The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 1949 - 1924: Bowing His Head

Xia Yi squatted by the field, stewing in silent anger. Before, when he used these old things, he was not bothered because he was a victor; living in Songhua Alley filled him with pride, not frustration or regret.

But now, he had been driven back, which was already humiliating enough. On top of that, Zhou Man had rummaged through every nook and cranny of his house.

Even the bed he slept on was installed by them. The mere thought of this made him feel nauseated, like swallowing a piece of meat wrapped in a fly.

Sputtering it out felt like a waste, but not doing so was unbearably suffocating.

Xia Yi clutched his head in discomfort, only to find there was more trouble brewing.

The young men who were driven away were naturally not pleased. They had worked all day, plastering walls, repairing roofs, and cleaning inside and out. Is it too much to ask for a thank you, or even just a meal?

Instead, they were scolded and then chased out.

This was fundamentally unfair, so they made a loud fuss and went to the patriarch to complain, secretly suggesting if Xia Yi’s roof should be torn off so they could reclaim their thatch.

As a result, the patriarch scolded them.

Is the valuable part the thatch?

The valuable part is the effort to tear down and replace the thatch!

Having just repaired the roof, they were talking about tearing it down again. Did they have nothing better to do, or were they planning to become sworn enemies with Xia Yi’s family?

Patriarch Xia reprimanded the young men and then sent someone to fetch Xia Yi.

Since these were Xia Yi’s clan brothers and juniors, the patriarch saved face for him, having them wait outside while calling Xia Yi in to scold him. He said, "Everyone helps you and you treat them as enemies? Instead of thanking them, you drive them away?"

Xia Yi stiffened his neck and said, "I didn’t want their help!"

Patriarch Xia squinted and coldly asked, "What, are you planning to leave the clan? Or have you bought a house in the city and decided never to return to the village?"

Xia Yi shivered, opened his mouth, but found himself speechless.

Patriarch Xia then snorted angrily, "You’re in your thirties, and in a couple of years, you’ll be old enough to be a grandfather, yet you still behave like this. Xia Man—no, Zhou Man! She knows better than you about social etiquette! Do you know she has earned more goodwill from the clan in one day than you have?"

Xia Yi lowered his head in silence.

Patriarch Xia took a deep breath, reflecting that if Xia Yi hadn’t been Xia Yan’s closest kin, whom they considered adopting, they certainly wouldn’t have divided the property on Songhua Alley for him.

It was merely to save face that they did it, and who knew that what was thought settled back then could stir up so many issues now?

Patriarch Xia rubbed his forehead and said, "You need to go thank them and they’d best be invited for a meal to make amends."

Seeing Xia Yi still somewhat dissatisfied, Patriarch Xia squinted and said, "Xia Yi, if you want to continue living in the village and associate with people of the clan, you have to do this; otherwise, don’t come to me if anything happens in the future."

Think the clan usually has no issues?

The Chief, when dividing fields, would subconsciously allocate land of the same surname together. If relations are poor, this year I’ll open the ridge a bit towards your side, or I’ll plant mulberry and hemp to block sunlight for your wheat next year. There are plenty of ways to make your life difficult.

If a generally weaker family encounters a domineering neighbor, after farming for several years, they’ll find their fields becoming smaller and smaller, by which time they’d have to rely on the patriarch and clan elders for mediation.

If Patriarch Xia is unwilling to mediate, then Xia Yi, no matter how belligerent, would be bullied to death with insufficient backing.

Xia Yi indeed dared not resist, grudgingly agreeing as he turned back to prepare dishes and meat.

Having just moved back, he had neither vegetables nor meat.

Originally, since he had just returned, it wouldn’t have been objectionable if he had plucked some from one house or a bit from another. Everyone would have overlooked it out of familial affection until he restarted his vegetable garden, but now he had offended people, he had to buy vegetables.

Someone even knowing he was going to entertain guests brought their chicken and asked if he wanted to buy.

Since their children helped too, there had to be a share for them, and they would only get to eat if the dishes were good.

Though Xia Yi didn’t want it, the son of Patriarch Xia stood by watching him, forcing him to grit his teeth and buy.

Manbao didn’t know how aggrieved and stifling Xia Yi’s night was. The next day, she had Daji pick two guards to collect rent in Hongtian Village and then went out to look for a pharmacy.

She prescribed and bought ten sets of medicine personally, then delivered them alongside the prescription to Xia Xia’s home. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Xia Xia had been waiting at home for her.

He was seriously ill, and Hongtian Village was too far, so he stayed back the day before and Rui didn’t want to return, as he was currently searching for a new shop.

Manbao handed the medicine and prescription to Rui, not speaking much as both sides understood that Xia Xia didn’t have much time left. Manbao, just a doctor, not a deity, naturally had her limitations.

It was merely to alleviate his pain, so his last days were less tortured.

Xia Xia patted the bedside with his emaciated hand, smiling, "Come over quickly and sit, how was it going back to the clan yesterday?"

Manbao said, "It went well. I’ve arranged with the patriarch to recover half a piece of land and give it to Yitang Bo as gratitude for all these years. As for the rest, since it’s already given to the poor of the clan, let them have it."

"I’ve given the land in Nanba to the clan for a study field, and I plan to sell the one in East Ridge."

"Sell it..." Xia Xia sighed, "That is ancestral land, left by your ancestors. If it can be avoided, don’t sell, lease it out, and collecting rent annually is also good."

He added, "If you’re worried about not getting the rent, I can have Uncle Rui find some honest families in the village for you."

Manbao smiled, "Crops are still in the fields now, even if I sell, it would be after the autumn harvest. There’s no rush."

She indeed didn’t plan to keep it. Though it was ancestral land, firstly, she wasn’t short on land to farm; secondly, being tied too closely to Hongtian Village might not be advantageous in the long run, which was a decision reached after discussing with her two junior brothers.

She intended to let her fourth brother handle it once he returned from the grasslands or hand it over to Lijun to sell the land, ensuring no loss.

However, she didn’t want to worry Xia Xia too much, considering his condition, making it to autumn might be uncertain. She wanted him to leave peacefully, so she nodded without contradiction.

A smile involuntarily appeared on Xia Xia’s face as he turned slightly, calling out, "Rui, bring it over quickly."

Curious, Manbao asked, "What is it?"

Xia Xia said with a smile, "Your rent."

Manbao replied with a smile, seated herself, looked around, and asked, "Where are Aunt Rui and the cousins? I haven’t met them yet."

Xia Xia panted, "They’ve gone to school or to the shop, everyone’s busy and can’t get away."

Manbao nodded, and shortly, Rui came in holding a box.