Ch 25: The Regent’s Farmer Husband

One of humanity’s truest instincts might just be the love of gossip and watching drama unfold.

【Hurry, hurry, streamer—run!】
【A fight? I love watching fights!】
【They said it’s a family split. In our place, once you get married and move out, it’s basically the same thing. But in ancient times, dividing the family was a huge deal.】

“You all are even more impatient than I am,” Jiang Ji said, though he actually broke into a jog.

【Wait, is this the family that has a grudge with yours?】
【Yeah, the creepy guy who tried to assault your sister Jiang Xia’s family. The guy got exiled, and his mother got ten lashes from the county magistrate.】

Jiang Ji liked to chat with his viewers during downtime, and he’d told them all about the past. “Yep, that’s the one.”

【Oh ho, watching your enemy’s downfall—now that’s entertainment.】
【Streamer, let’s go!】
【This drama’s too good to miss.】

When Jiang Ji arrived at Jin Hua’s household, a crowd had already gathered at the gate. From a distance, he could hear Jin Hua’s sharp, shrill voice—she seemed to be scolding her eldest daughter-in-law, calling her heartless and ungrateful.

The courtyard gate was shut, so villagers crowded around the fence, packed three or four rows deep, hands tucked in their sleeves as they eagerly craned their necks to watch.

Jiang Ji came late—every good spot was taken. He squeezed into a narrow gap, resting a hand on someone’s shoulder, standing on tiptoe and stretching his neck to peer through the gaps in the crowd.

Inside the main hall sat the village head and a few elders of the Li clan. At the center, leaning on a cane, was Li Baoshan—the father of the two brothers Li Laoda and Li Lao’er. He’d broken his leg years ago and now walked with a limp, rarely leaving the house.

The two brothers sat separately with their wives on either side, while their children huddled quietly in a corner.

Only Jin Hua stood in the middle of the hall, face red, neck tense, shouting as she pointed at the eldest daughter-in-law.

“…You wretched woman! From the day you married in, I knew you weren’t any good. Don’t think I don’t know—you’ve been egging my eldest son on to divide the household! Now that I’m old, you’re thrilled, aren’t you? Think you can run things now? Fine, you want to split the family? Take your things and get out! But don’t even dream about keeping this house!”

Li Baoshan sat motionless, head drooping, silent as ever.

The eldest daughter-in-law had long grown used to her mother-in-law’s insults and her father-in-law’s silence. They’d been quarreling for days already, and she was too exhausted to fight anymore.

Now that the village head and the clan elders were present, her eyes reddened and she wiped away tears. “Village head, honored elders—you’ve all seen it. Since I married in, my mother-in-law hasn’t gone a single day without cursing me. I can’t go on living like this anymore.”

Jin Hua’s fierce tongue was notorious in the village. Whether family or outsider, anyone who displeased her even slightly would get an earful. She had conflicts with half the village by now.

Hearing her daughter-in-law’s complaint, Jin Hua immediately started shouting again. “So what if I curse you? You deserve it! You tell my son to abandon his own mother! I should’ve beaten you long ago! And look at you crying—who do you think wants to see that ugly face?!”

“That’s enough!”

A white-haired elder barked sharply, slapping his cane on the floor. “Jin Hua, that mouth of yours deserves to be sewn shut!”

This elder was Li Baoshan’s uncle—the last male senior of their branch—and Jin Hua was still somewhat afraid of him. She fell silent, though not without muttering under her breath, spitting in her daughter-in-law’s direction. “Ungrateful tramp.”

“Still not holding your tongue?! If you’re going to keep this up, we’re leaving. Settle your own mess!” The old man glared fiercely, his cane thudding hard against the ground. Only then did Jin Hua quiet down, sulking as she sat aside.

Seeing the room finally calm, the elder spoke. “Since you can’t live together anymore, then divide the household. Let’s discuss how to split the property.”

Over the years, Jin Hua’s family had built three connected houses: a main hall in the center and east and west wings on either side, each with two rooms, plus a kitchen, woodshed, and pigsty.

The main house was the largest, with a proper central hall. The wings were smaller, each with a modest sitting room. The eldest family lived in the east wing, the second in the west, and Jin Hua and her husband lived in the main house with Li Laosan’s son, Xiao Shitou.

The elder turned to Li Baoshan. “Baoshan, you’re the head of the family. You decide how to divide things.”

Li Baoshan said nothing.

Jin Hua snapped, “Divide what? I built this house myself! Whoever wants to split can get out—none of them are getting a single wall!”

