The silver for the record was provided by Yang Ruxin, exactly five taels. She simply took out one tael to sort out the matter efficiently, to avoid future worries.
Several of the elders expressed their approval of this.
"Then let’s wait for the ancestral hall meeting this afternoon," said the village chief, glancing at the Yang Family’s members before beckoning to two elders to prepare to leave.
In Dapu East Village, the Yang Family was a prominent surname. It was the ancestors of the Yang and Li families who settled here to form the village. Originally, both families occupied the banks of Xiaocang River. Later, other surnames settled down, which led to the growth of the community, and eventually, both families built their own ancestral halls.
Just that between the two families flowed a river, and over time, to differentiate, the larger side became known as Dapu East Village, and the smaller as Xiaobudong Village.
The Yang Family’s ancestral hall was in Dapu East Village, and the Li family’s was in Xiaobudong Village.
Customarily, when calling for a separation, a meal should be offered, but the several old men all felt that Yang Peili had gone too far, and they sympathized with the members of the main house, so they did not want to eat.
"Count me in as well," Yang Baixiang suddenly entered.
The several people were stunned.
"I want to be separated too," Yang Baixiang said with resolve.
"Nonsense," Yang Peili became truly angry, understanding that the labor of the second and fourth brothers combined was not worth as much as that of Uncle Xiaowu alone. If he left the household, then the remaining work would really be exhausting.
"Anyway, if elder sister-in-law and the others are separated today, then I also want to leave the family," Yang Baixiang was adamant. Although he seemed simple-minded, he was not foolish, and besides, he knew that his second sister-in-law and mother had previously wanted to sell Dani and her sisters. His heart had truly grown cold. Ever since his leg was crippled, he knew it would be difficult to marry and have children of his own, so he genuinely cared for Dani and the others. At this moment, he thought that if Dani’s family was forced out, they would surely face a dead end.
"You little bastard..." Yang Anshi jumped up and gave Yang Baixiang a slap, "If you leave the family, then choke me to death first..."
"Mother..." Yang Baixiang helplessly yelled.
"Otherwise, you get out of here, and forget I ever gave birth to you, you beast," Yang Anshi was truly furious, "and from now on, you’re no longer to be called a Yang..."
Yang Baixiang was suddenly stunned, such terms were too harsh. If he wasn’t a Yang, what surname could he possibly take?
"Enough of this disgraceful scene," Yang Peili took a deep breath, "I’ll assume you were just confused a moment ago..."
"But father, how can you do this to elder sister-in-law and the others? Don’t you feel guilty? Are you not afraid that elder brother will rest in peace in heaven?"
"Rubbish," Yang Peili lifted his leg, intending to take off his shoe.
"Uncle Xiaowu," Ruxin turned to Yang Baixiang, who looked utterly hopeless, and quickly spoke up, "We appreciate your kindness, but don’t oppose our grandparents. Don’t worry, I will make sure we survive..." Yang Baixiang still had unhealed wounds from a previous beating; another thrashing would be unbearable. Moreover, at this moment, he might just be acting out of indignation, and separating might be something he would regret later. So, she could only persuade him not to separate. Whether he would eventually become completely disillusioned with these relatives was a concern for another day.
"Dani..." The man, standing five feet tall and unafraid of hardship, now had a choking voice.
"Uncle Xiaowu, making decisions impulsively might lead to regret," Ruxin said with a smile, "So, I don’t want you to regret it soon after." She paused, "Don’t worry about us, I will definitely raise all our siblings to adulthood..."