The second watch, asking for pinks.

****......***

After the banquet, Song Hailong was tactful enough to take his leave first. Zhang Qingshan’s family didn’t rush to leave; they all sat around on the brick bed, chatting about everyday matters.

"It’s my eldest grandson who’s really something." Zhang Qingshan was in high spirits, having drunk a bit too much today. Even when suggested to take a nap, he refused, eager to keep talking. "He just took the exams and became a scholar. Not that I want to say anything, but those from your big house aren’t even worthy of carrying his shoes."

Lady Zhang quickly cast a glance at Lian Shouxin.

"Your father drank too much, he’s not even aware of what he’s saying." Lady Li mediated.

"Dad, take a quick nap so we can leave later," Zhang Qingnian urged, supporting Zhang Qingshan to lie down and stop talking.

Zhang Qingshan stubbornly shook off Zhang Qingnian’s hand and was about to speak again.

"Earlier, big sister mentioned something about two fruit trees not looking right. Why don’t you let brother-in-law take you to see what’s up," Lady Zhang Wang signaled to Zhang Qingnian.

Unable to control the drunken Zhang Qingshan, they decided to remove Lian Shouxin from the situation, preventing further awkwardness from Zhang Qingshan’s words. The Zhang family knew well that despite everything, Lian Shouxin was still very protective of his kin.

Zhang Qingnian and Lian Shouxin went out.

"You drank too much, saying whatever’s on your mind! There are some things we should just keep to ourselves. After all, they’re still blood brothers. It’s not easy for our daughter and her kids to make something of themselves, don’t let a single word of ours cause any rift between them and our son-in-law." Once Lian Shouxin was out, Lady Li began to chastise Zhang Qingshan.

"I just said one thing, didn’t say anything else," Zhang Qingshan chuckled twice. "I was just testing him. See, he didn’t react much."

"Even if it’s true, it’s not something that should come out of our mouths," Lady Li countered.

"Okay, okay, I drank too much, that’s all. I won’t say anymore." Zhang Qingshan grinned and lay down on the bed, snoring soon after.

Lian Manman blinked as she watched from the side. Zhang Qingshan was the typical Liaodong man, righteous, bold, and decisive. Lady Li, on the other hand, was unlike most forthright Liaodong women, always gentle, never willing to speak harshly to anyone. Lian Manman always thought that in the Zhang family, Zhang Qingshan was absolutely in charge, with Lady Li completely compliant.

But now it seems not entirely so. Lady Li appeared to adhere more to rules and etiquette, influencing Zhang Qingshan by her standards, perfectly embodying strength through gentleness.

With Zhang Qingshan asleep on the bed, Lady Zhang sent the children out, then sat at the edge of the bed with Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang, talking quietly.

"...if such a thing happened, it’s quite embarrassing." After listening to Lady Zhang’s murmurings for a while, both Lady Zhang Wang and Lady Li showed expressions of surprise.

"Some people just can’t be at peace, causing trouble even from a distance. They still manage to affect you too, sigh." Lady Li frowned and sighed.

"During the Dragon Boat Festival, we didn’t send anything to them. Since they didn’t write to us, we didn’t contact them either. I feel uneasy, always questioning myself if this is right, with the parents still there. No matter how they treat us, they’re still our children’s grandparents. Hearing about this incident, I broke out in cold sweat. Not keeping in touch was the right decision," Lady Zhang said softly.

"I’ve thought about what to do by Mid-Autumn Festival. We’ll send nothing and cut ties with them. If anyone wants to criticize, let them criticize me. Everyone knows I’m the one handling family matters now. I’ll recount all they’ve done to me, and that’ll explain any criticism later."

"My kids were born of me and haven’t had it easy from the day they were born. I might not be talented, but I can shield them from these matters. That’s something I can do."

"It’s tough for the kids having us as their parents."

"Elder sister, don’t say that," Lady Zhang Wang quickly comforted Lady Zhang, "Think more about happy things. The kids are all understanding, and now Wu Lang has achieved success. You can look forward to enjoying life, sister." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Don’t talk about cutting ties outside anymore," Lady Li considered and said, "Coming across something like this, there’s no perfect solution. It’s impossible to address everything thoroughly. No matter what, the kids mustn’t be negatively impacted; ensuring that is right."

"When we arranged this marriage, your father said your father-in-law was a decent person. Judging by your mother-in-law, she seemed strong and straightforward, but also appeared to be sensible. Who knew that once you entered their house, you’d be treated poorly by your mother-in-law? We followed the old ways, thinking it was right to serve your in-laws, that enduring some hardship would eventually win their respect leading to harmony. Who knew..."

