Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 877 - 448: Disturbance
Second update, begging for pinks.
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Making steamed buns and pickled vegetables is a must-do for tenant farmers come winter, but it’s not the same in the city. Typically, people living in the city don’t make their own buns or pickled vegetables; if they want some, they can easily buy them from outside vendors.
According to the old rule set by Lady Zhou of the Lian Family, every year in the twelfth lunar month, the best steamed buns, pickled vegetables, and a few slabs of frozen tofu must be prepared and sent to Lian Lanlan’s household in Jinyang County Town. As Lady Zhou says, Lian Lanlan happens to have such a poor maternal family that there are no finer goods to offer, only these rustic items from the countryside.
This represents the Lian Family’s emphasis on respect for their married-off daughters. Of course, this is Lady Zhou’s own daughter. Observing the treatment received by the several girls of the Lian Family’s younger generation at home, one can imagine that when girls like Lian Zhizhi, Lian Manman, and Lian Yeye marry off, they certainly will not receive the same treatment.
Lady Zhou fully tramples the daughters-in-law underfoot; her daughters are naturally more noble than the daughters of the daughters-in-law.
Of course, every New Year, Lian Lanlan also brings gifts back to Thirty Mile Camp to visit Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.
Lian Manman inwardly dislikes the differential treatment Lady Zhou shows between daughters and granddaughters, but, to be fair, she doesn’t oppose the customary exchanges between the maternal family and the married-off daughters.
Old Master Lian has written this letter, asking Lian Shouxin and Lian Shouli not to forget to send New Year goods to Lian Lanlan, likely aiming for more unity among his children and for their interactions to be more harmonious and joyful, not to leave Lian Lanlan out in the cold once the old couple passes away.
Lian Manman has no objections to whatever Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou want to send to Lian Lanlan. If Lian Lanlan behaves well, she doesn’t mind sending some goods over as well.
But clearly, things are not that simple.
After a prolonged silence in the room, Lian Shouxin is the first to speak.
"What shall we send for Sanlang’s wedding?" Lian Shouxin asks Lady Zhang.
"Follow what we did for Erlang’s wedding and add a bit more... Whether Sanlang’s marriage by joining the Wang Family is good or bad, only time will tell. That Miss Wang Qi looks forthright, but Sanlang is mild-mannered; I hope she doesn’t bully him in the future. The Wang Family does lead a good life indeed," Lady Zhang says slowly.
Eating from the same pot, Lady Zhang watched Sanlang grow up, and as she’s naturally caring, she truly worries about Sanlang’s future life.
"You decide on this," Lian Shouxin says, "Tell me, what should we send to Taicang this year, as mentioned by your third uncle earlier?"
"I’ve told you before, I’m not going to Taicang," Lady Zhang says, "If you want to go, go by yourself."
"Why would I go? Especially during the New Year, the house can’t do without me," Lian Shouxin says, "These steamed buns, frozen tofu, pickles, and such, they’re all heavy stuff; who to entrust with delivering them is quite the issue."
The so-called "heavy stuff" refers to goods being dense and weighty.
"Why bother asking others to bring them? Just deliver them yourself," Lady Zhang suddenly says with a cold laugh.
With a sudden change in Lady Zhang’s demeanor, Lian Manman keenly senses that Lady Zhang is about to flare up. Lian Manman quickly gestures to Wu Lang, Xiao Qi, and Lian Zhizhi, and the four children climb down from the kang bed and quietly leave the room, with Lian Manman closing the door behind them.
No sooner did Lian Manman close the door than Lady Zhang’s voice could be heard rising again from inside the room.
"Haven’t seen each other in months, don’t you miss your father and mother? Don’t worry about us; just go if you need to. Go and be sweet to your father and mother. Your eldest brother has become the County Magistrate; everyone’s enjoying the good life there. Once you leave this time, you don’t need to come back, just stay there and enjoy the good life with them," Lady Zhang’s tone is somewhat unusual.
"What’s this all about? I haven’t said anything, so why are you suddenly angry with me?" A confused Lian Shouxin says, "I’m not saying it’s you, but your temper has grown so much over the past six months."
Lian Manman, Wu Lang, Xiao Qi, and Lian Zhizhi stand outside the door, none of them walking away. The children crowd together, pressing their ears to the door to listen to the movements inside.
"If my temper is bad, go find someone better," Lady Zhang raises her voice, "Was my temper like this only for a day or two? I’ve always been this way; why didn’t you notice before, and only now you see it has grown? You’re different now than you were before; you’re Old Fourth Master Lian, with a father and mother above who are Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother, an eldest brother who embodies the County Magistrate, a second brother who’s very capable, and even the Imperially Bestowed Archway at our doorstep bears your name."
