Lian Shouren, Lian Jizu, and Lady Chiang also ca to congratulate Lian Shouxin, Lady Zhang, and Wu Lang. Both Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu had studied, and when they spoke with Wu Lang, they deliberately used so scholarly language. However, neither of them talked much; it was just a few repeated phrases. Lady Chiang, on the other hand, was quite adept at socializing, and her joyful, auspicious words brought more and more smiles to Lady Zhang’s face.
"You’ve built more houses here, so in the future, when Wu Lang gets married, he’ll be living here as well, right?" Lady Zhou asked Lian Shouxin. Her words were directed at Lian Shouxin, but her gaze was fixed on Wu Lang.
"This is our ho; how could we not live here? Those houses are built for the brothers to get married and settle down," Lian Shouxin replied with a smile.
Hearing this, Wu Lang remained silent.
"Does your word really count now?" Lady Zhou glanced at both Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang, clenching her hands on her thighs, whispering to herself.
Lian Shouxin didn’t hear what Lady Zhou murmured, but Lian Manman, sitting on the kang, did hear it. Yet, she pretended not to.
Their family had stayed in the Prefecture City for more than two months this ti. So people in Thirty Mile Camp speculated that now that Lian Shouxin had beco an official and his two sons were likely to pursue governntal careers, they naturally wouldn’t want to live in the countryside any longer. They thought the family would surely settle in the Prefecture City.
It was rumored that Lian Shouxin and his family might not return from Prefecture City.
This talk reached Lady Zhou’s ears.
Lady Zhou was typically unchangeable in disposition; even when Old Master Lian passed away, she still ate and slept well without any disruptions. But upon hearing this news, she beca sowhat unsettled.
According to Lian Yeye, she couldn’t eat or sleep and spent her days sighing, repeatedly calling for Lian Shouli to inquire about the news. Lady Zhou asked Lian Shouli whether he knew if Lian Shouxin would settle in the Prefecture City this ti and never return.
Lian Shouli, always cautious in speech and action, replied that Lian Shouxin’s family should co back. Yet, he wasn’t certain. After being asked multiple tis, his answer remained consistent. As Lian Shouxin spent more days in the Prefecture City, Lady Zhou’s anxiety increased.
One day, after calling Lian Shouli over again, Lady Zhou began both crying and scolding in front of him.
She chastised Lian Shouxin for being heartless, leaving her unattended in the village!
During that period, Lady Zhou ceased tornting Lian Shouren, and her vitality seed diminished, making her appear several years older.
Afterwards, Lian Shouxin personally took people back to Thirty Mile Camp to arrange the construction of additional houses. Upon hearing that Lian Shouxin had returned, Lady Zhou imdiately dispatched Lian Jizu to call him over.
As soon as she saw Lian Shouxin, Lady Zhou clung to him, crying and scolding, asking why he was back. Everyone was used to her awkward manner of speaking and could easily interpret her words.
Lian Shouxin realized then that Lady Zhou was extrely worried he would stay in the Prefecture City permanently and not return to Thirty Mile Camp. Lian Shouxin promptly reassured her that Thirty Mile Camp was his ho, and no matter where he went, he would always co back.
Lady Zhou wasn’t entirely convinced; she also ntioned that once Wu Lang prospered, Lian Shouxin would surely follow him. When Wu Lang succeeded and beca an official, he naturally wouldn’t reside in Thirty Mile Camp. Lian Shouxin had to reassure her again, saying this was Wu Lang’s ho too, and no matter where Wu Lang went, his roots were here. He and Lady Zhang wouldn’t follow Wu Lang away.
"Otherwise, why would I co back to build more houses here?"
Lian Shouxin’s words, along with the actual actions of expanding the house, finally soothed Lady Zhou’s worries.
She resud her regular eating and sleeping habits, regained her spirits, and naturally reverted to scolding Lian Shouren.
Lian Shouxin ntioned this incident when he returned to the Prefecture City, speaking to Lady Zhang and the children.
"The old lady just couldn’t bear to see you go," Lady Zhang said seriously to Lian Shouxin, though her exact intention—whether support for her husband or sothing else—remained unclear.
However, this ti, Lian Shouxin wasn’t deluded.
"It’s not that she can’t bear to part with anyone. She’s afraid that if I don’t return, with the distance, I won’t care about her anymore. She fears that without , she wouldn’t be able to control the main family line or get support from your third uncle and his wife. She’s afraid of suffering."
Lian Shouxin made it clear to himself, and Wu Lang, Lian Manman, and Xiao Qi just smiled without adding salt to his wound, saying nothing further.
Seeing how Lady Zhou was now, she should be reassured but still seed to seek more guarantees.
"Mother, when Wu Lang gets married in the city, you must co and enjoy yourself, take a look around the Prefecture City," Lian Shouxin suggested to Lady Zhou.
Whether Lady Zhou went or not was one thing; whether Lian Shouxin made the offer was another.
Lady Zhou didn’t reply, her eyes turning towards Wu Lang.
"Yes, Grandma, we’ve prepared a carriage for you. You must co then," Wu Lang added sincerely.
"I’m not going," Lady Zhou quickly withdrew her gaze, slightly lowering her head.
Lian Manman noticed that Lady Zhou’s eyes were sowhat red. Was she touched?
"I’m old and frail, so far away, I’m not going. I don’t want to trouble you," Lady Zhou added.
"Grandma, it’s no trouble at all. My brother has long insisted that you must co," Lian Manman said with a smile.
"I won’t go," Lady Zhou kept her head down, "In my lifeti, I just don’t like going out. Staying right here on the kang is better than anything."
...
Here’s an additional update, requesting pink votes, and support through official subscriptions. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for it on Qidian (qidian). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.)
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