Chapter Eight: My dear aunt, could you possibly lend me fifty catties of rice first?

"Damn those thieves! They’ve stolen every last bit of our grain and silver! Aren't they just forcing me, my mother, and my little brother to our deaths?"

Jiang Yuan had been wailing all the way from her home to the village head’s house. Following his sister's lead, Jiang Hu also chimed in with his high-pitched, shrill crying. Mother Jiang, a naturally delicate beauty, wept with such heart-wrenching sorrow that it seemed she might shatter.

"I implore you, Uncle Village Head, to be our judge! You must find these thieves; I will be sure to teach them a lesson they won't forget!"

Xie Changzhi stood by, shielding Jiang Yuan with one arm while carrying an axe in the other, his eyes burning red with fury.

Jiang Yuan collapsed to the ground, sobbing, "We can't go on like this! We don't even have enough grain for tonight. If my father were still here, those thieves would never have dared to be so arrogant!"

A large crowd of villagers had gathered before the village head’s courtyard. Most were there for the spectacle, but seeing the miserable state of the mother and daughter, they couldn't help but murmur:

"Village Head, we must find these thieves! Can we really just stand by and watch Jiang Yuan and her family die? We are all one village; I can't bear to see this!"

"Exactly! Girl, stop crying, it breaks my heart. The village head will surely see justice done. Auntie here has half a cake left for you."

"If I find out which thief did this—stealing from their own kin—I’ll be the first to help teach them a lesson!"

"Quiet! Quiet! Everyone, be quiet!" The village head gave a heavy cough, and silence instantly fell over the crowd.

The village head looked at Mother Jiang, then shifted his gaze to Jiang Yuan. "Jiang Yuan, I will investigate this matter thoroughly. I cannot guarantee we will catch the thieves, but I will do my best."

He stared intently into her eyes. Jiang Yuan forced a smile that looked even more painful than her tears. "I understand, Uncle. Perhaps the grain has already been consumed. I only came seeking justice. Ever since my father passed away..." She lowered her eyes, tears falling before she could finish her sentence.

The crowd erupted in sympathetic sighs. The village head felt a twinge of guilt; after all, his own nephew had just broken off his engagement to her, and if anyone was known for kicking someone when they were down, his family was certainly at the top of the list.

He cleared his throat, about to speak, when Jiang Yuan let out a gasp and called out to someone outside the crowd: "Aunt! Uncle!"

Jiang Yuan hurried over, just managing to grab the sleeve of her aunt as she turned to leave.

"Aunt, you’ve always been the kindest to me and Hu’er. When my father was still with us, he helped your family many times. Now, could you please lend us some grain to tide us over? I promise I will repay you later. I... I don't want to die yet..."

Her voice trembled as she made her pitiful request. Many in the crowd could not help but chime in.

Her aunt pulled her sleeve away in a panic, her voice sharp with agitation. "I have none!"

Jiang Yuan’s body swayed, her small face turning ghostly pale.

Those who couldn't stand the sight of this began to shout. "It’s just some grain! You’re being far too selfish as an aunt. Do you really intend to watch your own kin starve to death?"

"Hmph! So much for being an 'aunt.' I remember every time I passed the Jiang house, I’d see her carrying bags and bundles out! Now that they’ve fallen on hard times, she’s become a miser!"

"Girl, come with me, I’ll get you some grain! I’m not like some people!"

Jiang Yuan sniffled, bowing to everyone with a look of gratitude in her eyes. "I thank you all for your kindness, but I cannot accept. I only dared to ask my aunt because of the bond we once shared, but it seems..." She stopped, her voice choked with grief.

The crowd’s hostility instantly turned toward the aunt. Her husband had already vanished, and she was left with the headache of the chattering crowd.

She had already discovered that not only was the stolen grain missing, but her own household’s supply of sauce had vanished as well. She had been scolded mercilessly at home, and now, after stepping out, she was being morally condemned by a mob!

Since Jiang Yuan had taken in a live-in son-in-law, their family could no longer seize the house, and her own son’s tuition fees were now in jeopardy. The more she thought, the more frustrated she became.

"To hell with that bond! This grain is a matter of life and death. You all talk so prettily, but I have a large family to feed. If I give it away, who will pity us? I don't have any to give, so give it yourselves if you want!"

With that, the aunt tried to use her bulk to push through the crowd, only to be grabbed from behind by Jiang Yuan.

Though Jiang Yuan was thin and slight, her grip was incredibly strong.

With tear-filled eyes, she cried, "Aunt! How can you say such things? Are you disowning us?"

The aunt grabbed her clothes back and gave Jiang Yuan a harsh shove. "Your father is dead! We have nothing to do with you anymore!"

Having finally gotten the answer she wanted, a subtle smirk touched the corner of Jiang Yuan’s lips. Yet, she shouted, "Mother! Aunt doesn't want us anymore!"

She collapsed into Mother Jiang’s arms, weeping. Mother Jiang was still somewhat bewildered; this turn of events was beyond her expectations, but things had come to this, so she followed her daughter’s lead.

She stroked her daughter’s hair. "It’s all right, it’s all right. Mother wants you."

The aunt ultimately failed to leave; she was blocked by Xie Changzhi, who stood tall and imposing, his face set in a scowl that looked truly intimidating.

"Village Head, since my aunt has made it clear, then I shall act as an unfilial niece. I beg you to bear witness that from this day on, our two families will walk separate paths, with absolutely no further connection!"

Once these words were out, even those who disliked the aunt were thoroughly shocked. Although Jiang Yuan’s father was gone, her grandparents were still alive. Even though they had divided the household, they were blood relatives, bound by ties that could not be severed.

Jiang Yuan, who had always seemed so gentle and weak, had uttered such rebellious words!

The village head hesitated. "This..."

"Big Brother, this is my wish as well," Mother Jiang said, catching the complex looks directed at her daughter. She added a remark for the village head.

"Now that Changzhi has become my son-in-law, and with his father and younger brother here, we are not without men in the house. We will work hard, and we can sustain this family. As for Mother... since she looks down on us, then please forgive this daughter-in-law for being unfilial."

Jiang Yuan was stunned for a moment; she hadn't expected her usually timid mother to say so much.

Mother Jiang said nothing more, merely stroking her daughter’s hair over and over.

The aunt was dazed for a while, but once she processed the situation, she calmed down. She put on that loathsome, fake smile again and tried to pull Jiang Yuan toward her.

"Yuan’er, what nonsense are you spouting? Your aunt was just muddled for a moment. You are my niece, how could I bear to watch you starve? Even your grandmother wouldn't agree to that!"

Jiang Yuan sneered internally; the woman was clearly just afraid of being scolded by the grandmother!

As for that grandmother, she was no better—a leech who wouldn't stop until she had drained them dry.

But as long as she, her mother, and little Hu’er were still alive, they still had value to be exploited.

Jiang Yuan gripped her aunt’s hand tightly with feigned excitement. "That’s wonderful! I knew my aunt couldn't be so heartless! There are eight of us in my family, but I won't ask for too much—could you start by lending us fifty pounds of rice?"