Wu Lang saw that Wu Jiaxing spoke sincerely, knowing that this was the result of a family discussion by the Wu family. He thought for a mont and did not insist further.
"Then it’s settled," Wu Lang and Wu Jiaxing clapped their hands, and Xiao Qi, not wanting to be left behind, joined in. The three of them clapped hands to seal their vow.
Xiao Qi spoke for a while with Wu Lang and Wu Jiaxing in the study, then ran to the backyard to tell Lian Manman about what had happened in the study.
"I already said there’s no need to give it to Jiaxing, but you all insisted," Lian Zhizhi said with a smile, as Xiao Qi called out to the nephew, her face turned a bit red.
"If that’s the case, then that’s fine," Lian Manman thought for a mont and nodded in agreent.
Having been chatting with Lian Zhizhi for so ti, she knew that the Wu family’s financial foundation was even more solid than everyone imagined, plus Lian Zhizhi’s dowry and additional gifts. Moreover, the Wu father and son were at a good age to earn money. The Wu family was not lacking in wealth; no matter how much the Lian family gave, the Wu family would ultimately still be a wealthy household.
To help the Wu family, the siblings could support each other, not just with money, but through other ans.
Currently, Lian Shouxin held the position of Middle Secretary with a seventh rank, and Lady Zhang was a Lady of Respect. In the future, Wu Lang and Xiao Qi’s achievents would not be any less. Although Lian Manman herself couldn’t take imperial exams or beco an official, with such a family background, she would not be seen as inferior to those she’d marry into, who were of equal social standing, likely scholars.
In comparison, it seed the Wu family’s status was sowhat lower.
At present, the practice of purchasing official titles wasn’t rampant yet, and the imperial court’s regulations were quite strict. Wu Yugui and Wu Jiaxing father and son could not take the imperial exams. In this way, the hope of raising the family’s status could only rest on the next generation.
With Wu Lang and Xiao Qi around, supporting their nephew in the future wouldn’t be difficult. Moreover, Wu Jiaxing’s early thought of having his son follow his uncles to study showed that he had thought deeply about the family’s future.
Having such foresight and determination, Wu Jiaxing was indeed a man capable of bringing prosperity to his family.
"Sister, our brother and brother-in-law are still in the study discussing whether they should go to the old house and take a look," said Xiao Qi, after finishing the topic about the dry shares, to both Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman.
"Did soone bring this up?" Lian Manman asked sensitively, looking around; fortunately, Lian Yeye had already gone out and was not in the room.
"No one ntioned it, our brother and brother-in-law brought it up themselves," Xiao Qi said.
"Oh," Lian Manman nodded.
It seed that over the past few days, Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye had not stopped persuading Lian Shouli. When Lian Shouli ca today, he did not ntion any awkward topics.
"Then let’s go have a look. No matter how they are, we’ve fulfilled our etiquette," Lian Zhizhi said.
Lian Manman thought for a mont and nodded as well.
According to the tenant farrs’ customs, today as Wu Jiaxing and Lian Zhizhi returned ho, if the Lian family hadn’t split up, the young couple should first visit Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, then Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang. Now that they’ve split, Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou carried less weight.
Yet still, they were directly related elders, living in the sa village.
There’s no need for elaborate rituals, just a simple visit to say hello.
"If it were anyone else, they really might not dare to take them there. Our brother-in-law knows us well; he knows all about the old house too," Lian Manman said, "Sister, do our in-laws know about the gifts the old house gave?"
"I didn’t ntion it, and your brother-in-law didn’t ask. Neither did my father-in-law nor mother-in-law," Lian Zhizhi said.
Since the town is so close to the village, and there was a quick-witted daughter-in-law who blurted it out that day, most likely the Wu family had caught wind of it. To spare Lian Zhizhi any discomfort, they chose not to discuss it.
"Still, we need to see what our brother-in-law thinks," Lian Manman said, "That day our mom said you don’t have to go there if you don’t want to in the future. If anyone ntions it, our parents will speak up on your behalf, so nobody will be able to say anything about you."
If the old house gave such gifts, it would be reasonable for the Wu family to find fault with them.
"When we ca, my father-in-law and mother-in-law said to listen to our parents. Jiaxing had no qualms," Lian Zhizhi said.
"Then let’s go have a look," Lian Manman deduced that the Wu family’s intention was indeed to visit the old house.
From the day Wu Jiaxing and Lian Zhizhi got engaged, Lian Manman noticed that the Wu family valued propriety although they were not stubbornly attached to tradition. Their approach to dealing with the old house would likely be to maintain appearances and avoid gossip.
This approach was quite good. Setting aside personal emotions, such a rational approach was the best.
After discussing with both Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang, everyone agreed to let the young couple visit Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou at the old house.
"There’s no need for gifts. You just change the way you address them; they’re not likely to give anything there either. You’re a generation removed, just grandchildren and a son-in-law, which is different from us. We only give, we don’t receive. You don’t need to," said Lady Zhang.
This decision was also the result of a discussion by Lian Manman family.
"Even though you don’t lack that, it’s still important to adhere to reciprocity. It’s your first ti; don’t let this beco a habit. Rember, you are nad Wu, not Lian. No one in the family ca from her womb," added Lady Zhang privately to Lian Zhizhi.
Lady Zhang stayed at ho, overseeing the preparations in the kitchen, while Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, Xiao Qi, and Lian Manman accompanied Wu Jiaxing and Lian Zhizhi to the old house. Along with them were Lian Shouli, Lian Yeye, and Erlang.
Lady Zhao and Luo Xiaoyan stayed behind to help Lady Zhang with the preparations.
The group entered the village, pushed open the door of the old house, and went inside. Only when there was so commotion in the Upper Room did soone co out to greet them.
Today’s one update, maybe no update tomorrow, please forgive . I will find ti to make up for it afterward. I hope everyone continues supporting with their votes.
**
Recomnded Ruoyan’s completed book: "The Brocade Screen Chronicles" light house fight farmland tale, a story of family matters and entanglents in an ancestral ho.
Book number: 1771214
You can click below for a direct link. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
User Comments
0 comments from readers