Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 895 - 457: Lian Manman Comes Up With an Idea
Second update, seeking pink votes.
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Lian Manman asked Yingzi’s father for proof, which put him in a tough spot.
"What proof? Isn’t this something everyone knows?" Yingzi’s father said.
"We don’t know," Lian Manman replied. "You just heard some gossip and dared to claim you’re the County Magistrate’s father-in-law? Do you know that such a lie is against the law?"
Lian Manman tried to scare Yingzi’s father.
"No, I have definite information," Yingzi’s father quickly responded.
"What kind of definite information?" Lian Manman pressed further.
"Uh..." Yingzi’s father seemed to hesitate but ultimately decided to speak, "Our Yingzi sent word through someone, and sent me some items as well. If this weren’t accurate, would I make it up?"
"When was this? Where is that person?" Lian Manman asked again.
"It was just the day before yesterday. The person was heading north for business and has already left," Yingzi’s father said.
It turned out Yingzi had sent a message home using this person. That messenger appeared to be a traveling merchant unfamiliar with Thirty Mile Camp and Qingyang Town; otherwise, such news would definitely have reached Lian Manman’s family.
"So there is such a person, but why didn’t you bring him to us that day? The man is gone now, and without confirmation, you can say whatever you want," said Lian Manman. There was no need to ask; it was certainly just a verbal message since neither Yingzi nor her family could read or write.
"No evidence, no grounds, and you dare come here pulling rank, asking for money? This is extortion, do you know?" Lian Manman’s tone hardened, "If you keep this up, we can call people over right now, tie you up at the Imperially Bestowed Archway in front of my house, and beat you to death without bearing any consequences."
Lian Manman continued threatening Yingzi’s father.
Earlier, Yingzi’s father claimed not to fear Scholar Wang, believing he had a son-in-law who was a County Magistrate. But now, hearing Lian Manman invoke the archway and talk about beating him to death, he feared her words.
"What I said is true," Yingzi’s father quickly added. "A relative told me. If you—if you really harm me, then even your Old Master wouldn’t be able to explain it, and wouldn’t you lose your reputation?"
Lian Manman saw Yingzi’s father weakening and knew her words had hit home, so she softened her tone slightly.
"Without evidence, we absolutely won’t acknowledge you," Lian Manman said to Yingzi’s father. "Bring proof, and everything will be negotiable."
"You’re so narrow-minded, only seeing what’s right in front of you. If you’re truly the County Magistrate’s father-in-law, would you need to come to our shop to work?"
"Do you know Old Zhao’s family in town? That’s part of my Brother Erlang’s in-laws. Their relationship with my uncle is several layers removed, but they go to Taicang repeatedly, and every time they return, they never come back empty-handed. Big bags, small bundles, yellow and white—it’s because of this that they’ve all prospered."
"And then there’s He Laoliu from West Village, my second aunt’s brother. His connection to my uncle is also much more distant. But he’s even savvier than the Zhao family. He went to Taicang and never returned, sticking by my uncle’s side. Now, he’s an official. Every time he shows up, he has attendants waiting on him, and even people in Taicang bow and kowtow, calling him Master He. The money he earns is uncountable, and I’ve heard he’s set up houses and land over there."
After saying all this, Lian Manman saw Yingzi’s father listening intently, his face showing obvious envy, which made her chuckle inwardly.
"Did Yingzi tell you to go to Taicang?" Lian Manman asked Yingzi’s father.
"Uh..." Yingzi’s father had no response.
"I bet the messenger sent to you was bribed to hide what they knew, keeping you from heading to Taicang," Lian Manman added.
Yingzi’s father’s wide eyes shifted rapidly.
"Keep me from going? Who would do that?"
"Is that even a question?" Lian Manman responded. "This is offensive to even say aloud; if it were anyone else, I wouldn’t tell them."
With these words, Yingzi’s father craned his neck, eager for an answer.
"Think about it: if you go, with your relationship to the County Magistrate, wouldn’t everyone else have to step aside?" Lian Manman began enlightening Yingzi’s father. "Wouldn’t all the reputable jobs and profitable opportunities be given to you?"
"Of course!" Yingzi’s father declared immediately.
"There you have it. Think about how many people wouldn’t want you to go," Lian Manman said. "It’s definitely those people who told the messenger to direct you to come looking for us instead."
While Yingzi’s father remained silent, it was obvious from his expression that Lian Manman’s deductions were likely accurate.
"You’ve been fooled," Lian Manman concluded. "By coming to us, how much advantage can you really gain? On the contrary, if we’re upset, we can tie you up at the archway and beat you to death there, leaving you to die in vain while others reap all the benefits."
"I also advise you: every day you waste here is a day of lost silver coins, allowing others to profit at your expense," Lian Manman said, carefully studying Yingzi’s father as she threw out one final provocation.
