Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1474 - 750: Little Schemes

"Yes, we have them, we have them." Lady Zhang couldn’t stop smiling and asked Lian Manman, "Manman, what does ’Lady of Respect’ mean?"

Lian Shouxin was conferred the title of Middle Secretary of the Seventh Rank, and with this rank, his wife could also receive the title. Corresponding to the Seventh Rank title is ’Lady of Respect’, which implies an Imperial Decree. Of course, strictly speaking, the wife of a Seventh Rank official should be called an Imperial Order holder. But that’s just a formal distinction in books; generally, they are uniformly referred to as Imperial Decree holders.

"Mother, from now on, you’re also an official, just like my father, at the Seventh Rank." Lian Manman explained to Lady Zhang, seeing she still didn’t quite understand, she added further, "Mother, this means you’re like the Magistrate’s wife now."

"Mother, you’re not an ordinary person anymore." Lian Manman leaned in and whispered to Lady Zhang, "From now on, when Grandma sees you, she’s a commoner, you’re an official, she should bow to you."

"What!" Lady Zhang was startled but also showed joy in her expression.

"...That’s not necessary, no matter what, she’s still an elder..." Lady Zhang glanced at Lian Shouxin and quickly said.

"Hehe," Lian Manman laughed, "She should kneel and bow to you. If you don’t allow it, that’s another matter... If she insults you again, that’s an offense against an Imperial Appointed Officer, a grave crime, she could be beaten and imprisoned."

"...Even now, she wouldn’t dare to scold me to my face." Hearing Lian Manman’s words, Lady Zhang felt a bit delighted.

Having Lady Zhou kneel and bow to her, Lady Zhang had never thought of such a thing. She’s that kind of person; no matter how excessive Lady Zhou was, she always felt Lady Zhou was an elder and her mother-in-law. However, knowing that Lady Zhou could no longer insult her made her very happy.

"Even muttering behind is not allowed, that’s the same crime." Lian Manman said.

"She probably doesn’t understand this." Lady Zhang remarked. Whether the insults were in person or behind her back, Lady Zhang was always concerned about it.

"When we get back, we’ll send someone to tell her. It’s for her good, so she won’t have to go to the Yamen at such an old age." Lian Manman said.

At this time, saying such things was mostly to make Lady Zhang happy. Of course, she was particularly happy too. With Lian Shouxin being appointed as Middle Secretary, the status of their family was different, even if she didn’t have any separate title herself, that was enough to make her happy.

In this era, the only independent title given to women was the Arch of Chastity, which she didn’t want. Whether the honor was given to Wu Lang, Xiao Qi, or Lian Shouxin, she benefited from it all the same.

Lady Zhang heard Lian Manman’s words but neither nodded nor shook her head. However, her expression made it clear that she very much agreed with this.

The family was overjoyed. Lian Manman suggested they quickly prepare the official robes for Lian Shouxin and the Phoenix Crown and Rosy Clouds Robe for Lady Zhang.

"I’ve already prepared everything," Wu Lang said, "otherwise, we wouldn’t be telling everyone just now."

In this era, ready-made official robes for all ranks were available in clothing shops, and Phoenix Crown and Rosy Clouds Robe could also be bought off-the-rack. Wu Lang wanted to give everyone a surprise and had secretly arranged for everything to be prepared properly in advance.

As he spoke, Wu Lang had someone bring in Lian Shouxin’s official robes and Lady Zhang’s Phoenix Crown and Rosy Clouds Robe. The family had been getting clothes made frequently in the past two years, so all the measurements were readily available. Moreover, the styles of the official robes and the Phoenix Crown and Rosy Clouds Robe were meant to be loose-fitting. After trying them on, both Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang found them to be a perfect fit, and both of them felt more grateful and touched by Wu Lang’s thoughtfulness.

In the evening, there was a banquet at the Shen Mansion. Shen Liu had already instructed that Wu Lang should attend. Just before, when Wu Lang returned after bidding farewell to Shen Liu, Shen Liu specifically asked him to bring Xiao Qi along to the banquet.

"This time, it’s not just our family being granted honors; Sixth Master plans to have someone come at an auspicious time tomorrow morning to announce the decree." Wu Lang told everyone.

"Good, good." Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang both agreed, as this gave the family more time to prepare.

In the evening, Lian Shouxin, Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, and Lian Manman had dinner at home, while Wu Lang and Xiao Qi, dressed smartly, went to the Shen Family. Although the decree hadn’t been received yet, this joyful event was already set in stone. Naturally, the family was delighted, and they instructed the kitchen to prepare an especially sumptuous meal. Lian Shouxin also brought out a jar of good wine, and he and Lady Zhang each had two cups, while Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman each had a small cup.

After dinner, the family waited until Wu Lang and Xiao Qi returned from the banquet before each went to their own rooms to sleep. Xiao Qi wanted to be close to Wu Lang, so he refused to stay with Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang that night, opting instead to sleep in the study with Wu Lang.