The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

Uncle Hua felt embarrassed, but then he realized that he was her elder, so it became much easier for him to speak.

“Rong’er, what Master Jiang just said is that he wants to return all the things you gave to the clansmen. Do you want to return them all to you, or leave some for the clansmen?”

After all, when your father passed away, the clansmen all came to help. Even if you marry into the capital and are separated from us by thousands of miles of Xishan, we are still family, even if our bones are broken.

If you encounter any trouble outside, the clan will stand up for you. All of us from the Hua clan who have left should remember that Xishan is our root.

"Rong-jie, don't you think that makes sense?"

Hua Sirong could easily understand her uncle's scheme.

She smiled and said, "Uncle, don't worry. Now that those things have been taken from me, there's no reason for me to ask for them back."

Uncle Hua's happiness lasted only a second before Hua Sirong poured cold water on it, saying, "Although I won't return the things, I can't just hand them over to people I don't like to waste."

I will make a list of everything that leaves my place, and my uncle will take it back and handle it according to the list.

Uncle: "What should we do? Didn't you say you weren't going back?"

Hua Sirong: "First, I need to find a child for my parents. My uncle will go back and look for one. Please mark the suitable children and their backgrounds in a book and send it to the capital for me to see. I will then make the final decision myself."

The uncle had anticipated this condition and did not object.

After all, Hua's father was a brother of the same clan, and they used to drink together often when they were alive. After his death, no one paid tribute to him, and he, as his brother, had no face to see him after his death.

Seeing her uncle nod, Hua Sirong continued, "Secondly, the old house will be left to my adopted younger brother, plus a village and a shop in our old home in Xishan."

The uncle thought that at least half of the good stuff should be given away, and he was thinking about whether he could tamper with the selection of the adoptive parent.

But seeing that the money was not plentiful, he gave up the idea and felt that he should carefully choose the adoptive parent.

He also asked, "Isn't that too little? You might not even be able to be a playboy; in their Xishan, you'd only be considered a small household."

Hua Sirong shook her head, "So when you uncles are choosing people for me, you don't need to consider the children from wealthy families."

For those of modest means or facing hardship, having shelter from the wind and rain, a farm with sufficient produce for sustenance, and a small shop—whether self-operated or rented out—enough to live a comfortable life is sufficient.

Uncle was not unaware of the hardships of ordinary people, and he agreed with Hua Sirong's considerations.

"What about the remaining industries..."

Hua Sirong continued, "The rest will be divided into three parts. One part of the profits will be used for the clan school, and the other part will be used every year to help the elderly and children in the clan who are lonely, helpless, and have no one to support them."

The uncle nodded hastily, though it pained him that the money had been taken from the hands of only a few people.

However, the money was ultimately used for the Hua family members, which was already a great act of generosity from Rong's niece.

Moreover, given Rong's arrangements, it's clear that she doesn't intend to sever ties with her father's family or become enemies just because she's climbed up to the Marquis's and Jiang families. This is the best outcome so far.

He even bowed to Hua Sirong, saying, "Sister Rong is indeed like her father. On behalf of the clansmen, I thank Sister Rong for her generosity."

When I get back, I will tell the children at the clan school that if they ever achieve great things, they must never forget Rong-jie's kindness in helping them.”

Hua Sirong turned to the side, refusing the courtesy, and said, "Uncle, you flatter me. If they want to thank someone, they should thank my father."

Every year during the Qingming Festival, when we pay respects to our ancestors, the clan remembers to add a couple of handfuls of fresh soil to my parents' graves; that's considered a thoughtful gesture.

The uncle smiled and agreed, saying it was a small matter and that even without spending money, the clan would take care of the graves.

"Sister Rong, what should we do with the other one?"

Hua Sirong looked at her clan uncle and said, "That portion is for the women in the clan who have divorced or been sent back home."

Uncle Hua's smile vanished. "How could there possibly be a woman returning home in our clan!"

If it weren't for the influence of the Marquis's and Jiang families behind Hua Sirong, her uncle would definitely be giving her a good talking-to about how to be respectful and elegant.

Hua Sirong wasn't annoyed. "It's fine to keep it there. Better safe than sorry."

After my father's passing, I realized how difficult it is for women to stand in this world. If their husband's family doesn't accept them and their own family doesn't take them in, how can they possibly survive?

My uncle went back and told the clan chief, "I don't want that money to ever be needed, but if there are any unfortunate sisters or cousins ​​in the clan, it will be their last chance to survive."

The clan uncle continued to argue, "Sister Rong, even if you really encounter the kind of thing you described, we have many clan members, so we can just go and reason with them."

Even if all else fails, if they want to go home, our clan has no reason to abandon them.

Hua Sirong shook her head, "How can we manage it? Are we just going to bring them back and have them marry just anyone?"

Uncle: "Well... naturally, a woman has to get married."

Besides, if it's a second marriage and the husband's family is willing to take them in, they should be grateful. Are they supposed to stay at their parents' home and delay the marriages of their younger siblings and nieces?

Hua Sirong disagreed, saying, "They conform to the ways of the world, they've already been married once, and they've done right by heaven and earth."

As for whether they should remarry in the future, they shouldn't be forced to, but rather they should remarry because they would be happy.

Helpless, the uncle could only agree, "Even if what you say makes sense, their parents will take care of them. There's really no need for the clan to support them separately. Wouldn't that just encourage married women to be restless and unwilling to stay at home?"

Hua Sirong said with a stern face, "Parents take care of her? They would feel ashamed to have a daughter like this. Even if they love their child and can take care of her for a day, can they take care of her for a lifetime?"

Furthermore, will their brothers and sisters-in-law be able to tolerate them? They'd probably be drowned in their spittle.

Uncle: "Then what are you doing...?"

Hua Sirong said seriously, "This money is there; it's their means of survival. They don't need to go home and be at the mercy of their brother and sister-in-law; they can earn a living on their own." Instead of having only jumping into the river as an option.

The uncle couldn't persuade Hua Sirong otherwise, so he had to discuss it with her. "Sister Rong, your previous plan is excellent. I will report it to Master Jiang truthfully again later."

However, I need to go back and discuss the last condition you proposed with the clan. This matter is too... I cannot make a decision on it.

Also, if you encounter any problems in the capital in the future, just write to your clan.

We won't abandon you.

Hua Sirong nodded, and the two parted ways.