Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1426 - 727: Dissatisfaction
When Woo Ergou and Woo Sangou went to the old residence to discuss a marriage proposal for Lian Shouren, Lian Manman’s family was also discussing the matter of Lian Shouren’s proposal.
Winter had just begun, and although it hadn’t snowed yet this year, it seemed colder than usual. The Lian Manman family was all sitting on the heated bed in the east room of the back courtyard. The stove in the outer room was burning fiercely, making the heated bed warm and comfortable. This house had good lighting, the walls were thick, and it was well-insulated, so it was warm inside too.
Lady Li and Zhang Caiyun were also present. The women sat on the soft felt on the heated bed, holding needlework in their hands, with a low table in front of them. The table was filled with all kinds of fruits, pastries, and hot tea.
Lian Shouxin and Xiao Qi were also there. Xiao Qi was holding a ledger, teaching Lian Shouxin to recognize the characters on it. The two of them whispered questions and answers to each other, and occasionally joined in the conversation with Lady Zhang and Lady Li.
Lady Zhang, Lady Li, and the others were discussing the old residence’s proposal for Lian Shouren.
Old Master Lian had been busy for many days, but no one proposed marriage for Lian Shouren, an unsurprising result.
"... let’s not mention the incident of being imprisoned. Even if that didn’t happen, managing those scattered bits and pieces isn’t something ordinary people can do... There’s the old lady above and the daughter-in-law below. The old lady is famous in the neighboring villages, and no one criticizes the daughter-in-law outside. But she’s been in the family for many years, and the children have grown up. Then there’s the Second Master’s faction, all stirring the pot together. Is life easy for a dozen people like that?" Lady Zhang whispered to Lady Li.
"Exactly," Lady Li nodded, "If it’s an honest person, they might endure some grievances, making life hard. If it’s a dishonest one, that’s even more worrisome."
Standing nearby, Lian Manman heard Lady Li and Lady Zhang’s words and couldn’t help but nod secretly. Both Lady Li and Lady Zhang were right; finding a wife for Lian Shouren was really difficult.
Even if one doesn’t hold Lian Shouren’s past offenses in Taicang against him, just the interpersonal relationships at the old house would intimidate ordinary women. First, there’s Lady Zhou, who believes in not showing her daughter-in-law a good face and uses her as a pawn. If Lian Shouren marries again, the wife must first abide by Lady Zhou’s rules.
In Lian Shouren’s case, marrying at this time is commonly known as becoming a second mother-in-law. This means there’s a daughter-in-law below and a mother-in-law above. In such a position, even if the son is biological, these relationships are often difficult to manage. In the old residence, with Lady Zhou as the mother-in-law and Lady Chiang as the daughter-in-law, Lian Manman could foresee the awkward and difficult position of this second mother-in-law.
Lady Zhou now only effectively commands Lian Yaya in the old residence. She’s no longer able to control Lady He and Lady Chiang. If Lian Shouren marries a wife, Lady Zhou will surely reassert herself, intending to control the new daughter-in-law.
Meanwhile, Lian Jizu has long been an adult, and Lady Chiang is the most astute person. A new wife trying to play the role of a mother-in-law towards Lady Chiang is impossible.
The most likely outcome is that the new wife would suffer grievances from both sides. Considering the plight of Lady Gu after falling out of favor with Lady Zhou, Lady Gu, being Lady Chiang’s aunt, orchestrated Lady Chiang’s marriage. Therefore, Lady Chiang was willing to mediate for Lady Gu. But if Lian Shouren marries a new wife, would Lady Chiang still be willing to mediate for her?
Moreover, the faction behind Lian Shouyi opposes Lian Shouren remarrying, and they certainly wouldn’t treat the new wife kindly. If a new wife really came into the house, any slight misstep and she’d be devoured without a trace.
Additionally, Lian Shouren has a reputation for being cursed with wives. Lady Zhou is notorious for mistreating daughters-in-law.
All these factors combined mean that any family with even a sliver of prospects, any concern for reputation, or any regard for their daughters, would not agree to marry their daughter to Lian Shouren. And if, knowing the situations at the old house, they’re still willing to marry their daughter into it, it would mean they don’t care about their daughter or reputation and just want to profit, essentially selling their daughter without regard to her future well-being.
Being ruthless enough to sell their daughter means it’s not an honorable family, and their conditions would be exceedingly high. The twenty-odd taels of silver Old Master Lian held wouldn’t be nearly enough.
While the women stitched and chatted, Xiao Xi and Xiao Qing lifted the door curtain and came in from outside. Each of the two maids carried a tray of pastries, freshly baked and steaming hot.
