At the second watch, request for pink.
***************
Yes, what can they do, and how should they do it?
Everyone looked at one another. When it ca to matters involving the Upper Room, Lian Shouxin’s decisiveness would be halved, and Lian Shouli, Lian Manman felt, would probably be the sa, if not worse than Lian Shouxin.
"We shouldn’t intervene directly in this matter," Wu Lang said.
"Right," Lian Manman nodded.
Old Master Lian wasn’t a foolish man. Even if he could be deceived temporarily, he couldn’t be fooled for a decade or even tens of years. Especially since he had experienced the Woo Family’s change of face. Old Master Lian must be aware of what sort of people the Woo Family mbers were. Then, his decision to rent the land to the Woo Family Brothers, does it imply he already had so plans in mind?
Did Old Master Lian feel a change in the Woo Family Brothers’ nature?
Lian Manman shook her head secretly. But one mustn’t be arbitrary; even if the likelihood was very small, it should still be considered a possibility.
And another possibility was that Old Master Lian knew the Woo Family Brothers’ character well. Renting the land to them, he also anticipated the outco. This was Old Master Lian taking pity on the poverty of the Woo Family Brothers, helping them.
If it was the latter case, their hastily taken actions would go against Old Master Lian’s benevolent and tolerant way of treating people.
"Father, regarding this matter, we should be frank with Grandfather. The land belongs to Grandfather, and we’ve said all that can be said. As for the final decision on what to do, we still need to listen to Grandfather," Lian Manman said.
Tenant farrs have an earthy saying, "Work without the master’s directive leads to toil without rit." This ans that when you do work for soone, you first have to figure out their intentions. Only if your work aligns with their intentions will they be satisfied. If it doesn’t, even if your intentions are good, you might work yourself to the bone only to end up with nothing.
This was a blunt, simple truth that was universally applicable.
Lian Shouxin and Lian Shouli, before the division of the household and as part of Old Master Lian’s family, had no say in Old Master Lian’s decisions. Now that they had set up separate households, they had even less right to make decisions on behalf of Old Master Lian.
They would inform Old Master Lian that the Woo Family Brothers wanted to beco Lai Zu Zi again. Then, they would listen to what Old Master Lian said about what to do and offer their help accordingly.
"It’s still my Manman who has the sharp wit," Lian Shouxin said with a laugh, "Isn’t that what should be done?"
Putting that matter aside, they were cheered up again by the cool breeze and the moonlight shimring like water.
"Brother, Xiao Qi, have you guys learned any poems or verses about appreciating the moon? Recite a few for us," Lian Manman suggested.
"That’s a great idea," Lian Shouxin imdiately said. He loved to hear his two sons recite, and even though he often couldn’t understand them, just listening made him feel at ease. All the fatigue from a day’s work and any worries seed to vanish like smoke.
"Wu Lang, Xiao Qi, pick so good ones to recite, also for your third uncle and auntie to hear," Lady Zhang also said.
"Then I’ll start with an easy one." Xiao Qi, shrewd as always, stood up first.
Wu Lang laughed, knowing Xiao Qi wanted to play it smart. As the older brother, of course, he wouldn’t compete with Xiao Qi.
"Before my bed the moonlight glows..." Xiao Qi stood up, hands clasped behind his back, reciting with rhythm and intonation.
In that era, when reciting poetry, the pronunciation had to follow the rhythm and cadence, as the teachers taught. At first, Lian Manman felt a bit unaccustod to listening to it; later, not only did she get used to it, she even grew fond of the recitation style. Classical poetry was indeed ant to be sung along with music, and although there was no accompanint of string and bamboo instrunts at this mont, listening to Xiao Qi’s slightly immature voice was enjoynt in itself.
Xiao Qi recited a widely known quatrain that was simple and easy to understand. Once done, he sat down.
"Brother, it’s your turn," Xiao Qi said with a smile to Wu Lang.
Wu Lang wiped his hands and stood up.
"When will the moon be clear and bright? With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky..."
Being older and more diligent in his studies, Wu Lang had a deeper and clearer comprehension of the various anings contained in the verses. This particular song expressed the poet’s contemplation of life and hesitation, ultimately culminating in thoughts of loved ones.
Wu Lang’s recitation captured all this perfectly. This was not rote morization, but truly understanding what he read. Lian Manman sat there, becoming more delighted as she listened.
After Wu Lang finished reciting the song, he sat back in his chair, and everyone seed to snap back to reality.
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