A shallow-minded man like him, who cared deeply about being taken advantage of, would be more distressed by this than by anything else.
Indeed, after hearing her words, Yingzi’s father’s face flushed red, his nostrils flaring as he took large breaths. Without needing further prompting, he left on his own two legs.
"Let me give you a tip," Lian Manman said privately as she followed him. "If you want to go to Taicang, ask Old Zhao’s family in town to bring you along. If that doesn’t work, head to the county seat and find the Song Family to ask for Lian Huahua. If what you said is true, then Lian Huahua is now your ’legitimate’ ’granddaughter.’ How could she not help you?"
"If she doesn’t help, you can cause a scene right at their front door. They’re your proper relatives; no one can stop you from raising hell. If you have time, you can also try looking for Huahua’s eldest aunt."
"These people frequently travel to Taicang. If you find them, they’ll surely treat you well."
"It’s only three hundred miles away; you can absolutely manage it. Once you reach Taicang, your fortunes will turn around."
With these manipulative remarks, Lian Manman sent Yingzi’s father decisively out the door. She let out a sigh of relief as she turned back, only to find Lian Shouxin, Xiao Qi, Lian Yeye, and Lian Zhizhi all staring at her, stunned.
"Sister Manman, you’re so persuasive. Yingzi’s father left just like that after listening to you," Lian Yeye said.
"There really was no other way," Lian Manman replied. Beating Yingzi’s father would only bring trouble, leaving her family unable to reconcile such an act.
Having already manipulated He Laoliu’s wife once before, doing this a second time didn’t feel quite as difficult.
Moreover, why should the troublemakers from Taicang constantly disrupt their lives while her family merely dealt with the consequences passively? This time, by pointing Yingzi’s father toward those frequent instigators, they could take on the complications themselves, perhaps deterring them from causing further trouble in the future.
Leaving the shop, Lian Yeye headed back to the old house while Lian Shouxin, Lian Zhizhi, Lian Manman, and Xiao Qi returned to their new home.
"Father, you shouldn’t have let him in. Seeing what he called you, you should have smacked him," Lian Manman complained to Lian Shouxin.
"It felt improper," Lian Shouxin said with a conflicted expression.
"Father, when I wrote that reply to Grandpa the other day, you were unhappy, saying you were worried about saving face for Grandpa and Uncle. Now Yingzi’s father came to us, and you still think the same way?" Lian Manman questioned Lian Shouxin.
"Did Taicang suggest he come to us?" Lian Shouxin frowned.
Regardless of whether Taicang provided the idea, this trouble undoubtedly came from there. The reply to Old Master Lian was too kind and indirect.
"Otherwise, why would he come to us knowing there’s a share?" Lian Manman thought but refrained from saying.
"What a mess!" Lian Shouxin stomped his feet.
Back home, Lian Manman recounted the event to Lady Zhang, who was equally infuriated.
"We never expect anything good from them, but why should their nonsense always fall on us to resolve?" Lady Zhang remarked.
The women then turned to look at Lian Shouxin.
"What can I do about it?" Lian Shouxin said, pulling a miserable face.
"Father, you keep saying that. Why don’t you consider that if you were tougher with Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, and the others, making it clear we’re not easy to push around, they wouldn’t dare mess with us? Wouldn’t all the trouble disappear then?" Lian Manman said.
"I..." Lian Shouxin started but couldn’t continue.
At this point, Lian Shouxin realized he couldn’t handle his father, Lady Zhou, Lian Shouren, or Lian Shouyi—his close relatives who’d always been ruthless toward him. His own soft heart, thin skin, and naivety caused harm not only to himself but also to his wife and children.
"I’ve figured it out. My feelings toward them have cooled completely. From now on, I’ll listen to you all," Lian Shouxin said.
Unity within the family was a good start. For Lian Shouxin to be firm with the Taicang group wouldn’t happen overnight, given his personality.
"For future situations like this, we’ll use Manman’s method," Lady Zhang said.
"Yes, this approach works. I’ve learned it," Xiao Qi said.
"Do you think Yingzi’s father will actually go to Taicang this time?" Lian Shouxin asked.
"Of course," Lian Manman said confidently. She had directed Yingzi’s father to the quickest way to Taicang.
Or rather, only the first option was truly viable.
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Here’s the second update, seeking pink votes.
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Ruoyan’s completed farming novel recommendation:
Book title: "Rebirth: Flowers and Full Moons" (Complete Text and Extras) (Straight link below—click to jump directly) 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
Summary: A woman wakes up in a new life, being wrongfully accused of losing her honor, abandoned as a wife but with a child in tow. She begins a sweet life with down-to-earth, marriage-material man. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation.)