"When you were in trouble, your father and I couldn’t sleep all night. Your father regretted it to the point of anguish. You didn’t know this, but many times he got up at night claiming to go collect manure, but he was really coming to check on you. Only after hearing you’re doing better would he feel relieved enough to return."

"But what could we do? Throughout these years, you’ve lived with a good husband, patient and with lovely kids. We were delighted when you could separate and live independently..."

This was something Lady Li had held in her heart for long but never mentioned. Only now, with Wu Lang passing the scholar exams and being able to support the household, was she willing to speak it out.

"Having a good husband and such understanding, successful kids is a rare blessing. As for the other issues, they can’t be helped. If you’ve made up your mind, stick with it."

"Mm." Lady Zhang nodded. She chatted with Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang about these matters, not really expecting to find a solution. As Lady Li said, this situation just landed on their laps; the father-son and sibling relationships are there, and no approach is perfect. She just needed to vent these thoughts and couldn’t share them with outsiders, so it felt relieving to talk with her own family.

"Your Upper Room made a mess with this marriage to the Old Zhao family," Lady Zhang Wang commented.

"Isn’t it because Erlang is getting older, and his second uncle and aunt were drawn to the big dowry?" Lady Zhang replied.

"I don’t think Erlang is lacking in anything physically; he’s pretty decent. Why is it said he’s too old to find a wife?" Lady Zhang Wang questioned.

"Isn’t it because we spent all the money supporting his older uncle and Jizu’s education, leaving us poor?" Lady Zhang explained.

Lady Zhang Wang and Lady Zhang glanced at each other and smiled, realizing it was an endless cycle of reasoning with no solution.

Once Zhang Qingshan woke up, the family was preparing to leave, and Lady Zhang had already prepared the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts: two boxes of premium pastries Wu Lang brought from Prefecture City, two rolls of high-quality silk, two rolls of deep blue cloth, two jars of wine, ten pounds of meat, fifty pounds of wheat flour ground by Manman’s family, twenty pounds of rice, and some lotus seeds, fox nuts, water chestnuts, and lotus roots from the Lotus Pond.

Because the Zhang family’s gift was generous, Manman’s family also reciprocated with more lavish festival gifts.

After sending off Zhang Qingshan’s family, Lian Manman placed a small table on the kang (heated brick bed), setting out account books, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

"Dad, Mom, Sister, Brother, Xiao Qi, there are some matters we need to discuss," Lian Manman gathered all the family members and began.

"What do we need to discuss? Is it about the autumn harvest?" Lady Zhang asked.

"The autumn harvest can wait; we have more important matters to discuss," Lian Manman said.

The family gathered around, looking at Lian Manman, eager to hear what important matters she wanted to discuss.

"I’ve actually been planning this for a while, but felt it wasn’t the right time. Now things are different; my brother is a Scholar Master. Some things were difficult to handle in the past, but now they are timely and must be addressed promptly," she continued.

"Sister, what exactly is it?" Xiao Qi asked.

"Firstly, about Lian’s Shop, shouldn’t we hire a shopkeeper?" Lian Manman stated, "And we also need an accountant."

Lian’s Shop had always been managed by the family themselves, but with more fields, a lotus pond, and a fish pond, it sometimes became overwhelming. Lian Manman had considered hiring people before, but hadn’t acted on it due to the family’s humble status.

Hiring a shopkeeper and accountant would require capable and efficient individuals.

Lian Manman worried about whether she could manage such individuals. It wasn’t a lack of confidence in her abilities, but rather the deeply ingrained social hierarchy.

With Wu Lang’s status as a scholar, everything became simpler and more logical.

Having a shopkeeper and accountant manage Lian’s Shop would allow the family to shift entirely to the role of proprietors, which was fitting given Wu Lang’s status change.

Understanding her reasoning, the family had no objections.

"I’ll head to town later and ask Jiaxing to help us find suitable candidates quickly," Lian Shouxin stated.

"It’s not just about that; there’s also the matter within our household. Shouldn’t we hire a butler, and maybe an attendant or servant for my brother?" Lian Manman continued, "These people can’t be temporary laborers; even long-term workers won’t do. They must be purchased with a servitude contract."

"Manman, are you saying we need to buy people?" Lady Zhang’s eyes widened.

"Yes," Lian Manman confirmed with a nod.

"... In the future, there will definitely be a lot of comings and goings at our home. Having a butler to handle guests makes things presentable and straightforward. Also, when my brother goes out, whether to Prefecture City for study or to visit, he should have someone to serve or run errands for him," Lian Manman explained.

*****......*****

Offering a second update, seeking votes.

Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, and I’ve had no time for writing in recent days, only squeezing in some time from my sleep. Please bear with Ruoyan’s panda eyes. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)