Doubts in the Heart

Faced with such a significant matter, Chu Qingzhi didn't make an immediate decision. "Village chief, I'll think it over. Once I've considered it carefully, I'll announce the decision to everyone," she said.

The village chief, beaming with hope, nodded in agreement. "Then we'll wait for your good news."

"Alright." With thoughts swirling in her mind, Chu Qingzhi headed home.

Midway, Wang Yuanlin approached, greeting her with a bow. "Miss, I've delineated the fief's boundaries as you instructed, and here are the official documents from the government office, all processed and approved."

Chu Qingzhi took the documents to review. "Let's go take a look."

"Very well." Wang Yuanlin led the way to the nearest boundary of the fief.

Boundary delineation was a serious matter…

Within the boundary lay private property, sacrosanct and inviolable by others. Even taking a stone required the landowner's consent; otherwise, it constituted theft.