"Sister Manman, Yin Suo’s family has all left." Lian Yeye informed Lian Manman about how Lady Zhou had sent Lian Lanlan’s family away.

"Really?" Lian Manman was somewhat surprised, "I thought they could at least stay for a few days. Did the old lady not give them anything?"

"Nothing at all." Lian Yeye confirmed.

"It’s really like this." Lian Manman pondered, initially, she thought Lady Zhou would certainly expect them to pay to support Lian Lanlan. After all, they now had money, and their face was more valuable. Unexpectedly, Lady Zhou not only didn’t ask them to support Lian Lanlan, but she herself also didn’t support Lian Lanlan, and hurriedly drove them away.

"This is unlike anything she would do." Lian Manman said. Lady Zhou was persistently biased toward Lian Lanlan, and even if there were occasional disturbances, this initial bias had never changed. Now, with Old Master Lian gone, and Lanlan encountering difficulties, isn’t this the time when Lady Zhou has ample reason and can favor her daughter without hesitation? What made Lady Zhou suddenly turn so cold towards Lian Lanlan? "Could it be... because of something Yaya’s dad said?"

Lady Zhou drove away Lian Lanlan to avoid suspicion, lest everyone really believed what Lian Shouyi said!

Besides that, there seemed to be no other reason.

"Probably is..." Lian Yeye laughed.

Lian Manman couldn’t help but marvel at how powerful certain rules and etiquette of this era were. Lian Shouli was naturally soft, which is why he suffered from being childless. But Lady Zhou was so strong and wilful that she usually didn’t care about public opinion, yet now she had succumbed as well.

"That’s truly unexpected..." said Lian Manman. Even Lian Shouyi probably just wanted to talk freely and threw out that sentence casually. Who could have imagined it would have such an unintended effect?

Indeed, living in this world, no one can remain untouched by external influences.

"By the way, Yeye, weren’t you intending to farm this year, have you decided on what to plant?" Lian Manman asked Lian Yeye, "Considering your third uncle is both working as a carpenter and farming, you must be overwhelmed."

"It’s not tiring." When it came to farming, Lian Yeye was still quite cheerful, "Actually, we don’t even need my dad; my mom and I can handle six acres of land ourselves. At home earlier, we all discussed it and decided to plant corn on all six acres."

"Corn is easy to grow and yields well. By the way, I mentioned to my dad that we should leave a patch of land at the corner to plant sweet potatoes. Then we can dry sweet potatoes, roast them in winter, and fry them during the New Year. My dad agreed." Lian Yeye grew increasingly excited as he spoke.

"That’s a good plan. You can come to us for corn seeds and sweet potato slips at that time. I’ll have them select the best for you." Lian Manman replied.

"Okay." Lian Yeye nodded.

...

At dusk, Lian Family Old Mansion

Lady Da Zhou, concerned about Lady Zhou, had Er Ya accompany her to visit Lady Zhou. Lady Zhou had been napping all afternoon, and only got up when Lady Da Zhou arrived. Seeing Lady Zhou’s hair in disarray, Lady Da Zhou offered to help comb it.

Lady Zhou agreed.

"...Look at things more broadly; in the future, you’ll have happy days and won’t have to suffer." Lady Da Zhou consoled Lady Zhou softly while combing her hair.

"No need for your consolation, I understand perfectly well the kind of son I’ve raised. That worthless brat, from now on I’ll act like he doesn’t exist. If he dares act out again, I have plenty of ways to deal with him." Lady Zhou said viciously.

Lady Da Zhou sighed. For decades of sisterhood, she knew Lady Zhou well. Lady Zhou was a strong-willed person who never revealed weaknesses outwardly. But this time, Lady Zhou had suffered a heavy blow, even the façade of strength wasn’t as convincing. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Otherwise, Lady Zhou wouldn’t have kept her hair untidy, nor laid around for an entire afternoon.

"I’m relieved you’re thinking this way." Lady Da Zhou said, and then continued to advise Lady Zhou, "As sisters, let me speak frankly. In the future, you should adjust your temperament. Don’t treat your children like before; they’ve grown up. To be candid, let’s not talk about the eldest and the second, Old Three and Old Fourth take quite good care of elderly relatives, not perfect of course, but they’re decent."

"Even compared to other families in the village, they’re definitely among the best. As we age, we’re not afraid of anything, but we should consider how people outside talk. Besides, they are your own flesh and blood, two goods make one best."

"All have become my enemies; what ’two goods make one best.’ In their eyes, I’m just the old annoyance." Lady Zhou lowered her head slightly in a sigh.

Lady Da Zhou also sighed; living in the same village, she was aware of the Lian Family’s affairs. A thought crossed her mind, but she wouldn’t voice it. Even if what Lady Zhou said were true, her sons resenting her was something Lady Zhou had brought upon herself.

Though sisters, Lady Da Zhou and Lady Zhou were different types of people, and many of Lady Zhou’s actions grated on Lady Da Zhou.

"I don’t care how he sees me, he’s my son, no matter what. At any time, he cannot deny me food and drink. I’m clear about that, I won’t go with them, under their wings, won’t do me any good. I won’t go; I’ll stay on this kang bed, and whatever I lack, he’ll have to bring." Lady Zhou declared suddenly, raising her head and chest proudly.

"His son and daughter have great prospects, he has to keep his face. The more successful they are, the more he has to keep up appearances. People tell me to ask him for more, but I haven’t."

"Look at you, with this mindset, why not speak pleasantly, and let people think well of you. If you can save for Old Fourth, why do you ask more from Old Three? You know what their situation is like." Lady Da Zhou questioned perplexedly.

"I’m not saving for Old Fourth, there’s a reason to ask more from Old Three!" Lady Zhou sneered.

...

September first, asking for baseline monthly votes.

Furthermore, thank you all for last month’s support. The weather has finally cooled, Ruoyan will strive to post more updates; I need everyone’s encouragement O(∩_∩)O (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly votes, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please head to m.qidian.com to read.)