Chapter 2 - 2 Chapter 002: Establishing a Female Household (1/2)

2 Chapter 002: Establishing a Female Household

Translator: 549690339

“We always behave ourselves, doesn’t that make our lives miserable enough? No matter how submissive we are, Auntie’s heart is just too cruel to allow us any happiness. Just do as I say for now, eat as much steamed cornbread as you can, we have things to do afterwards.” Zhuang Qingning spoke.

Her firm tone slightly calmed the flustered Zhuang Qingsui. Already extremely hungry, she took the cornbread from Zhuang Qingning’s hand and began gulping it down.

After eating three cornbreads, Zhuang Qingsui let out a big satisfied burp.

“Sister, I’m full now.”

“I’m almost there too.” Zhuang Qingning took out a clean cloche, packed the remaining cornbreads securely inside it, and pushed it carefully in her blouse.

Zhuang Qingning, being lean and wearing loose clothing, managed to hide the bundled cornbreads well under her waistband, making it undetectable.

After they had finished packing, Zhuang Qingning took Zhuang Qingsui’s hand: “Let’s go.”

Although she didn’t know where they were going, she would follow wherever her sister went.

Zhuang Qingsui didn’t ask any questions, but just quickened her pace to match Zhuang Qingning’s.

The two of them ran to the eastern part of the village, to the house of the village chief, Zhuang Jingye.

Zhuang Jingye was washing himself in the courtyard. When he saw Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui, he spat out the salty water from his mouth, wiped his lips with a handkerchief, and asked, “Aren’t you two the daughters of the Ruhai family, Ning and Sui? What brings you here so early?”

“Respected Uncle,” Zhuang Qingning bowed politely. “My sister and I have come to you today to ask for an independent family unit for women.”

An independent family unit for women?

Zhuang Qingsui was taken aback. She had thought that Zhuang Qingning had come to lodge a complaint against Mrs. Song and wanted the village chief to protect them from being mistreated.

To her surprise, their goal was something far more astonishing.

Zhuang Jingye was also startled, his hand holding the willow branch, froze in surprise. His assessing gaze swept over Zhuang Qingning’s tall, straight figure as he asked, “Why do you want to establish a matrilineal household?”

“Our parents have passed away, leaving no male heir in our family. I’m the eldest daughter, and by rights, I can establish a matrilineal household with my sister.”

“But in our village, there has never been a precedent for establishing matrilineal households. Even if your parents had left an inheritance, you separated afterwards, therefore, you’ll still get nothing from it, and you’ll face a dire poverty in the future.”

“Furthermore, matrilineal households, because they have no male members, are exempt from compulsory labor, but they are required to pay a 30% higher tax than regular households. If you establish a new household, you will have no house, no land, and no livelihood. If you can’t pay the taxes, you’ll be taken to work as forced labor. Be aware, this is no child’s play.” Zhuang Jingye cautioned with a furrowed brow.

“Thank you for your consideration, Uncle. I have given this issue careful thought, so you don’t have to worry about me,” Zhuang Qingning replied confidently.

Women not getting any part of the family property was a rule of this era, an unchangeable fact, so there was no rush. Everything that was owed to her, and every debt that needed to be collected, would be accounted for in due time.

Seeing this, Zhuang Jingye lowered his head in contemplation, put down his toothbrush, and uttered in a hushed tone, “Even though you have made up your mind, I would still advise to rethink this. Establishing a matrilineal household is serious business, we should discuss this at length.”

“You should go home first, allow me to discuss this with your Uncle Zhuang Ruman, then we’ll decide, how does that sound?”

If everybody started making unauthorized decisions like Zhuang Qingning, demanding to establish their matrilineal households, wouldn’t that be chaos in the village?