Of course, Lady Wu Wang had one thing she didn’t say. That is, there are so things that the Shouxin Family is not suited to discuss with Old Master Lian directly, but sending soone else to speak on their behalf is appropriate. This is why, in farmstead families, whether it’s dividing family assets or minor daily disputes, there’s a habit of inviting a third party to diate.
"Auntie, for this matter, I need to trouble my uncle and Brother Jiaxing." Lian Manman discussed with Lady Wu Wang.
Lian Manman’s intention was to have Wu Yugui involved in the diation effort, firstly to decide who would "accept Old Master Lian’s invitation" to the Lian Family Old Mansion to discuss diation. Secondly, to clarify the matters to be diated and the objectives.
In other words, these people appear to have been invited by Old Master Lian to persuade the Zhou Family’s father and daughter to leave. But in reality, they were entrusted by soone else to diate another issue.
This "soone else" was, of course, Manman’s Family.
As the saying goes, "build a façade while sneaking through stealthily."
Due to the special nature of the situation, those involved had to be carefully chosen. After much deliberation with Lady Wu Wang, the list was finally determined.
"I’ll head back shortly and have them start the process." Lady Wu Wang morized the nas and nodded solemnly.
With the personnel decided, it was then a matter of discussing the ultimate goal of the diation.
Lian Manman smiled; it was a godsend opportunity, and this ti it could be resolved once and for all.
After everyone reached an agreent, Lady Wu Wang stood up to take her leave. She had to hurry ho to get Wu Yugui and Wu Jiaxing to start preparations.
"In the end, we still have to rely on outsiders, alas." After Lady Wu Wang left, Lian Shouxin sighed.
"What else can we do? In my opinion, we should have involved an outsider from the start." Lian Manman said.
"That’s true, but ultimately..." Lian Shouxin sighed again, without finishing his sentence.
Lian Manman understood Lian Shouxin’s thinking. Lian Shouxin had high hopes, believing that between father and son, there was nothing that couldn’t be resolved through discussion. Involving an outsider could hurt relationships and create distance.
This idea was noble, displaying a sincere heart. Unfortunately, reality proved otherwise.
If Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou had half the consideration for Lian Shouxin as he had for them, they wouldn’t completely disregard him, and the situation wouldn’t have reached this point.
Involving an outsider is the simplest, most appropriate, and most effective thod, without bringing in issues of alienation or wounded relationships. Moreover, handling it this way minimizes the external impact.
It was a heaven-sent opportunity that Lian Manman naturally wouldn’t miss.
Lian Manman didn’t try to persuade Lian Shouxin further. Lian Shouxin was only slightly saddened before regaining his composure. After all, having been through so much, Lian Shouxin couldn’t remain as obstinately hopeful as before.
...
At the Lian Family Old Mansion, close to noon, Old Master Lian had walked in and out several tis. In the outer room, Lady Zhou and Lady Chiang had already prepared the at and vegetables. By this ti, those they had invited should have already arrived, and discussions should have been mostly concluded, leaving only the al to enjoy.
But none of the invitees had shown up.
"What’s going on here!" Old Master Lian was anxious, his forehead veins bulging, and he called Lian Shouli over. "Old Three, the households you visited, did they say they couldn’t co because of other issues?"
"No, no one said that." Lian Shouli was also getting anxious. By now, Old Master Lian had already asked him this question several tis.
Just as Old Master Lian had ntioned before he set out, those families, though surprised by his visit, were very gracious. Naturally, they all inquired about Lian Shouxin. As for his invitation, no one refused. Everyone’s words varied, but the underlying sentint was similar.
That is, they felt honored by the invitation. Once they handled matters at ho, they would arrive soon.
"Dad, those people you invited..." Lian Shouli asked hesitantly.
Old Master Lian sighed deeply, not replying.
His experience was much like Lian Shouli’s, with only slight differences in attitude. Those he invited treated him with utmost courtesy, respect, and warmth.
But what did that matter if no one showed up!
Old Master Lian stood by the door anxious, while in the outer room, Lady Zhou fud. Zhao and Lian Yeye had agreed to co help with the work, but now that the tasks were almost done, neither mother nor daughter had appeared.
Of course, the old mansion wasn’t just inhabited by her and Lady Chiang, but for preparing als for the guests, she dared not let Lady He handle it. She didn’t trust Lian Duoduo, and while Lian Yaya could have helped out, she was being held back by Lian Shouyi’s family, and no matter how she called, Lian Yaya didn’t co over.
She was left to her own devices, under the cold winter sky, dragging out chores! Lady Zhou, her face darkened, wanted very much to vent at Lian Shouli. But, in the end, she held back.
Lady Zhou could be headstrong and self-centered, but she also had a sense of judgnt. She knew the situation was precarious, and Old Master Lian was in no mood for tolerance today.
So all she could do was endure.
With both Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou in such states, a cloud of gloom hung over the old mansion. Lian Shouren, Lian Jizu, Lian Shouli, and Lady Chiang all felt a heavy weight with every breath.
"Dad, why isn’t anyone here yet? It’s one thing if a couple of people had other matters, but now no one’s coming..." After waiting a while longer, out of concern, Lian Shouren tentatively asked Old Master Lian.
"I... I was foolish, useless, they’ve all decided not to co!" Old Master Lian murmured blankly, his once-straight back seemingly hunched over suddenly.
***
It’s the third watch, only a few hours left until May ends, and there are still so pink tickets that can be cast. "Rebirth of the Little Landlord" desperately needs everyone’s support. Leading for a month, can’t let it all be overtaken in just two days, a few pieces of at lost.
Seeking 2100 pink tickets to maintain the scented fifth place, hehe. The fourth update needs everyone’s encouragent O(∩_∩)O, with strong support, the fifth update is also promising. (To be continued. If you like this work, welco to Qidian [qidian] to vote for recomndations, monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation.)
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