Chapter 6: Not a Single Coin Less!

After Xiang Wenxuan finished reading the division document, Xiang Dayong and Old Fourth Xiang stamped their fingerprints on it. Only then did Mrs. Shi slowly emerge, clutching a bundle of copper coins wrapped in a rag. Reluctantly, she walked over to Xiang Dayong but refused to hand over the coins.

Seeing her drag her feet, Xiang He stepped forward and snatched the coins from her, opening the bundle to count them.

At the sight of Xiang He’s actions, Mrs. Shi’s ugly expression resurfaced. She reached out to snatch the coins back. “I’m not going to let you take even a single coin!”

Mrs. Su felt uncomfortable and quickly reached out to stop her, “He girl, it’s fine, isn’t it…?”

Xiang He dodged Mrs. Shi’s hand and calmly reassured Mrs. Su, “Mother, you should know what she values most. Father said one hundred wen, not a single coin less!”

This was money she had fought hard for against this miser, and it absolutely couldn’t be less!

She still had to survive in this ancient world!

Mrs. Su wanted to stop her, but Xiang Dayong grabbed her wrist. “Let… let her handle it…”

Now, their third family was ruined, and Mrs. Su was weak with two young children. Tonight, it was all thanks to He girl’s efforts that they managed to divide the family. Although he didn’t understand the reason for her sudden change in character, for now, they should just leave this house.

Watching Xiang He carefully count the coins as if they were treasures, Mrs. Shi’s teeth ground in frustration. “I’m not shorting you any!”

“Who knows?” Xiang He kept counting energetically, soon placing the coins on the ground. “Father, why don’t you count them? We’re short over twenty wen~”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but everyone was watching. Old Fourth Xiang’s face turned green, and he snapped at Mrs. Shi, “What are you waiting for? Add it up!”

Knowing Mrs. Shi’s stingy nature, Xiang He had already expected her to try to cheat.

Mrs. Shi gritted her teeth but stubbornly refused to let go, spreading her hands. “Our family really doesn’t have that much. I’ll owe it to you for now.”

Everyone with clear eyes could see through her little tricks. Xiang He directly stretched her foot to pull over a small stool and sat down. “If there’s no copper, then surely there’s silver? That little bit of money you have isn’t enough to be put in a pawnshop. If there’s more silver, I can give it to you later, how about that?”

“Impossible!”

She couldn’t bear to give away even a single coin, let alone give any to the third family, who she considered as nothing but money-losing burdens.

Old Fourth Xiang looked annoyed and said, “Just owe it for now, I’ll give it to you tomorrow.”

Xiang He wasn’t pleased. She mimicked Mrs. Shi’s temper and placed her hands on her hips. “Anyway, everything must be given to us tonight. You can ask Uncle’s family about the twenty or so wen, they seem to have quite a bit of money, so they can lend it to us first.”

Mrs. Yu’s swollen figure clearly showed that she’d been eating well, and Uncle Xiang Daqiang’s muscular build didn’t come from exercise, not to mention Xiang Lianhua’s delicate skin — they definitely had private money hidden.

The focus shifted to Xiang Daqiang, who suddenly bent his back a little. Standing behind Mrs. Yu, he looked like he was hiding, and he seemed rather spineless.

Mrs. Yu immediately took on a confident posture, tilting her head up with her nostrils flaring. “Our family doesn’t have it! All the silver and copper coins are with my mother!”

“I don’t believe that,” Xiang He scoffed. “Look at how well you’re all eating. You’ve probably been sneaking food in secret, haven’t you?”

Mrs. Shi, who hadn’t paid much attention before, suddenly seemed to realize something. Her expression immediately turned toward Mrs. Yu, and she snapped, “So that’s why you’re always hiding in your room. You’ve been sneaking food! Hurry up and hand it over!”

Xiang He was really starting to lose patience with this old woman, who was all about money, and knew that sooner or later, she’d get into trouble over it.

Mrs. Yu shook her head repeatedly. “Mother, don’t listen to that vile girl’s nonsense. We really don’t have any! Daqiang gives you all his wages every day, and I’m not skilled enough to do needlework like my sisters-in-law, so how would we have copper coins?”

She stepped aside and pointed at the door to her room. “If you don’t believe me, go in and search yourself. If you find even half a copper coin, I’ll immediately kneel and apologize!”

She said it confidently, clearly knowing that Mrs. Shi would never find any hidden money.

Xiang He crossed her arms and watched them clash. Anyway, she was definitely going to get back that twenty or so wen. She couldn’t let Mrs. Shi take any advantage.

