The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 1934 - 1909: Negotiation

The biggest headache for Patriarch Xia is the issue of the property. There are three plots of land, the largest one is in his hands, another is in Officer Xu’s hands. Today, just as they entered the city gate, a servant from the Xu family stopped them at the gate with a box. Inside was the land deed they later reissued.

As soon as he received the box, Patriarch Xia understood Officer Xu’s intentions. He returned the land, but as for the so-called rent, there was definitely none. Not only did Officer Xu not have it, but neither would he produce much. After all, once something has been consumed, it’s uncomfortable to give it back.

The two plots of land are easy to handle, but as for the other plot that was used as sacrificial land—half of it was given to each household—it would be too difficult to reclaim.

Aside from that, there’s also the property currently occupied by Xia Yi.

It’s not that these families are particularly capable, but they have many people, and they blend in well. Even though he is the patriarch, able to command in the clan, getting them to return the property is impossible.

Patriarch Xia doesn’t want Zhou Man to see the Xia family as a joke, nor does he want to break relations with the clan members. Seeing that she doesn’t mention anything else but the property, he could only stiffen his face and say, "Lady, after your parents hadn’t been heard from for a long time, we all thought..."

He sighed and continued, "According to clan rules, your family’s assets, especially the house, should go to the branch closest to your grandfather. In this case, Xia Yi is actually your cousin. You share the same great ancestor."

It was her mother’s great ancestor, several generations removed, so it’s impossible for him to be a cousin, but Manbao didn’t speak, her smile slightly fading.

The tenderness on Patriarch Xia’s face also slightly faded, saying, "After all, their family has lived in that house for twelve years and developed feelings for it. Will you be living there in the future, or not? My suggestion is to let them compensate you with money, as if they are buying the house."

Seeing Manbao’s displeasure, he added, "Of course, there’s another way. If you change your surname and return to the clan register, you will be reviving your grandfather’s branch. Then that house could be regarded as your grandfather’s legacy, and the clan will naturally stand by your side to reclaim it."

Sitting at the top, County Magistrate Zhai took a sip of tea and thought to himself: Here it comes, as I expected. How could it possibly be so harmonious?

Manbao withdrew her hand from Patriarch Xia’s grip, sat back in her chair, and smilingly said, "I don’t plan to change my surname."

Patriarch Xia frowned, "Your father was a live-in son-in-law, technically, you should bear the surname Xia."

"I am the reason she didn’t change her surname," Ms. Qian, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly spoke up, "I raised her all by myself. When she first came to us, she couldn’t even eat much. I painstakingly nurtured her, even risking the entire family’s life to protect her. Now that she’s grown, she intends to change her surname and leave the family? Don’t even think about it."

Patriarch Xia was slightly startled and quickly said, "In-law, that’s a misunderstanding. Even though we’re suggesting she change her surname, we had no intention of having her leave your family."

Ms. Qian snorted coldly, "If the surname is different, then isn’t that leaving?"

Xia Xia sighed inwardly, seeing that Old Zhou still hadn’t spoken a word, he knew this matter would eventually come to nothing.

Patriarch Xia argued, "But Zhou Yin was a live-in son-in-law."

"I never said he wasn’t, it’s recorded in your clan register, we didn’t ask you to change it," Ms. Qian said. "However, considering Zhou Man’s parents are still me and her father. We raised her single-handedly, which wasn’t easy. She must repay us for bringing her up."

Patriarch Xia’s face darkened, "What about the debt of birth? Brother Yan’s branch only has her as a bloodline descendant."

"We have thought about that too," Ms. Qian said, "We are not ignorant of propriety. Though we’ve never met my in-laws, since they accepted Zhou Yin, we assume they are good people. We certainly don’t wish to cut off their line. So, Zhou Man’s great-grandmother and grandmother agreed that any child born after the eldest will bear the Xia surname, considered as inheriting my in-laws’ line."

Patriarch Xia did not expect this move and was momentarily wide-eyed, only finding words after a long pause, "What I’m saying is, the young lady is still young, there’s no need to rush into an engagement. When she grows older, she can marry someone good from among relatives. Then you can have several more children, and Brother Yan’s branch will flourish. Who knows, you might even have two kids taking the surname Zhou Yin."

Manbao sat uncomfortably to the side. Are they treating her like a breeding pig? 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

She glanced at Bai Shan, who lightly coughed, put down his teacup, and said, "Patriarch Xia, my father-in-law, and mother-in-law, and even Grandfather Xia are people who keep their promises. It wouldn’t be right to break your word in my presence, would it?"

Patriarch Xia became too engrossed in his speech and forgot Bai Shan’s identity for a moment, mainly because they weren’t familiar, and with many people from the Zhou family present, he hadn’t paid much attention.

Bai Shan gave Daji a glance.

Daji stepped forward, expressionless, and recited, "Patriarch Xia, my young master is from the Bai Family of Longzhou, who have served as officials since the time of the young emperor. Is it that our family background does not match Miss Man, or is it the appearance that doesn’t match?"

Manbao and Bai Erlang both turned their heads to look at Bai Shan, whose expression didn’t reveal much. He merely looked down and slid his cup.

Patriarch Xia was feeling a headache. Which emperor is the young emperor?

County Magistrate Zhai kindly explained, "The young emperor refers to the emperor of the Han Dynasty. In those chaotic times, for the Bai Family to rise was certainly difficult."

In the Han Dynasty, officials were generally selected by rank. For the Bai Family to be chosen, at least their family status was not insignificant and must have been well-known local gentry.

And from the Han Dynasty to now, it’s been at least four hundred years. Four hundred years of ups and downs, through three major chaotic times and countless minor turmoils, yet they still exist. No wonder they’re recorded in the Clan Record.

Daji continued, "Let’s not even talk about family background or appearance. Let’s talk about character and talent. Our young master is currently a student at Chongwen Pavilion, a companion reader to the crown prince. At just fifteen, he is already halfway into an official career. Can you find anyone in your entire Shangzhou better than our young master?"

He further added, "Not to mention our young master, but even Miss Man is already a Grade Six Imperial Physician and a Grade Five Compiler. What kind of person could match her?"

Manbao nodded in agreement.

Ms. Qian added, "If you are asking my child to marry just to have a son-in-law, and let her randomly choose a person to marry, I will not agree."

Patriarch Xia replied with difficulty, "It wouldn’t be just anyone."

Ms. Qian asked, "Is anyone as good as Bai Shan? Is the family background acceptable? Although he would be a son-in-law, in-laws are proper in-laws, and there would have to be interactions. Are the in-laws literate and reasonable, and are they good people? We don’t demand appearance but character and learning cannot be low. Our Manbao is so excellent; to have someone who is illiterate or has only read a couple of books would not be fitting."

Old Zhou nodded repeatedly and couldn’t help but interject, "Our Manbao has read a lot of books, a whole houseful. If someone hasn’t read much, they wouldn’t even be able to converse with Manbao. How would that life be meaningful?"

The Xia family members inwardly collapsed: Who in the world educated and competent would become a live-in son-in-law?

Isn’t making money through officialdom more appealing?