Unlimited Resources: Raising a Minister with a Space Supermarket-Chapter 511 - 454: True Strength Comes from Within (Part 2)

"Why did they hit you? On what grounds do they have to hit you? Weren’t you and your father-in-law working for the family? Besides, after being beaten, why didn’t you report it to the authorities?" Yu Xiaolian was extremely angry.

Wang Dafen had lost her husband, and it was already very difficult for a widow with orphans; not only did her father-in-law not help her, but he even resorted to violence.

"My granduncle is the Clan Leader of our village!" Wang Dafen said in a low voice.

"So what if he’s the Clan Leader? Does being the Clan Leader mean he can beat people at will?" Yu Xiaolian was exasperated at her lack of resistance; she usually saw Wang Dafen as very bold.

Wang Dafen seemed like someone who, if slapped once, would immediately slap back twice. Despite her loud and fiery temperament, she endured the bullying quietly.

"If you offend the Clan Leader, you’ll be expelled from the clan!" Li Dayan couldn’t help but interject.

She and Wang Dafen were sisters-in-law, part of the same family and clan. Naturally, she also faced the same treatment. But, she sensibly agreed to her in-laws’ unreasonable demands, handing over half her monthly wages to her mother-in-law, so she wasn’t beaten.

But Wang Dafen believed that since the family had split, they were two households that should each earn and save independently. Even if the in-laws wanted some retirement money, it should be no more than fifty to one hundred fifty coins a year.

Wang Dafen thought her in-laws’ demand for half her wage was too greedy, so she refused. During the ensuing argument, she ended up fighting with her mother-in-law. Although Wang Dafen was thin, she wasn’t weak, and even together her in-laws weren’t her match, especially with her three children siding with their mother.

After suffering defeat in Wang Dafen’s home, her in-laws sent their younger son to call the Clan Leader to uphold justice. When the Clan Leader arrived, the enraged Wang Dafen did not hold back her tongue, even cursing the Clan Leader. As a result, Wang Dafen received a severe beating, losing two of her front teeth in the process.

"Even if you’re not expelled from the clan, what benefits do you get from the clan?"

If there were scholars in the family, expulsion might affect their career. However, for Wang Dafen’s family, who struggled even to eat, what significance did the clan hold?

Could such a clan truly provide them any shelter?

It was as if Yu Xiaolian’s words suddenly enlightened Wang Dafen.

Indeed, even if they weren’t expelled, who in the clan ever lent her a hand?

Not only had they never helped but had consistently ridiculed and mocked her. Such a clan was not worth clinging to.

"But... the children have the Chen surname, and if..."

Li Dayan feared being expelled; her son might blame her.

After all, those expelled from the clan are like rootless duckweed, with no support or reliance.

Having clan members around meant that during famines, they could travel together and face hardships collectively. If they were expelled, in times of natural disaster or calamity, no one would lend a helping hand.

Wang Dafen spat in disdain, "You still count on them? Sister, let me tell you, having your own means truly having, being strong makes you truly strong!

When you have money, even if expelled, those clan members will still clamor to acknowledge you as kin. When you’re tough, your words carry weight!"

Li Dayan pulled Wang Dafen aside, softly advising, "I understand your thoughts. You’re relying on your current job with a steady wage to stand tall.

But do you know how long this job will last? How many pigs are there to slaughter daily? If we lose this job, we might still have to rely on the family.

Moreover, we currently live in a Chen family house. If we’re expelled, it’s not only about being kicked out; the children might be left with the old Chen Family. Can you bear to be separated from your children?"

Wang Dafen’s previously high spirits were instantly deflated by Li Dayan.

"Sister, are we really not separated as a household?" Wang Dafen sighed in frustration.

Li Dayan sighed, "For us women, life is just like this!

People cannot fight fate. As widowed women, we shouldn’t fight. We should just raise our children until they’re grown, and only then can we say our duty is done."

After listening to Li Dayan, Wang Dafen went back to kneading dough in frustration. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Yu Xiaolian, having heard the entire conversation between Li Dayan and Wang Dafen, couldn’t help but speak up as she saw Wang Dafen’s brief moment of defiance quickly quelled by Li Dayan’s words, "According to the laws of Great Liang, knocking out teeth is considered a serious injury. If you report it to the authorities, you can have those who hit you exiled."