Agreement

The pride in Old Liu's heart suddenly deflated as he looked at Old Zhou sitting across from him, realizing that they shared the same idea.

After eight years of being in-laws, Old Liu probably understood Old Zhou's temperament. He knew that it was impossible for them to return only the dowry without any compensation.

However, it was also impossible to provide an identical dowry. It was too expensive. If they were to compensate them, it would be equivalent to spending three times the bride price on the eldest daughter.

Old Zhou was not inflexible, and he never expected the Liu family to compensate with an identical dowry.

After discussions, the Liu family decided to return all the dowry that Zhou Xi had brought with her. New bedding and clothes had to be made. Additionally, they had to give Zhou Xi a silver bracelet and a sum of money as compensation.

Of course, the Liu family could not produce these items immediately, so the divorce could not be finalized at the moment. Old Zhou said, "These matters need to be settled before the new year." Our Zhou family doesn't have the leisure to wait for you. You have three days to prepare the items. The stitching on the clothes and bedding must be secure. Three days later, we will invite the village head to finalize the divorce.

A divorce agreement is not effective simply by being provided, and the divorce document is not legally binding solely by being signed. It needs to be registered at the government office.

However, this matter had nothing to do with them, as such issues were typically reported directly to the village head, who would then escalate them accordingly.

The government office was closed for the New Year, but the village head would not be on holiday.

One hundred households made up a village, and the village heads of Seven Li Village and the Liu family village were different. Both village heads will be invited to witness the proceedings.

Under the witness of the two families, Old Zhou and Old Liu settled the compensation. The village heads of both villages served as witnesses. As long as both families wanted to continue living in the village, the agreed-upon terms could not be reversed.

The Zhou family left with a cold snort. Upon their departure, Xiao Qian, accompanied by her sisters-in-law, entered Liu Dazhuang's room and confiscated all of Zhou Xi's belongings. They also retrieved the camphorwood box from Liu's mother's room and carried it away immediately.

The expressions of the Liu family were grim.

This matter was settled for the Liu family, but for the Zhou family, the difficulties had just begun.

Upon returning home, Old Zhou said to Qian, "I will stay in the fourth son's room tonight." Ask Xi what type of marriage she desires. The items returned by the Liu family will all be taken away by her.

Qian sighed, "She doesn't want to get married."

"If she doesn't get married, where will she live?" Old Zhou said. "What will she do when she gets old?" Can she rely on her brothers?

Qian didn't say anything. She had tried to persuade Xi all afternoon. Although Xi didn't say anything, Qian could sense her attitude. Most importantly, she was afraid that if she pushed the child too hard, she might not be able to handle it, so Qian didn't dare say too much.

Manbao was sitting on the bed counting money. The money was earned yesterday when Wu Guang and the others went to the city to sell sugar. Manbao received a fair portion.

Although she had counted it yesterday, she counted it again today. When she heard her parents' voices getting louder, as if they were about to argue, she quickly tucked all the coins into the pockets of her clothes and slid off the bed to run over. "Dad, Mom, don't argue." Look, I have money.

The couple looked at Manbao.

Manbao pulled down the corner of her clothes to show them the money in her pocket and said, "Dad, ask the village head to allocate a piece of land for Big Sister to build a house next to our home." The teacher said that since Big Sister doesn't have a husband or son, she can have her own household.

Old Zhou sighed sadly and said, "You're thinking too simply, child. How will your sister live if she doesn't get married?"

"I'm not married either."

Old Zhou and Qian remained silent.

Manbao had asked Keke, and Keke said that in the future, many girls wouldn't get married, but they would still live well. Why? Because they had money!

Manbao thought carefully and even made a list on paper. She found that Keke was right. Everything came down to money. If Big Sister had money, would her parents be so eager for her to get married?

She said, "Mom, I've thought of a solution for Big Sister. We can build a house for her and have our brothers help cultivate the land." "Big Sister is so capable; she will definitely be able to live a good life."

Old Zhou said, "She's young and agile now, but what about when she gets old?"

"And when she can't move anymore and can't work, what will she eat and drink?" Old Zhou asked.

"If Big Sister has money, she can hire someone, like Dadao." "As long as she pays him, he will take care of her."

"It seems from listening to you that making money is as easy as picking up stones." "Is money really that easy to earn?" Old Zhou said.

"It's not that difficult," Manbao said.

"Alright, alright," Qian said. "Why are you arguing with Manbao?" She just got home. Even if she wants to get married, she has to wait until after the New Year. We can't just find someone for her to marry. We need to carefully consider it and wait for a year or so.

Old Zhou gasped for breath and asked, "But where will she live?"

This was indeed a significant issue, and the most crucial one at that. They couldn't accommodate her at home.

When the house was built, Zhou Xi had been married for many years, so they hadn't considered her at all.

At that time, the Zhou family was not very wealthy. Didn't they see that the fourth, fifth, and sixth sons all shared a room?

Qian looked worriedly at the courtyard outside and said, "Let's build a thatched shed next to the woodshed and have the fourth son and the others move there to live." Please prepare a few more quilts for them. "It won't be as cold once spring arrives."

Old Zhou remained silent.

After having a meal, the villagers who had come to assist from the Zhou family departed, leaving only Qian's three uncles.

Qian's eldest uncle said, "Three days later, we'll go to the Liu family village with you." Since she's back, don't scold her. She's still young and looks good. "She won't have trouble finding a husband."

While it might not have been a good marriage, there were plenty of eligible bachelors in the countryside. It was hard to find a frog with two legs, but bachelors with two legs were everywhere.

Qian's third uncle asked, "Why should she get married?" Xi can't have children, so if she gets married, she'll just be a servant for someone else. It is better for her to help at home. If that doesn't work, she can find employment elsewhere. I know that some wealthy families treat their servants well. If she does a good job, they might even take care of her in her old age.

Qian was furious and glared at him, saying, "Shut up."

Qian's third uncle was most afraid of his sister. He lowered his head and didn't dare to speak.

Qian's second uncle also gave him a stern look and said, "After we get the money from the Liu family, let's take her to the county town to see a doctor." Apart from her complexion, she doesn't have any major issues. Maybe she can be cured.

Achieving a cure for her illness and having a child would be the best outcome.

Qian's eldest uncle also nodded, "Let's go to Jishi Hall." If there's not enough money, we'll chip in as a family.

When the topic of contributing money came up, Qian's eldest uncle recalled and gazed at the fourth son of the Zhou family with a serious expression, "Fourth, are you still gambling?"

Zhou Si was startled. He didn't know how the conversation had turned to him. He lowered his head and shook it nervously. "No, I don't gamble anymore."

Qian's eldest uncle had always detested gamblers. Upon hearing this, he snorted coldly and said, "If you gamble again, I don't care about your parents and brothers." "I'll have your cousin break your legs first."