The second update, asking for pink votes.
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The whole family exchanged glances upon hearing Wu Lang say this. Despite hitting several soft nails one after another, Lian Lanlan seed undeterred, clearly determined to connect with them.
"Back then, this kind of thing would have been the other way around," Lady Zhang said.
"Brother, what did she say to you?" Lian Manman asked Wu Lang.
"What else could it be, just the usual stuff," Wu Lang replied. "She even invited to eat at her place, but I didn’t go. I didn’t take anything she gave either."
"That’s exactly right," Lady Zhang said.
Lian Manman nodded in agreent. They didn’t want to bother with Lian Lanlan, not just because of the marriage proposal incident, but also because of Lian Lanlan’s suspicious behavior during the Lian Xiuxiu matter, which left them alard and disheartened.
Even between siblings, it’s sotis inevitable that people may not see eye to eye. Previously, Lian Lanlan had little emotional connection with them, so her behavior toward them didn’t co as a surprise nor hurt them. But things were different between Lian Lanlan and Lian Xiuxiu. The two were full sisters, both cherished daughters of Lady Zhou, and Lian Lanlan usually acted very fond of Lian Xiuxiu. It carried both sisterly affection and ties to Lady Zhou.
As bystanders who could clearly see, they understood how Lian Lanlan treated Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu, so there was no way they wanted Lian Lanlan to be close to them in the sa way.
...
Wu Lang returned from the county and continued getting up early and staying up late, preparing for the provincial exams.
Soon, Qingming Festival arrived.
The day before Qingming Festival, Lian Shouxin bought a large quantity of paper money. The family sat around on the heated brick bed, cutting large paper coins and folding paper money. Since they didn’t have templates for cutting paper money, they had to use scissors.
Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin were responsible for cutting, while the children set aside what they were doing to fold paper money as well.
"Yesterday, Yeye told their family only bought two stacks of large paper," Lian Manman said as she folded paper money.
"Two stacks are quite a bit for them, they’ve just started living on their own. If you ask , if they didn’t buy any, we still wouldn’t hold it against them," Lady Zhang said.
"It’s aningful, even if it’s just a little. Buying more or less doesn’t matter; what’s most important is visiting the grave," Lian Shouxin said.
On Qingming Festival, even the poorest families would buy a few sheets of paper to fold into paper money and visit their ancestors’ graves. Although Lian Shouli currently didn’t have any sons, he was still part of the Lian Family, so naturally he would buy paper money on his own di.
Lian Manman and Wu Lang folded so paper money and set it aside separately from the others.
"Since Mr. Loo can’t return ho, we’ll save these paper money sheets for him to take to the crossroads tomorrow and burn, as a gesture from him," Lian Manman remarked.
"That’s only proper," Lady Zhang agreed. "Your father and I hadn’t even thought of it. Wu Lang and Xiao Qi really received earnest teaching from Mr. Loo. Wu Lang’s success in passing the county exam wouldn’t have been possible just by studying at private school. If it were another teacher, it wouldn’t have been the sa."
Everyone nodded in agreent; a great teacher produces great students, no doubt.
"Jizu and his wife should be arriving soon," Lady Zhang said, glancing out the window. "According to their letter, they should be here today."
Just as they were saying this, Old Du’s loud voice ca from outside the courtyard gate.
"Master, guests have arrived from Taicang."
Old Du was the long-term worker the Lian Manman family had recently hired to tend to the fish. Everyone called him Old Du.
Indeed, speak of the devil and he appears.
The family quickly put on their shoes and stepped off the brick bed. Just as they walked out of the house, Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang entered from outside, with Old Du following behind carrying two bundles on his back, obviously brought by the couple.
After ushering Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang into the house and exchanging greetings, everyone sat down again and engaged in so polite conversation.
Lady Chiang then opened one of the bundles they had brought, which was neatly packed with stacks of paper money.
"Old Master, Old Madam, Master, Madam, Second Old Master, Second Madam... We folded all these paper money together. The Old Master and Madam are elderly now and can’t handle traveling back and forth. The Master can’t leave Taicang freely, and the family affairs are too much. The Madam, Second Old Master, and Second Madam are all tied up and couldn’t step away either, so they sent us back. At the grave, Jizu will respectfully bow more tis to convey everyone’s regards," Lady Chiang explained.
"They sell ready-made printed paper money at the shop now—it’s prettier and more dignified. But Old Master strictly forbade buying those. He insisted on this kind, where everyone cos together, cutting and folding it by hand, saying the aning is different," Lian Jizu added.
This was indeed sothing Old Master Lian would do. Simply put, it was about fostering family cohesion. Many of Old Master Lian’s principles and actions were aid at this goal.
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