Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 574 - 295: The Reason_2

And at Lian Manman’s family, the whole household went to work the fields, with six mouths to feed, only Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang were two adult laborers.

Their land was almost the same size, and had it not been for Wu Jiaxing father and son bringing people to help, Lian Manman’s family would have been even later than Old Master Lian’s in finishing planting the fields.

Therefore, the actual situation was that the Upper Room didn’t lack hands for farming at all. Compared to the two households, even with a calf and a plow, the more disadvantaged was still Lian Manman’s family.

Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi all nodded, Lian Manman was right.

"Our family’s affairs shouldn’t be slighted," Lady Zhang hinted to Lian Shouxin with underlying meaning. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Manman’s right, but now, didn’t we finish first," Lian Shouxin thought for a moment then said, "Well, I’ll ask Old Master, see if we could help... As I see it, though we’ve split the household, we could still help out for a day or half, let his grandpa and granny feel good, that will also show our whole family in harmony to everyone else."

"When we’re done, we’ll deduct from dad’s wages and buy more meat, make meatball-stuffed dumplings. Zhizhi, Manman, Wu Lang, Xiao Qi, got anything you want to buy? We’ll go buy when we hit the market, deduct it from dad’s wages."

Knowing working the fields would be exhausting, Lian Shouxin quickly offered material rewards to coax the children.

Living among people, one inevitably had to consider the opinions of those around. Tenant farmers particularly valued filial piety, and Lian Shouxin also made concessions, Lady Zhang and the children finally all nodded in agreement.

"Let everyone see the family in harmony, but when it’s time to eat, it’s still best to cook and eat at our own home," Lian Manman said with a smile.

"Manman considers this well," Lady Zhang nodded.

Lian Shouxin’s brows furrowed slightly. Helping to farm and then the entire family dining together would undoubtedly be a praiseworthy and harmonious scene. However, if they really went to eat, Lady Zhang and the children might face disdain. If after working, they went home for their meal, it would certainly make Old Master Lian look bad.

Lian Shouxin was torn.

After having their noon meal, although Lian Shouxin was torn inside, he still dutifully went to weed in the vegetable garden. Wu Lang and Xiao Qi went to the temple where Mr. Loo lived for their lessons, leaving only Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, and Lian Manman mother and daughter duo in the shop.

Lian Manman set the table, unfurled the account book to calculate today’s balance. Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi took needles and started sewing, busy with their work.

"Mom, today my sister and I were at the old house, when my sister-in-law and Sister-in-law Xiu E came to our place to chat with us," Lian Manman soon finished calculating the books and grabbed some jujubes and peanuts for Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi to share.

"What did you all talk about?" Lady Zhang asked.

"About my sister’s marriage prospects," Lian Manman replied, smiling.

Lady Zhang quickly glanced at Lian Zhizhi, who kept her head down, doing her work, and said nothing.

"What did they both say?" Seeing that Lian Zhizhi didn’t react, Lady Zhang continued to ask Lian Manman.

"My sister-in-law just brought up this topic when she was called away by my old aunt," Lian Manman said. Lady Chiang appeared to have more to say but seemed to stop because of Lian Xiu’s interruption. "Sister-in-law Xiu E said that Old Jin Family was no good."

Lian Manman recounted what Zhao Xiue had said about Old Jin, imitating her words to Lady Zhang.

"Don’t listen to her. Even if we don’t get along with the Jin Family, there’s no need to slander them. To be fair, aside from having a beard and usury, they haven’t done anything else wrong," Lady Zhang waved her hand dismissively, adding, "You don’t know, I only heard about it these past few days... Your Sister-in-law Xiu E, she used to have dealings with Old Jin’s fourth son."

Lian Manman’s eyes widened, eager for Lady Zhang to continue. Lian Zhizhi also looked up curiously at Lady Zhang.

"...The Old Zhao family was eagerly courting the Jin Family, envying the good life they led. The young fourth son of the Jin Family is well-favored, an impressive figure outside. But the Jin Family didn’t take a liking to her, the Old Zhao family sought a match, but the Jin Family didn’t entertain them. Only afterward, she got engaged to someone from Liu Family Village, but that fell through because of the bride price, and then she ended up with Erlang."

"Oh," Lian Manman drew out the word, realizing Zhao Xiue demeaned the Jin Family out of past rejection, jealousy, and resentment.

"No wonder my sister said whatever goes on in the Jin Family, it’s none of our business, and Sister-in-law Xiu E was so pleased," Lian Manman said.

Lady Zhang looked again at Lian Zhizhi.

"Mom, did I say something wrong?" Lian Zhizhi appeared very composed.

"No, not at all," Lady Zhang said with a smile.

"Mom, I think Sister-in-law Xiu E is quite pretty. Why didn’t the Jin Family take to her?" Lian Manman asked Lady Zhang.

"Well," Lady Zhang hesitated, "I don’t really know. It seems like... your Sister-in-law Xiu E used to stay in the county town or somewhere."

Lady Zhang stopped short. The reason the Jin Family didn’t fancy Zhao Xiue seemed to be some gossip that had circulated about her during her time in the county town. She had only recently come to know of this. She felt it inappropriate to discuss in front of her daughters.

Seeing Lady Zhang’s expression, Lian Manman guessed it couldn’t be anything good. Although she was curious, she knew that Lady Zhang would never tell her, so she dropped the idea of pursuing the matter further.

"We’ll just talk about this here. When we go back home, we mustn’t mention it," Lady Zhang cautioned her daughters.

Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman both nodded.

"Once we’re through with these busy days, let’s take half a day to visit Third Uncle Wu’s place, to see Third Aunt Wu and Jiayu. They’ve helped us a great deal, and we should show our gratitude," Lady Zhang continued, "Both of you come with me."

"Okay," Lian Manman said.

Lady Zhang then turned to look at Lian Zhizhi.

***...***

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