Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 908 - 464: Questioning Responsibility

The first update, asking for pink tickets.

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Lian Manman suggested writing a letter to Taicang, and everyone nodded in agreement. They quickly set up a table on the kang, preparing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone. Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang sat on the edge of the kang while Lian Manman, Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi surrounded the table, with Wu Lang taking the pen to write the letter.

The letter was written from Wu Lang’s perspective, starting with a brief greeting, then diving into the main issue.

"...Cousin Jizu sent Grandmother back, deliberately taking a detour to avoid us. He then abandoned Grandmother alone at the old house and tried to rush back to Taicang using the small road. If not for the neighbors who informed us in time, Grandmother would have frozen and starved to death alone at the old house."

After briefly explaining the situation, the letter went on to question Lian Shouren, Lady Gu and their family, as well as Lian Shouyi, Lady He and their family.

Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi’s families, enjoying wealth and familial happiness in Taicang, had left their mother Lady Zhou alone and abandoned in the old hometown—was this their idea of filial piety?

"...Where is their conscience? Where is their righteousness? Where is their filial piety?"

"...Grandmother crawled to the doorstep, raising her face to the heavens and calling for thunder to strike, then called for the neighbors to witness her tragic plight. Many gathered at the old house’s doorstep, creating a spectacle in the Asia-Competition Marketplace. Listening to Grandmother recount the matters of Taicang and explain why she returned, everyone sighed sorrowfully while we grandchildren could only remain silent."

"Now, the name of the Lian Family has spread far and wide. Even though we grandchildren have long divided into separate households, we cannot help but feel ashamed."

"...Cousin Jizu has been left to serve Grandmother closely. As for the rest, we await Grandfather’s decision."

"Cousin Jizu, not even entering the door, left Father and Mother heartbroken, yet managed to enlighten them. Now, our eldest uncle holds an official position, their household scrambling to take concubines, gathering followers like clouds. Meanwhile, Father and Mother remain simple villagers scraping by in the fields, adhering to the rustic traditions of the countryside. The households of our uncles and ours are now worlds apart in status, conduct, and values, and we dare not aspire to associate with them. External discussions now distinguish between the Taicang Lian Family and the Archway Lian Family, as starkly different as river water and well water. This brings fortune to Grandfather, fortune to our uncles."

At the end of the letter, the children thoughtfully added one more sentence.

"For Grandfather’s future considerations, we have included transcriptions of Grandfather’s teachings from his family letters, so that eldest uncle, second uncle, eldest aunt, second aunt, and all our cousins may read them daily as a reminder never to forget Grandfather’s guidance—the foundation of moral conduct."

Wu Lang and Xiao Qi did indeed transcribe sections of Old Master Lian’s teachings directed to Lian Shouxin and attached them to the letter.

After finishing the letter, Wu Lang read it aloud to Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang.

"Yes, well-written." Lady Zhang nodded repeatedly as she heard Wu Lang stress in the letter that their family absolutely would not follow the customs of Taicang. Taicang, where one after another took concubines; refusing to learn from them and drawing clear distinctions—this was absolutely right.

Lian Shouxin nodded as well.

"Yes, the things your grandfather wrote are what your eldest uncle and second uncle need to learn carefully. Each and every decision they’ve made—what are they even doing? I feel embarrassed for them."

Wu Lang sealed the letter, and Lian Shouxin personally prepared the small ox cart to take Wu Lang to the town and find someone to deliver the letter.

At night, after dinner, the family sat on the warm kang chatting.

"I really find it hard to believe what your grandfather did," Lady Zhang spoke softly to Lian Shouxin.

"I also think something’s off. All these years, your grandfather’s not the kind of person to act like that. This afternoon, when I went to the town, I heard from others saying they couldn’t believe he would do such a thing either," Lian Shouxin replied.

Lian Manman, sitting nearby and overhearing, couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

"Father, didn’t we keep quiet about Grandfather’s matter? Grandmother scolded everyone outside, but she didn’t mention this specific matter. She only brought it up later inside the house. So how did others come to know about it so quickly?" Lian Manman asked.

"There’s no such thing as a wall that doesn’t let air through. That mouth of your grandmother’s," Lady Zhang replied, "I heard that this afternoon, your eldest aunt, and the Old Du family’s old lady from the back street, and the big-mouthed old lady from the front street all went to the old house. It must have been your grandmother who told them."

"Your eldest aunt might keep it quiet, but the other two? They’re famous gossipers."

"We should’ve reminded your grandmother not to spread the word," Lian Shouxin said.

"Would that have worked?" Lady Zhang retorted. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Exactly." Lian Manman nodded. With Grandmother Zhou’s personality, any dissatisfaction in her heart must be vented immediately. This matter, particularly, was a choking knot stuck in Grandmother Zhou’s throat. If scolding her sons and grandchildren didn’t satisfy her, and someone came to talk to her, she couldn’t help but vent and gossip. Even if she knew this matter reflected poorly on her reputation, she couldn’t hold back.

Furthermore, Zhou always had that temperament—whether pouring verbal abuse on her sons or daughters-in-law, she never considered that this also tarnished her own dignity.

