Update, asking for votes.

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The words "spoiled to death" made Old Master Lian instantly fall silent, not even noticing when Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang left.

On the side of Lian Manman’s family, they had already prepared several gifts to send to the Lizheng, Wu Yuchang, and other households that helped mediate the land rent dispute.

Lian Manman didn’t know if Old Master Lian had figured it out, whether he truly realized that Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi, or more precisely, Lian Shouren, were spoiled to death. However, Old Master Lian never opposed the matter again.

With Old Master Lian silent, even if Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi were dissatisfied, they had no ground to speak.

The matter was considered settled.

When the family sat together during leisurely times, they couldn’t help but bring up the matter again.

"I guess my grandpa hasn’t been eating or sleeping well these past few days, just pondering over this matter," Lian Manman said. "In his heart, he always placed my eldest uncle’s family ten steps ahead. He had such high hopes for my eldest uncle’s family, it’s not easy for him to come to terms with the fact that he really spoiled my eldest uncle’s family to death."

Old Master Lian never thought he was doting on Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu. He merely entrusted the future of the entire family to his eldest son and eldest grandson. To bring honor to the family through his eldest son and grandson, he was willing to take the lead, set an example, and gather the resources of the whole family to support them. Old Master Lian probably didn’t consider it as support; he probably thought it was providing necessary conditions for the eldest son and grandson, which meant providing necessary conditions for the entire family’s development.

Wu Lang’s words were like a bolt from the blue, something no one had ever told Old Master Lian. Understanding this was extremely difficult for him. Once Old Master Lian figured it out, all that remained was regret.

However, "to understand the truth in the morning and die in the evening is acceptable." Even if understanding comes late, it’s better than staying confused for a lifetime.

"My grandpa is now openly supporting my eldest uncle and second uncle. My grandma also seems to have changed; she hasn’t said a word about these matters," Xiao Qi said, eating delicious roasted sweet potato slices. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

These roasted sweet potato slices taste the same as roasted whole sweet potatoes, but they are cleaned, cut into appropriately thick slices, and roasted on the stove lid until both sides are cooked. Lady Zhang tends to indulge the children when it comes to food. Sometimes, she even spreads oil on the bottom of the large iron pot, puts in sweet potato slices, and bakes them, which is also very delicious.

Additionally, sometimes Lian Manman would shred the sweet potato, stir-frying it like potato strips, but without soaking to remove starch. This way, the fried sweet potato strips are fragrant, sweet, soft, and quite tasty.

"I think the old lady has lost it a bit, only bothering the Lady of the Main Wife," Lady Zhang said.

Lady Zhou pestered Lady Gu without anyone from the Lian Family stopping her. Lian Manman watched coldly and felt that Old Master Lian tacitly supported this. As for outsiders, no one said anything. Just the fact that they conned Manman’s aunt into marrying an old man who was nearly eighty was enough to make respectable farmstead people despise Lady Gu.

"In my opinion, she was indeed out of her mind when she first returned, but she’s much better these days. When we talked about land rent and such, she listened very carefully. Now, when it comes to cooking every meal, deciding what to make, and how much rice to use, she’s still in charge, just like before," Lian Manman said. "However, it’s true that she’s not helping my eldest uncle and second uncle anymore."

"She’s disheartened. With the matter concerning Xiuxiu in front of her, she’ll never side with those two families like before," Lady Zhang said.

The whole family nodded, agreeing with Lady Zhang.

Lady Zhou pressured and coaxed Lian Xiuxiu into saving the entire family because she listened to the instigation of Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi. She didn’t expect it would bring such calamity to Lian Xiuxiu. Now that Lady Zhou understood, she realized her eldest and second sons deceived her, and after being deceived herself, she tricked Lian Xiuxiu.

Lady Zhou regretted it, but she wouldn’t blame herself. Given her character, she’d always find excuses for herself, so she’d double her hatred towards others. Although Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi were her sons, she transferred all her enmity to Lady Gu. At the same time, her attitude towards Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi was no longer the same as before.

"The day my grandpa fainted, didn’t my third uncle come back later too? Did you see, my grandma was very affectionate when she saw my third uncle. When we got a doctor and paid for the medicine, or helped them collect rent and all, she wasn’t as scolding as before, but she didn’t say any more than necessary. She just held my third uncle’s hand and cried," Lian Manman said.