That evening, Lian Shouxin, Lady Zhang, Lian Manman, Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi erged from the shop and headed for the old family ho. Along the way, they had delivered what needed to be delivered, and finally, they entered the gates of the old residence carrying two baskets of sweet potatoes.
The whole family then gathered in the Upper Room.
"Dad, Mom, try these sweet potatoes we brought for everyone." Lian Shouxin placed the two baskets of sweet potatoes on the ground and said to Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.
"Such precious things, aren’t we keeping them for seeds? Just take a couple to taste, why bring so many all at once?" Old Master Lian said while gesturing for Lian Shouxin to sit up on the kang bed.
Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu were already sitting on the kang bed. Seeing them co in, their faces showed so unease but they said nothing. Lady Gu and Lady Chiang sat at the edge of the kang, while Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi sat on the long benches on the floor.
Lian Shouxin walked over and sat down next to Old Master Lian, while Lady Zhang, not wishing to go out, also sat down on the edge of the kang with the children.
"Everyone co and sit on the kang, Manman, Xiao Qi, take your shoes off and co sit on the kang." Old Master Lian leaned forward slightly and called out.
Lian Manman smiled and rely scooted her buttocks further onto the kang.
"Old Fourth, you handled things pretty well this ti. Even I’ve benefited from your light. These past few days, people I don’t know greeted from afar whenever I was out working in the fields." Old Master Lian expressed sowhat nostalgically.
"In the past, I was always worrying about you, afraid that you, having split off, might not handle things well, causing everyone to be critical. But now I’m relieved. Old Fourth, you’ve really proven yourself capable of holding down the Zao Pit Gate, you’re truly upholding the household’s honor. I’m happy for you."
"Dad, listen to you. I’m just a simple farr, without much cunning. I’ve just been acting with a good conscience," said Lian Shouxin.
"Old Fourth, you earned a good sum with that Golden Corn, and with these sweet potatoes too," Lian Shouyi said from his seat on the bench, "Look, considering our whole family’s situation, you ought to lend a hand, even if you eat at, we’d be content with drinking the soup."
"What’s this talk of eating at and drinking soup? How can you speak to your brother like that? Just behave yourself and don’t start acting foolish again," Old Master Lian imdiately rebuked him.
"Dad, we’ve earned a bit of money, which we’re almost putting back into the land... These sweet potatoes, I plan to grow the seedlings for next year, and I’ll bring out our family’s share then. If we can continue to grow the corn, I’ve got the seeds all ready too."
Lian Shouxin was thus making a promise to Old Master Lian about the sweet potato seedlings and corn seeds for the next spring planting.
Money was one consideration, but also, not every household could necessarily secure sweet potato seedlings and corn seeds.
"Alright then, Old Fourth, I won’t be polite about this matter. I’ll settle up whatever it costs when the ti cos," said Old Master Lian.
"Dad, we don’t want money for this," said Lian Shouxin.
"Well... what ti do you plan to leave tomorrow?" Lady Zhou suddenly turned and asked Lady Gu.
"Ah..." Lady Gu was listening to the conversation between Lian Shouxin and the others, but when she heard Lady Zhou’s question, she returned to her senses, "Mom, I plan to leave around ’mao’ ti."
"It’s Huahua, as her due date is approaching. I can’t be at ease, so I’ve talked to our mom about going to the county town to see her tomorrow. Huahua is all alone in the county town, far from her parents’ ho, and she’s so young. It’s the heart of a mother! Her fourth aunt, I really envy you; look how close Zhizhi married, anything happens and you’re right there in a few steps."
"Hurry up and get things ready to make dinner," Lady Zhou lifted her hand, seemingly impatient, and directed.
"Alright." Lady Gu agreed and got off the bed. Before leaving the room, she gave Lady Zhang a warm smile.
"Great Aunt, once Huahua has given birth, send word back ho, so we can send her sothing to help with her lactation," said Lady Zhang.
"Of course, that’s a certainty. You, her fourth aunt, have had many children; when the ti cos, we’ll still need you to offer Huahua so guidance," Lady Gu said with a smile as she walked out the door.
Lady Zhou was going to make dinner, so it wouldn’t be fitting for Lian Manman’s family to continue sitting in the Upper Room. They all got up and returned to the West Wing Room.
"Look at your great aunt, she’s anxious for Huahua. She’s usually so shrewd, and even though she knows grandma doesn’t like to hear about our Zhizhi, she still ntioned it in front of her. It’s true, the heart of a mother!" Lady Zhang mumbled as she cooked.
"Mom, you’ve said it, she’s shrewd. If it weren’t deliberate, would she have chosen this mont to upset grandma?" Lian Manman sneered.
"What? Manman, are you saying your great aunt intentionally brought this up in front of grandma? Why? It’s not like grandma won’t give her trouble for it," asked Lady Zhang, puzzled.
"Mom, you’re too straightforward. Why do we have to always appease grandma? I think great aunt is deliberately making grandma uncomfortable so she could feel pleased," said Lian Manman.
Unlike Lady Zhang’s submissive attitude, Lady Gu was extrely shrewd and wouldn’t confront Lady Zhou directly. However, living under Lady Zhou’s control, even soone as cunning as Lady Gu couldn’t have a carefree life, from ti to ti sparking conflicts and stabbing Lady Zhou in the dark, adding a thorn to her side. Lady Gu surely reveled in this.
And now, the topic that could sting Lady Zhou the most, while leaving her powerless, was none other than Lian Xiuxiu’s marriage.
"Mom, don’t be fooled by her seemingly nice attitude towards us, she’s not harboring good intentions. This stung grandma and reminded her to be irritated with us as well," Lian Manman added.
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Here’s the first update of December, asking for pink tickets on the first day of the month to support the rankings.(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welco to Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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