The eldest daughter-in-law gave a cold snort but didn’t respond.

It was the second daughter-in-law who spoke up. “Mother, that’s not right. The east and west wings were built when Big Brother and my husband got married. They both worked and earned silver for those rooms. How can you say it’s all yours?”

“They’re my sons—their silver is my silver!” Jin Hua retorted arrogantly.

The crowd chuckled at that.

The second daughter-in-law shot a look at the eldest, then nudged her husband, signaling him to speak.

Li Lao’er hesitated but then looked up at his parents and said, “Uh, Father, Mother… there’s just the three of you and Xiao Shitou. I’ve got three children—more mouths to feed. How about this? We switch places. Let us live in the main house, and you and Xiao Shitou move to the west wing?”

“What did you just say?!” Jin Hua exploded. She’d always thought her second son was the honest one—never expected he’d dare covet her house. Trembling with rage, she jabbed a finger at him. “Say that again if you dare!”

Outside, Jiang Ji was watching the drama with great interest, occasionally glancing at the livestream chat.

【My god, this Jin Hua woman is really something else.】
【Typical of ancient times—some mothers think that just because they gave birth, everything their children own belongs to them.】
【That second daughter-in-law’s bold though, daring to eye her in-laws’ main house.】
【Who wouldn’t want the biggest house? But seriously, what’s wrong with their father? The house is in chaos and he’s just sitting there silent.】
【The invisible father archetype.】
【I don’t get all this old-time stuff. All I see is a pack of dogs biting each other.】
【Back then, families valued hierarchy. Married brothers living together? Of course there’d be constant conflict.】
【Mother-in-law problems have existed since forever—happens because they live together. Too close, and it all stinks.】
【In ancient times, though, living together was normal. Splitting the household was a big deal—almost considered unfilial.】

Jiang Ji nudged the person beside him. “Hey, why do I feel like Jin Hua doesn’t really want to split the family?”

“Not sure,” came a deep, familiar voice.

Jiang Ji turned his head and blinked—Jiang Yan was standing right next to him, expression calm as ever.

“What are you doing here?” Jiang Ji asked, surprised. “Wasn’t Xiao Shan standing next to me?”

He leaned forward to check—sure enough, Xiao Shan was on Jiang Yan’s other side. The man must’ve squeezed in quietly.

Jiang Yan leaned in and said softly, “Jiang Bei said this family has a grudge with yours. I came in case things get ugly and they try to start something. But looks like they’re… busy.”

Hearing that, Jiang Ji’s eyes curved into a smile. “Yeah, they’re too busy yelling to notice me.”

He elbowed Jiang Yan lightly. “Thanks, though.”

Jiang Yan looked at him and said quietly, “You’re welcome.”

“Big rother! Brother Jiang Yan! We’re here too!”

It was Jiang Nan’s voice. Jiang Ji looked down—Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei were both beaming up at him.

“What are you two doing here? You’ll get trampled in the crowd,” Jiang Ji scolded lightly, pulling them close. “Don’t run around. There are too many people—if you fall, you’ll get stepped on.”

He looked up at Jiang Yan again. “Did you bring them?”

Jiang Yan shook his head.

So they’d followed on their own. Jiang Ji flicked each of them lightly on the forehead. “Kids shouldn’t be crowding in for gossip.”

Jiang Nan rubbed his head with a grin. “But you’re here too, aren’t you?”

Jiang Ji: “…”

Alright, double standards then—so what?

He tightened his grip on their hands. “Stay by me and don’t wander.”

“Okay.”

The two obediently held his hands but tried peeking through the gaps between adults. Of course, they couldn’t see a thing—grown-up bodies blocked their view completely.

Jiang Nan tugged his sleeve. “Brother, I can’t see! Lift me up!”

Jiang Bei chimed in, “Me too!”

Jiang Ji was already craning his neck himself. He glanced at Jiang Yan—who was half a head taller than everyone else and could see perfectly fine.

Jiang Ji: …

He compared their heights and sighed. Ugh, a good half head shorter.

No, he told himself, he was only nineteen—there was still time to salvage this!

“Brother?” Jiang Nan urged again.

“No, I’m too tired,” Jiang Ji said, still sulking about his height. “I can barely see anything myself.”

Jiang Nan sighed in disappointment. “Then can I go to the front?”

“No. Too many people. Stay put.”

The two kids exchanged glances, sighing in defeat, and decided to just listen instead.

Jiang Yan glanced sideways at Jiang Ji—his neck stretched like a curious duck peering down a path—and the faintest smile appeared on his face.

