Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1530 - 778: Homecoming Banquet (Part 2)

Old Master Lian’s words were actually quite reasonable. Wu Jiaxing and Lian Zhizhi came without bringing gifts, so they didn’t need to return anything. For farmstead families, sometimes because of limited living conditions, some aspects of courtesy and reciprocity are omitted. This omission naturally means omitting both giving and receiving.

No one should criticize anyone else’s gifts; as long as the thought is there, it’s good enough.

"What about the meal, then?" Lian Shouyi grinned and asked again, completely ignoring the constant signaling from Lian Shouren by his side.

"I’m getting old and everything feels inconvenient. I’m not going to attend formalities like banquets anymore to avoid causing trouble for others." Old Master Lian sighed heavily, then raised his head and his tone turned severe, "Second son, where did you wander off to again today? What wind blew you back here?... You’re a grown man now, even have a granddaughter, yet you’re still not behaving properly... Rein in that mischief of yours. Tomorrow, go out and gather firewood with your big brother!"

Lian Shouyi felt embarrassed again, so he didn’t respond but stood up and sauntered out of the room.

"The scoundrel!" Watching Lian Shouyi leave, Old Master Lian muttered through clenched teeth. Old Master Lian was extremely smart, and he clearly understood that Lian Shouyi was deliberately trying to frustrate him.

"Dad, please don’t stoop to his level. The second son, he’s just a mess, disregarding elders and relatives. Dad, don’t let him upset you; it’s not worth it." Lian Shouren softly comforted Old Master Lian.

Since moving into the east room, Lian Shouren had been avoiding Old Master Lian whenever they were together. Compared to Lian Shouyi, Lian Shouren had a milder temper. Since returning from Taicang, he hadn’t contradicted Old Master Lian even once. With the father and son spending time together these days, their relationship seemed to deepen once more.

Old Master Lian glanced at Lian Shouren and sighed softly again. Lian Shouren had also made mistakes, but when it came to being considerate, among the sons, it was the eldest son, Lian Shouren, who was the closest to his heart.

Seeing the obvious signs of aging on Lian Shouren’s face, Old Master Lian felt a pang in his heart.

"The human heart changes easily." Old Master Lian murmured, "From sovereigns and ministers to fathers and sons, none of it works anymore. In the future, can’t be like before; must be more cautious. Ah, living this lifetime..."

Old Master Lian started to speak to himself, finally becoming melancholic with reddened eyes.

Lian Shouren seemed to understand Old Master’s words, slowly lowered his head, and fell silent too.

Over on Lady Zhou’s side, however, she paid no attention to Old Master’s mood. She was busy directing Lady Chiang and Lian Yaya to tidy up the bed seating and floor, and she filled two large basins with hot water, sitting on the bed to do laundry.

Meanwhile, Lian Manman and company had already returned home. Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, Wu Jiaxing, and others were still in the front yard chatting, while the women had moved to the backyard to sit. Lady Zhang and Lady Zhao came over to inquire about their visit to the old residence. Lian Manman and Lian Yeye recounted everything.

"Today Zhizhi went back to her family, and they surely knew they would visit the old residence. The house was tidily cleaned, yet the old lady just sat on the bed washing clothes." Lady Zhang, after hearing the story, couldn’t help but frown and complain to Lady Zhao, "Can’t the laundry be done later? Like a Chinese hour or half a Chinese hour later?"

"The old lady... she only acts like this towards us." Lady Zhao sighed, "There’s nothing we can do about it. This is Zhizhi; when it’s our Yeye’s turn, it will be even worse."

"I understand, she just doesn’t like us. And she naturally dislikes the children we bore as well. She’s doing it on purpose to make us feel uncomfortable, and it pleases her." Lady Zhang replied.

The Lian Family’s Old Master and Lady Zhou were very particular about etiquette when receiving guests. If they knew guests were coming, they would definitely tidy the house early, prepare refreshments, and greet guests in a neat and formal manner. As for any chores, they would either rush to finish them beforehand or delay until after the guests had left.

That’s the long-standing rule for hosting guests at the old residence.

Now that Zhizhi was married and returning with Wu Jiaxing, they were legitimate guests to the Lian Family.

Even knowing that Zhizhi would surely visit the old residence today, they still deliberately put two large water basins on the bed to do laundry. Lady Zhou obviously did it intentionally, and the motive behind this intentional act warrants deep reflection.

"I see that there’s some face-saving because my brother-in-law went with them. If it were just us, she would’ve surely caused a scene." Lian Manman said with a smile.