Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 186 - 97: Facing Each Other_2
Lady Zhang’s complexion improved a bit after she had calmed down; she was truly infuriated just now.
"Oh dear, you two have no idea, when your aunt started talking nonsense, Mother was so angry she couldn’t think straight, did that scare you both?" Lady Zhang said to Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman.
The two children nodded and then shook their heads.
"Mother, you’re quite amazing," Lian Manman said.
"I was really angry," Lady Zhang said.
"Mother, that’s actually good," Lian Manman smiled. Indeed, the sight of Lady Zhang losing her temper to shield her daughters made her feel an extraordinary warmth.
In a courtyard like this, there were no secrets. The incident of Lady Zhang hitting Lady He was known by everyone within a short duration.
West Room of the Upper Room
"I knew it, her honesty was all an act. When she hit me, she was really vicious," Lady Gu subconsciously raised her hand to touch her mouth.
Upper Room East Room
Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu were first shocked, then silent.
"She’s getting more and more capable!" After a long silence, Lady Zhou said irritably.
Early the next morning, Lady Zhang got up and first cleaned out the ashes from the stove, placing them in a dust scoop to dump outside. As she reached the main gate, she saw Lian Xiuxiu returning after dumping out water, carrying an empty basin. The two encountered each other face-to-face.
Both of them stopped.
Lian Xiuxiu first lowered her head, not speaking, then after a moment, she lifted her head and quickly glanced at Lady Zhang, quickly averting her gaze, not daring to look directly at Lady Zhang.
"Sister-in-law," Lian Xiuxiu called out softly.
Lady Zhang paused for a moment before answering with an ’Ah.’ Even before the incident, it was usually she who greeted Lian Xiuxiu, for Lian Xiuxiu rarely took the initiative to say hello to her.
Lady Xiuxiu bowed her head again and walked past Lady Zhang.
When Lady Zhang returned after dumping the ashes, she still seemed a bit stunned.
Lian Manman stood in the courtyard, having seen everything, and followed Lady Zhang back into the room.
"Your aunt spoke to me," said Lady Zhang as she entered the room.
"Yes," Lian Manman smiled, "Yesterday, she wouldn’t even acknowledge you when she saw you."
Lady Zhang’s face took on a thoughtful expression.
"Mother, are you wondering why your sister-in-law suddenly spoke to you?" Lian Manman asked.
"I just can’t figure it out," Lady Zhang said, seeing Lian Manman smiling, she asked, "Manman, do you know why your aunt did that?"
"Mother, think about what you did yesterday?" Lian Manman said.
"I did a lot of things yesterday," Lady Zhang was perplexed.
"But there’s one thing that you had never done before," said Lian Manman.
"Manman, are you referring to the fact that I hit your second aunt?" Lady Zhang asked, "Your aunt, is it because of this that she spoke to me?"
Lady Zhang had unintentionally established her authority, and she wasn’t even aware of it.
"Aunt is afraid of you now, Mother," Lian Manman chuckled.
"Really? Your aunt is afraid of me and that’s why she spoke to me?" Lady Zhang found it hard to believe.
"Mother, it’s not fear, it’s respect," said Lian Manman.
Lady Zhang still couldn’t grasp it.
Lian Manman shook her head inwardly, the complexity of human hearts was something she could not fully explain either.
"Perhaps when the slap landed on your second aunt’s face, your sister-in-law suddenly had an epiphany, realizing her past mistakes, and felt guilty," suggested Lian Manman.
This time, Lady Zhang was even more disbelieving.
"You little rascal, even fooling your own mother," she said.
*****
After skipping one market day, Lian Manman prepared some twenty catties of garlic-flavored peanuts, and went to the market with Wu Lang and Xiao Qi to sell them. This time Lian Zhizhi did not accompany them, staying at home instead.
Along the way, Lian Manman listened intently to the conversations. Sure enough, there were still some who discussed the events of that day, but mostly about how the Shen Family’s evil servant had been overbearing, and how the master of the house got wind of it and meted out severe punishment, with the servant barely left breathing. Everyone unreservedly praised the Shen Family for their strict household management and impartiality, considering the Shen Family to be a family of benevolence and righteousness and a blessing to the residents of Qingzhou Prefecture.
The way Shen Liu handled the situation had garnered such favorable reputation for the Shen Family, and other matters were consequently overshadowed.
Lian Manman was thus reassured.
They continued as they did previously, selling peanuts in the market, and this time they sold out very quickly, within less than one Chinese hour, all twenty catties of peanuts had been sold. Weighing the somewhat heavy purse in her hand, Lian Manman discussed with Wu Lang and Xiao Qi what they might buy to take back home.
"The osmanthus cake we had at Brother Youheng’s house last time was good," Lian Manman suggested, "I heard it was made by that pastry shop on Liutiao Street, why don’t we buy some for everyone to try?"
Wu Lang and Xiao Qi both nodded in agreement.
