Hearing Lady Zhou’s intent to drive away Lian Shouyi and Lady He, Wu Lang did not respond immediately but glanced at Lian Shouxin. Lian Shouxin understood, knowing it was his turn to speak.

"Mother, my second brother is just that kind of person. He was like that when Father was alive. He would cause minor troubles, but it was never anything serious. In the past, whenever there was talk of driving him out, Father would never agree, no matter what."

"After all, he is my father’s son, living together for decades and ultimately fulfilling his filial duties. The house, land, garden, and all were left to him by Father."

The ethics and morality of this era are thus, with filial piety regarded as paramount. Additionally, there is also the belief of male superiority, where men are seen as the pillars for women.

Lian Shouyi would misbehave and often anger Lady Zhou. Yet, he was somewhat cunning. After Old Master Lian passed away, he would constantly make minor mistakes but never committed any major wrongs. Before Lady Zhou, he would make trouble if he could, take advantage if possible, then still affectionately address her as ’Mother.’ It could be said he angered her half to death, yet she couldn’t do anything about it.

Even as the mother of Lian Shouyi and the widow of Old Master Lian, Lady Zhou could claim she wanted to drive Lian Shouyi away, but actually doing so was not easy. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Lian Shouxin’s words were largely sincere. Though Lady Zhou had often hinted at wanting to drive Lian Shouyi away, Lian Shouxin never responded to it. In his heart, he disagreed with driving Lian Shouyi out, even if that was Lady Zhou’s wish.

Lian Shouxin spoke plainly, but Lady Zhou was almost incensed by the first sentence alone. She didn’t lash out immediately, partly out of some fear of the influence Lian Shouxin and others had over the last two years. Now, bothered immeasurably by Lian Shouyi, she needed their help to resolve the issue.

Listening to Lian Shouxin’s words in full, Lady Zhou couldn’t help but change her expression, her hands trembling.

"...You, you only remember your father? My life or death means nothing to you?!" Lady Zhou cried out, her voice unusually cracking, demonstrating her current emotion.

"Mother, that’s not what I meant. Anyway, this... it’s not all that serious," Lian Shouxin replied properly. Lady Zhou always exaggerated things, extending her pain infinitely. Under the circumstances, for someone else it might be hard to say, but at the old house, Lady Zhou had always been loud and noisy; it was essentially a regular occurrence, far from life-threatening.

Of course, the situation now has changed slightly. The difference is, Lady Zhou is no longer the unchallenged victor; she frequently finds herself taken advantage of by Lian Shouyi, which would never have happened in the past.

Still, between a mother and son, what others consider mere financial ’losses’ are seen as inconsequential.

"It’s not all serious? I’ll have died from his vexation, or he sneaks in the dark to strangle me, then it will be serious and you’ll care?" Lady Zhou spoke fervently, her hair disheveled, greying and messy, swaying with her movements.

Lady Zhou’s eyes were wide open, originally a pair of beautiful eyes. Lian Shouxin, Lian Shouren, and others inherited such eyes. Yet now, those eyes are bloodshot, her expression a bit manic.

Lian Manman glanced, slightly furrowing her brows, instinctively looking away. She couldn’t bear to watch.

In truth, Lady Zhou could be living quite comfortably now, even more composed and dignified than Lady Da Zhou. Still, she forced her life into such turmoil. The saying ’character determines destiny’ refers precisely to circumstances like this, Lian Manman thought.

Is it fate, or perhaps karma? Lady Zhou cannot take joy in her blessings despite being surrounded by them. No external force can resolve these issues.

"That can’t happen." Lian Shouxin shook his head. He sincerely believed that however Lian Shouyi behaved, he wouldn’t dare to genuinely anger Lady Zhou to death, and certainly wouldn’t lay a hand on her.

In the past few years, Lian Shouyi, although misbehaving in front of Lady Zhou, had never resorted to violence, nor had he shown any such intention. So Lian Shouxin was secure in this belief.

Moreover, Lian Shouxin was confident in Lady Zhou’s resilience. A gentler mother might not withstand Lian Shouyi, but nothing about Lady Zhou ever hinted at the word ’weakness.’