According to Lian Manman’s opinion, it was best if Lian Shouxin approached Lady Zhou to talk things over. After all, they were biological mother and son, and whatever was said, whether light or heavy, without others present, would allow for easier explanation. Should Lady Zhang or any of the younger ones go to Lady Zhou, she may become enraged with shame, and who knows what kind of scene would ensue.

Although, in principle, they were the party without fault, and it was entirely Lady Zhou’s fault, a conflict would inevitably leave Lady Zhou disgraced. The matter would become a laughingstock, talked about either to one’s face or behind one’s back. This era was different from her previous life; the concept of family was extremely important. As members of the Lian Family, they would not necessarily come out looking any better, especially since Lian Shouxin was Lady Zhou’s biological son. This was what the saying meant: it is difficult for an upright official to settle domestic disputes—’family’ was not a place where reason alone could suffice.

Moreover, although everyone knew that aside from Lady Zhou, there was no one else involved, nobody had actually caught Lady Zhou in the act. Lady Zhou certainly would not admit to it, and when the time came, she would lash out, causing a major commotion.

Of course, if Lady Zhang were more aggressive, she could immediately stand at the doorstep and berate indirectly, Lady Zhou would feel guilty and concerned about her face, not daring to do it again. But Lady Zhang would absolutely not go out to publicly scold.

So, should Lian Manman personally take up the battle?

Lian Manman sighed. She had always admired those formidable women in her hometown who, with a broom in hand and gesturing at chickens and ducks, could scold their adversaries without direct accusations until they internally bled and refused to leave their homes. However, she herself was incapable of such feats.

So, it would be better to let Lian Shouxin handle this matter after all.

"Next time we go out, let’s have someone watch the house, or else, just lock the door," said Lian Shouxin at that moment.

And this time it’s just let go? Lady Zhang could endure for many years, but Lian Manman could not bear it even once. But she also knew whether it was for the sake of his pride, his foolish filial piety, or his fear of Lady Zhou, Lian Shouxin would never dare to say to Lady Zhou, "Mother, please do not rummage through our things in the future," let alone hint at it.

"Mother..." Lian Manman then moved close to Lady Zhang, inquiring about her thoughts.

"Your grandmother has always been that way," Lady Zhang let out a sigh. From the first time she crossed the threshold of the family home, and when she returned from visiting her mother with Lian Shouxin, she found someone had tampered with her belongings. At the time, she had thought she misremembered, not taking it seriously.

Lady Zhou had never stolen Lady Zhang’s possessions but memorized what Lady Zhang owned. For instance, knowing Lady Zhang had a certain fine fabric, Lady Zhou would offhandedly express a desire for the fabric to make clothes, catching Lady Zhang unawares, who would recall having just the right piece of fabric. Wishing to be filial to Lady Zhou, she would naturally offer it up voluntarily.

When Lady Zhou first arrived, the silver she brought from her maiden home as part of her dowry was similarly spent little by little.

As time passed and such incidents accumulated, Lady Zhang came to realize that Lady Zhou would go through her chests and boxes when she was not around. As their family grew, with more children and her own children becoming more talkative, Lian Zhizhi once saw Lady Zhou rifling through Lady Zhang’s chests. Lian Zhizhi was young and honest; deep down, she knew Lady Zhou shouldn’t do that, but she dared not confront her directly. Instead, she told Lady Zhang in private. Lady Zhang could only helplessly sigh, and so even if Lian Zhizhi saw it happen again, she still kept silent.

"Steam bun," blurted out Lian Manman, unable to hold back.

"Does Manman want to eat steam buns again?" asked Wu Lang.

Everyone’s gaze then fell upon Lian Manman.

Lian Manman felt utterly powerless, she hadn’t yet explained to the Lian family what ’steam bun’ signified. So every time she couldn’t help saying ’steam bun’, they thought she was simply craving steam buns.

"Mother, I truly admire you, how you could endure all these years," said Lian Manman.

"She is an elder, after all," Lady Zhang glanced at Lian Shouxin and sighed.

"Mother, you can’t be saying that a mother-in-law has the right to go through her daughter-in-law’s belongings?" asked Lian Manman, somewhat frightened.

Lian Shouxin coughed twice and turned his head away.

"No, that’s not it," Lady Zhang quickly replied, "Your grandmother never went through your aunt’s things. She wasn’t the kind to do it, neither in front of others nor behind their backs."

Lady Zhang might regard Lian Shouxin’s face, but she could not twist the truth in front of her children. Bringing up her own mother, Lady Li’s practices, showed that inside, she bore resentment towards Lady Zhou’s actions.