Without Lian Yaya, Lady Zhou seemed like she was missing a leg or an arm.

Yet, when Lian Shouyi wanted to take away Lian Yaya, Lady Zhou surprisingly did not stop him.

"Yaya’s dad could see it, that’s why he said he wanted to take her away. Later, I noticed his gaze was a bit off. He probably saw Yaya growing up well, keeping her by his side didn’t cost much, and soon she could bring in a hefty betrothal gift." Lian Manman whispered to Lady Zhang, Lady Zhao, and Lian Yeye.

Everyone nodded; they all remembered how Lady He was eager to bind Lian Yaya’s feet back then.

"It’s not the same now as it was then. Now, those two are probably only thinking about the betrothal gift without caring who Yaya will marry." Lady Zhao sighed.

"They said they wanted to take Yaya away; did they mention if they would take Liulang?" Lady Zhang asked.

"No." Lian Manman replied, "They probably forgot about Liulang altogether."

"They definitely won’t want Liulang." Lian Yeye said, "Yaya can cook and serve them, and she doesn’t eat much or spend much. They can make money off her wedding. Liulang, what’s he good for? Sure, he works, but he eats a lot. Like now, they don’t care about him at all, but when it’s time to plant or harvest, they call him to help. It’s all advantage without any loss. Besides, when Liulang gets married, that costs money too."

Lian Yeye’s words clearly spelled out Lian Shouyi and Lady He’s calculations, and everyone couldn’t help but laugh.

"No matter who she stays with, it isn’t truly about caring for her. But compared to them, it’s still better with the old lady. At least, the old lady doesn’t plan to sell her for money." Lady Zhang said, "With the old lady, her food, clothing, and other needs are better handled than with the Second Master’s couple."

This was indeed the case. But ethically, without Lian Shouyi and Lady He’s willingness, Lian Yaya could only stay with them.

"The old lady can’t do without Yaya. One way or another, she should speak up to keep the child." Lady Zhang added.

"Isn’t she just competing with Yaya’s dad? The old lady can’t give in." Lian Manman laughed.

"Yes, that’s her character." Lady Zhang and Lady Zhang both nodded.

Lady Zhou’s temperament was such that she could disregard serious matters just to compete with someone. Also, she likely didn’t want people to know she couldn’t do without Lian Yaya, even though everyone was already well aware, and it wasn’t exactly a secret.

"Just wait; she will eventually demand Yaya back." Lian Manman suddenly said.

"Sister Manman, are you saying the old lady would still ask Yaya’s parents for Yaya?" Lian Yeye asked.

"Yes." Lian Manman nodded resolutely.

Lady Zhou couldn’t live without Lian Yaya. To live comfortably, she needed Yaya to serve her. Keeping Yaya wasn’t for anyone else; it was for herself. Initially, Lady Zhou couldn’t bring herself to ask, but after weighing the situation, she would eventually relent because Yaya was too important to her.

While they were talking inside the house, Xiao Qi, Xiao Long, and Xiao Hu returned home from school.

"Dad, just now when I came back, I saw Liulang. He told me he wanted to return over there this afternoon to help with the house demolition." Xiao Qi came into the room, greeted everyone, and then spoke to Lian Shouxin.

"I know. Let him go." Lian Shouxin said.

"Uh-huh, I told him he could go ahead." Xiao Qi replied.

In such family matters, Xiao Qi already knew how to manage things, only needing to inform the family afterward.

"They want to demolish the house over there, so I’ll go and help this afternoon." Lian Shouli said, "Such a good house, just tearing it down, sigh."

Since Lian Shouli wanted to lend a hand, Lian Manman’s family naturally wouldn’t stop him. Besides, demolishing and building a house was a big deal, and not only brothers but even villagers would help.

After lunch, a steward reported that all the helpers had arrived at the old residence for the demolition and were just waiting for Lian Shouxin’s word.

Demolishing a house was a significant affair with certain traditions. Lian Shouxin went to oversee and, once he saw the work start, he returned.

Lian Shouli went to help, and with nothing better to do, Lian Yeye went along to see the show.

Lian Manman didn’t go but stayed home making needlework with Lady Zhang and reviewing some account books. Lian Shouxin, with nothing else to do, sat nearby and learned to read the accounts, asking Lian Manman if confused.

"Once the house is demolished, the pigsty and yard walls will be torn down, freeing up half the yard, perfect for planting vegetables, which is nice..." Lady Zhang chatted casually with Lian Shouxin.

Soon, a young maid ran in to report that during the house demolition, a snake was found.

"...It was several feet long, as thick as an adult’s arm..."

"Was anyone hurt? Was it released?" Lian Shouxin quickly asked.

When asking if anyone was hurt, Lian Shouxin was referring to the snake, not to people. At Thirty Mile Camp, venomous snakes were rarely seen, especially within a home.

"No one was hurt; incense was burned, and it was released into the backyard garden where it slithered away." The young maid replied.

Only then did Lian Shouxin sigh with relief.

Old houses often yielded snakes during demolition. Such snakes were generally considered protective and auspicious creatures, never to be harmed or forcibly kept. The older a house snake was, the more auspicious it was deemed.

But once a house was demolished and the snake left, its auspiciousness went along with it.

"What a pity." Lady Zhang remarked after the young maid left.

"Indeed, what a pity." Lian Shouxin agreed.

As Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang lamented the departure of the protective and treasure-gathering snake, Lian Yeye came running in.

"Sister Manman, you called it."

...

Here ends the first update, with 350 votes promising a second one.

The last three days of September have pink votes doubled, each counting as two, so please release the accumulated pinks.

Requesting 350 votes for another update, with plans for an additional Chapter per 100 votes afterward, seeking motivation and support. There will be several updates today ^(To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com.)