"When she was sent back to her second husband’s ho, she already had that ntal illness." Lady Zhang Wang sighed, "By the ti she reached her third marriage, the illness grew more severe, and she was unable to have children. Eventually, she was sent back again. Returning ho, her condition worsened, and no one wanted to marry her after that."
Objectively speaking, Zhou Daniu’s life was pitiful. She wasn’t at fault for being born like that and never had any choice. However, reality is cruel.
For soone like Zhou Daniu and a family like the Zhou Family, it was impossible to demand dozens of taels of silver as a bride price.
Of course, Lian Manman didn’t just guess this recently; everyone knew on the day Old Master Lian invited people over. The Zhou Family never asked for any bride price, they just wanted to find a husband for their daughter.
Those dozens of taels of silver were naturally demanded by the Woo Family Brothers. They intended to deceive both sides and cheat a fortune from Old Master Lian. This is why at the ti, there was talk of sending the Woo Family Brothers to the Yan for their cri of abduction and deception.
Now that they knew about Zhou Daniu’s past, Lian Manman and her family had a deeper understanding of the shalessness and black-heartedness of the Woo Family Brothers.
"If the old master knew about this, he’d be even more upset." Lian Shouxin sighed, "Woo Ergou and his brother, their conscience was truly eaten by dogs."
"There are no walls that let the wind through without being seen. I think in the next few days, my grandfather should find out about this." Lian Manman spoke honestly.
"They say the Zhou Family is simple and honest, yet Zhou Daniu couldn’t bear children, and had been married before, they never leaked this from start to finish," Lady Zhang pondered and added.
After so discussion, everyone concluded that the Zhou Family was pitiable, but the despicable ones were the Woo Family Brothers.
"If we had known about Zhou Daniu’s situation, then the few hundred wen given by Old Master was well spent." Lady Zhang muttered.
After they finished talking about Zhou Daniu, they resud discussing Lian Zhizhi and Zhang Caiyun’s marriage and dowry preparations, becoming more joyful as they talked.
After dinner, Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang said they would co early to fill Lian Zhizhi’s wedding chest and help Lady Zhang with Lian Zhizhi’s wedding preparations, which Lady Zhang naturally agreed to, setting the date, before the Zhang Family left by carriage.
In the evening, Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye ca for a visit, and Lady Zhang shared what Lady Zhang Wang had said with them. Both Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye were quite moved.
"This rumor is already spreading in the village, though not in detail. In a few days, who knows how it will be distorted." Lian Yeye told Lian Manman, "This afternoon, Yaya’s mother ca to my place again, she was the one who talked about it."
"By the way, you all didn’t go to help the other day, did anyone say anything afterward?" Lian Manman softly asked Lian Yeye.
"No one said anything. Probably too busy to notice." Lian Yeye pursed her lips and smiled, adding, "I heard that our grandpa has been feeling down these past few days."
The phrase "feeling down" is rural slang from Thirty Mile Camp, vividly describing soone in distress and worried.
"My father went to see him twice, and our grandpa barely spoke. My father only stayed for a while each ti before coming back," Lian Yeye added.
After Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye left, Lady Zhang quietly discussed with Lian Shouxin whether they should visit Old Master Lian. This had always been a habit of Lady Zhang, who was a naturally sympathetic person. Zhou Daniu’s unfortunate experience made Lady Zhang look favorably on Old Master Lian giving a few hundred wen to the Zhou Family.
"Today, I t his third uncle, and it sounds like nothing major with the old master, just feeling bad. We shouldn’t be in a rush to visit; let things settle a bit, so as not to... raise unnecessary suspicions in the old master’s mind. Even if he doesn’t suspect anything, let’s wait for things to cool down, to spare him any embarrassnt." Lian Shouxin pondered and said.
"You’re always so thoughtful." Lady Zhang nodded in agreent.
Since the incident with Zhou Daniu, the Lian Family Old Mansion had been shrouded in gloom. Led by Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, not a single smile was seen on anyone’s face.
Old Master Lian had the hardest ti because he took this matter to heart the most. He was already extrely troubled, but so people seed intent on making him feel even worse.
Lian Shouyi and Lady He had originally opposed Old Master Lian arranging a marriage for Lian Shouren. Now that things had turned out this way, the couple naturally had nothing positive to say, gloating as more detailed information about the Zhou Family spread. Lian Shouyi and Lady He even went in and out of the house saying sarcastic remarks to Old Master Lian and Lian Shouren.
So much silver coins had gone down the drain, and they had beco nothing but gossip fodder for others. Saying no more marriage proposals for Lian Shouren, but arranging a marriage for Si Lang had beco much harder.
Due to this issue, the Lian Family Old Mansion had gained more notoriety, and not in a good way. Moreover, they didn’t have that much money anymore.
Although Lady Zhou wore a sullen expression, she still ate and slept well, as the incident hadn’t affected her deeply. Lian Shouren beca even more silent. As for Old Master Lian, he lost interest in tea and food, and a few days later, he sent everyone away and only called Lian Shouren to him.
"...Pack your bedding, from now on, move to this room." After a long silence, Old Master Lian finally spoke.
When Lian Shouren heard Old Master Lian’s words, it seed as if he had been struck by lightning. He froze for a mont, then knelt down in tears, but said nothing, only calling out "Father" while crying, clearly understanding the aning behind Old Master Lian’s decision, but unwilling in his heart.
"No one can fight against fate." Old Master Lian looked at Lian Shouren’s graying hair with loving eyes and slowly raised his hand.
**
Here’s an update, please support with pink tickets to climb the rankings. There will be another update later, and I’ll strive for a third today. Please give so motivation O(∩_∩)O (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welco to co to Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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