During the grand New Year period, Lian Shouxin, as the head of the household, was busy socializing with banquets one after another, leaving him no free time at all. Besides, who has the leisure to ignore important matters just to appease a person who’s being unreasonable all day long? Furthermore, around Lady Zhou, there were three sons and several grandsons "serving" her, so there was really no need to call Lian Shouxin over every day for instructions.

"We won’t miss any of the necessary courtesies, but as for the rest, we can’t indulge that bad temper. Otherwise, it will definitely become endless in the future." That was what the family said at the time.

"Right, Yeye, where did you say Third Uncle went today?" Lian Manman suddenly remembered to ask.

"He went to West Village," Lian Yeye replied, "It’s the year before last, that family asked my dad to help make a few cabinets, they needed them urgently. My dad rushed to finish them for them, so today they invited him over for a feast. It seems they want my dad to make two more cabinets as well."

When Lian Yeye said this, there was a hint of pride in her tone. Lian Shouli had mastered carpentry skills, bringing in money for the family and earning more respect from others. As his daughter, Lian Yeye was naturally proud and happy.

Lian Manman was happy for Lian Yeye too.

The young girls played with laughter until noon, when Lady Zhang called for someone to set the table in the east room and invited them over to eat together. Today, a scholar’s family from town was hosting a happy occasion, so Wu Yugui and his son, Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi, along with Mr. Loo, were all invited. Therefore, Lady Zhang had Lady Wu Wang, Wu Jiayu, Lady Zhao, and Lian Yeye come to the house to join the lively gathering.

After the midday meal, no one rushed to leave. As Lady Wu Wang put it, the men were at the banquet and wouldn’t return soon. Going home wouldn’t have much to do, so they might as well stay here, talk, and laugh, which was more interesting.

So Lian Manman and the other young girls went back to the west room. After chatting for a while, they began to feel drowsy, and Lian Manman called out to Xiao Xi, asking her to bring over pillows and blankets.

At this moment, Lady Zhao came over to find Lian Yeye, saying she wanted to return home, and asked if Lian Yeye was going.

"If there’s nothing urgent, don’t rush to go back," Lian Manman said to Lian Yeye, "Have a nap here, and we can play some more when we wake up. You can all go back after dinner tonight."

Hearing this from Lian Manman, Lady Zhao decided to go home alone.

"The feast at West Village surely ends earlier than the occasion in town. I’ll go see if your father is back yet," Lady Zhao said.

"Mom, I’ll go back with you," Lian Yeye said, hurriedly putting on her shoes to get off the bed. Lady Zhao was soft in character, making Lian Yeye worry about her returning to the old house alone and being targeted by Lady Zhou. "Sister Manman, I’ll accompany my mom to check, and we’ll come back soon."

"Sure, you go," Lian Manman nodded since Lian Yeye insisted, unable to stop her.

After Lian Yeye and Lady Zhao left, the girls took off their outer coats, lay down on the kang one next to the other, exchanged a few words, and soon drifted off to sleep, dozing off.

Almost as soon as she closed her eyes, Lian Manman heard footsteps and crying from outside, starting her awake immediately.

"Who’s there, what’s going on?" Lian Manman sat up and asked.

Zhang Caiyun, Lian Zhizhi, and Wu Jiayu also sat up.

"Seems like it’s Yeye,...she went to the east room."

"Xiao Xi, quickly go check what’s the matter," Lian Manman hurriedly instructed Xiao Xi, who was attending to them, while she and Lian Zhizhi, Zhang Caiyun, and Wu Jiayu put on their coats.

"Didn’t they just go to the old house? How could something happen in such a short time?" Lian Zhizhi said.

"Could it be that she got bullied by the old lady again?" Zhang Caiyun whispered, speculating.

"It’s very possible," Lian Manman nodded.

The young girls were about to go down to the east room when the door curtain was lifted, and Lady Zhang and Lady Wu Wang emerged with dark faces, followed by Lian Yeye, whose eyes were red from crying.

"What happened?" Lian Manman hurriedly asked.

Lady Zhang and Lady Wu Wang had a strange expression, and the two even exchanged a quick glance.

"Your Third Aunt had some trouble, we’re going over to take a look. You all stay at home and don’t go anywhere," Lady Zhang said to Lian Manman and the others, "Yeye, you also stay home with Sister Manman and the others. I’ll go with your Aunt Wu to have a look."

"No, Aunt, I’m going too," Lian Yeye insisted.

Lian Yeye was very stubborn about following Lady Zhang. Lady Zhang had no choice but to let her go with Lady Wu Wang, who hurriedly left, and, before leaving, instructed Lian Manman and the others not to leave the house.

What happened to Lady Zhao that made Lady Zhang and Lady Wu Wang so tense, with their attitude somewhat odd, and even Lian Yeye, who usually looked for Lian Manman first, directly went to Lady Zhang?

The young girls were all very surprised.

Lian Manman quickly called over Xiao Xi and asked her what was going on.

"...I don’t know either... Madam and the family’s lady wouldn’t let me say..." Xiao Xi’s expression also seemed strange, hesitating and refusing to say.

The young girls were even more curious, urging her until Xiao Xi, unable to resist, let slip a few words.

"...Wife of He Laoliu... returned and just happened to see... the third house lady trying to end her own life..."

"I don’t know what actually happened. Miss Yeye said Chunzhu’s Wife was watching over her mom, preventing her from taking her life, and she quickly came to get our lady and the family’s lady, saying there was trouble over there..." Xiao Xi added finally.

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Second update delivered, asking for pink tickets.

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Ruoyan’s completed farming literature recommended:

Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Completed with main text and extras) (There is a direct link below, click to reach)

Synopsis: Traversing into a woman wronged and abandoned for losing her chastity, carrying a little bun, living a sweet life hand in hand with a frugal suitable man. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes, monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)