Someone said that when Old Master Lian was still alive, Lian Shouxin’s provision for Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou was often used to support Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi’s families, and Lian Shouxin tolerated it. Now that Old Master Lian is gone, and apart from his usual provisions, Lian Shouxin agreed so readily to give an additional ten mu of land. Could it really be just to support Lady Zhou?

Of course not, everyone said.

Lian Shouxin couldn’t directly subsidize his brothers and nephews, but this way, by being vague, he allowed the older generation to do good deeds and support their descendants.

Many people shared this sentiment, not just one or two. In this era, people valued family and bloodlines and approved of such acts.

Lady Zhou might refuse to feed Lian Shouyi and Lady He, but when she didn’t feed Lian Yaya and Liulang, it violated the moral standards of the time and stirred public outrage.

Lady Da Zhou couldn’t stand the visiting villagers and sought out Lady Zhou to persuade her. Naturally, Lady Zhou was full of reasons and felt wronged, with a particularly stubborn attitude. Later, Younger Lady Zhou and Shang Huaide also came to advise her. Even neighbors and people from nearby streets came to visit, implicitly mentioning the matter.

Finally, though Lady Zhou remained verbally stubborn, she compromised in her actions. She permitted Lian Yaya to eat in the Upper Room. Little Yaya, a young girl, didn’t eat much, and Lady Zhou also had her do chores, to which Lian Yaya was very obedient.

But Liulang was in an awkward position; he was not as endearing to Lady Zhou as Lian Yaya, and as a growing boy, he had a big appetite.

The meal he got at school, along with the little Lady Zhou gave him, wasn’t enough to fill him up daily. Xiao Qi noticed and told Lady Zhang about it.

Because of their comfortable life and good children, Lady Zhang became increasingly soft-hearted and kind. Xiao Qi often brought food to Liulang.

Feeling the kindness from Lian Manman’s family, Liulang’s courage gradually grew. When Liulang worked at the farm, he’d stay and eat with Manman’s family. You could say that over the past two years, although he hadn’t lived with Manman’s family, he had grown up eating their food. His clothes and shoes were also provided by Lady Zhang.

Perhaps because they were both simple-minded and met frequently, Liulang and Xiao Tanzhi became good friends. Of course, they also became friends with Xiao Qi, but despite being younger than both Liulang and Xiao Tanzhi, Xiao Qi was smarter and more resourceful. Therefore, both Liulang and Xiao Tanzhi not only looked out for Xiao Qi but also deeply respected him.

"Xiao Qi, how did Liulang say it to you?" Lian Manman asked.

"Same as before, he said his head hurts when he starts classes." Xiao Qi replied.

The issue of Liulang’s schooling was a source of distress for him, and it wasn’t easy for Lian Shouxin, who had high hopes for him. Manman personally felt that forcing the issue wouldn’t help. However, she didn’t voice her opinion; Lian Shouxin had to reach this conclusion on his own.

Two years had passed, and Lian Shouxin should see the truth clearly.

"Dad, what do you think?" Lian Manman asked Lian Shouxin.

"Sigh, let it be. If he doesn’t want to study, then he won’t study." Lian Shouxin sighed, finally saying, "I talked it over with Master Qu. No matter how long Liulang studies, he’ll only make it this far... At least, over the past two years, he’s learned a few characters and can write his own name."

"Exactly." Lian Manman smiled, seeing that Lian Shouxin had come to understand.

"That time I saw him enter the classroom, he looked so worried. Two years is enough. In the future, whether he farms or finds a livelihood, he’ll be able to live." Wu Jiaxing added.

"Dad, Liulang told me he wants to work on our farm, and he doesn’t ask for anything, just to have enough to eat." Xiao Qi continued.

"Let him come." Lian Shouxin agreed readily. The family had already privately discussed this matter, and they all agreed to find a solution. "His parents are unreliable, and what could he do outside at his age? Besides, the child is too honest; we wouldn’t be at ease leaving him outside. Even staying with his parents wouldn’t work; he might learn their lazy ways."

Xiao Qi spoke a few words to Xiao Long, and soon Xiao Long brought Liulang over.

These past two years, Liulang was the one who grew the most. Perhaps he inherited the good physique of both Lian Shouyi and Lady He; Liulang was robust and sturdy. He was a big eater and a hard worker, even more so than Xiao Tanzhi.

It seemed Xiao Long had already informed Liulang of Lian Shouxin’s decision. Liulang walked in with a joyful expression, bowing his head to Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang as he entered.

"Get up quickly." Lady Zhang said hurriedly.

Xiao Long and Xiao Hu pulled Liulang to his feet.

"If you don’t want to study, then don’t. If you want to come to the farm, then come. Here with Fourth Uncle, you’ll definitely have enough to eat, and Fourth Uncle will pay you." Lian Shouxin said.

"Fourth Uncle, I don’t want wages." Liulang said.

"You might not need money now, but you will one day." Lian Shouxin said, thinking for a moment before adding, "I’ll keep track of your wages for you, and not give them to you now, so as to..."

At this, Lian Shouxin paused before continuing.

"...so as to keep your parents from wasting it. I’ll let your aunt save it for your future wedding."

Liulang chuckled foolishly, making no further comment.

"Xiao Liu, since you won’t be studying anymore, don’t forget the characters you’ve learned, okay?" Finally, Lian Shouxin gave this advice before letting Liulang go.

"From now on, let’s just consider him another child of our family." Once Liulang left, Lady Zhang sighed, "The parents of the Second Master surely have it easy..."

Their children were left to others, how could Lian Shouyi and Lady He not be carefree!

...

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