Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1166 - 594: Charity (Part 2)

Lian Manman thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Since Mother says so, let it be," Lian Manman said indifferently. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

What happens to Zhao Xiue is actually irrelevant. Whether she follows the merchant with the surname Zhao or this matter is stopped, the result remains unchanged for them. If after coming this far, they still fear a mere Zhao Xiue, it would be ridiculous.

Following the merchant with the surname Zhao seems to lead to fortune, but how long can this fortune last? Lian Manman thought about the information she’d gathered about Zhao’s merchant family and shook her head in secret.

Thus, Xiao Xi was sent to the front yard again. This time, Xiao Xi took a bit longer, and when she returned, she said that the merchant with the surname Zhao had already left.

"Eldest Master spoke to him, saying Zhao Xiue has nothing to do with the Lian Family anymore. From now on, whatever happens, we won’t intervene. The merchant with the surname Zhao showed great gratitude to our Eldest Master. He also requested Eldest Master to be lenient toward today’s events and handed over a thick stack of gift lists, stating that those few men were rough-handed and should be punished in the yamen to appease Master and Eldest Master. As for Zhao Xiue, being a woman, he pleaded with Eldest Master for her sake, expressing gratitude and appreciation..."

"What did my brother say?" Lian Manman asked.

"Eldest Master agreed and just told him, if he takes Zhao Xiue away, he must restrain her well; if such things happen again, we will not be lenient. The merchant with the surname Zhao agreed, stating he would never allow Zhao Xiue to set foot in Jinyang County again."

"That merchant with the surname Zhao has left, why haven’t the two of them returned?" Lady Zhang asked.

As she was speaking, Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang returned from outside.

"Have they left?" Lady Zhang asked.

"They’ve left," Lian Shouxin nodded, "had to hurry to the County Yamen to release the people."

Not only did the merchant with the surname Zhao leave, Wu Lang also dispatched Han Zhong to follow. If Wu Lang hadn’t sent someone to greet them, the County Yamen wouldn’t have released Zhao Xiue.

"Tomorrow he’s coming again, to go to the old mansion and kowtow to apologize to Old Master," Wu Lang added, "It’s too late today, afraid of disturbing Old Master’s rest, it’s inconvenient to go."

Sure enough, the next day, news came from the county town that the men Zhao Xiue brought had all been caned in the County Yamen Main Hall, and fines were paid. As for Zhao Xiue, after being taken away by the merchant with the surname Zhao last night, she was sent out of Jinyang County overnight.

And that morning, the merchant with the surname Zhao came to Thirty Mile Camp again, bringing gifts to kowtow and apologize at the Lian Family Old Mansion.

Both Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang were naturally present; Old Master still couldn’t move or speak, only after the merchant with the surname Zhao kowtowed and spoke for a long while, he blinked his eyes, made two sounds "ah ah" and allowed the merchant to leave.

Thus, this matter was considered finally concluded, and from then on, Lian Manman never saw Zhao Xiue again, though heard about her a few times from others, but that was later.

After sending the merchant off, Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang were also about to leave.

The Old Master called "ah ah," blinking towards Lady Zhou, and then towards the compensation gifts given by the merchant.

"You take all these things," Lady Zhou said to Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang, "They were given for you; we don’t need them."

Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi stood silently without daring to speak.

After some polite refusal, Lady Zhou retained a few medicinal herbs to nurture Old Master’s health, but insisted that the rest be taken away by Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang.

"These things, if Father and Mother don’t want them, then send them to the temple as charity," Wu Lang said, "Yesterday at home, we discussed holding ritual services for Father, to bless his recovery soon."

Wu Lang’s words matched Lady Zhou’s intentions. The Lian Family had always been thrifty with expenses; Lady Zhou disliked going out, but on festivals, she personally handled the incense offerings without neglect.

"That’s just right. Perform good ritual services to cleanse the house of ill fortune," Lady Zhou said.

The Lian Family Old Mansion has had bad luck for some time; Lady Zhou believed it was due to "unlucky stars" and "troublemakers," always pondering how to remove bad luck, and performing rituals was naturally an excellent way.

Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang returned home and shared the matter with Lady Zhang and Lian Manman and others.

"Let’s perform the ritual services in the temple here in our village," Lian Shouxin said.

Everyone naturally had no objections.

"I think the compensation is quite generous; let’s add more from our side and offer more not only at the temple here in our village but also at nearby temples with flourishing incense, and the two famous temples in the county town," Lian Manman suggested, "donate lamp oil, perform rituals, and additionally invite people to transcribe more Medicine King Sutras, if hand-written, we’ll buy them..."

"Manman, are you planning to..." Wu Lang looked at Lian Manman.

"Since we’re doing this, let’s make it grander; spending more is worth it," Lian Manman said.

"That’s true, especially buying those hand-written scripts could help quite a few scholars from families with modest means," Wu Lang laughed.

"Exactly, that’s the idea," Lian Manman nodded, knowing Wu Lang understood her intention. "Additionally, at the temple here in the village, let’s donate some wheat flour, make vegetarian buns, and bless my Father. At that time, distribute some to each household here to ensure everyone in the village gets to eat."

"Other temples should do some too; during the rituals, distribute them," Wu Lang said.

The family discussed and decided, then busily arranged things.

Money and goods flowed out like water, but the result did not disappoint Lian Manman. That grand charity event became a topic of conversation even years later.

***

First, we’ll post one update; hopefully, another update tonight.

It’s the end of March, almost April, feeling very cold, the heating stopped, can’t get used to the air conditioning. Holding an electric heating pad to type. End of the month, only over 500 votes, those who are saving pink votes, please support, please support. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)