Not only Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi and others, but even Old Master Lian lowered his head.

"Han Zhong, see the guests out." Wu Lang waved at Han Zhong and instructed.

In Lian Manman’s eyes, Wu Lang’s back appeared incredibly towering at this moment. Despite his young age, Wu Lang was already quite a dependable man.

Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi’s group were still in a daze. They took two steps back, but were still somewhat unwilling, all looking toward Old Master Lian.

Old Master Lian lowered his head and weakly waved his hand toward Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi.

Someone began to cry mournfully, then Niuniu also cried. The women in the Upper Room seemed to be affected, and they all started crying as well.

"Oh my, what’s there to cry about? After committing such a big crime, they all came back safe and sound, keeping their lives, which is a great fortune. Returning home, don’t they still have a house and land? What’s the point in crying like this?" Sometime around now, a crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle, and a man’s voice loudly mocked.

"Why cry? They are just used to living like fancy ladies, unwilling to work, wanting to eat well and dress well, continuing to enjoy." Another woman chuckled as she followed up.

"Causing trouble for the common folks over in Taicang, now back home, and again wanting to be a nuisance to the young Scholar’s family. Just because the Scholar’s family is doing well, they want to freeload. Never seen such shameless people." Yet another woman mocked.

"Still want to worship at the archway, the archway was bestowed by The Emperor. They violated national laws and were punished by The Emperor, yet they want to worship there. If The Emperor knows, how could he not be angry? They are figuring ways to plague the young Scholar’s family."

Amidst the jeering laughter, the crying abruptly stopped.

Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi and others finally moved toward the old residence, under the scrutiny and gathering of the crowd.

Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou were also welcomed into Lian Manman’s home. After Wu Lang said those words and watched Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi leave dejectedly, Old Master Lian no longer insisted on worshipping at the archway now. Thus, they avoided the archway and walked along a side path, naturally entering through the side gate instead of the main entrance, thus entering through the cross courtyard into the main courtyard.

Once inside the front hall, they let Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou sit on the kang (a traditional Chinese heated bed), and Lian Manman’s family performed another greeting ceremony. Maid Xiao Xi brought hot tea, and everyone settled down.

Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou sat on the kang, none of the others, including Lian Manman, sat on the kang. They all found chairs to sit on.

Lian Shouxin bent his head, while Lady Zhang kept looking at Lian Shouxin with concern.

Silence, at first nobody spoke.

Old Master Lian also bent his head, seemingly concentrating as he stared at the teacup in front of him. After a while, he finally extended a hand, picked up the teacup, sipped, and immediately began coughing violently, as if he were trying to cough out his heart and lungs.

Lian Shouxin slowly lifted his head, seeing Old Master Lian’s face turn red from coughing, his brows twitched slightly.

"Xiao Fu, Xiao Xi." Lian Manman called out towards the outside.

Servant Xiao Fu had returned with Wu Lang, had just led the mule to the cross courtyard and settled it, was outside with Maid Xiao Xi attending when he heard Lian Manman’s call and hurriedly entered the house.

"Xiao Fu, quickly massage Grandpa, Xiao Xi, replace Grandpa’s tea." Lian Manman instructed rapidly.

"No need, no need, I’m fine now. No need to make such a fuss." Old Master Lian hastily replied, gradually ceasing his coughing.

Lian Manman then gestured to Xiao Xi and Xiao Fu to leave.

Silence resumed within the room, prompting Lian Manman to secretly glance at Lady Zhou. Today, besides the initial crying outside, Lady Zhou was unusually quiet. Even now, when Old Master Lian coughed so severely, Lady Zhou didn’t even flinch.

"Old Fourth, Wu Lang," Old Master Lian finally spoke first, "You have to understand an elder’s heart; the palm and back of the hand are both flesh. Elders always hope their children are well, wishing that the strong can help the weak. I’m old, suffered this hardship, my mind is cluttered, didn’t think things through ... you all should be accommodating."

After Old Master Lian finished speaking, his eyes reddened again.

Apparently, Old Master Lian has suffered quite a blow this time. In the past, he would never cry lightly like this.

"Father, you have suffered." Lian Shouxin replied, then asked, "Father, did what they did implicate you both?"

"I lived my life honest and clean, yet at old age, got dragged into prison ... " Old Master Lian’s voice choked as he couldn’t continue.

"Grandpa, you’ve suffered so much. Normally, old people shouldn’t be dragged into such matters. Grandpa, are the issues over there cleared now?" Wu Lang asked.

Lian Manman wanted to ask this too. Considering how serious the notice described the situation, how Taicang dispatched people here for them, what crime were Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi eventually convicted of, and how did they manage to get out?

"Xiuxiu, oh my poor Xiuxiu." Before Old Master Lian could speak, Lady Zhou suddenly burst into wailing.

"Xiuxiu, it was us who wronged you, mother is sorry to you, Xiuxiu." Lady Zhou slapped her chest as tears and snot streamed down her face, "Xiuxiu, you are so straightforward, Xiuxiu, you’re breaking mother’s heart, my Xiuxiu..."

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

Sending out an additional update, seeking support.

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Recommended finished book by Ruoyan: "The Brocade Screen Chronicles," a light house fight farmland tale, life stories within grand courtyard, entanglements.

Book number: 1771214

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