"Why can’t I?!" Lady Zhou was even angrier, "You’re still treating number two like he’s anything good, you, you..."

Lady Zhou looked at Lian Shouxin, angered that he was holding onto Old Master Lian’s wishes, defending Lian Shouyi. She felt that the father and son, the brothers were a family, and she, as the mother, had become an outsider at such a crucial moment, reduced to someone of lesser importance. By her old nature, at this point she would have cursed out Lian Shouxin, scolding him for being in cahoots with Lian Shouyi, both being no good.

However, seeing Wu Lang sitting beside Lian Shouxin, and then looking at Lian Manman sitting on the kang bed, Lady Zhou opened her mouth but ultimately dared not let the curse out.

In these two years, when it came to dealing with Lian Shouxin’s lot, Lady Zhou could only muster her old demeanor when alone in front of Lian Shouxin. But if Lian Manman and the others were present, her momentum weakened considerably.

And Lady Zhang, to avoid offending Lady Zhou’s eyes over these two years, would not appear before Lady Zhou unless absolutely necessary. Even if she came, it would just be for a quick face-to-face, exchanging pleasantries before leaving.

Lady Zhou wanted to curse but didn’t dare curse Lian Shouxin, feeling stifled inside, so she cried.

"... All want me dead, once I’m gone, you’ll all be relieved. I know you all don’t like me, I’m not popular. Don’t bother with me, I’ll just die tomorrow..." Lady Zhou cried and spoke.

Again with the old trick of threatening to die.

It’s precisely such an old trick, yet it never fails. It’s not that the one using the trick is powerful, but rather the one receiving it has a soft heart, can’t bear to see his own mother suffer, talking about dying.

"Why talk about life and death out of the blue..." Lian Shouxin shifted uncomfortably on his chair.

"Anyway, it’s either him or me, if I stay, he goes, and vice versa. If you want to watch me die, ignore me then, let him slowly torment me to death... that would count as revenge on your part too!" Saying this last sentence, Lady Zhou shot Lian Shouxin a hard look. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Lian Shouxin was almost speechless after hearing Lady Zhou’s words.

The old house, the grudges between Lady Zhou and him have been long settled amongst themselves. Regarding Lady Zhou, regarding the old house, it can be said that they’ve forgiven and moved on. But Lady Zhou insists on bringing up the matter repeatedly. She does this not out of any remorse, but uses it as leverage over Lian Shouxin.

It’s like those who did wrong, who owe, instead boldly chastise those who did nothing wrong, turning into debt collectors, her actions twisting right and wrong.

Lian Shouxin often overlooks this, because reasoning with Lady Zhou is pointless, a waste of words, and on the other hand, he doesn’t want to reopen old wounds, to feel hurt again.

Yet Lady Zhou believes she’s got hold of Lian Shouxin’s weakness.

Over and over, no matter how good Lian Shouxin’s temper is, there will be a time he cannot hold back his anger, especially with Wu Lang and Lian Manman present today.

"Mother, what are you talking about?" Lian Shouxin was stunned for a moment, his face changing, "You’re always saying others oppress you, why don’t you say you’re oppressing me. What’s wrong with us, why don’t you think we’ve done enough? What more do you want us to do, for you to be satisfied? Do you want my blood, or the blood of my children’s mother?"

Lian Shouxin’s last sentence was heavy. Who now would dare indiscriminately demand the lives of Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang today! Moreover, a mother asking for her son and daughter-in-law’s lives, is she still a mother? If not a mother, then what right does she have to demand filial respect, to command people at will?

Lady Zhou was also choked up right there.

"What good will oppressing me to death bring you?!" Lian Shouxin glanced at Lady Zhou and finally said.

Lady Zhou was speechless, and began to wail and cry again.

Shang Huaide and Younger Lady Zhou were on the side trying to console her, but no matter how much they tried, they couldn’t stop Lady Zhou. Lady Zhou also felt infinitely wronged, with the first grievance being the gift sent to congratulate, lowering her head to Lady Zhang and her children. The second grievance was lowering her head, then humbly begging (in Lady Zhou’s eyes, what she did already counted as humbling herself), yet even then, she couldn’t get her wish.

Wu Lang and Lian Manman said nothing, but Lian Shouxin first refuted her, giving her disgrace.

The more Lady Zhou thought about it, the more stifled she felt, so she simply went into a frenzy, crying while bumping her head against the edge of the kang, screaming to hurt herself, to go meet Old Master Lian.

Everyone in the house naturally couldn’t let Lady Zhou really hurt herself. Everyone rushed to hold her, but Lady Zhou kept struggling relentlessly.

Lian Shouxin was helpless too.

"Mother, just say what exactly you want." Lian Shouxin said.

"I already told you," Lady Zhou seeing Lian Shouxin like this, then said, "In this courtyard, either he leaves or I do."

Lady Zhou was determined to drive Lian Shouyi away.

Lian Shouxin sighed, glanced at Wu Lang and Lian Manman, then fell silent.

Before coming to the old house, the family discussed things together, predicting the possible demands Lady Zhou might make, and roughly worked out countermeasures. Regarding kicking Lian Shouyi out, Lian Shouxin disagreed. At the time, the family decided, if Lady Zhou brought it up, Lian Shouxin would handle it. If he could persuade Lady Zhou to abandon the idea, all would be well. If not, then it would be handed over to Wu Lang and Lian Manman.

Now, Lian Shouxin had done his best, though he angered Lady Zhou a great deal, he couldn’t subdue her. Next, it would be left to Wu Lang and Lian Manman.

"...Grandma, if you want him gone, how do you plan to handle the house, garden, land and such?" Wu Lang asked.

...

I read a dramatic post, update is late, please understand. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)