Ever since Lian Shouxin’s family entered, besides Old Master Lian, no one dared to speak. Even now, although they were dissatisfied, no one dared to say anything.
Lian Manman observed the expressions of everyone in the old residence and understood that this was the effect of Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang’s official garb. It was precisely because of this garb that those in the old residence had to listen to Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang without daring to look them in the eye.
Lian Manman couldn’t help but sigh quietly and shake her head. Actually, she didn’t like this, and she knew that Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang didn’t like it either. However, they had no choice but to do so because the people in the old residence demanded it.
Lian Shouxin had taken on the idle official role of the Seventh Rank, and Lady Zhang had beco a Lady of Respect, which was different from when Lian Shouren had donated for the County Magistrate position.
For example, Lian Shouyi was not afraid of Lian Shouren when he beca an official. The reason was clear; Lian Shouren had always been supported by the entire family, and his County Magistrate position was thanks to the Song Family’s contribution and the collective effort of the Lian Family. Moreover, Lian Shouren was known for misconduct and had many weaknesses held by Lian Shouyi.
Thus, when Lian Shouren beca an official, Lian Shouyi only fawned over him, more so with the rightful expectation of enjoying the benefits together.
However, Lian Shouxin’s official position had nothing to do with the old residence whatsoever. Even if they didn’t want to admit it, they knew inwardly that Lian Shouxin’s current success was achieved without any help from them. Additionally, Lian Shouxin had a strict deanor with no shortcomings held by anyone in the old residence, and he owed them nothing.
On the contrary, the old residence owed Lian Shouxin’s family.
Lian Shouxin beca an official, and although they hoped to benefit from it, they couldn’t assu the debt-holder’s stance as they did when facing Lian Shouren.
But Lian Shouxin did not offer them any benefits and insisted on imposing strict controls, shattering their hopes, leaving them filled with grievances, yet they dared not utter a word in front of the "Official Master" Lian Shouxin.
They only hoped Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou could stand up for them.
Lian Manman watching Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi’s evading glances towards her family, alongside their aningful glances at Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, knew exactly what they were thinking.
However, no matter the wild fantasies of these people, they wouldn’t have any effect now.
No matter what Old Master Lian thought inside, he wouldn’t outwardly say anything unreasonable or excessive. And as for Lady Zhou, she was proficient in unruly behavior and street scolding, but she could never be relied upon to handle significant or proper matters.
"Father, do you think what I said was correct?" After admonishing those in the old residence, Lian Shouxin respectfully and sincerely inquired Old Master Lian’s opinion.
Old Master Lian kept his head down and remained silent for a while.
"...Fourth, Old Fourth," Lian Shouyi, seeing nobody else speaking, courageously said, "Isn’t it possible that Father was angered by what you said? Old Fourth, I’m not contradicting you. But when anyone becos an official, shouldn’t the family be able to share the wealth rather than imposing more rules? Isn’t that how you’d treat an enemy?"
"Father, do you think so too?" Lian Shouxin ignored Lian Shouyi, instead asking Old Master Lian further.
"Old Fourth, what you said is right." Finally, Old Master Lian raised his head, his cloudy eyes surprisingly holding tears.
"Father," Lian Shouyi beca anxious. Though he was wary of confronting Lian Shouxin, the prospects of his family’s future welfare were in question. Lian Shouren couldn’t speak due to personal issues, and Lian Jizu and the others were of lower status than Lian Shouxin, leaving only him, as Lian Shouxin’s second brother, to speak.
"Even if Old Fourth becos the greatest official, he’s still your son. Father, feel free to speak your mind. No matter what rank Old Fourth attains, he’ll still have to listen to you at ho, won’t he?" Lian Shouyi’s large eyes shifted around, "Just say what you think, and if not, we can discuss it slowly. Can Old Fourth really turn against you?"
"Second, shut up!" Old Master Lian, irritated by Lian Shouyi’s words, retorted, "What do you understand? Your elder brother had once painstakingly secured an official position, and if it weren’t for your muddling interference, things wouldn’t be as they are now."
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