Lian Manman approached the east room’s entrance and overheard Lady Zhou’s voice coming from inside. Contrary to her usual sharp and stern tone, she sounded exceptionally gentle and soothing today.
This startled Lian Manman, causing her to halt in her tracks at the doorway.
"Old Fourth, I heard... Zhizhi is about to be engaged?" Lady Zhou was sitting on the kang bed, slowly asking Lian Shouxin.
The matter of Lian Zhizhi discussing marriage arrangents with Wu Jiaxing was well known to many, but not to a few. Lian Shouxin had also ntioned it to Old Master Lian, but since it hadn’t been formally settled, he had yet to inform Lady Zhou. Now that she had asked, it was difficult for Lian Shouxin to conceal it.
"...Yes, we’re considering it. The Wu Family sent a matchmaker to check if the children’s astrological birth details are compatible. If they match, we’ll formalize the engagent," Lian Shouxin explained, "I talked about it with Dad the other day while working in the fields. I was planning to discuss it with you, my dear, after everything was settled."
Ultimately, it was up to the natural parents to decide on Lian Zhizhi’s marriage. Moreover, now that they’d set up a separate household, the matter of Lian Zhizhi’s engagent truly only required a notification to Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.
Lian Shouxin had spoken to Old Master Lian in advance, a gesture of respect for him and trust in his judgnt and experience, hence seeking his opinion to see if the Wu Family was an appropriate match.
Old Master Lian had a high regard for both Wu Yugui and Wu Jiaxing from the Wu Family, and he was very supportive of the marriage at the ti.
Consulting Old Master Lian’s opinion was as good as seeking Lady Zhou’s opinion. Besides, although Lady Zhou managed household affairs, she was largely unaware of external matters.
These were the reasons why Lian Shouxin hadn’t consulted Lady Zhou beforehand regarding Lian Zhizhi’s marriage.
"Old Fourth, you no longer have any regard for ," smirked Lady Zhou with a mocking laugh, "You don’t discuss anything with , you’re guarding against , aren’t you? I know, to you, I’m just an enemy."
As she spoke, Lady Zhou ran her hand through her graying temples, her eyes reddening.
"Mother, it’s not true," Lian Shouxin hastened to say. Lady Zhou’s deanor made him feel quite distressed, "The whole family is enough for you to worry about. Since we’ve divided the household, Zhizhi’s matters are for her mother and to manage."
Lady Zhou, head bowed, snickered again. To her ears, Lian Shouxin’s words clearly ant that since they had split the family, she no longer had the authority to intervene in the affairs of the Shouxin Family. Lady Zhou felt displeased inside and her nature would have her imdiately lash out, but she restrained herself. She had an important matter today that required Lian Shouxin’s agreent. She rembered Old Master Lian’s advice. Lian Shouxin was now the man in charge of his own household, and her usual approach of clamoring and scolding was gradually becoming ineffective with him.
Of course, those weren’t Old Master Lian’s exact words. What he had said was, "You’re driving your son further away."
"In this world, there are sons who resent their parents, but no parents who resent their son," Lady Zhou went on quietly, "No matter what, for your own good, as your mother, I must say what I should say..."
Lady Zhou spoke, then raised her eyes to look at Lian Shouxin.
Lian Shouxin shivered inwardly. He had prepared himself today for a scolding from Lady Zhou. Her gentle and delicate manner... he was not accustod to it. Such a version of Lady Zhou initially softened and saddened his heart.
"Mother, whatever you want to say, just say it. I’m listening," Lian Shouxin replied honestly.
"Zhizhi is not that old, she’s even younger than her old cousin. The talks for her marriage haven’t even started, and you are already in such a hurry to settle the engagent, which seems too prompt," Lady Zhou expressed, "You should wait for more proposals to co, to pick carefully. It’s not like Zhizhi wouldn’t be able to find a match, so what’s the rush?"
If one ignored the last statent, Lady Zhou’s remarks seed quite considerate—expressing her affection and desire for Lian Zhizhi to have more options.
"What’s there to pick? The Wu Family’s conditions, to my mind, are quite good, entirely suitable for our Zhizhi, and they’re close by, two families familiar with each other. Her mother and I both agree that as long as Zhizhi lives a stable life with enough to eat, we’re content. We didn’t consider picking and choosing for a more prestigious match," Lian Shouxin replied honestly.
Lian Xiuxiu, who had been sitting silently next to Lady Zhou, couldn’t help but snort coldly at this point. When Lian Shouxin said they aid for just enough to eat, the Wu Family’s financial status was clearly more than just enough to eat. Lian Shouxin’s words, obviously insincere, appeared to be bragging.
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