Chapter 10: Let Her Run the Household

Before she could react, Fu Ciyi reached down, took the basket straight from her back, and slung it onto himself.

Just as he had when he arrived, he quickly took the lead.

Yan Funing chased after him, wanting to say thank you, but the words stuck in her throat.

The rice and flour in the basket were for someone else to eat as well; it was only right that he carried them back.

Fu Ciyi caught her in his peripheral vision, his handsome brows furrowing several times.

Just a single basket of goods, yet she had been panting from carrying it, and now she was continuously massaging her shoulders without pause.

So delicate!

An irrepressible wave of annoyance rose in the corners of his eyes and brows.

——

By the time the two reached home, it was nearly noon.

"Mother, we're back."

As soon as they stepped through the courtyard gate, Yan Funing called out sweetly.

Hearing this, Wan Niang, who was in the main hall, waved toward the sound with a beaming smile: "Child, come inside quickly. It's cold outside."

Fu Ciyi walked briskly into the room and set the basket aside.

Wan Niang groped her way over, but her hand met her eldest son's arm instead. She swatted him away, and only after grabbing Yan Funing's arm did she ask with a smile, "You must be tired, right?"

Fu Ciyi: "..."

"I'm not tired, it's..." Yan Funing pursed her lips slightly before finally saying, "It was Husband who carried the rice and flour back, so I'm not tired."

Fu Ciyi's brow tightened slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

Wan Niang pulled Yan Funing down to sit and said softly, "How could you not be tired? It's a long walk from here to the town."

Yan Funing smiled faintly, took the water poured by Fu Nanyao, and took a small sip.

"The oyster mushrooms weighed nearly eight catties. Based on that weight, they sold for a total of two hundred wen." After another sip of water, she continued, "Then, I went to the grain and oil shop to buy rice and flour, and picked up some salt and sugar while I was at it. They had rapeseed oil and soy sauce, but you have to bring your own containers to buy them, so I didn't get those."

Wan Niang praised, "My daughter-in-law is so capable!"

Fu Beimo opened the rice bag and then the flour bag, saying happily, "We won't go hungry anymore!"

Yan Funing gave an "Mm" in response. "Twelve catties of rice and five catties of flour should be enough for us to eat for a few days." She pulled the last few copper coins from her sleeve pocket and smiled sheepishly, "After buying all this, only ten wen is left."

Wan Niang gently patted the back of Yan Funing's hand. "Child, you've worked hard!"

At that moment, Fu Ciyi pulled out a handful of copper coins and placed them on the table.

Two coins fell to the floor, rolling away.

"Brother, how do you have copper coins too?"

Fu Beimo was quick to pick them up.

Fu Ciyi said indifferently, "Earned from writing. Mother, please put them away."

Only then did Yan Funing notice the black ink stains on his fingers.

Fu Nanyao took the two coins her brother had picked up and piled them with the others on the table to count.

A moment later, she smiled and said, "With Brother and Sister-in-law's contributions, there are sixty-eight wen in total."

Wan Niang said, "All this money shall be kept by my daughter-in-law. From now on, you will be the head of our household."

Yan Funing was puzzled. "I'll be the head?"

Wan Niang nodded. "Yes, Mother trusts you."

Yan Funing looked toward certain someone; after all, fifty-eight of those wen were earned by him, but it wasn't appropriate to ask him right now. Instead, she used a red string to thread the coins together one by one.

Wan Niang said happily, "It's almost noon, let's make noodles to eat."

Though she couldn't see, she was still skilled at kneading and rolling dough.

Fu Beimo picked up the basket, Fu Nanyao supported Wan Niang, and the three of them went to the kitchen.

Wearing the copper coins, Yan Funing saw that certain someone was still there and asked softly, "Do you want to put your copper coins away yourself?"

Fu Ciyi poured himself a cup of water. Hearing her question, his drinking motion paused.

"If I tell you to manage it, then manage it."

His voice was slightly cool.

It was just a few copper coins; it wasn't a big deal.

