Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1498 - 762: Endless Clamor

Lian Yeye gave a pair of silver rings inlaid with red jade, as well as four embroidered satin pouches she made herself. According to custom, the family had already given a decent dowry, so it wasn’t necessary for Lian Yeye to present an additional gift. Yet, she insisted on doing so, using her own savings.

Lian Zhizhi, seeing this, felt a bit uneasy and wanted to accept only the pouches, suggesting Lian Yeye take back the rings. For tenant farmers, items made of gold and silver are quite rare, and especially for a young girl like Lian Yeye, it’s not easy to save some personal money given her family’s modest means.

Of course, Lian Yeye refused to take back the rings.

"Sister Zhizhi, this is my heartfelt gift. If you don’t accept it, I will take it as you not recognizing me as your sister," Lian Yeye said, intentionally putting on a stern face towards Lian Zhizhi.

"Sister, just accept it. It’s Yeye’s heartfelt gift," Lian Manman coaxed Lian Zhizhi with a wink and a smile.

If one frets over Lian Yeye spending all her savings, there will certainly be opportunities to make it up later; Lian Yeye’s sincere affection cannot be declined.

With Manman’s hint, Lian Zhizhi instantly understood and accepted the gift with a smile.

"I heard you nearly got into a fight over selecting fabric remnants, is that true?" Lian Manman picked up a pouch, glanced at it, then lightly elbowed Lian Yeye with a smile.

"No fight occurred," Lian Yeye laughed, "just a few words exchanged. That person was unreasonable; I had chosen the fabric first, but she insisted on having it. The bright red one, the best looking, I picked it to embroider pouches for Sister Zhizhi. How could I let her take it?"

"I didn’t have much money and couldn’t afford large fabric pieces, so I only selected a few good-looking remnants..." Lian Yeye added, slightly embarrassed.

"It’s the thought that counts," Lian Manman felt a warm glow inside, squeezing Lian Yeye’s hand, "If you disregarded your own situation and deliberately tried to appear wealthy, that would have been wrong."

Talking about Lian Yeye buying fabric remnants, Lian Manman recalled that when they first earned some money, they also couldn’t afford large pieces of fabric. Back then, at the fabric store, they bought small but beautiful fabric remnants to sew a handkerchief for each family member.

Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi, of course, also remembered, and talking about old times naturally brought a sense of wistfulness.

"You all just started getting by, yet still skimp on food and clothing to add to Zhizhi’s dowry. The thought alone is enough. We aren’t outsiders," Lady Zhang said to Lady Zhao.

Lian Shouli and Lady Zhao were both very frugal with money. They would split a single coin if they could, but they never skimped on social interactions or took advantage of others.

"The basin and bucket Third Uncle made himself are more than enough; there’s no need to spend extra money..." Lian Zhizhi added.

Thanks to Lian Shouli’s craftsmanship, although Lian Yeye’s family didn’t own any land, their days were gradually getting better. However, the family foundation was still weak, and after Lian Shouli suffered a severe illness and they built a house, there was little money left.

Despite this, the family lived frugally and paid off the debt incurred from building the house. Even though Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang said there was no rush, Lian Shouli was determined to repay it. He said he couldn’t sleep soundly while still in debt, and only after clearing it could he feel relieved.

Now, they’re spending money on Lian Zhizhi’s dowry.

"This is Zhizhi’s one major life event. As her Third Uncle and Aunt, we need to show some gesture of affection; otherwise, we would feel guilty," Lady Zhao said, "I’m not good at saying flowery words, but the kindness you’ve shown us, we remember it all in our hearts..."

"Third Aunt, please stop, saying more would make us feel like strangers," Lian Manman quickly interjected with a smile to stop Lady Zhao from continuing to express gratitude for Manman’s family’s kindness and help.

Lady Zhang and the others echoed her sentiments, leaving Lady Zhao with no choice but to smile and remain silent.

"People should not compare, for comparison reveals true intentions," looking at the gifts Lian Yeye’s family of three presented, Lady Zhang was reminded of the dowry presents brought by people from the old house. Although this was not something to discuss with outsiders, there was no need to hide it from Lady Zhao, her sister-in-law.

Lady Zhang took out the dowry from the old house to show Lady Zhao.

"...They had no choice but to send these few things over. Who knows how displeased they were inside and just wanted to add to my displeasure. She sees my daughter and me as her enemies. I’d rather she sent nothing, at least I’d have some peace," Lady Zhang complained to Lady Zhao.

On the topic of Lady Zhou, Lady Zhang and Lady Zhao shared a common viewpoint.

"Old Master doesn’t lack money." Lady Zhao said, "The old lady’s needlework, that never falls on us..."

