When Lian Shouxin said this, everyone couldn’t say anything more.

Everyone was indeed aware of the Lian Family’s situation. When Old Master Lian was still around, perhaps there was some reason to be discussed. But now, with Old Master Lian gone, only Lady Zhou remained. Everyone knew well how Lady Zhou conducted herself. As the saying goes, every family has its difficult stories. Even among the visitors, you can’t be sure there aren’t tyrannical mothers-in-law or domineering daughters-in-law at home. Therefore, they all expressed understanding towards Lian Shouxin. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Lian Shouxin’s fear of Lady Zhou, to the point of being like an old plaster stuck to him, was not news in these villages.

Men go out to stand firm in the world, but at home, it’s hard to avoid bowing down.

Moreover, Lady Zhou’s loud crying moments ago was heard by all neighbors. The story about Lady Zhou forcing Lian Shouli to provide more support, leading to her granddaughter almost crashing to death, had long spread far and wide.

Since the visitors were there, Lian Shouxin couldn’t just walk away, but Lian Manman and the others were impatient and saw no need to stay to watch Lian Shouyi and Lian Shouren argue. Hence, Wu Lang, Lian Manman, Xiao Qi, and Lady Zhang bid farewell and left.

The departure of the mother and children, in a way, also represented the family’s stance and attitude.

Seeing Lian Manman leave, Lian Yeye also pulled Lady Zhao to follow out. Everyone then proceeded back to Lian Manman’s family.

The front courtyard’s main hall was bustling at the moment. Zhang Qingshan’s family hadn’t left yet, and Wu Yugui, Wu Jiaxing, Lady Wu Wang, Lian Zhizhi, Zhang Caiyun, and Lu Bingwu were all there accompanying. Upon seeing Lady Zhang and the others return, everyone naturally asked them.

"The matter of the old lady’s retirement has been discussed. The old lady wants to live with our First Master together, to separate the Second Master out. Now both sides have sent someone over, wishing to divide the family assets. The children’s father is there, so we didn’t have a say, and just came back first." Lady Zhang explained to everyone.

When it came to the support for Lady Zhou, and she demanded ten acres of wheat field, the older ones were indifferent, but the younger ones were still surprised.

"I just anticipated this, my Second Aunt is not an average person." Lady Wu Wang said, "Only asking for ten acres, that’s still...we originally estimated it would be several times more."

"You didn’t object, did you?" Zhang Qingshan asked Lady Zhang.

"No, when she mentioned it, we agreed." Lady Zhang said.

"This action is right." Zhang Qingshan said.

"Whatever she asks from us, we accept it. After all, we are now recognized as wealthy. Initially, we all discussed, thinking that if she asked for more from us, she might ask for less from her Third Uncle. With our ten acres, even a bit more wouldn’t matter, and she’d return those six acres back to her Third Uncle." Lady Zhang said.

"That’s how it should be done." Wu Yugui said.

"Hasn’t the old lady returned those six acres?" Lady Wu Wang asked.

It seemed everyone guessed Lady Zhou would ask more from Lian Shouxin and then give back Lian Shouli’s share. Almost every family has the phenomenon of ’robbing the rich to help the poor’, where parents dig from the wealthy offspring to aid the less fortunate ones.

Even though they’ve divided the family, the relationship between Lian Shouli and the old residence has always been close. His relationship with Lady Zhou is much more intimate than Lian Shouxin’s. Lian Shouli truly did a lot for the old residence and for Lady Zhou. Not to mention the distant matters, just near ones, who obeyed Lady Zhou’s directions, escorted Lian Lanlan back to the county, and later served as a ’bodyguard’ for a few days at Lian Lanlan’s family?

It was Lian Shouli.

After the crisis was resolved, when Lian Shouli returned from the county, Lian Lanlan even gave him a few pounds of buns. These buns were sent by Lian Shouli to Lady Zhou. Lady Zhou left some, and gave the rest back to Lian Shouli.

No matter how you look at it, it had a hint of a mother’s kindness and son’s filial piety.

Now, with Old Master Lian gone, Lady Zhou should draw closer to her sons, especially the most obedient and helpful Lian Shouli. Thus, cutting out a piece from Lian Shouxin, then giving Lian Shouli some benefits, wouldn’t that be the most advantageous yet inexpensive action?

With Lady Zhou’s shrewdness, she would certainly think of this. Doing so would align with her usual conduct.

But Lady Zhou happened to not do this, not only did she not return those six acres, but she wanted Lian Shouli to ’add something’.

"Not only didn’t return, but wants more." Lian Manman said, "Forcing Yeye to almost risk everything."

"Oh dear, that’s just wrong." Zhang Qingshan and Wu Yugui both said.

"Anyway, some maternal affection and child’s sentiment should be preserved." Lady Li sighed.

"I might say something inappropriate, the old lady isn’t one to be dazzled by money. She asking for ten acres here doesn’t seem like she wants to grab money tightly, then why does she want more from Third Brother?" Wu Yugui said, clearly confused by Lady Zhou’s conduct.

Lady Zhou asking for more from Lian Shouxin may not be criticized by others. But her asking more from Lian Shouli is sure to be scorned. Hence, everyone was very surprised by Lady Zhou’s actions.

"Why else, she just looks down on me and my mom." Lian Yeye said coldly, "Her attitude towards my dad is just like that. My dad gives her his utmost respect, but as for her, when needed, she might speak kindly, but when not, my dad is nothing in her eyes. She looks down on me and my mom, and in her heart, she also looks down on my dad!"

The whole room fell silent; Lian Yeye’s last words were truly startling! The shock came from the fact that it was true, and that perhaps Lian Shouli couldn’t see the truth, yet a young girl like Lian Yeye exposed it.

...

First update delivered, striving to add another later.

Last day of August, seeking support from friends who have accumulated Pink Tickets. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)