——

In the kitchen, just as the flour was placed into a basin, a commotion erupted in the courtyard.

Hu Ajing had returned with several villagers.

"When my Great-Uncle and Great-Aunt went to town, they entrusted my grandmother to look after this courtyard," Hu Ajing said righteously. "Now that Great-Uncle and Great-Aunt are no longer in this world, this courtyard belongs to me and my grandmother."

Fu Nanyao brushed the flour off her hands and stepped out of the kitchen, asking sharply, "Why are you here again?"

Hu Ajing stiffened her neck. "I'm coming from my own courtyard; do I need your permission?"

Yan Funing put away the copper coins and stepped out of the main hall. Her beautiful eyes stared directly at the dark-skinned woman not far away. "Who are you?"

"My name is Hu Ajing. Fu Da is my Great-Uncle, and my grandmother is Fu Da's biological younger sister."

"What you just said is flawed logic."

"How is it flawed?"

Yan Funing said calmly, "The grandparents are gone, but can their children, grandsons, and granddaughters not live in this courtyard? Instead, a relative from a different surname like you gets to occupy it? Is that not flawed logic?"

Hu Ajing had never expected that the overly beautiful young girl opposite her could provoke her so easily with a single sentence.

Inside the kitchen, Wan Niang had her youngest son support her as she returned to her room; the issue of the courtyard's ownership had to be settled once and for all.

"How is it flawed logic? My grandparents said that Fu Wan Niang isn't even Great-Uncle and Great-Aunt's biological daughter!" Hu Ajing pointed at the passing Fu Wan Niang, then turned to the middle-aged man standing beside her, "Village Head, please, judge this fairly!"

The Village Head pondered for a moment and said, "According to reason, Fu Da's house should be inherited by his children. That is correct. If there are no children, it should be inherited by his kin."

Fu Nanyao grew anxious, her worried gaze turning toward Fu Ciyi, who was still drinking water in the main hall. "Brother!"

Fu Ciyi set down his bamboo tea cup. Just as he stepped out of the hall, a clear, bright voice rang out.

"May I ask if the law stipulates that adopted children enjoy the same inheritance rights?" Yan Funing looked toward the Village Head. "In the grandparents' later years, who was the one caring for them and enjoying their company? During that time, what did the Hu family do?" Her gaze shifted to Hu Ajing's face. "Now you jump out, trying to seize even this dilapidated old house. What kind of law is that?"

The corner of Fu Ciyi's mouth twitched; this woman actually understood the current laws.

The Village Head choked on his words. "This..."

Even the Village Head was silenced by her retort. Hu Ajing stamped her feet in frustration. "An adopted child is an outsider! How can an outsider inherit?"

At that moment, Wan Niang brought out the property deed and displayed it before everyone.

"Before my parents passed, they had already changed the name on the deed to mine. Considering the Fu and Hu families are kin, I gave Miss Hu face last time, but I did not expect this scene today. I ask the Village Head to speak fairly!"

The Village Head said, "Since the deed has already changed owners, it cannot be considered an estate. Hu Ajing, what are you still fighting for?"

Since the other party even had the deed, Hu Ajing was naturally speechless.

After this commotion, the Village Head and the villagers left sheepishly.

Seeing that the young man standing at the entrance of the hall was exceptionally handsome, Hu Ajing put on a thick skin and smiled at Fu Wan Niang. "Aunt, our two families are relatives after all. I was in the wrong today; please don't be angry."

Wan Niang did not respond.

Hu Ajing turned to smile at Fu Ciyi, lowering her voice to make it sound as pleasant as possible. "This must be Second Cousin, right? Is Second Cousin engaged?"

"Go away, our family doesn't welcome you!" Fu Nanyao's willow brows knitted together. "And besides, my brother is already married!"

Wan Niang reached her hand out in the general direction where Yan Funing was standing. "Daughter-in-law, come quickly and help Mother back to the kitchen. Mother will roll noodles for you."

(End of Chapter)