Additional updates, begging for fans.

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The Lian Manman family is very clear about this, and Old Master Lian’s heart is as clear as a mirror.

In comparison, taking on the livelihood of a household of a dozen people is a trivial matter.

The Lian Manman family had rehearsed countless scenarios for when people from Taicang’s Upper Room would return, and this was one of the outcomes they anticipated. Moreover, Wu Lang and Lian Manman had dissected and analyzed this scenario with Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang.

So, when Lian Shouxin saw Old Master Lian persisting so much, and adopting such an attitude, he was heartbroken.

Lian Manman’s eyes did not blink as she looked at Old Master Lian. Lian Shouxin was so heartbroken, yet still kindly refrained from speaking out. So, what would Old Master Lian do next?

Old Master Lian also shed tears.

Old Master Lian was never fat, and now he was so thin he was almost skin and bones, making his old clothes look somewhat large, and his face was covered with wrinkles.

Seeing an old man like this cry would naturally stir compassion in others. But thinking of his actions, Lian Manman couldn’t bring herself to sympathize.

"Old Fourth, we’ve fallen on hard times. Old Fourth, we’re blood relatives, can you bear it!... If you don’t let us bow before the archway today, how can we establish ourselves in this village?... The imperial grace is boundless, can’t you let us blood relatives share just a little? You can’t stop others, Old Fourth." Old Master Lian bent down, helped Lian Shouxin up, and said tremblingly.

"Old Fourth, we’re a family of blood, only in times of crisis do you see true characters..." Old Master Lian patted Lian Shouxin’s shoulder, speaking earnestly.

Old Master Lian was a wise man, but at this moment, he continued to feign ignorance.

Seeing this, Lian Manman hesitated no more.

"Grandpa, look at how my father is now, how can you be so heartless to push him? Look at the blisters in his mouth, healing old ones only for new ones to appear, look at his eyes, they’re sunken in. Why is my father like this? Since hearing about the matter over there, what kind of days has my father been living, almost losing half his life, isn’t that enough? Do you want my father to pay with his life, all of us to pay with our lives, before you’ll be satisfied?"

Lian Manman was furious.

With her outburst, Old Master Lian, Lady Zhou, and the others in the Upper Room all fell silent.

Old Master Lian opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something.

"Grandpa, you’re probably tired from the journey and didn’t understand what we meant. You and Grandma can bow to the archway whenever you want." After her outburst, Lian Manman slightly softened her tone and said clearly, "As for my uncles, we dare not let them bow."

Old Master Lian was insistent on binding Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi to compel Lian Shouxin to submit, and Lian Manman decided to speak plainly.

"You’re not in trouble, you broke the law. Until we clarify the situation, we ask that Uncle and Second Uncle go home and live honestly. Once we understand the matter, if Uncle and Second Uncle are innocent, it won’t be too late to bow to the archway then. If you’re not innocent, you won’t have the privilege to bow to the Imperially Bestowed Archway in this lifetime." Lian Manman said loudly.

"That’s right." Someone from the back of the crowd shouted in agreement.

"Brother, my brother has returned." Lian Manman said joyfully.

Wu Lang, speaking, jumped down from the mule, parted the crowd, and walked over. He had sent Xiao Qi to school, lingered in town with the private school teacher and fellow students, and upon hearing news of people returning from Taicang, he hurried back.

Wu Lang approached without greeting Lian Shouren or Lian Shouyi, only saluting Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.

"Grandpa, Grandma, it’s inconvenient to talk outside. In a moment, I’ll invite you inside, and then my grandson will pay his respects properly." After these words to Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, Wu Lang turned to face Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi, and the others.

"Uncle, Second Uncle, what Manman said represents my thoughts. Always trying to take shortcuts, avoiding hardship, haven’t you fallen hard enough this time? Go home, reflect earnestly, and live upright lives. As long as you act righteously, with a clear conscience, there are countless people in this world without the protection of an Imperially Bestowed Archway, yet they still walk tall with pride." Wu Lang’s words were firm.