"You go ahead and take your fifth brother with you," Lady Wang said. "Wu Lang, you go sit with your Third Uncle and Brother Jiaxing. You men can talk together while us women chat."

"Brother, go ahead," Lian Manman also nudged Wu Lang. By listening to Wu Yugui and the others, Wu Lang could broaden his horizons and gain more knowledge.

Wu Lang and Wu Jiaxing went to sit by Wu Yugui. As Woo Zhonglian and Wu Yugui conversed, Wu Lang just listened, while Wu Jiaxing occasionally managed to join in with a sentence or two, making it apparent that Wu Yugui often took him out for social engagements.

With Wu Jiaxing and Wu Lang dispatched, Lady Wang took Lian Manman and Xiao Qi by the hands and talked with them, simply asking their ages, what they did at home, and inquiring about Lady Zhang and Lady Zhou among others. Wu Jiayu sat quietly; she had a round face with very white skin, and her large, beautiful eyes would smile whenever she met Lian Manman’s gaze.

After chatting for a while, Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang had already invited Old Master Lian over, and not just Old Master Lian, but Lian Shouren and Lian Shouli as well. Lady Zhou and Lian Shouyi did not come, but Lian Zhizhi followed Lady Zhang.

Everyone naturally exchanged pleasantries and made small talk again. Seeing that everyone had arrived, Woo Zhonglian ordered the banquet to begin. The men sat at one table, the women at another, and just as they had taken their seats, Wu Jiaxing and Wu Lang also joined them.

"Father said that table was too crowded, so he asked me and Lian Fifth Brother to come sit here," Wu Jiaxing said.

"That’s fine too, I was afraid you’d be at that table and have to drink alcohol at such a young age, what a situation that would be," Lady Wang laughed.

Everyone sat down to eat. Lady Zhang and Lady Wang sat together, naturally finding plenty to talk about.

"Why didn’t Second Aunt come?" Lady Wang asked, referring to Lady Zhou as Second Aunt, just as Wu Yugui and the others did.

"Mother isn’t feeling very well," Lady Zhang explained with a smile.

"I’ve heard from our eldest sister-in-law that Second Aunt seldom leaves the house," Lady Wang said, "I should definitely visit her one of these days."

Lady Wang’s words were just polite, and Lady Zhang also smilingly inquired about the Wu Family elders, engaging in some polite exchanges before the conversation once again turned to the children.

Lady Zhang couldn’t stop praising Wu Jiaxing for his maturity at a young age and certain future prospects, saying Wu Jiayu was both beautiful and quiet, the very image of a cultured young lady.

"...even daughters from large households can’t compare."

Listening, Lady Wang was naturally pleased and unceasingly praised Lian Manman and the others.

"...so capable and decisive, such a little thing, and yet able to sell things in the market. Their Third Uncle has mentioned it a few times, not knowing they were your children."

"And Zhizhi, she’s fourteen this year? Oh, she’s become so charming. I think in all the villages for miles around, there’s no girl to compare with her. I’ve heard from our eldest brother and sister-in-law that Zhizhi also has an exceptional skill in cooking, just like her mother. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, she truly has inherited your talent," Lady Wang said.

When Lady Wang mentioned the "eldest brother and sister-in-law," she was referring to Wu Yuchang and his wife, and the comment about Lian Zhizhi’s cooking was undoubtedly due to the banquet arranged for the family division.

Wu Jiaxing and Wu Jiayu both looked up at Lian Zhizhi. Hearing Lady Wang praise her like that and seeing the Wu siblings look at her, Lian Zhizhi blushed with embarrassment and shyly lowered her head. Wu Jiayu wasn’t affected much, but Wu Jiaxing quickly looked away.

"...but she’s not as good as you’ve praised her to be," Lady Zhang laughed, "However, our tenant farmer’s children are used to all sorts of work, indoors and out, from a young age. Zhizhi is clumsy, but thankfully, she’s diligent."

Being able to prepare a whole banquet was far from being clumsy, and diligence was certainly the best quality one could have.

Lian Manman was eating while listening to Lady Wang and Lady Zhang complement each other’s children. They appeared modest about their own children but were actually artfully boasting, which made Lian Manman silently laugh to herself.

"Sister, why didn’t Second Uncle come?" Lian Manman quietly asked Lian Zhizhi when the opportunity arose.

Normally, for such an occasion involving food and drinks, it didn’t make sense for Lian Shouyi to be absent.

"Second Uncle just went back home from West Village; he was sent home by someone," Lian Zhizhi whispered back.

"What happened to him?" Lian Manman asked.

"Not sure what happened, he said he twisted his waist," Lian Zhizhi answered, "Grandfather asked him how it happened, but he gave a vague response."

How could Lian Shouyi have twisted his waist? He had gone out idly wandering, not to do any work. At this thought, Lian Manman’s mind raced. Could it be that Lian Shouyi twisted his waist in a rush while moving liquor jars? If not, why wouldn’t he give a clear explanation of how he had twisted it? It seemed to be the case indeed.

Lian Manman wanted to laugh, but she held it back.

After the meal, Lady Zhang and Lady Wang had become good sisters, and the children were familiar with each other. Lady Wang invited Lady Zhang to visit her home.

"Let’s not today, it’s getting late. I’ll come and see you another time," Lady Zhang said. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Everyone parted ways at the entrance of Yue Lai Tavern, and Lian Manman’s group slowly walked back. By the time they reached Thirty Mile Camp, the sky had cleared, and the sun hung over the western wall of the Lian Family home, with vast swathes of colorful clouds in the sky.

"Tomorrow will be a sunny day," Lian Manman said. She had heard the saying, "Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky in the morning, sailors take warning." With the weather clear, Wu Yugui would be able to go to the county and secure the Red Deed for them. Although she knew that the matter was already settled, she couldn’t help but wish to get her hands on the Red Deed sooner.

As she spoke, Lian Manman entered the house and climbed onto the kang bed to sit down, but she immediately cried out "Aiyah" and jumped back to the floor.

**********

Second shift, asking for pink favorites, hope I can update more tomorrow.

I recommend Ruoyan’s completed book: "The Brocade Screen Chronicles" light house fight farmland tale, it’s about family squabbles and love-hate entanglements inside a large mansion.

Book number: 1771214

Below is a direct link, click to go straight there. (To be continued... If you like this work, please come to qi dian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation.)