Lately, having been provoked by Lian Shouyi’s rumors, Old Master Lian has been holding in his anger towards him. However, Old Master Lian has always been reasonable, unlike Lady Zhou who indulges in unnecessary argunts, so he has yet to act on it.
"Dad, I didn’t..." No matter what he thought inside, Lian Shouyi dared not admit such things.
"Good that you didn’t." Old Master Lian didn’t push further but imdiately softened his tone. "Everyone, don’t worry, I have everything arranged. But let put it out there first. The east and west rooms in the Upper Room, from now on, belong to your big brother and his share. No one can compete for it. In the future, when that day cos for and your mother, your big brother must hold the Spirit Banner."
"The rooms in the West Wing Room are for Old Three and Old Fourth to take care of your mother and in our old age. They are not yours for the taking just because you want them." Old Master Lian looked at Lian Shouyi, deliberately pausing to let him fully understand the aning in his words. "This will depend on filial sons and grandsons; if they are dutiful, everything is negotiable. But if one is rebellious and unfilial, they have no face to live in my room."
"Go do whatever you need to do." After saying this, Old Master Lian impatiently waved his hand at Lian Shouyi, signaling him to leave.
Lian Shouyi wasn’t foolish; he certainly understood Old Master Lian’s intentions. Old Master Lian’s point was simple: they must be filial and obedient for the West Wing Room to possibly include them.
Lian Shouyi stood up sullenly. Because of the commotion regarding Lian Shouren’s arranged marriage, his family had been feeling sowhat nouveau riche these past days, causing a stir. Old Master Lian, feeling heavy-hearted and disgraced, tolerated them for the ti being. Nevertheless, Old Master Lian still held the authority in the household.
"Wait." Old Master Lian thought for a mont and called back Lian Shouyi, "Stay out of mischief, don’t roam around aimlessly like those loafers. These days, we need to prepare, it’s ti to tidy up the corn. We can take it to the market to sell, and it’ll help for the New Year. The corncobs will co in handy for lighting fires. Tell your wife, Si Lang, and Liulang not to go out at this ti."
Lian Yaya didn’t need special instructions; she never went around visiting.
Lian Manman family knew Old Master Lian had allowed Lian Shouren to move into the east room and planned to tidy up the corn. Thus they knew Old Master Lian was generally feeling better.
With Lian Zhizhi’s wedding day approaching, naturally, the day Wu Lang would return was even closer. The family’s hearts were filled with excitent. Lian Manman considered that they had purchased an estate in Prefecture City, but Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi had yet to see it.
Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi had never even been to Prefecture City.
"Though we can go anyti in the future, I still think it would be best to take these days and visit Prefecture City, so my mother, especially my sister, can tour around. We might as well pick up my brother earlier and co back together." Lian Manman suggested to the family.
Lady Zhang’s timing to visit Prefecture City didn’t matter, but Lian Zhizhi would soon beco part of the Wu Family. Before that, spending a couple of good days in Prefecture City was ideal, as everything about the wedding was already arranged, so there was no need for further preparations.
With almost no need for discussion, the whole family happily nodded in agreent.
Before heading to Prefecture City, Lian Shouxin first brought his family to visit Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.
It had been so days since they had seen Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou. Upon entering the room and seeing how noticeably thinner Old Master Lian had beco, with new gray hairs at his temples, his smile revealed a hint of trying to please. Lian Shouxin’s heart wrenched with a wave of sadness.
Lian Manman witnessed this and felt uncomfortable as well. She felt empathy for the elderly and thought it shouldn’t have to be this way. Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou could obviously have a good life. Thinking this way made her feel even more uneasy.
Old Master Lian repeatedly invited Lian Shouxin’s family to sit on the heated kang bed. While Lady Zhou remained silent, she took out a small cushion wrapped in a cloth and placed it on the kang for Lian Manman’s mother and siblings.
After everyone had sat down, they engaged in small talk, mostly concerning Lian Shouxin asking about the health of Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou and whether they needed anything to eat or wear. Naturally, Old Master Lian claid he needed nothing and that they were doing well.
This ti, the family had brought so pastries, which were placed on the kang, and Xiao Qi opened them one by one to show Old Master Lian. Xiao Qi, calling them Grandpa and Grandma each ti, explained the deliciousness of each type of pastry.
"Good, good." Facing the youngest grandson, there was a subtle change in Old Master Lian’s smile, making Lian Manman’s group feel more at ease. Lady Zhou’s expression, although stern, also seed slightly relaxed.
"Xiao Qi has grown sturdy!" Old Master Lian raised his hand to pat Xiao Qi’s head.
Then they idly chatted about family matters, and Old Master Lian ntioned the good harvest of corn this year.
"...Indeed it’s easy to grow, and the yield is high. You guys managed this task excellently; the Emperor awarded that archway, really has good judgnt."
Then Old Master Lian, seemingly casually, brought up the matter of Lian Shouren moving in to live with him.
"Both your mother and I are getting old, and if anything happens at night and we need help, having your big brother here has helped a lot.... tending the kang, emptying the chamber pots, emptying the spittoons... with your big brother attending, both your mother and I feel much more comfortable.... It seems we’ve received his inheritance..." Old Master Lian rambled on, occasionally sneaking a glance at Lian Shouxin’s expression when no one was watching.
After so conversation, Lian Shouxin ntioned the family’s plan to visit Prefecture City.
**
Second update, asking for pink tickets, monthly votes as a guarantee, diving into typing the third update.
Currently at 35 votes, ranked 14th. Please support, pushing into the top ten, have been running bare for a long ti, really need this position, the closer to the top the better O(∩_∩)O(unfinished. If you like this work, please visit Starting Point (qidian) to cast recomndation votes, monthly votes, your support is my greatest motivation.)
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