adjust one’s mindset and adapt to a new identity.

Scattered fragments of memories flashed quickly through her mind—likely the original memories of this body.

But the sensation was like watching a movie on ten times speed, and in black and white at that. It all passed by in a blur, barely leaving her with any useful information.

What Xia Daohua hadn’t expected most was that—before she even had time to figure out the names of the dozens of family members in this large clan—the entire, thriving Xia household decisively and swiftly split up.

Strangely enough, this matter had something to do with her injury.

The elderly couple had originally planned to arrange a marriage for Erlang this year.

But due to Xia Daohua’s sudden and severe injury, the elders couldn’t just stand by and watch their own granddaughter die, so they took out some silver to treat her wounds.

And that treatment ended up costing two taels and eight coins of silver.

And even that was only because Imperial Physician Wang took pity on Daohua’s mother, Jiang-shi, who had cried so pitifully and waived the consultation fee.

Two taels and eight coins of silver could sustain an average peasant family in the Beiguan area for several months. In fact, just twenty taels was enough for a ten-person family to eat and drink well for an entire year.

Of course, to say that this small amount could buy a wife was pure fantasy.

In the Great Chu Dynasty, weddings and funerals were major expenses.

To marry a decent girl into the family, not counting other costs, the bride price alone cost ten taels.

But two taels and eight coins were more than enough to hire a good matchmaker.

With this sum, one could easily cover the tea and wine money, shoe and foot money, and matchmaker’s fee. With careful budgeting, there might even be a little left over.

So, once the elderly couple spent this money on Daohua’s treatment, the original plan to arrange a marriage for Erlang had to be delayed by another six months.

That’s why the second aunt felt the elders were being biased and unfair to Erlang.

When Daohua first woke up, the second aunt had only come to check in.

But the moment she saw everyone gathered around Daohua, fussing and fawning over her, all her pent-up resentment surged to the surface.

Fueled by jealousy and indignation, she began making a scene.

Originally, she just wanted to vent—even if she couldn’t get the money back, at least she could air her grievances.

But the more she talked, the more wronged she felt, until she impulsively blurted out that she wanted the family to split and live separately.

Old Master Xia was a gentle-tempered man, always easy to talk to.

But Old Madam Zhou was a tough, hard-faced woman with a strong will and a stubborn streak. She never gave in to pressure and had never once been cowed in her life.

The second daughter-in-law’s tantrum made the old lady furious, and she immediately agreed to the split.

Even when the second son dragged his wife over, slapped her across the face, and forced her to kneel and apologize to the old lady, she wouldn’t relent.

The second daughter-in-law’s forehead hit the ground so hard it echoed through the house.

Still, the old lady gritted her teeth and insisted—the family would be divided.

The Xia couple had been married for over forty years and had given birth to more than ten children. In the end, five sons and two daughters had survived.

Other than the youngest daughter, Xia Yujiao, the other six children were already married with families of their own.

Though the youngest hadn’t yet married, her future in-laws were already settled.

On paper at least, the elders handled things fairly. The family assets were split into six shares—one for each son, and one for the elderly couple and their unmarried daughter.

As for the house, each branch got the part they were already living in.

The family owned a total of 100 mu of land. The elders kept 30 mu as their “coffin fund,” each son received 12 mu, and the remaining 10 mu were divided between the eldest and youngest daughters—5 mu each.

Each son was to give the elderly couple 200 wen per month as a pension. Daughters were expected to contribute 100 wen each per month.

As for livestock, the ox and mule were hard to divide, so they remained with the elders. During farming seasons, each branch could borrow them from the couple.

The two pigs would be slaughtered at New Year, and the meat shared. There were 12 chickens—each household got two, and the elders kept two.

…

There were plenty of other small clauses like this.

Xia Daohua couldn’t help but admire how thorough and meticulous the elderly couple had been.

Because Old Madam Zhou was firm, and the division was relatively fair, and since everyone would still be living nearby even after the split, the whole process went smoothly and peacefully.

There was no major drama—it was over just like that.

By the time Xia Daohua learned about it, the documents for the division had already been signed.

She even caught a glimpse of Uncle Wang, the village head, and Xia Pingkang, her grandfather’s older brother, who had both come to witness the signing.

Afterward, these two respected elders made a special detour to the fourth house just to visit Xia Daohua. They also comforted her parents, Xia Youtian and Jiang-shi, saying encouraging things like “A great fortune must follow a near-death experience.”

Jiang-shi served them thick brown sugar water in two bowls.

The guests chatted while slowly sipping the sweet drink.

Uncle Wang had sparse hair tied into a pitiful little topknot and wore a mesh head covering. But he had a long, dense beard that was neatly groomed—clearly something he took great pride in.

Xia Pingkang might have been Xia Ping’an’s elder brother, but they didn’t resemble each other much—each had distinct features. What they did have in common was a full head of thick, black hair.

Xia Daohua was quite pleased to find that her own grandfather, Xia Ping’an, was better looking.

The two elderly men stayed only briefly before leaving. As they departed, they repeatedly reminded Xia Daohua’s father:

“Youtian, your parents are getting on in years. Even if they’re still strong, they’ll still have their share of aches and pains.

Your older brother’s family lives in town all year and can’t be counted on. Your second brother has too many kids, and your second sister-in-law—well, let’s just not even mention her! Your third brother has a good heart, but he’s got enough problems of his own. Your youngest brother is still young and immature.

Out of all the grandchildren, you’re the most reliable.

Even though the family’s been split, you’re still all living in the same place. You need to keep an eye out, and help care for your parents and your little sister!”

Xia Youtian responded with an honest smile and agreed right away. Jiang-shi stood beside him, nodding gently and smiling softly, her expression warm and graceful.

That was how Xia Daohua learned about the family split.

Her older sister, Xia Lihua, overheard this too. But she only gave a disapproving snort, clearly unimpressed.

(End of Chapter 2)