"You all go ahead and co back early," Old Master Lian said and then stood up.
Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu hesitated for a mont but also stood up.
"Grandpa, why don’t you sit a bit longer?" Lian Manman, who heard this, ca over and said with a smile.
"No need to sit any longer. I have to get back too. I’ve delayed half a day’s work. I was planning to water the garden today," Old Master Lian said.
The family escorted Old Master Lian outside.
"Grandpa, you don’t need to have grandma stir-fry anything tonight. We have vegetables and pastries sent by people here. Just now, dad and mom said they would pick out so good things to send over to you and grandma," said Lian Manman as they reached the door.
"Yeah, Dad, I’ll bring the vegetables over. Don’t let mom be busy anymore," Lian Shouxin added.
"Let your mother do it. The things others send should be left for the children to eat," Old Master Lian replied.
"Dad, this is the foremost portion for you two elders, you have never said anything before. This ti there’s a lot, the kids will have enough too," Lady Zhang said.
Old Master Lian and the others had already seen the gentry coming and going outside, sending many boxes to the shop. Hearing Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang say this, he did not decline overly much. Old Master Lian secretly nodded his head, feeling contented. It was not that he was greedy, but he was pleased with the behavior of Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang.
Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang, though not particularly good with words, both had good hearts. The couple were filial, respectful, and ticulous about rituals. After they moved out, whenever they made sothing delicious, they would either invite him over to eat or send so to him through the children. It was because of the couple’s behavior that their own kids were influenced as well; Lian Manman, Wu Lang, Xiao Qi, and Lian Zhizhi would take the initiative without needing the adults to tell them whenever such situations arose.
With their pure hearts and keeping him and Lady Zhou in their thoughts, Old Master Lian was sure that tonight, Lian Shouxin would agree to what he had to say. Even though Lian Shouxin was not so astute, with his guidance, things would be mostly taken care of.
Old Master Lian, along with Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu, left in a good mood.
After seeing off Old Master Lian, Lian Manman’s family returned to the shop. Lady Zhang started to organize the food boxes sent by others, arranging the dishes and consulting with Lian Shouxin and the children on how they should be distributed.
"These vegetarian dishes should be sent to the Abbot. These pastries, they say, were specially made by a pastry chef from the south; this should go to Mr. Loo. Then, add a pot of wine to these dishes, for Mr. Loo’s dinner..."
Then there were the dishes that were to be sent to Old Master Lian, which were put in a separate food box.
The shop assistants and their wives, as well as those working in the shop, each received a share of the dishes, and for a few neighbors like Chunzhu’s Wife, who lived nearby and were close to Lady Zhang, Lady Zhang picked out dishes – a bowl or two for each – and sent them over one by one.
"There’s not much, but it’s a gesture. Let’s all get a taste of what wealthy families eat," Lady Zhang said.
Those who received the dishes were naturally very happy and grateful, further deepening their relationship with Lady Zhang.
Lian Manman’s family also retained so dishes, pastries, and fruits. It was past midday, and they had been busy attending to Shen Liu and his party without having eaten yet.
"Alright, it’ll soon be ti for dinner, so let’s not cook now. Let’s just snack on so pastries to hold us over until evening," Lady Zhang said, looking out of the window.
Everyone agreed, and Lady Zhang picked out two boxes of pastries, placing them on the kang table for everyone to sit around and eat together.
"Yeye, I won’t pick out pastries for you separately. We’ll keep the ones left at ho there, and you can be like Sister Manman; when you want so, just help yourself," Lady Zhang told Lian Yeye.
That day, Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye didn’t return to the old residence and stayed in the shop, helping Lian Manman’s family with various tasks.
"Okay, I know, Aunt Four," Lian Yeye responded cheerfully.
Since Lian Shouren had donated the Jiansheng title, the household beca much more comfortable with the additional money sent by the Song Family, and there was a new sense of direction. Lady Zhou’s mood had been quite good lately, as she was busy with Lian Xiuxiu’s matters and paid more attention to Lady Gu’s needs. She occasionally had so quarrels with Zhao Xiue and kept a lighter hand on Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye than before, due to sothing Old Master had told her.
Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye didn’t cause trouble, properly doing what was expected of them at ho, and if they had spare ti, they helped out in Lian Manman’s family shop.
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