Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1463 - 744: Fate (2)

Lizheng and Wu Yugui are well-known shrewd individuals in the surrounding villages, and it didn’t take them long to uncover the situation of the Zhou family father and daughter.

To put it plainly, life is hard for the Zhou family; they can no longer support Zhou Daniu. Moreover, in this era, it’s unreasonable for a daughter not to have a husband’s family; otherwise, the Zhou family cannot hold their heads up.

Zhou Daniu is simple-minded and even becomes violent when she loses her mind. Although she can handle physical work, she eats more than a man. It’s indeed tough to find her a husband’s family, especially one as good as the Lian Family’s.

Old Master Zhou is anxious to marry off his daughter and has set his eyes on the well-off Lian Family. Old Master Lian is kind-hearted; if his daughter marries into that family, she can at least have enough to eat and suffer less.

From a distance at Thirty Mile Camp, he would agree to anyone genuinely wanting to marry Zhou Daniu. And the Lian Family Old Mansion is simply an unmissable opportunity, a dream destination.

Therefore, even honest Old Master Zhou is willing to shed his dignity to ensure Zhou Daniu stays.

Lizheng and Wu Yugui revealed their identities to Old Master Zhou, who then lowered his head, repeatedly saying he came from afar and that Zhou Daniu seldom goes mad and is capable. Giving her to Lian Shouren, who was an old widower, wouldn’t be a loss for him. Seeing that the father and daughter weren’t professional troublemakers, Lizheng and Wu Yugui didn’t pressure them excessively.

"When discussing a match, both parties look each other over, and only after that can the marriage be discussed. If it doesn’t work out, everyone should just go their separate ways. You came from so far away, but wasn’t the travel fare provided by the Lian Family, enough for numerous round trips with some to spare?"

"Loitering here without reason—it’s my responsibility as Lizheng to deal with it. If I drive you away, no one can argue. If you make trouble and we involve the government, you’d be charged with deception, and you wouldn’t be able to handle that."

Without too much hassle, everything was mediated. Old Master Lian disregarded Lian Shouren’s pitiful hints beside him and declared in front of those present that he’ll no longer arrange a marriage for Lian Shouren. Following Wu Yuchang’s suggestion, Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang were summoned to publicly pledge they will dutifully attend to Lian Shouren for the rest of his days.

This was meant to both reassure Old Master Lian and Lian Shouren.

As for the Zhou family father and daughter, they were simply sent away. However, Old Master Lian, seeing their pitiful state in this cold season, took the initiative to offer them some travel funds.

The others involved helped settle the matter by retrieving the One String of Coins from Woo Ergou and Woo Sangou.

Of course, some of the money was spent by the Woo Family, leaving over seven hundred coins. Naturally, the spent money wasn’t purely for travel costs. According to the gathered group, the Woo family should compensate for it. The Woo Family Brothers knelt and cried, claiming they used the money to buy medicine for their mother and wives and that their grain had long been sold off, leaving nothing to compensate with.

"It’s fine if you can’t pay; you can be taken to the yamen right now; you won’t escape the charge of abduction." The group laughed from the side.

The Woo Family Brothers were so scared that they kowtowed in a frantic plea for mercy.

With a compassionate heart, Old Master Lian, upon retrieving the money, decided not to pursue the matter further, and drove the Woo Family Brothers out, telling them never to return. As for the recovered money, Old Master Lian kept half and gave the other half to the Zhou family father and daughter for their travel expenses home.

Everyone there commended Old Master Lian’s generous and kind handling of the matter. Old Master Lian perked up and had Lady Zhou and Lady Chiang prepare a meal to entertain the group. Once everything was satisfactorily resolved, everyone left happily.

The Lian Manman family naturally learned everything immediately.

"The Old Master said he’s not marrying off the head of the household anymore; he won’t change his mind, right?" Lady Zhang asked.

"Probably not," Lian Manman replied with a smile.

Old Master Lian, being old, would likely need a long time to recuperate after this ordeal. Moreover, with the incident’s news spread far and wide, even if he changed his mind, no one would broker a marriage for him.

"That daughter from the Zhou family is quite pitiful too," Lady Zhang spoke of Zhou Daniu.

"I think it’s fortunate she has this madness; otherwise, if the match had gone through, she would have suffered endlessly," said Zhang Caiyun.

Look at Lady Zhang and Lady Zhao’s previous experiences; one can only imagine the life a simple-minded girl would lead at the Old Mansion.

Old Master Zhou only saw the favorable conditions of the Old Mansion—ample food and drink, generosity from Old Master Lian. However, he was unaware it would be Lady Zhou managing the household post-marriage, not under Old Master Lian’s supervision.

The first snow of winter fell and ceased by dusk. A few days later, Zhang Qingnian and Lady Zhang Wang came to pick up Lady Li and Zhang Caiyun.

Xiao Long and Xiao Hu missed their grandmother, as did Lady Li miss Zhang Caiyun, recognizing opportunities to visit her natal family would be limited after marriage. Knowing she had stayed too long at her daughter’s, she thought it was time to return.

Lady Zhang had food prepared, and everyone chatted cozily on the warm kang. Lady Zhang Wang spoke of Lian Shouren’s engagement to a feeble-minded bride.

"Have you all heard about this?" Lady Zhang asked in surprise. Good news never goes beyond the door, but a bad thing spreads to every corner!

"Yes," Lady Zhang Wang nodded, "I also know about the Zhou family situation; it’s enough to frighten anyone."

Many events coincided today. Here’s the update for now; more will follow tomorrow to make up for it.

Thank you for last month’s unwavering support; it was splendid! Let’s continue to strive together this month.

Wishing everyone a happy Children’s Day, always retaining youth in heart and appearance.

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