Seeing how heated things were getting over just the division of the family, Old Fourth Xiang kicked the broken stool beside him. “Old woman, go get it!”

Mrs. Shi jumped in surprise as the stool slid toward her. Seeing how angry Old Fourth Xiang was, with his neck turning red, she immediately dared not hesitate any longer. She hurriedly bent down, picked up the copper coins from the ground, and rushed back into the house.

Xiang He’s eyes were filled with mockery as she watched her clumsy figure.

Xiang Yang tugged at the corner of Xiang He’s sleeve, and when he noticed the change in her expression, he slightly shook his head, signaling him not to worry. He gave the couple a reassuring glance.

Turning to Old Fourth Xiang, she asked, “By the way, Grandpa, the weather’s getting cooler with the arrival of autumn. Could we take two quilts with us? My father’s injury is severe, and he can’t afford to catch a cold.”

Once they left this door, they would need to find a place to rest. Without quilts at night, it would be easy to fall ill, which could lead to long-term problems.

Old Fourth Xiang nodded slightly. Asking for quilts wasn’t too difficult, especially in front of the villagers. If he were to be stingy and not give a few quilts, it would make him seem cold-hearted and petty.

“Take them from your room.”

“Thank you, Grandpa!” Xiang He smiled and raised her hand, “Xiao Yang, Xiao Yun, go pack up!”

Xiang Yang and Xiang Yun were so happy they didn’t have time to express it, quickly turning and running into the house to pack.

Seeing everyone busy, Mrs. Yu hurried to the kitchen, eager to get them out of the house as quickly as possible. The less of the family that stayed, the less fortune they would have to share, which was much more cost-effective.

After all the trouble, Xiang He finally received a string of hundred-wen copper coins and a small sack of two jin of rice. As for the three chickens, Xiang He turned her head slowly to look at the chicken coop.

The family wasn’t exactly poor, they had more than ten chickens, and each day they had more eggs than they could count. However, Mrs. Shi kept them hidden. The third family barely had one egg a month.

Mrs. Shi saw Xiang He staring at the chicken coop and quickly ran over to block her view. “What is it? We agreed on three chickens, do you want more?”

“Of course not. Just give them to me, so you won’t worry about me taking more from you.”

Old Fourth Xiang saw through Mrs. Shi’s intentions with one glance, his tone growing heavier. “One hen, two roosters.”

“Old man, you!” Mrs. Shi was so angry her teeth itched, but she could only curse as she complied.

She didn’t want to give the hen at all. After such a frustrating evening, she had lost the twenty taels of silver she had hoped to keep. She was now thoroughly displeased with the third family’s good fortune and wished they would just leave!

With Old Fourth Xiang having spoken, they didn’t dare say more.

Xiang He reached out to take the three chickens that Mrs. Shi reluctantly handed over, a satisfied smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she tilted her head back. “Grandpa, Grandma, we’ll be seeing each other often from now on, so it’s best we respect each other like guests. Don’t bother me, and we can all live peaceful, happy lives. We’re leaving now.”

Old Fourth Xiang’s face flushed red and purple. This girl was being too aggravating tonight!

As they watched the five members of their family leave the gate, Mrs. Shi and the old family members immediately relaxed.

Just as everyone was letting their guard down, Xiang He suddenly stopped in her tracks. With a half-smile, she turned her head lazily and casually glanced at Xiang Lianhua. “I almost forgot about something. You all haven’t forgotten what the matchmaker said, have you?”

Her words instantly piqued the curiosity of the villagers.

The first to react was Fourth Aunt, who was known as the village’s biggest gossip. Her tongue was the glue that held together the neighboring villages.

“I almost forgot about that!” she exclaimed.

As Xiang He and the others continued walking, the noise behind them grew louder, with faint shouts from Mrs. Shi cursing the third family.

“Uncle and Aunt, please wait!”

The group, holding their quilts, turned around to see Xiang Wenxuan supporting the village chief as they walked over. The village chief looked at the family, his previously stern face softening slightly. “Where do you plan to rest?”

Xiang He looked off toward a large flat area in the distance. “That small dam near the land we wanted—there’s a thatched hut there that’s been vacant for a long time. Can we stay there?”

From a distance, it was difficult to make out the hut, but the village chief nodded. “If you need anything, just come to the house. Since you’ve divided your family, don’t cause trouble at that family’s place anymore.”

Everyone knew which family the village chief was referring to. Xiang He’s smile curled, but her eyes didn’t reflect it. “Alright.”