Inside the house, the argument had reached its peak. Everyone wanted the main house. Finally, the great-uncle slammed his cane against the floor.

“What kind of sight is this, a family tearing itself apart?”

He stood and thumped Li Baoshan hard with his cane. “Say something, man! The whole house is on fire and you’re sitting there mute—what, did your leg break your tongue too?!”

Jin Hua shot her useless husband a glare and snapped, “What’s there to say? No one’s getting a single coin from me! I don’t care who talks!”

Li Baoshan’s eyes closed briefly—then suddenly, without warning, he leapt up and swung his cane at her.

“I’ll beat you to death, you foul-mouthed hag!”

“Ah—!”

The blow stunned Jin Hua at first—she hadn’t expected her usually spineless husband to hit her. But once the pain registered, her fury flared hotter than ever.

“Li Baoshan, you worthless cripple! You dare hit me? I’ll kill you!”

She lunged at him, and the two of them started brawling right in front of everyone.

The crowd gasped in shock.

“What are you two waiting for? Separate them!” the old uncle barked at the two sons.

Li Laoda and Li Lao’er finally snapped out of it, rushing forward with the village head to grab one each and pull them apart.

Jin Hua was still shrieking and cursing, while Li Baoshan roared, “Cry all you want, Jin Hua! I’ve had enough of you! You shrew—you’ve cursed this family apart!”

“You say I curse? If you weren’t such a useless coward, would I need to?!”

Li Baoshan shouted back, “Shut your mouth! Say one more word and I’ll divorce you!”

Divorce… divorce her?

The word hit Jin Hua like lightning.

He wanted to cast her out?

At her age, if her husband really divorced her, where could she even go?

It would be no different from a death sentence.

She tore free from Li Laoda’s grip and flung herself toward Li Baoshan, crying hysterically, “Fine! Divorce me then! I’ve slaved for this family for decades, bore you three sons—and you want to cast me out? Heavens above! I can’t live anymore! I can’t live!”

Jin Hua collapsed to the ground, wailing loudly.

Li Laoda hurried to crouch beside her. “Father was just trying to scare you—he didn’t really mean to divorce you.”

But Li Baoshan, who had endured years of silence and humiliation, finally snapped. Decades of pent-up frustration burst out all at once, and now that it had started, he couldn’t hold it back.

“I should’ve divorced this shrew years ago!”

Their great-uncle had had enough of the spectacle. Slamming his cane down, he roared, “Enough! All of you, shut your mouths!”

Li Baoshan still respected his uncle, so he grudgingly sat back down, fuming but silent. Jin Hua’s sobbing quieted to a whimper.

The old man sighed heavily. “If you’d disciplined your wife earlier, Baoshan, it never would’ve come to this!”

Li Baoshan didn’t dare argue.

“Since you clearly can’t live together anymore,” the uncle said, his voice weary, “then split the household. It’ll be better for everyone. Baoshan, you’re the head of the family. Decide how to divide things and get it over with—stop dragging it out.”

Li Baoshan sat in silence for a long moment before finally looking up at his two sons. “You’re both set on dividing?”

Li Laoda looked uncertain after seeing his parents fight like that, but his wife gave him a firm kick under the table. He hesitated—then nodded.

Li Lao’er nodded as well.

After another pause, Li Baoshan said, “Fine. Then we’ll divide. Keep the houses as they are. The kitchen and woodshed stay shared. If that’s too troublesome, build your own with your own silver.”

Neither son said anything more.

The eldest daughter-in-law only wanted to end the mess quickly. She didn’t care if her share was smaller—she’d been living in that east wing for years anyway. The second daughter-in-law looked like she wanted to argue for more, but her husband tugged her sleeve to stop her.

Under the eyes of the village head and clan elders, the family’s belongings were divided into three parts. Each household got some silver. Jin Hua, who had always kept control of the money, refused to hand over her savings, and no one really knew how much she had stashed away. In the end, they had to let it go.

After more than an hour of shouting and dividing, the argument finally ended. The land would be measured the next day before splitting it formally.

By the time it was over, night had fallen. Jiang Xia came to call Jiang Ji home for dinner, and after watching a bit longer, they finally headed back together.

Jiang Ji animatedly retold the whole family drama to Zhao Ru.

Hearing it, Zhao Ru could only sigh.

After dinner, the family sat outside to relax. The air had grown warmer—no need for a fire anymore.

The moon hung like a faint silver hook at month’s end, dim and hazy behind the clouds.

Jiang Ji told Zhao Ru and the others about what he’d accomplished in town that day, including how the manure deliveries would begin tomorrow.