In short, Zhou always considered herself the cleanest, most innocent party, while all the fault lay with others. Any disgrace was others’ disgrace, including everyone in the Lian Family or the whole world.

"What kind of nonsense is this?" Lian Manman frowned. "Father, next time anyone stops you to discuss this, doubting Grandfather could have done such a thing, just ignore them."

"Huh? ... Oh..." Lian Shouxin mulled it over.

What spreads fastest in this world? What do people enjoy the most? Good deeds don’t travel far, but bad news spreads a thousand miles—especially colorful scandals.

Even many people who gossip and spread such news don’t necessarily have ill intentions; they simply enjoy talking about it. It’s human nature, and there’s no way to change that.

"It’s truly aggravating." Lian Manman held her forehead.

"Father, Mother," Xiao Qi asked Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang, his cheeks puffed out as he munched on a handful of walnut kernels, "if Grandfather brings that person back, what should we call her?"

"Absolutely not," Lian Shouxin replied, though his tone betrayed his lack of confidence in his own words.

Lady Zhang glanced at Lian Shouxin but said nothing.

Xiao Qi turned to look at Lian Manman.

"Call her nothing. Don’t even bother with her!" Lian Manman said.

"Got it." Xiao Qi nodded.

"Are we waiting for Taicang’s reply?" Lady Zhang asked.

The children had written in the letter that they were awaiting Old Master Lian’s opinion on how to handle the situation.

"Your third uncle’s wife and Yeye said they wanted to move in, and the house has already been tidied. But they still haven’t moved, saying your third uncle doesn’t agree. He said if your grandmother hadn’t returned, they would move. But now that your grandmother has returned, moving in would look bad and provoke another round of scolding from your grandmother," Lady Zhang continued. "That’s why I’m asking. If your grandmother plans to stay long-term, your third uncle’s wife and Yeye won’t have an easy time."

"She won’t stay long," Lian Manman said confidently. Zhou, Lian Lanlan, and Lian Jizu—none of them would be able to last long here.

First, there’s Lian Lanlan, who has become accustomed to city life with hired help for manual labor. Staying here in the countryside and taking care of Zhou—she definitely wouldn’t be able to endure. Additionally, she couldn’t leave her own household behind for long.

Because of this, Lian Jizu’s suggestion to leave Lian Lanlan to take care of Zhou was completely irresponsible.

Second, there’s Lian Jizu, who’s never done any real labor. Having him serve Zhou would be unbearable for him.

Third, there’s Zhou herself—she didn’t want to return in the first place. Staying here, her primary concern would be her own household being taken over. She certainly wouldn’t let Lady Gu live freely, nor would she stop worrying about Lian Xiuxiu.

Lian Manman wanted them to leave soon so things could return to peace, but she still needed to be patient and couldn’t let them go too quickly.

"My third uncle too—what’s so bad about moving now? That house is vacant; they could just help watch over it. Now that people are living there, it’s better that they don’t have to. Moving out is the right thing to do. Besides, my grandmother has two people serving her now. In Thirty Mile Camp, you won’t find anyone her age with such dedicated care. The elderly in other households are all handling their tasks by themselves. Who has specially assigned people to serve them?" Lian Manman expressed her disbelief at Lian Shouli’s refusal to move out.

"That’s true," Lady Zhang agreed. "By the way, your third uncle’s wife came over earlier and said your grandmother was hugging your third uncle and crying."

"Oh..." Lian Manman stretched her voice and looked toward Lian Shouxin.

Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi also turned their eyes to Lian Shouxin.

"Why are you all looking at me?" Lian Shouxin felt uncomfortable being stared at. "Alright, I understand."

Having gone through so many incidents, Lian Shouxin knew what his wife and children meant.

"I know what to do. I can’t afford to offend her, but I can avoid her. ... Still, no matter what, she’s an elder. When it comes to food and other needs..."

"Obviously," Lady Zhang scolded him lightly.

Hearing Lian Shouxin’s resolution not to invite Zhou back to dominate their household again, Lady Zhang and the children all felt relieved.

The next morning, after breakfast, Lian Manman put on a loose cotton jacket, sat on the kang with Lian Zhizhi in the sunlight, each holding a bamboo frame, threaded colorful silk through needles, and embroidered handkerchiefs.

Lian Yeye came in from outside.

"Sister Manman, come with me to the store," Lian Yeye said to Lian Manman. "Big Aunt is here, looking for Fourth Uncle, saying Grandmother wants to go back to Taicang."

"Did Fourth Uncle agree?" Lian Manman paused her needlework and asked.

"Fourth Uncle didn’t agree. But I don’t think Fourth Uncle can win against Big Aunt," Lian Yeye said.

"Sis, you stay at home. I’ll go to the store and check things out."

Lian Manman thought for a moment, then put on her shoes and got off the kang.

Walking toward the store, Lian Yeye chatted with Lian Manman.

"...My father insisted on not moving. This morning, Grandmother called him over to start the fire. My father went to start the fire, and Grandmother then asked him to cook. Since my father had to go to work, he told my mother to do it..."

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One update sent for now; a second update will come tonight. Asking for pink tickets. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please go to Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)