Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 878 - 448 Disturbance_2
"You think you’re something special now, as if you’re Old Fourth Master Lian! You look down on me, as it should be. Why even suffer through these depressing days with me? Go to Taicang, find your father, your mother, your precious elder brothers, and let them find you a gentle and beautiful girl. Don’t even bother taking a concubine; just divorce me and let someone else enter the household with dignity. You alone can’t manage it, but with your powerful brothers, who knows, they might even find you someone with a hefty dowry..."
Lian Shouxin was more and more confused as he listened, and quickly defended himself.
"Wife, where are these words coming from? Did you hear some idle gossip? There’s nothing to gossip about. I haven’t been going far, just around here, and everyone knows whom I see and talk to every day. Even if any woman talks to me, it’s just a greeting. If there are women with bad reputations in our village, I definitely avoid them. You know me, I would never engage in improper affairs."
Lian Shouxin thought about it and figured that someone must have been gossiping in front of Lady Zhang, suggesting he had an affair.
’Affair’ is a rural dialect from Thirty Mile Camp, generally referring to married men or women engaging in extramarital affairs.
"Wife, we’ve been through so many years together. If you don’t trust anything else, at least trust this about me. You know how I’ve treated you over the years. I would never do anything to wrong you. Our family is doing well, I have daughters and sons; why would I mess that up? Even if I don’t care about my own reputation, I can’t let others ridicule you, or let our children be ashamed because of me."
To reassure Lady Zhang, Lian Shouxin pled earnestly and patted his chest to show his loyalty.
His words were heartfelt, and Lady Zhang began to sob softly.
Hearing Lady Zhang’s crying, the children exchanged glances outside the door. Lian Manman shook her head; it was not their turn to step in yet. It had to be Lian Shouxin who consoled Lady Zhang this time.
Lady Zhang’s sudden outburst at Lian Shouxin, which seemed somewhat unreasonable, was out of character for her.
Lian Manman recalled how Lady Zhang seemed distressed and lost in her thoughts after Lady Wu Wang left.
This was because Lian Shouren had taken a concubine, and it was Lady Zhou who arranged it. This act went against Lady Zhang’s moral principles and made her feel threatened.
Even if Lady Zhang didn’t voice it, she understood why Lady Zhou suddenly made decisions about concubines—to control the daughters-in-law. If Lady Zhou could treat Lady Gu this way, she could do the same to her. She knew that no matter how much she tried to please, Lady Zhou would never favor her as a daughter-in-law.
The recent incidents at Taicang made Lady Zhang realize the true nature of the people in the Main House, and she completely lost trust in them.
The precedent of Lian Shouren taking a concubine opened up the possibility that, to gain leverage or personal benefits, figures such as Lady Zhou, Lian Shouren, and Lian Shouyi might do the same to Lian Shouxin. Even Old Master Lian, though displeased, could not stop them.
Lady Zhang had always been virtuous, but her background and surrounding circumstances dictated, her virtue did not include allowing her husband to take a concubine.
Driven by a sense of crisis and disdain for the actions of the Main House, Lady Zhang exploded at Lian Shouxin.
Lian Shouxin, in the house, was at his wits’ end. Despite numerous attempts to appease Lady Zhang with kind words, none were effective, and it seemed like she wanted to cry out years of frustration.
"What exactly is the matter? At least let me understand. Even officials need to clarify charges before sentencing someone to prison." Lian Shouxin was both helpless and anxious.
"The old lady got your elder brother a concubine." Lady Zhang finally said.
"What?" Lian Shouxin was shocked.
"What do you mean ’what’? You might as well rejoice too. Now that your elder brother has one, it won’t be long before the old lady thinks of you. Aren’t you her son as well? You don’t have an official position now, but you do have some wealth. Hurry up, get yourself ready, and head to Taicang, don’t miss out on your good fortune." Lady Zhang said, still somewhat sobbing.
At this moment, Lian Shouxin finally understood why Lady Zhang was so furious with him. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
"Is this true?" Lian Shouxin asked, "His father didn’t mention it in the letter."
Considering Lian Shouxin’s background and circumstances, taking concubines was another world’s matter for him. Moreover, since Old Master Lian didn’t mention it in the letter, it was reasonable for Lian Shouxin to express doubt.
But today, Lady Zhang was not so understanding.
"If you don’t believe me, why don’t you go to Taicang and see for yourself?" Lady Zhang was still pushing Lian Shouxin to go to Taicang.
"Why would I go to Taicang? I’m not going." Lian Shouxin said, feeling helpless before the prickly Lady Zhang.
"Hmph." Lady Zhang snorted.
"Wife, you don’t have to be so upset over this." Lian Shouxin sat down next to her, "I have no other love but you. We are wedded husband and wife, and no one can tear us apart. Even if his mother has this intention, and actually arranges something, I would never agree. It’s a deed that lacks conscience, I can’t betray you. No matter the time, no matter how we change, no matter who speaks of this, even if the sky falls down, I absolutely cannot do it."
"The sun hangs there, and I swear to you. If I break my words today, may I be covered with sores and be struck by lightning..." Lian Shouxin raised his hand and swore.
****...****
Delivering the second update, seeking support in pink.
(Lady Zhang also learned how to make a fuss; Lian Shouxin doesn’t focus on verifying the source or truth of the news but first shows his loyalty to dispel Lady Zhang’s concerns, thus he is not particularly foolish or hopeless.)
(Because of the Main House’s lack of support, or perhaps too much interference, we see Lian Shouxin’s position within the household rapidly declining O(∩_∩))
Tonight, the double pink support event is ending, asking everyone for their pink support. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, we welcome you to recommend and vote at qidian.com, your support is my greatest motivation.)
