Inside the room were only Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, Lian Manman, and Zhang Caiyun.
"...I just found two sets of old clothes, still quite new, not a single patch." Lian Zhizhi took out two sets of shirts and skirts from the cabinet and spread them on the kang for everyone to see, "I was busy with chores this morning and didn’t have ti. How about we give these to Yaya?"
"That’s fine, you can decide." Lady Zhang said.
"I’ll have soone send them to Yaya later, or we can just have soone call her over." Lian Zhizhi suggested.
"No rush." Lian Manman said, "When we have sothing for Yaya, it’s best to take it slow."
The others looked at Lian Manman, sowhat puzzled.
"We’re not unaware of what kind of people Yaya’s parents are," Lian Manman said, "They are not like my Third Uncle and Third Aunt."
"True," Lady Zhang nodded. Lian Shouli and Lady Zhao were grateful and not greedy, but Lian Shouyi and Lady He were just the opposite. "We’re giving things to Yaya, not for their sake, but out of compassion for Yaya."
"Manman, are you worried that if we give too much, Yaya’s parents might... beco greedy?" Lian Zhizhi asked, looking at Lian Manman.
"Yes." Lian Manman nodded, "I’m concerned they’ll develop inappropriate thoughts, causing trouble for us and harming Yaya." Help for Lian Yaya should be offered gradually.
"Now that Manman puts it that way, it really is the case," Lady Zhang said, "Those two have long planned to make a good profit off Yaya. Learned that from the head of the household!"
At this, Lady Zhang sighed with so frustration.
"...Even with what happened to Huahua, they still plan to follow suit?" Zhang Caiyun asked.
"Why wouldn’t they?" Lian Manman scoffed, "At least in the beginning, the silver, the office donations, they were all good things. Even after Huahua died, her parents didn’t bla her death... And Yingzi is yet another example."
"It takes all sorts to make a world, and heartless parents are not unheard of." Lady Zhang remarked.
"Well, we all grew up in a happy nest." Zhang Caiyun giggled.
"The intentions of the second house with Yaya are clear to everyone. We can’t get too close to Yaya." Lady Zhang, after so thought, said.
In the old house, Lian Yaya’s feet were bound in anticipation of Lian Shouren becoming an official, raising Yaya’s status so she wouldn’t have to marry an ordinary farmstead family. But now, given the situation of the old house, it’s hard for Yaya to marry into wealth, let alone into a decent farmstead family.
The issue is not about wealth but reputation. Within Lian Yaya’s family, the situation is dire. Lian Shouyi is notorious, and Lady He is famously ssy. Reputable farmstead families look for good family ethics and capable daughters-in-law who can manage the household, rather than wealth or beauty.
In this respect, Lian Yaya has no advantages. Furthermore, she has bound feet, making her unsuitable for either high or low marriage opportunities.
Lian Shouyi and Lady He are eager for Yaya to be close to Lian Manman, partly to gain benefits, but more likely hoping to find Yaya a wealthy husband through Lian Manman’s connections.
Lady Zhang, with her warm heart and her age, naturally likes to play matchmaker, but with regards to Lian Yaya, she insists on keeping a distance.
"Those two are clearly planning to sell their daughter. There’s no talking around it; we can’t get involved." Lady Zhang seed to talk to herself.
It’s rare for Lady Zhang to be so clear-headed and wise, and Lian Manman couldn’t help but smile secretly.
In the evening, Xiao Qi returned from Nian Garden, accompanied by Shen Qian.
"...Today, our family was harvesting wheat, and Brother Xiao Jiu and I took so ti to check it out." Xiao Qi said to Lian Manman, "We were planning to co ho, but Master Chu sent soone to call us back."
Master Chu, though gentle, was very strict with Xiao Qi and Shen Qian in their studies. It seed that Shen Liu left so words before leaving, making Master Chu even stricter with Shen Qian than when in Prefecture City, assigning him lots of howork every day.
According to Xiao Qi, Shen Qian’s howork was three tis as much as his. Master Chu had good reasons too; Xiao Qi was younger and was preparing for the Tongsheng exam, while Shen Qian was aiming for the Graduate exam.
It’s rare that Shen Qian could co down the mountain with Xiao Qi today.
"Never seen people harvesting wheat before?" Lian Manman brought a bowl of sweet-scented osmanthus plum soup to Shen Qian, smiling as she asked.
"No, today was the first ti." Shen Qian, taking the plum soup, smiled and nodded, "Manman, Fifth Sister kept asking today why you didn’t co to Nian Garden and said, at least, to co for a short visit."
When Shen Qian ntioned this, his eyes and tone suggested the one longing was not Shen Jin but himself.
"Didn’t I agree with Fifth Sister a few days ago?" Lian Manman said, "How’s Fifth Sister today?"
"She’s fine, just missing you." Shen Qian replied.
"Brother Xiao Jiu, weren’t you looking forward to seeing my family’s threshing floor? Let’s go have a look." After resting a while inside, Xiao Qi said to Shen Qian.
"Oh." Shen Qian responded but didn’t get up.
"Go have a look," Lian Manman smiled, "See it and co back; you can have dinner at our house."
"Brother Xiao Jiu..." Xiao Qi seed to want to say sothing, turning his head to look at Shen Qian.
"Alright." Shen Qian quickly nodded.
********
Here’s the update, a bit of a fever today, so only this one ( >﹏< ).
Requesting pink votes...
Ruoyan’s completed farm novel recomndation:
Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Complete with extras) (There’s a direct link below, click to access)
Summary: Transmigrated into a wronged and abandoned woman, carrying a small bun, and living a sweet life with an economically suitable man. (To be continued. If you like this work, welco to vote for it at Qidian (qidian), your support is my greatest motivation.)
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