"Zhizhi got a little something at least, thanks to you as parents. But when it comes to Yeye, I’m afraid there’ll be nothing left." Lady Zhao sighed at the end.

Such a prediction by Lady Zhao was entirely possible.

"Yeye, I’ve been too busy these days to make time. Help me find out what’s going on." Lian Manman whispered to Lian Yeye, referring, of course, to the dowry addition at the old house. "They’re adding to my sister’s dowry, something must be going on at the old house."

"Okay," Lian Yeye, always committed to Lian Manman’s requests, nodded in agreement, "Sister Manman, I’ll get back to you with the news."

While Lian Manman and Lian Yeye were speculating about what exactly was in the dowry additions from the old house, meanwhile at the old house, Lady Chiang had just seen off a village wife, and inside, Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou started arguing.

That wife had also gone to Lian Manman’s house to add to Lian Zhizhi’s dowry today, leaving right after Lady Chiang, and heard the servants muttering a couple of words. This wife was extremely astute, her cleverness was apparent, and she guessed what was going on. Coincidentally, she was a fast-talker and ran to the old house to share the matter.

This wife’s original intention was good. She wanted to curry favor with the old house, giving them a heads up about Lian Manman’s family being dissatisfied with the dowry additions. She also offered some reconciliation advice, hoping the old house would quickly make amends. If the old house made amends in time, Lian Manman’s family might turn their anger into joy. Everyone makes up, and she would naturally be praised for doing a good deed, and both families would be grateful to her.

The world is never short of such "clever" people. They often act with good intentions, but the result often goes against their wishes. This is the so-called good intentions gone wrong.

"Didn’t I tell you to spend the money to prepare the gifts more generously?" Old Master Lian scolded Lady Zhou, "You were reluctant to spend that little bit of money? Look at what you’ve done, letting others talk behind your back. You’re living life backward, you’re not even as sensible as a three-year-old! You screwed up a perfectly good matter. You’re more of a hindrance than a help."

Old Master Lian pointed at Lady Zhou’s nose, and out of anger, his fingers were trembling.

Lady Zhou sat cross-legged, her hands twisted together, lips pursed, insulted by Old Master Lian as worthless. Her temper flared too.

"...You only know how to cheekily accuse me. If you were like other men, earning big money, how could I not know how to spend it? We’re dirt poor, your lips touch, and you disregard everything, leaving me to handle everything."

"You old bastard, whenever there’s an issue, you disparage me, make me seem worthless to make yourself look good? Bah, and don’t pretend to be some big shot in front of me, are you not just intimidated by Old Fourth’s wealth and position? You just use me to curry favor!" Lady Zhou, unwilling to back down, raised her hand pointing at Old Master Lian’s nose, cursing back.

"You..." Old Master Lian was almost left speechless with anger by Lady Zhou, "Keep at your nonsense and crooked reasoning. Not to mention anything else, isn’t there money in the cupboard, how is there no money, isn’t there money for Zhizhi’s dowry?"

"Those few big coins, what can they do?" Lady Zhou choked a bit, but immediately straightened up, quarreling with Old Master Lian, "Do you think money can reproduce, that it doesn’t run out? You act the laissez-faire shopkeeper, finish talking and that’s it, next time we need money, where do you expect me to get it? At that time, won’t you just blame me again?"

"You..." Old Master Lian pointed at Lady Zhou, so angry he couldn’t speak for a moment.

Lady Zhou seemed to believe in her reasoning, starting to complain non-stop.

"The gifts provided for the dowry were plenty enough. What face does she have to complain about this, complain about that, bah," Lady Zhou spat on the ground, her face filled with indignation, "She really has the nerve. Things I’m reluctant to use myself, were all sent to her. She doesn’t appreciate the good, she just cheekily picks faults."

"She’s not who she used to be, only been a bit successful for a few days, and she doesn’t recognize anyone. Does she really think she’s above everyone? Ungrateful and forgetful, I haven’t even given others that much. She complains about this, complains about that, why doesn’t she return it to me, I could even save it."

"What about the fabric set, they say it’s top-notch. She’s wealthy, fussing over this and that, I’m not fussing. My new shoes I made too. Lanlan took some fabric home to sew clothes. Lanlan knows more and has seen more, and didn’t say anything. She’s like a toad puffing up..."

Lady Zhou, caught up in her rant, was about to continue cursing when she saw Lady Chiang lift the curtain and come in. Lady Zhou smacked her lips, glanced out the window, and swallowed back the curses.

"Is there anyone outside?" Lady Zhou asked Lady Chiang.

"Huh?" Lady Chiang was briefly stunned, her eyes moving slightly, then she replied, "Just now, second aunt seemed to be standing in the yard."

End of one update, another will follow. Seeking pink votes. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes, monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)