Problems

Mrs. Qian raised her eyebrows and asked, "You're only twenty-six, still young." "Why stay at home and not get married?"

In the room, there were only three people: a mother and her daughters. Mrs. Qian spoke softly, "As long as your father and I are still here, it's fine for you to stay at home." "But when we're gone, and your brothers divide the family, who will you go with?"

Manbao anxiously replied, "With me, with me."

"Shut up," Mrs. Qian tapped her forehead and said, "You will also get married." Would you like to bring your sister along? "I've never heard of such a thing."

Manbao pouted.

But Zhou Xi had not made a sudden decision. She had thought about it a long time ago. When she was driven out of the Liu family early in the morning, she walked all the way to her mother's home, pondering this matter throughout the journey.

What if her family felt ashamed of her and didn't want her? What would she do after entering the house? Zhou Xi cried, "Mother, I never thought it was my fault that I couldn't have children." Maybe it's Liu Dalang's problem. Now that he has impregnated Widow Wu, it means he has no problem. If I remarry, I may only find a widower with children. "But mother, what am I aiming for?"

"Being a servant for a lifetime, raising someone else's children, and being criticized by others." When I'm old, the children I raised may not be filial. If they were mine, I would be in charge, but they are not. "When the time comes, it will cause trouble in the family, and no one will support me," Zhou Xi said fiercely. "Since I have to be a servant, I might as well stay at home and serve my parents." "If my brothers don't want me to live at home, then I'll just build a shed at the foot of the mountain and live there."

Mrs. Qian couldn't help but cry out in pain.

Manbao was dumbfounded, unable to understand.

Seeing her mother crying with a pale face, struggling to breathe, she hurriedly patted her chest and said, "Mother, mother…"

She didn't know what to say because the topic her mother and sister were discussing was beyond her understanding. Her young mind couldn't keep pace with their thoughts. She had many questions, but upon seeing her mother and sister crying, she didn't dare to ask. She could only comfort them with a frown on her little face.

Seeing the scrunched-up face of her little daughter, Mrs. Qian could barely suppress her sadness. She leaned back on the pillow to calm herself. Her body was much better than it was before. Otherwise, if it had been before, she would have fainted after such a fit of anger and sorrow.

At this moment, however, her complexion was not good. She knew that such topics should not be heard by her young daughter. After all, children are at an age when their character is formed. If she made her daughter so angry at this time, she might develop a rebellious attitude in the future.

Thinking this way, she finally regained her composure and said to Manbao, "You don't need to worry about the family matters." Please go to the school and check if the teacher is available. Please inquire whether he is leaving tomorrow or the day after. The family needs to give him two pieces of cured meat to take with him.

Mr. Zhuang returned home every year for the New Year to celebrate with his son. But because he would be away for a long time, he needed to tidy up the study before leaving, especially the books. He needed to take what he wanted and leave what he didn't.

Manbao didn't suspect anything and left, running towards the school as soon as she stepped out, intending to return early.

The teacher was worried about the possibility of falling and cautioned, "Don't run." If you return, your mother will likely find a reason to send you out again.

Manbao hadn't learned to talk while running, so she slowed down and asked him as she walked, "Why not?"

"It's obvious." When did your mother allow you to go to school alone? You always have to go with your nephews and nieces. "Obviously, she doesn't want you to hear her and your sister talking at home, so she sent you away."

Manbao hung her head and went to Mr. Zhuang's place.

Today, Mr. Zhuang didn't go out. He was sitting in the yard, reading a book and soaking up the sun.

Yes, sunning the books. Books surrounded him. When he looked up and saw the little disciple coming in with her head down, her dejected expression made him chuckle.

Mr. Zhuang beckoned her over and asked with a smile, "What's wrong? Did you quarrel with Baishan again?"

Manbao pouted and muttered, "Who quarreled with him? I'm an adult."

Manbao had many questions she didn't understand, so she recounted the events of her sister's return that morning. Although she was articulate, her logic was a bit confused; nevertheless, she managed to explain clearly. Her memory was good, so she didn't forget what she had just heard. She repeated the words of the adults, including what her mother and sister had said.

Then she asked Mr. Zhuang in confusion, "Teacher, why does my sister have to rely on someone else to live? Can't she live on her own?" Why did she say she wanted to build a shed at the foot of the mountain? "Can't she live in the house?"

Mr. Zhuang looked at the young disciple and pondered for a moment before carefully saying, "It's not easy for women in this world." Without any land or skills, she naturally finds it difficult to support herself.

Mr. Zhuang couldn't discuss worldly matters or gossip with her, as it would be too burdensome for a child. So he could only talk about survival. He said, "One needs to rely on clothing, food, shelter, and transportation." She marries, and her husband's family owns land and employs workers. Although life may be difficult, she can still survive. "That's why your mother suggested she remarry."

Manbao suddenly realized, "So that's how it is."

She became excited and said, "That's not difficult." Since my sister does not own any land, my father can give her some. My brothers can assist her in cultivating the land and planting as much as she desires.

Mr. Zhuang hesitated and said, "Land is usually inherited by sons, but there are also cases where it is inherited by daughters." "But that requires a dowry..."

As he spoke, Mr. Zhuang felt that he was contradicting himself. He couldn't directly inform the young disciple that her father might be biased and unwilling to share the property with her sister.

Mr. Zhuang cleared his throat and said, "Your sister needs to have land in her name, so the family's house cannot be given to her." And your family's house is also small. Is it not sufficient for your brothers, correct?

Manbao didn't grasp the main point and curiously asked, "Why can't the family house be given to her if she's a woman, but it can be given to a man?" "Teacher, is this a legal requirement?"

It wasn't. Mr. Zhuang silently looked at the young disciple, and the young disciple gazed back at him.

After a while, Mr. Zhuang couldn't help but sigh, "You'll understand when you're a little older."

When she was older, it wouldn't be so difficult for him to say. Although it would still be a shock to the young disciple, by then she would have a better understanding and be more accepting of these things. Even if he said that her parents were biased, she could confidently agree, as in this world, which parents aren't biased? Especially in the case of a son and a daughter.