"... My grandmother said it’s getting cold and she doesn’t like going out, so just the day before yesterday, she spent half a day at the houses of the First Aunt Granny and Third Aunt Granny." Lian Yaya answered softly. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Strangely, no one knows who Lian Yaya’s personality takes after. Even though she’s now raised by Lady Zhou, she hasn’t become as bold as Lian Xiuxiu; she remains timid, speaking in a soft voice. Her nature is exceptionally gentle and obedient, with no scheming thoughts. She answers almost any question she’s asked.

"I heard the old lady got quite angry that day." Lian Manman said, probing further.

"Yes." Lian Yaya lowered her head.

"What happened?" Lian Manman asked, glancing at Da Niuniu.

"Second Uncle gambled and lost money, and came to ask my grandmother for money." Da Niuniu said.

The Second Uncle Da Niuniu referred to is naturally Lian Shouyi.

"Right." Without waiting for Lian Manman to ask again, Lian Yaya nodded and took over the conversation. "... Instead of finding ways to earn money, he keeps asking my grandmother for money. During the festival, my grandmother gave him a lot, and they agreed he wouldn’t ask for more this year. Yet, just a few days later, he came to ask again. My grandmother wouldn’t give it, so he argued with her and made her cry..."

The commotion at the old house was intense back then, but through Lian Yaya’s mouth, it became bland and tasteless.

Lian Manman couldn’t help but glance at Lian Yaya. Nowadays, Lian Yaya spoke entirely from Lady Zhou’s perspective. It was as if Lady Zhou said it like this, and she learned to say it like this too.

Lian Yaya was never a smart or opinionated girl; now, she’s completely drawn in by Lady Zhou, with almost no one in her heart but Lady Zhou. Naturally, her attitude towards Lian Shouyi and Lady He was also influenced by Lady Zhou, and she wouldn’t call them father or mother if she didn’t have to.

"... See, my grandmother made me new clothes, and they wanted to coax me to exchange them for money..." Lian Yaya continued.

"... Luckily, everything my old aunt has is at my grandmother’s place. Otherwise, it would all be cheated away by Second Uncle and Second Aunt." Having sat for a while, Da Niuniu began to talk more.

Lian Yaya and Da Niuniu were a few years apart, but it was clear that the younger Da Niuniu was the more insightful one.

Lian Manman, Lian Yaya, and Da Niuniu chatted for a while, and she roughly got a sense. Seeing the time was about right, she asked the maid to pack some fruits and pastries for them to take, and she took out two purses, giving one to Lian Yaya and one to Da Niuniu before bringing them both back to the East Room.

Lady Chiang obviously had finished speaking with Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin and was waiting for Lian Yaya and Da Niuniu. Seeing Lian Manman bringing them back, and having given them food and purses, Lady Chiang was very grateful, quickly asking Lian Yaya and Da Niuniu to thank Lian Manman, and then got up to leave.

"... The old lady said, when Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt come over, send someone first to give notice, so they can prepare a meal." Lady Chiang said upon leaving.

"We’ll head over when we have time; no need to prepare a meal." Lian Shouxin said.

After seeing Lady Chiang, Lian Yaya, and Da Niuniu off, Lian Shouxin, Lady Zhang, and Lian Manman went back inside, and Wu Lang also came over from the study; the family sat down to talk.

"What is it this time, sending gifts and asking my dad to come over?" Lian Manman asked Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang.

"They didn’t say." Lian Shouxin replied.

"Judging by Jizu’s wife’s expression, the old lady didn’t tell her either." Lady Zhang said as she lifted the two lengths of fabric with her hand. "Whoever she gives something to, it doesn’t come easily. There must be some difficulty."

Lady Zhang was never good at figuring out people, but given Lady Zhou’s usual behavior and character, even someone as simple as Lady Zhang could guess her intentions.

"It’s nothing more than those few things." Wu Lang said, his tone very calm, clearly not taking this matter to heart.

"She probably wants to take advantage of my brother and Xiao Qi." Lian Manman laughed. "She’s smart enough to see this is a good opportunity."

"That woman only thinks about herself, never for others. If she asks for something that would harm Wu Lang and Xiao Qi, we... we..." Lady Zhang’s voice grew tense as she looked at Lian Shouxin. "We can’t agree to it."

Lady Zhang feared Lady Zhou would take advantage.

"What more could she want? We’ve been more than considerate towards her; she should think about what she has done."

"No." Lian Shouxin said, "I have a clear idea now; whatever happens, there’s always a principle."

"Manman, did you find out anything from Yaya and Da Niuniu?" Lady Zhang asked Lian Manman.

"I don’t think they know why the old lady is upset," Lian Manman said. "But I have an idea, almost nine times out of ten."

"What is it?" Lady Zhang quickly asked. Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang also looked at Lian Manman.

"Some things are overdue to be settled." Lian Manman said. With Lady Zhou now coming to ask for help, this is an opportunity to do her a favor, making it harder for her to cause trouble for them in the future.

And this favor shouldn’t be attributed to Lian Shouxin. Because if it were attributed to Lian Shouxin, it would have almost no effect. This favor should be attributed to Wu Lang. It should make Lady Zhou grateful to Wu Lang.

"Brother, it’s up to you this time." Lian Manman smiled at Wu Lang.

Wu Lang nodded, not saying anything. Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang were a bit puzzled, not knowing what enigma the two children were hinting at.

...

First update, more to come shortly.

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