The next day, not only in their own vegetable gardens, but also in the fields, Lian Shouxin had set up shelters and hired people to watch over the crops. At this ti, the sorghum and the broomcorn stalks were growing, and they were beginning to form heads. The tenant farrs were also starting to guard their crops, so Lian Shouxin’s actions did not seem out of place to others.
The corn seeds obtained from the Shen Family sold for a high price in the restaurants, which was also sothing that everyone readily accepted.
Lady Zhou returned from the county town with Lian Xiuxiu, Lady Gu, and Lian Duoduo.
Both the inside and outside clothes of Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu were new.
"These were all bought and made by my eldest daughter. Not to toot my own horn, but my eldest daughter is unmatched by anyone." Whenever soone ca to visit, Lady Zhou would always show off her clothes and then heap praises on Lian Lanlan.
On the evening of the day Lady Zhou ca back, after having dinner, Lian Shouxin still went to the Upper Room. It was his longstanding habit to visit Old Master Lian and chat with him after dinner. With Lady Zhou returning, Lian Shouxin was even more obliged to visit.
Lian Shouxin did not co alone; he was accompanied by Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, Lian Manman, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi—the whole family ca to see Lady Zhou.
"No matter what, your grandmother returned ho today. As the younger generation, we should visit. It’s proper etiquette," said Lady Zhang to the children in private.
Lian Manman didn’t say anything. Lady Zhang was a person of dignity who valued proper conduct. The Wu Family’s eagerness to beco in-laws with her family had a lot to do with Lian Shouxin’s and Lady Zhang’s qualities.
These were the strengths of Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang. Perceptive people recognized them and respected them for those qualities.
However, there were also people who not only did not value them for it but also did not take them seriously. Perhaps they felt that no matter what, they would maintain their proper conduct.
Lady Zhou was such a person.
Seeing Lian Manman’s family co in, each smiling and greeting her, Lady Zhou’s face stiffened, and she hmphed softly through her nose in response.
"Mother, you seem even more spirited after your trip outside these past few days," said Lady Zhang with a smile, "Everything good with my elder sister’s family?"
"What kind of spiritedness can a person like , halfway in the grave, have?" deadpanned Lady Zhou.
Lady Zhang didn’t get angry; she was never one to rudely confront an elder, and she hadn’t expected Lady Zhou to respond normally anyway. Lady Zhou had always been like this, with attitudes like this. Lady Zhang had fulfilled her etiquette. How Lady Zhou acted was her own business.
And this sort of attitude from Lady Zhou was unprecedentedly good.
"Your elder sister and her family are all fine. Old Fourth, your elder sister and brother-in-law were both asking about you," said Lady Zhou to Lian Shouxin, "Your elder sister ca last ti to pick up in such a rush that she didn’t have the chance to speak to you. She wants you to co to town when you have so ti..."
At this point, Lady Zhou glanced over at Lady Zhang and her children.
"...and bring your wife and children to stay at her house for a few days," Lady Zhou continued, eyes downcast.
"Ah," Lian Shouxin chuckled in response and then asked Lady Zhou, "Mother, how did it go with the match my elder sister ntioned for Xiuxiu?"
Lian Lanlan had taken Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu to the city for matchmaking. With their return, the outco of the matchmaking must have been decided.
Lady Zhou’s expression turned sowhat unpleasant.
"Mother, didn’t it work out?" Lian Shouxin asked.
"...The family your elder sister introduced, well, their family conditions are beyond criticism. There’s no one around here within ten miles who can compare to them," said Lady Zhou. "Their boy is also not bad..."
If Lian Lanlan chose them, they must be good. Given that, why didn’t it work out? Lian Manman watched Lady Zhou, waiting for her to continue.
"Everything was pretty good, but as I chatted with the matchmaker, it ca up that their eldest daughter-in-law has a zodiac sign that clashes with Xiuxiu’s. If the two of them got together, it would cause unrest in the household. Her zodiac sign would overwhelm Xiuxiu’s. Once I heard that, I figured we should call it off. We can’t expect them to divorce their daughter-in-law just for Xiuxiu’s sake," Lady Zhou explained.
The reason for the failed engagent being related to zodiac incompatibility, Lian Manman’s eyes rolled, nearly understanding the implication.
"Fourth Brother," Lian Xiuxiu, seated on the kang bed, called out to Lian Shouxin. She was fidgeting with a scarlet handkerchief tied at one corner with a pair of silver trinkets. As soon as Lian Manman and the others entered, Lian Xiuxiu started tinkling with the silver trinkets, making them jingle. She also kept giving Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi looks, clearly showing off her new treasure from the county town in front of them.
Lian Manman could almost read the ssage in Lian Xiuxiu’s eyes. The Wu Family’s betrothal gift for Lian Zhizhi included gold and silver trinkets, and now Lian Xiuxiu had acquired so after one trip to the town.
The match not working out didn’t seem to upset Lian Xiuxiu at all; on the contrary, she appeared in high spirits. Thinking about what Lady Zhou had just said, Lian Manman couldn’t help but admire Lian Lanlan.
"Fourth Brother, I heard in town about so Gold Corn you’re growing, very valuable and delicious," Lian Xiuxiu continued to Lian Shouxin, "Fourth Brother, what is this Gold Corn, and how co you didn’t send so over for both and father and mother to try?"
"On the way back with mother, I already promised to give so to Jin Suo and Yin Suo, to let them eat to their heart’s content," she said.
Hearing the words "eat to their heart’s content," Lian Manman’s lips twitched involuntarily.
"Fourth Brother, why are you silent? Have you gone mute?" When Lian Shouxin didn’t reply, Lian Xiuxiu pressed, "You’re not grudging your possessions and can’t bear to share with us, are you?"
"Can’t you see he doesn’t dare to speak? What are you still asking for?" Lady Zhou raised her eyes, reprimanding Lian Xiuxiu, "His crops are for selling, do you see any money in his eyes for us? And yet you have the nerve to ask for it from him."
After scolding Lian Xiuxiu, Lady Zhou imdiately cast a sidelong glance at Lian Shouxin.
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Here’s the second update, asking for your pink support. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welco to vote for it with recomndation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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