Old Master Lian’s intention was merely to tell Lian Shouxin and his few youngest-ranked sons, as well as their families, that regardless of how Lian Shouren or even Lian Jizu acted, they were the eldest sons and grandsons of the Lian Family, and they should always be respected by them.

After so much time interacting with him, Lian Manman had come to understand Old Master Lian quite well. Old Master Lian was someone who paid great attention to detail. He was skilled at using details to instill certain attitudes and ideas in his children and grandchildren, as well as to deepen certain impressions. For instance, the seating arrangement in this room, or when Lian Manman’s family slaughtered a pig and invited guests, Old Master Lian brought all the men from the Lian Family Old Mansion over there, and even brought them into the front hall, preparing for them all to be seated.

This was Old Master Lian’s way of elevating them, to establish the status of his children and grandchildren in front of Lian Manman’s family as well as the people around.

At that time, Lian Manman noticed it, feeling a little dissatisfied in her heart, but she wouldn’t make things absolute. Her family discussed and arranged for Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi, Lian Jizu, and Erlang to sit at the main table, giving Old Master Lian and the Lian Family Old Mansion great face. However, they did not allow Si Lang and Liulang to sit, as letting Si Lang and Liulang sit would have been giving too much face.

Afterwards, came the incident where Lian Shouyi drunkenly caused a scene. Later, Lian Yeye secretly told Lian Manman that He Shi was very unhappy about Si Lang and Liulang not being seated, and made some sarcastic remarks.

Lian Manman was not angry, she just smiled faintly, her heart was also indifferent. Even if Old Master Lian was extremely calculating, even if the Old Mansion was turned upside down, it could not shake them in the least. Because nothing could change an ironclad fact, which was that they were in complete control.

Some respects could be given if they wished, or withheld if they did not want to, it was just that simple, without any need to dwell on it.

And today was an obligatory visit for the New Year greetings. They had fulfilled the etiquette, and how the other side reacted would not affect their mood, it would merely add some talking points and laughter.

As everyone settled in, Old Master Lian started to chat casually with Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi.

Lady Chiang brought Lian Duoduo and Lian Yaya, carrying a large tray, bringing in tea and fruit platters. At farmsteads during the New Year, when entertaining visiting relatives and friends, they generally prepared tea. Families without tea would also put a spoonful of brown sugar in their water. As for fruit platters, only families living exceptionally well would have fruit to serve; regular families would just prepare stir-fried melon seeds and peanuts.

The current wives at the Lian Family Old Mansion: Lady He did not appear well; Lady Gu held an awkward position and wasn’t liked by Lady Zhou, always being trampled upon, and every day was like a cat avoiding a mouse. In this setting, she could only start the fire in the outer room. Meanwhile, Lady Chiang subtly took on the air of the managing wife.

Lady Chiang smiled, speaking softly with very appropriate words as she poured tea for everyone. For the New Year, the people at the Old Mansion dressed more appropriately than usual. Lian Manman glanced around and noticed that besides Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, Lady Chiang was the best dressed, being both appropriate and presentable, in a new plain cotton outfit. Whereas Lian Duoduo and Lian Yaya wore clothes that were clearly altered from old adult garments.

Lian Yaya, as usual, looked blank and wore a bitter expression, while Lian Duoduo kept a stern face, pouting without a trace of a smile, and occasionally sneaking glances at people from the corners of her eyes.

The person Lian Duoduo glanced at most from the corners of her eyes was Lian Manman. Lian Duoduo could hardly take her eyes off Lian Manman.

In Lian Duoduo’s eyes, Lian Manman was like a shining object today, hurting her eyes.

Lian Manman was simply wearing a simple bun today with two small Red Gold Buddha Hand hair presses inserted, and her ears wore two small ruby-inlaid gold earrings. For a girl of just over ten, in good health, her face needed no embellishment; not to mention that Lian Manman already had eyes and brows like a painting, her complexion being naturally rosy and tender surpassed any makeup.

Lian Duoduo herself had dressed up well today, using both Lady Chiang’s rouge and powder, and even meticulously painted her brows in long, arching lines.

But such a face, which had satisfied her greatly, could only display jealousy and resentment after seeing Lian Manman.

Lian Manman was nothing more than a big-footed girl from the countryside, simply incomparable to her. The reason why Lian Manman appeared better today was entirely due to the jewelry she wore on her head.

Lian Duoduo thought bitterly, it wasn’t just the jewelry, but also Lian Manman’s clothing. Yes, it was the set of clothes that made Lian Manman look good. Clothes that even at her family’s wealthiest time, she had never owned something that fine.

Lian Manman, sitting on the edge of the kang, noticed Lian Duoduo’s obviously unfriendly gaze. She lowered her head to look at herself; today she wore a long pomegranate-red patterned bijia with matching grey squirrel fur skirt, and over that, an arum-colored grey squirrel cloak. Because the room was cold, she didn’t take off the cloak after entering.

At this time, Lian Yeye happened to approach, whispering to Lian Manman, causing Lian Manman to gently raise her hand to adjust her clothing, revealing a red agate bracelet on her wrist.

Lian Manman had several gold and silver bracelets in her jewelry box, but she didn’t wear any of them today, only this agate one. This agate bracelet wasn’t a costly piece, but it was one that Lian Manman particularly liked because its rich color accentuated her skin, making it appear more delicate and fair.

On the first day of the New Year, one should wear one’s best clothes and jewelry. Compared to her current family situation and wardrobe, as well as her jewelry box, Lian Manman’s outfit today was quite low-key.

After Lady Chiang finished pouring tea for the men on the ground, she walked over and handed out hot tea from the tray to Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi. Silently, Lian Duoduo picked up a cup of tea and handed it to Lian Manman.

*****

Here is the first update, there will be a second update later, please give pink votes.

The pink votes haven’t been very strong these past few days, rolling and acting cute to beg for them O(∩_∩)O (to be continued. If you like this work, welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation tickets and monthly votes, your support is my greatest motivation.)