With forty acres of land, fertilizer was absolutely essential. Hearing that he’d secured a source, Zhao Ru and the others were delighted.

Jiang Xia was pleased too, though she sighed. “It just feels like we’ve been spending so much lately. I can’t believe even manure costs money.”

“Xia’er,” Jiang Ji said with a grin, “you can’t expect the horse to run if you won’t feed it.”

Jiang Xia blushed. “I know, I just hate parting with all that silver.”

“Don’t worry. Every bit we spend on fertilizer, we’ll earn back.” Jiang Ji reassured her.

She smiled softly. “I believe you, brother.”

They sat chatting for a while until Zhao Ru was about to tell Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei to bathe—when a knock sounded at the courtyard gate.

“Who is it?” Zhao Ru called as she went to open the door. Seeing who stood outside, she froze.

It was Li Laoda and his wife.

The two seemed to have been whispering to each other before she came out. When they saw her, the eldest daughter-in-law nudged her husband and hesitated for a moment before speaking awkwardly.

“Um… Sister Zhao, we’re here to apologize. My husband was foolish before—please forgive us. He won’t be foolish again.”

As she spoke, she pressed a basket of eggs into Zhao Ru’s hands. “Just a small token of goodwill. Please don’t hold it against us—take this as our apology.”

She elbowed Li Laoda again. “Say something!”

Li Laoda looked up briefly, then dropped his gaze and mumbled, “Before… I was wrong. It won’t happen again.”

His wife hurried to add, “Yes, truly, we’re sorry. We came to apologize.”

Zhao Ru didn’t take the basket. “Is that why you’re here?”

“Ah, yes—mainly to apologize,” the woman said, then lowered her voice. “But also… could we maybe buy some of your seeds too?”

“Mother, who is it?”

Jiang Ji came over when he saw Zhao Ru standing at the gate for too long. When he spotted the visitors, his brows furrowed. “What are you doing here?”

The eldest daughter-in-law quickly shoved the basket toward him. “Xiao Ji, we came to apologize. It was all my husband’s fault before—please forgive us. We swear it’ll never happen again.”

Jiang Ji pushed the basket away. “This isn’t something that an apology can fix. Maybe your third brother was the one who committed the crime—but I still remember exactly what you two did that day. You came to my house acting like victims, accusing us, trying to make us pay after bullying my sister.”

Li Laoda’s face darkened.

His wife went pale. “Xiao Ji…”

“You’re here to buy seeds, aren’t you?” Jiang Ji cut her off.

Caught off guard, the woman hesitated, then nodded. “Yes… but mainly to apologize.”

“Not selling,” Jiang Ji said flatly. “Not to your family.”

He turned to Zhao Ru. “Mother, let’s go in. Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei are waiting for their bath.”

With that, he closed the gate.

Outside, the eldest daughter-in-law stared at the shut door, then turned to smack her husband.

“This is all your fault! I told you not to go that day, but no—you just had to! And now look where that got us!”

Li Laoda was filled with regret, his gut twisting as he muttered, “It’s my fault, all my fault. But what do we do now? He won’t sell to us.”

His wife was on the verge of tears. “How should I know what to do?!”

The two of them quarreled as they walked away into the night.

Inside the courtyard, Zhao Ru sighed softly.

Jiang Ji asked, “Mother, what’s wrong? Feeling soft-hearted?”

“No,” Zhao Ru said after a pause. “I just pity that eldest daughter-in-law. She used to be such a decent, sensible girl… but she was unlucky to marry into that family.”

Jiang Ji shrugged. “Mother, she only came to apologize because she wanted the seeds. If she really felt guilty, she would’ve apologized long ago—right after what happened. But she didn’t.”

Zhao Ru blinked, realizing she hadn’t thought of it that way. “You’re right, when you put it like that.”

“Forget it, Mother,” Jiang Ji said, patting her shoulder. “No need to trouble yourself over people who don’t matter. We just need to live our own life well.”

Zhao Ru nodded. “You’re right. As long as we live well, that’s enough.”

She went back inside to help Jiang Nan and Jiang Bei bathe.

Jiang Ji sat back by the doorway and noticed Jiang Yan watching him quietly.

The night was hazy, its dim light softening the edges of everything. Jiang Ji couldn’t make out Jiang Yan’s expression clearly and asked, “Do you think I was too harsh?”

Jiang Yan shook his head. “No. Not harsh enough.”

Jiang Ji was stunned for a moment—then the corners of his mouth lifted in a small, amused smile.

🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