Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1420 - 724: Obstinate to the End
Second update, asking for support.
Lian Shouyi decided not to let Old Master Lian arrange a marriage for Lian Shouren, but Old Master Lian was also determined to find a wife for his eldest son.
"Second son, what kind of person do you think your elder brother is? In one’s life, everyone makes mistakes at times. He shouldn’t have become an official." Old Master Lian shouted, then turned to the several villagers who were sitting inside as mediators, "For us tenant farmers, our minds are simple. Matters in the officialdom, we can’t manage them. What’s right or wrong, it’s all up to them to decide! Just those wronged people we know of, there’s no shortage of them."
"Shouren, this child, is easily swayed. He married the wrong wife last time; she was a jinx. Shouren, this child, grew up watched by everyone. He’s an honest person. Since childhood up to now, with all the villagers, young and old, he’s never quarreled with anyone."
"...He studied, passed the scholar exams, now he’s still in his prime, our family has land, even if he doesn’t farm, he can still support a wife and children without issue... The Lian Family’s reputation, there’s no abusing or mistreating of wives. Whoever marries him certainly won’t suffer or be mistreated..."
Old Master Lian listed many good points about Lian Shouren, clearly using the crowd to beautify Lian Shouren’s image, hoping to erase the impact of Lian Shouyi’s earlier words, so that Lian Shouren could secure a good wife.
"Dad, no matter how much you embellish and talk grandly, my brother’s reputation can’t be salvaged." Lian Shouyi said.
"Shut up!" Old Master Lian shouted angrily, "I’ve explained everything to you clearly, you stubborn mule, only thinking about yourself, fixated on the small things right in front of you. Worthless thing. This family is still under my rule, I say to find your brother a wife, and I will!"
Old Master Lian was determined, if reasoning wouldn’t work, he would use his authority. He adopted the authority of the head of the household, wanting to forcibly settle the matter in front of everyone. This would expedite the search for a bride for Lian Shouren.
"Dad, what do you take us for? Were we all picked up from a ditch, and only he is your biological child?" Lian Shouyi jumped up and retorted, "Have you forgotten, once he became an official, he wanted to kick us out, and he wanted to kick you out too! How did he sell off Xiuxiu? How did he let the young widow embarrass you, you couldn’t lift your head, nearly drove you to suicide! Xiuxiu is now living like a widow, all because of him!"
Towards the end, Lian Shouyi frequently glanced at Lady Zhou, hoping to stir up her resentment against Lian Shouren, and thus join his side.
"Heartless..." Lady Zhou wiped her face and cried, "All heartless, stabbing my heart..."
Lady Zhou’s crying and complaining were so vague, it was impossible to say who she was cursing.
"Grandpa, have mercy on me. I don’t want to end up like my second brother." Si Lang suddenly knelt in front of Old Master Lian. "I am your biological grandson. I beg you, Grandpa, for the sake of the hardship I’ve endured over these years, show some mercy."
"...Not treating us like humans. Wasting our Erlang, selling our Sanlang, and now wanting to ruin our Si Lang. Heaven, there’s no justice..." Lady He sank down and sat on the floor, opening her mouth wide, making thunderous hollow cries.
Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu stood in the corner, heads bowed, making it impossible to see their expressions.
The room suddenly became chaotic, Old Master Lian was anxious and furious, ashamed and annoyed, feeling his blood rush to his head, ears ringing, and his vision turning dark.
"Ah..." Old Master Lian made a gurgling sound from his throat, then fell backward.
"Oh my god, the Master has passed out!" someone shouted.
...
At Lian Manman’s family home, everyone sat in a circle, Lian Shouxin spoke bluntly, at this moment, he couldn’t and didn’t want to go to the old residence.
"It’s embarrassing, I find it embarrassing." Lian Shouxin said.
Lian Shouxin’s words were true. In the old residence, an elder had married twice, taken a concubine, been a corrupt official, and been imprisoned, while a young generation member was competing for a bride. This matter was already improper when discussed within the family, but now that it’s escalated into a public brawl, it’s truly disgraceful.
This has nothing to do with filial piety towards Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou. Old Master Lian was biased, Lian Shouyi refused to compromise, and if Lian Shouxin went, it would only add to the embarrassment and bring trouble upon himself.
