CHAPTER 1321: CHAPTER 674: CHOICE (PART 2)

But today Lian Manman told her that trying to please everyone is useless; she must do something practical and take on the responsibilities of the eldest granddaughter-in-law.

Lady Chiang could only agree. She always thought such actions were laborious and unappreciated, not something a clever person should do. But Lian Manman’s words made her realize that her perspective was too narrow, and her cleverness misled her.

Today, Lian Manman was able to speak to her that way, which represented support from Lian Shouxin’s family for her. With such support, she no longer worried about being disadvantaged in future property distributions and her family struggling to survive.

Moreover, Lady Chiang had long understood this point. Her generation, Da Niuniu’s generation, and even all future descendants of their branch would rely on Lian Shouxin’s household for a better life. According to Lian Manman’s expectations, taking on the old residence’s responsibilities earlier and satisfying Lian Manman was the smartest choice.

Lady Chiang was clever, and regarding the situation with Lian Lanlan, she had already noticed some clues. This matter was a wake-up call for her. Lian Manman and Wu Lang had become more assertive. Even if she did not actively instigate, allowing the people of the old house to make a fuss might result in her being blamed. What Lian Manman said earlier was good advice, but it also subtly hinted at dissatisfaction with her. If she couldn’t make effective changes, the final account might end up being on her.

And as long as she took responsibility, she could have the backing of the Lian Family’s Fourth Household.

Having made up her mind, Lady Chiang stood up from the edge of the kang.

"... I’ve been out for this half day, and I must return. Once back, I’ll speak as we just discussed. Consulting Aunt Four about this matter was unreasonable originally. If Old Grandmother wants to scold, let her scold me." Lady Chiang said.

She preferred to take the blame herself rather than allow Lady Zhou or others from the old house to rebuke Lian Manman’s family.

"Thanks, big sister-in-law." Lian Manman replied with a smile, not bothering with courtesy. Isn’t that exactly why she spoke to Lady Chiang like that? Speaking simply and closely, if Lady Chiang could shield the old house, they would shield Lady Chiang.

After seeing Lady Chiang off, Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, and Lian Manman sat down on the kang again.

"I’m not going, now that Jizu’s wife has returned, can she handle the Old Grandmother?" Lady Zhang expressed her concern.

"Certainly can." Lian Manman smiled and said, "Mother, have you forgotten, has the Old Grandmother ever scolded big sister-in-law all these years?"

"No." Lady Zhang answered almost without thinking.

"That’s it, then." Lian Manman laughed again, "Mother, you have nothing to worry about; big sister-in-law isn’t us. In front of the Old Grandmother, she’s the one with the most face."

"What a pity your father and brother aren’t home, Jizu’s wife also didn’t explain what exactly they did wrong," Lady Zhang said again.

"It’s certainly trouble; they’ve involved the authorities, haven’t they?" Lian Manman replied, "Mother, since my dad and brother aren’t here, let’s not invite trouble ourselves. Who knows what they’ve done wrong; we don’t have the ability to help, and we definitely shouldn’t bring trouble to my dad and brother." Lian Manman warned Lady Zhang.

"Yes, what you said is right." Lady Zhang nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.

"Knowing your dad and brother aren’t home, what can I handle, calling me over to discuss things absurdly? It’s treating me like nothing, displaying me on the table. Usually just stepping on me, not treating me like a person." Once settled in mind, Lady Zhang complained to her two daughters, "Even if I went, there certainly wouldn’t be any good, getting bad attitudes is guaranteed. If unhappy, they might vent on me. Who do I owe anything to her?"

"Mother, without dad and brother home to protect us, we should stay quietly at home, definitely not going out to seek trouble, nor should we offer ourselves up to be bullied." Lian Manman held back laughter and said.

...

Lady Zhang, accompanied by Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman, peacefully did needlework at home, while over at the old house, things were already chaotic.

In the old house, in the Upper Room East Room, Old Master Lian sat silently at the head of the kang, and next to him on the kang were Lady Zhou, Lian Lanlan, and Yin Suo.

The men in the family had been taken to the yamen, and after Lian Lanlan failed to get help, she quickly sent her newly married daughter-in-law back to her parents’ home, then took Yin Suo back to Thirty Mile Camp. Such arrangements were made to prevent the daughter-in-law and daughter from suffering if government officials came again.

Lian Lanlan stayed close to Lady Zhou, with Yin Suo nestled in Lian Lanlan’s arms, both sobbing.

Seeing Lady Chiang return alone without Lady Zhang, Lady Zhou immediately erupted.

"... Why were you gone so long; where are the people? She’s putting on airs with us again; does she want me to go beg her?"

Putting on airs was a frequently used phrase by Lady Zhou who was illiterate, often mispronouncing and letting mistakes stand. This phrase roughly means putting on a show, acting superior.

Lady Chiang said Lady Zhang fell ill, also scared by the situation with Lian Lanlan, so she couldn’t come for now.

"Aunt Four is really quite sick; upon hearing about the government officer, she was so scared she couldn’t speak. There’s no solution, Uncle Four and Wu Lang aren’t home, there’s no pillar to rely on. Aunt Four struggled to come; I just couldn’t face it." Lady Chiang took the blame herself.

"Father, Mother, what are we going to do?" Lian Lanlan suddenly burst into tears, "If something happens to Jin Suo and his father, my life is over, how am I supposed to live? Then I’ll just be a widow with no son; I might as well die early..."

*******

Giving you the first update now, and more will follow. Pink votes are doubling, everyone save them and vote quickly.

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