Thinking of this, Xu Xiu suppressed the excitement in her heart again. Standing up slowly with an aggrieved and restrained demeanor, she addressed the village chief:
"Uncle Chief, as you can see from our Fourth Branch's situation, if this continues, not only will Zixuan lose his life, but even we moms and children will starve to death here."
Hearing this, Zhang Wenyuan felt even more heartache for Xu Xiu. Looking at Zhang Zixuan again - what a robust and upright man he used to be.
Now? Not only is he emaciated from hunger, but his entire complexion has turned sallow and sickly.
In such a condition, forget recovery - it's already a miracle he's survived this long.
Thinking thus, Zhang Wenyuan asked Xu Xiu again: "Then what do you propose?"
"Divide the family! Separate our Fourth Branch. We'll live independently!" Xu Xiu answered without hesitation.
"Divide the family? Do you understand what you're saying?" Zhang Wenyuan asked incredulously.
Old Lady Liu, on the side, immediately jumped up shouting: "Divide the family? In your dreams! Let me tell you, don't even think about it!" What a joke - currently all household chores are essentially handled by the Fourth Branch.
They're entirely responsible for the chickens, ducks, and pigs.
Though Zhang Zixuan is paralyzed, he doesn't require their care. They just need to give them one bun per meal.
Sometimes, when she's in a bad mood, she'll casually find two excuses, and they often end up with just one bun for the whole day.
Calculating this way, keeping the Fourth Branch is still quite economical.
If they separate out, who'll do the farm work?
Moreover, who'll bear her temper when she's in bad moods?
Zhang Wenyuan also told Xu Xiu: "Family division isn't that simple. Your children are still young. Here you at least get some food. If separated, you're a woman alone with several children, and Zhang Zixuan in that condition...the days would be..."
"Uncle Chief needn't worry. Even if we starve to death after separating, I won't blame anyone. But staying here - being beaten and cursed every day, the children never having full bellies - look at Liutou and Qitou's clothes, and Er-Ya, not a single intact patch. And this is just early spring. When winter comes, they won't even have padded jackets. Uncle Chief, without division, we'll surely die. Divided, we at least have a sliver of hope to survive."
Having said this, Xu Xiu started crying again, her pitiful appearance enough to move anyone's heart.
"Are you truly resolved to divide?" Zhang Wenyuan asked once more.
"Divide! I'm absolutely certain. We must divide!"
"Impossible! You can't decide this!" Old Zhang and old Lady Liu spoke simultaneously.
This was Old Zhang's first utterance since entering.
"When parents and the elderly are present, how can there be talk of division without our consent?"
Hearing this, Zhang Wenyuan was momentarily speechless.
Though he was the village chief, this was ultimately a family matter. Moreover, Old Zhang and old Lady Liu's arguments held merit.
The imperial court had long-established clear regulations: while parents and elders live, descendants who establish separate households and divide property shall be punished according to law.
For the moment, he truly didn't know what to say.
Xu Xiu now seemed to perceive the village chief's dilemma.
Simultaneously, she understood old Lady Liu wouldn't easily agree to division.
But what kind of person was Xu Xiu? When she resolved to do something, nothing could stop her.
Not only would she make old Lady Liu consent to division, but make her propose it herself.
Don't they agree?
Then she'd make them regret their refusal.
Thinking this, Xu Xiu proactively offered: "Uncle Chief needn't be troubled. Let's not divide them. We'll continue muddling through like this."
Hearing this, Zhang Wenyuan felt greatly relieved.
What an excellent daughter-in-law, yet the Zhang family failed to appreciate her.
"Xu Xiu, reconsider carefully. Staying united might actually be better for you."
"I understand. Thank you, Uncle Chief."
After resolving matters, Xu Xiu smilingly escorted Zhang Wenyuan to the compound gate.
But upon turning back, she completely ignored the others and headed straight for the kitchen.
"People truly need teaching to become sensible."
"Exactly! After all that beating, I thought she was so formidable? See - still obediently going to cook, isn't she?" Sister-in-law Fang's sarcastic comments drifted from the side.
When old Lady Liu saw Xu Xiu enter the kitchen, she assumed she'd become compliant. Immediately she turned her wrath on Er-Ya: "You wretched girl! Today I'll definitely sell you off!"
Regarding Er-Ya, old Lady Liu had long been displeased.
Just a useless girl - in her eyes, nothing but a worthless burden.
"Mom... Mom...I don't want to go to the brothel! Mom..."
Xu Xiu had just entered the kitchen when she heard Er-Ya's cries for help.
Abandoning her tasks, she rushed out without hesitation.
"Release her! Anyone who touches her again will face my wrath!" Xu Xiu growled at old Lady Liu with chilling intensity.
But old Lady Liu had already forgotten about being beaten by Xu Xiu earlier.
Moreover, with Old Zhang present now, she felt emboldened, believing she had backup.
"A big slut raising a little slut! Worthless plaything..."
As her insults continued, old Lady Liu noticed Xu Xiu's eyes growing increasingly frosty.
Unconsciously, her voice dwindled until she dared not continue.
Old Zhang, noticing old Lady Liu's sudden silence, found it strange.
Turning, he saw her bruised and swollen face, recalling the scene he'd witnessed upon entering.
He demanded sternly: "Fourth Branch's wife! Were you beating your Mom-in-law when I entered? Look what you've done to her! Your entire branch is forbidden from eating for two days..."
"Ah-!"
Before he finished speaking, Xu Xiu kicked old Lady Liu away and shielded Er-Ya in her arms.
Facing Old Zhang coldly, she declared: "The pigs I raised! The chickens and ducks I tend! Including the farm work I do! What right do you have to deny us food? Today I, Xu Xiu, declare: not only will we eat, but we'll eat the best! From today onwards, our Fourth Branch will consume one chicken daily, switching to duck the next day. The day after, I'll consider slaughtering my pig to nourish my husband!"
Hearing this, Old Zhang's anger made his hair stand on end. Pointing a trembling finger, he roared: "You...how dare you?!"