Lian Manman washed her hands, wiped her face, and selected a bottle of balsam from the grooming box brought by Xiao Fu, applying some to her hands and face.

"It’s cold in that room, Manman, get on the bed quickly to keep warm, so you don’t catch a chill." Lian Zhizhi directed while watching someone set the table.

"Okay." Lian Manman agreed and went onto the bed, pulling Xiao Qi with her to use as a human heater in her embrace.

"Did her eldest aunt really take Duoduo to the Song Family and get sent back? Did she really have someone from the Old He Family help her steal the money?" Lady Zhang asked Lian Shuxin and Lian Manman.

"Yes." Lian Manman nodded and recounted the events at the old house to Lady Zhang.

Lady Zhang sighed deeply as she listened.

"Is she really going to be divorced? Alas, speaking of it, this is karma for her... Leaving the Lian Family, it’s uncertain where she can go. Her own family isn’t doing well either; her parents are gone, leaving just one brother. From the way they usually interact, it doesn’t seem like he can support her." Lady Zhang said.

"Mother, you’re still worrying about her future." Lian Manman said.

"No, I’m just saying." Lady Zhang remarked, "When I first entered the family and saw her, she was so efficient, such a presentable person. You really can’t judge a book by its cover; it takes time and experiences to truly understand a person’s heart."

"From the way you both see things at the old house, do they really want to divorce her?" Lady Zhang also sat on the bed and asked.

Whether to divorce Lady Gu, the final decision would be influenced by Old Master Lian, Lady Zhou, and Lian Shouren.

"His grandmother’s intention is definitely to divorce. His eldest uncle seems to still have some feelings for her. As for his grandfather, I can’t quite determine, he seems to be undecided." Lian Shouxin said.

Everyone looked towards Lian Manman.

"My father’s assessment is quite accurate." Lian Manman said.

That is to say, the matter of divorcing Lady Gu hangs in the balance.

"If you ask me, I’d guess she won’t be divorced." Lian Manman thought and said, "Not to mention anything else, Lady Gu will definitely resist leaving."

Since returning from the old house, Lian Manman had started referring to Lady Gu by name instead of as his eldest aunt, and apart from Lady Zhang’s initial remark, the family also referred to Lady Gu simply as "she."

"Actually, the courtyard at the old house is quite tightly watched, and his grandmother keeps a close eye on things. If not for those few people from the Old He Family moving in, this matter wouldn’t have come out." Lady Zhang said.

Lian Manman nodded, acknowledging that Lady Zhang’s words were correct.

After everyone washed their hands, Lady Zhang led them in setting up the meal. The family gathered on the bed around the dining table to eat.

"Manman, does our grandfather really want us to hold onto the money given by the Song Family?" Wu Lang asked.

"Yes." Lian Manman nodded, "Both my father and I didn’t agree."

"That’s right." Wu Lang said, the siblings exchanged a glance, and Wu Lang laughed.

"I think, our grandfather’s actions surely come from a good place." Lian Manman also smiled, "But sometimes, good intentions don’t necessarily make good deeds."

"Exactly," Wu Lang chimed in, "So, in the future, whatever is said from that side, we have to consider for ourselves whether or not it should be done. Otherwise, if things go wrong, our grandfather would certainly feel bad about it."

"Mr. Loo taught me the same thing." Xiao Qi slipped out of Lian Manman’s embrace and sat properly beside her, "Mr. Loo says, being filial doesn’t mean agreeing with everything. If the elders are at fault, it should be pointed out. Watching elders make mistakes and saying nothing, that’s not filial piety, that’s leading them into unrighteousness."

"Dad, Mom, listen, our Xiao Qi is doing well in his studies; he understands this kind of logic." Lian Manman said with a smile.

Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang beamed and looked at Xiao Qi with pride.

"Your mother and I didn’t go to school, we didn’t understand these principles before." Lian Shouxin lamented.

"It’s not too late to understand now." Lian Manman said.

"Right." Lady Zhang nodded and placed a large piece of fish belly into Xiao Qi’s bowl.

After the family had lunch and were having tea, Lian Shouli arrived, saying that Old Master Lian sent him to call Lian Shouxin’s family to the old house to continue discussing the matters left unfinished in the morning.

"Third Uncle," Lian Manman asked Lian Shouli, "what do you think about driving out a few people from the He Family, tell us first." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"This matter," Lian Shouli sat in a chair, bending over which made it hard for Lian Manman, seated on the bed, to see his expression clearly. "I just found out about this when I came back... Whether to drive them out or not, it still depends on Old Master’s decision."

Lian Manman was left speechless.

"Third Brother, there are no outsiders here, just tell us what you think." Lian Shouxin said.

"This, the few people from the Old He Family don’t have a good reputation. But after all, they are orphans and widows. They’ve already moved in, living across from us. If you ask me to drive them out, people outside won’t be sure what to say about me." Lian Shouli said with frustration.

Lian Manman rubbed her forehead.

At this time, still worried that this might affect his reputation. There’s really nothing to worry about, honestly, and besides, in this world, no matter how perfect you are, you can’t please everyone. There will always be people who speak without considering their words, and these people aren’t even protecting justice, they are just... petty.

At this moment, Lian Manman finally realized that in the Lian Family, the one bound by "rules" the most is undoubtedly Lian Shouli. Perfectly restrained by generationally twisted teachings of propriety, perfectly shaped by Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou’s "rules."

A perfect example taught by distorted propriety, yet he is the one without a son, and by the standards of those proprieties he reveres, he is considered the most unfilial...

*****

Here’s the second update, asking for pink support.

Later, I’ll strive for a third update, hoping for some pink contributions O(∩_∩)O (to be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)