This was clearly a matter to be discussed seriously, not allowing the women to participate, except for Lian Manman and, of course, Lady Zhou.

The women all left, and although Si Lang and Liulang were not yet adults, Old Master Lian kept them back.

"Today the Lizheng came to talk to me about the labor service," Old Master Lian said once everyone was seated. "It’s to build a road in the mountains, and our family should send two people. The things Lizheng said, I thought about them and found them right. I’m planning to send the eldest, the second, and Jizu as well."

At this point, Old Master Lian paused.

Over the past few days, Old Master Lian seemed to have lost weight again.

"These past few days, my mind has not been at ease. From the past five hundred years to five hundred years to come, I thought through everything," Old Master Lian sighed, "The past is not something I’ll talk about now. If there’s time another day, we fathers and sons can talk more about it. Let’s just focus on the present."

"As for Old Fourth family’s life, I don’t have to worry at all, so I won’t mention it. Old Third family’s situation may not be ideal, but they are few in number, can suffer hardships, and are hardworking. Their future will get better day by day. Now, in our big family, it’s the eldest and second branches that have the toughest time."

Here, "tough" doesn’t mean laborious but rather bad, poor.

"We can’t blame anyone for this.... In the future, these two branches have to be honest farmers. The second branch used to farm with me at home, so they will just be living like they did before. The most difficult is the eldest branch..."

At this point, Old Master Lian glanced at Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu.

Lian Shouren, in his forties, once had thick black hair, but now it had thinned, mixed visibly with gray. Old Master Lian was well aware this was due to fear, anxiety, and punishment after being imprisoned in Taicang. Even though Lian Xiuxiu later provided help, the sufferings left scars on Lian Shouren.

As for Lian Jizu, although still young and showing no physical signs, his energy and spirit were completely gone, exuding a sense of decadence.

"The eldest and Jizu haven’t done much farming or heavy work over these years," Old Master Lian withdrew his gaze, suppressing the rising bitterness, and continued, "Now there’s no more to be said. In the future, the eldest and Jizu will have to do farming and labor. To be a farmer, you must look like one. I don’t know how many more years I have left, but while I’m still around, I want to teach you the work in the fields and gardens. You’ll have to learn from the beginning how a farmer lives."

Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu both bowed their heads.

"Let’s start with the labor service, then. I’ve done those jobs before; it’s no big deal. Second, you will also go, and watch over your elder brother and Jizu," Old Master Lian added.

When Old Master Lian said this, there was a moment of silence in the room.

Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu glanced at each other and then looked at Old Master Lian, who turned his face away, and they looked earnestly towards Lady Zhou instead.

Lady Zhou sat cross-legged there, sighed, but said nothing.

"Father, it’s not that I don’t want to go," Lian Shouren said with a bitter face, "You know as well, I was hurt bodily by people in Taicang. I’m just hanging in there now."

Lian Jizu originally wanted to speak, but seeing Lian Shouren speak first, he closed his mouth.

"Father, why not like this," Lian Shouren said, glancing at Lian Shouxin, "Tomorrow, my wife and I will go to the county city and find Huahua and her husband. They are not heartless people; they certainly won’t ignore us."

Lian Shouren planned to take Lady Gu to the Song Family in the city to take advantage, and his words contained some sourness and resentment.

"Eldest, is this another idea from your wife?" Before Old Master Lian could speak, Lady Zhou stared at Lian Shouren and said, "So you’re planning to abandon us again and let her enjoy life with her daughter."

"Mother, it’s not..." Lian Shouren hurriedly defended.

"Not what?" Lady Zhou immediately interrupted him, "You think I don’t know what’s on your minds? The moment you both move, I know what kind of donkey dung you’re pulling."

Lian Manman promptly lowered her head and covered her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.

"Go tell that awful wife of yours to give up this thought soon. She’d better not go anywhere. She ruined my Xiuxiu, and today’s family situation is all her doing. Why does Yingzi’s family come to make trouble every day if not for her misdeeds behind the scenes... As long as I’m around, don’t think she will have a good day. Even after I’m dead, I won’t let her off."

After saying this, Lady Zhou raised her voice towards the door.

"Did you hear that? Don’t come to me yelling you want to die. If you want to die, no one will stop you. When you’re gone, you’ll fry in an oil pot every day, and the rest of us will be clean."

It seemed that Lady Gu had mentioned wanting to die, Lian Manman thought to herself, and Lady Zhou probably wished Lady Gu would die.

After Lady Zhou finished her scolding with a full voice, it was silent outside, and both Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu lowered their heads inside the house. Lady Zhou was not relieved but instead burst into tears.

"My Xiuxiu, my dutiful daughter," Lady Zhou cried while murmuring, "You all have daughters. You’ve been back for days, but she hasn’t shown once, not even sent a word. You think your beloved daughter cares for you, will truly be filial to you... Xiuxiu, my honest Xiuxiu..."

"As long as I am alive, you will never see your daughter!" Lady Zhou said viciously.

********

The second update is here, the pink score is about to be surpassed, please support with your pink votes.

Post-holiday syndrome.

Recommendation for Ruoyan’s completed book: "The Brocade Screen Chronicles" light house fight farmland tale, everyday tales and grudges in a grand household.

Book ID: 1771214

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