They adopted a thod that was appropriate for the situation, thought Lian Manman, unable to hold back a smile.
"We haven’t heard anything since we got back, so it didn’t turn into a big commotion." Lady Zhang considered for a mont before saying, "Fortunately, we stood our ground this ti and didn’t relent by allowing them to attend the banquet. If it’s like this at ho, who knows what would have happened if they attended today’s event?"
Before Lian Zhizhi’s marriage, a diator hinted to Lian Shouxin that considering the significance of Lian Zhizhi’s wedding, apart from Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi, as her uncles, should attend the banquet as it was the proper etiquette.
However, Lian Shouxin was already disheartened and had recognized the true nature of the Old Residence’s people. Words like these fell on deaf ears; he didn’t even bother ntioning them to Lady Zhang and the children.
As the sky darkened, Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye rose to take their leave, with Lian Manman personally seeing them out. In the front yard, just as Lian Manman was about to send soone to bring Lian Yeye’s al, she saw Xiao Qi leading Xiao Long and Xiao Hu bouncing out of the front hall.
"It’s almost ti for dinner, don’t wander too far," Lian Manman called to the three little ones.
Xiao Qi led Xiao Long and Xiao Hu to Lian Manman, shouting ’Sister Manman’ repeatedly.
"We’re going to play with Da Pang and Second Fatty," Xiao Qi told Lian Manman.
"Then play in the courtyard, don’t go outside," Lian Manman advised, patting each of the little ones on the head with a smile.
Spotting Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye beside them, Xiao Qi cheerfully greeted them.
"... Uncle Three is here, chatting inside."
Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye had returned by carriage with Lian Manman from town. Lian Shouli ntioned having so matters to attend to and didn’t join them. With Xiao Qi’s words, everyone realized that Lian Shouli had also arrived.
"Dad, it’s ti to go ho for dinner." Lian Yeye called from under the front hall window, and imdiately, Lian Shouli’s voice was heard from inside, though he didn’t co out for a while.
Xiao Qi, Xiao Long, and Xiao Hu continued chatting with Lian Manman, not going to the courtyard to look for Da Pang and Second Fatty. Soon, Han Zhong’s wife and Xiao Xi ca over with two large food boxes, handing them to Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye.
Lian Yeye called for Lian Shouli again, and Lady Zhao followed suit.
"It’s still early," Lian Manman said, "Aunt Three, Yeye, why don’t you co inside for a while."
Lian Manman invited Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye to sit in the front hall, but before they reached the steps, Lian Shouli erged himself. Lady Zhao and Lian Manman stepped forward, accompanying Lian Shouli on the way ho.
With Lian Shouli walking with his hands behind his back, Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye carried the food boxes, and Lian Manman decided against letting the three young ones play in the courtyard, taking them straight to the rear courtyard.
"How long has Uncle Three been here, and where did he co from?" Lian Manman asked Xiao Qi on the way.
"He’s been here for a bit, ca from the Old Residence," Xiao Qi said to Lian Manman.
Lian Manman murmured in acknowledgnt, lost in thought.
In the evening, after everyone had dinner, they each returned to rest. Zhang Qingshan, with his two sons, along with Xiao Long and Xiao Hu, stayed in the front yard, while Wu Lang and Xiao Qi temporarily moved back to the rear courtyard to stay in the east room with Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang. Lady Li, Lady Zhang Wang, and Lady Hu, sisters-in-law, stayed in the outer west room, and Lian Manman and Zhang Caiyun shared the inner west room.
As Lady Li and others went to the west room, Lian Manman lingered, sitting a while longer in the east room.
"Dad, did Uncle Three say anything to you earlier?" Alone in the room with family, Lian Manman asked. She had noticed Lian Shouli’s somber face when he ca out from the front hall, and afterwards, Lian Shouxin also seed displeased, prompting her question.
Having guessed that it was likely about the Old Residence, she refrained from asking Lian Shouxin in front of Lady Li, Zhang Qingshan, and others.
Even with his discontent towards the Old Residence, when it ca to Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, Lian Shouxin would address it more openly in front of Lady Zhang and the children but would avoid the topic in the presence of Zhang Qingshan, Lady Li, and others.
"Yes." Lian Shouxin nodded gloomily.
It turned out that after returning from the town, Lian Shouli headed straight to the Old Residence to check on Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.
"... He told that Old Master hadn’t been eating properly for several days. Although today’s banquet was lavish, Old Master only took a single bite and didn’t plan to have dinner." Lian Shouxin said slowly, "He also ntioned that Old Master was keenly inquiring about the banquet’s happenings, expressing regrets about insufficient wedding gifts for Zhizhi, saying it was due to discontent among the family, leading to mistakes. Old Master felt remorseful, wanting a chance to make ands, also implying that he wanted to visit him."
The specifics of the wedding gifts sent by the Old Residence were known to Lian Shouli. However, the matter of Lian Shouxin consulting a doctor was kept from everyone but their imdiate family, including Lian Yeye.
"He lectured on filial piety for quite so ti. Though he didn’t explicitly bla , he implied it was my fault for not letting Old Master attend the banquet..." Lian Shouxin continued, "Right in front of his grandfather, uncle, and others, painting Old Master as pitiful. If it weren’t for Yeye and her mother calling him from outside, he would have continued."
"Uncle Three is really sothing..." Lady Zhang was speechless.
Lian Manman, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi were also at a loss for words. Sotis Lian Shouli’s actions and words were truly baffling.
"As for Uncle Three, so of his words, you really don’t need to listen to, Dad," Lian Manman contemplated before saying.
Later during the second watch, requesting for pink tickets. (To be continued. If you liked this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian) to cast your recomndation votes, monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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