But Lady Zhou was tough and sharp-tongued, while she was soft-hearted, cared about her reputation, and always bore in mind the virtues of filial piety and compliance. Thus, she always endured adversity.

"I haven’t hidden anything, I’m not afraid of her looking," Lady Zhang added.

This statement also subtly revealed Lady Zhang’s resentment.

Lian Shouxin of course heard it, and turned his head to clasp his fists at Lady Zhang.

"I appreciate everything you’ve done over these years," Lian Shouxin said, trying to win her favor.

Lady Zhang glanced at Lian Shouxin and burst out laughing, though tears moistened the corners of her eyes. Lian Shouxin was well aware of her various concessions; when they interacted as husband and wife, he always spoke to comfort her, treating her with both respect and love, and being meticulously caring. She had confided to Lady Li about the kindness Lian Shouxin had shown her. Lady Li was happy for her, saying that for a woman, affection with her husband was of the utmost importance. The reason she had put up with Lady Zhou all these years was not just out of filial duty, but also out of consideration for Lian Shouxin.

Lian Manman, standing to the side, noticed the tender looks passing between Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang. The couple truly had a strong bond, but she couldn’t let the two of them sidetrack the conversation like this.

Lian Manman also cleared her throat a couple of times.

Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang then snapped back to reality, both feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Over these years, I’ve borne all that I could. I think, when I become a mother-in-law, I will definitely not be like that," said Lady Zhang, drying the corners of her eyes with a smile.

That was Lady Zhang’s strength. Some daughters-in-law, when they were young, endured their mother-in-law’s wrath to its full extent. Once they became mothers-in-law themselves, that resentment built up in their hearts, and they even came to accept the attitudes their own mother-in-law took toward them as normal mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relations. They would inflict the same treatment on their daughters-in-law. Thus, the vicious cycle continued, which is why some say that mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are natural enemies.

"Mom, the one who becomes your daughter-in-law will be blessed, but what about your own daughter?" Lian Manman asked.

"What more could you want?" Lady Zhang said, laughing, "Our family only has four cabinets, and you and your sister each have one to yourselves. When has your mother ever rummaged through it? Haven’t you been handling money, and didn’t I say nothing about it? Now, you are the one who runs the household!"

Lady Zhang thought, the hardships she has suffered, she refuses to let others endure. She felt this way even about other people’s daughters, let alone her own.

Lian Manman smiled. She knew that only parents like Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang would indulge her in some of her actions. With other families, it might not be the case.

"Right, let’s send the peanut money to my father," Lian Manman then said.

Two hundred jin of peanuts, at twelve wen money per jin, amounted to two thousand four hundred wen money. Lian Manman took out two strings of money and counted out four hundred wen money into four strings, giving them to Lian Shouxin to deliver to Old Master Lian.

"Dad, take this tray of cakes too. It’s for my aunt," Lian Manman said as she wrapped up the snacks on the kang and handed them to Lian Shouxin.

Every piece of the tray cake had been touched, it was unclear whether they had been bitten or broken by hand. Lian Manman herself did not want to eat them anymore, nor did she want Xiao Qi and the others to have them.

"Is this alright?" Lian Shouxin hesitated. Taking this tray cake over, wouldn’t it be telling Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu: You went through our things, we know about it, the two of you can deal with it yourselves.

At this moment, Lian Shouxin was still concerned about the feelings of Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu. Lian Manman, with a touch of resignation, touched her forehead. If Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu truly cared about their own dignity, they would not have done such a thing. If they didn’t care for it themselves, why should others? Perhaps Lady Zhou thought that as long as nobody found out, it was okay. Or maybe even if someone did find out, as long as it wasn’t exposed, it would be fine?

No matter what Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang had done in the past, Lian Manman was not planning to continue to indulge their temperaments any longer.

"Dad, can’t I just not say anything and that be okay?" Lian Manman discussed with Lian Shouxin, "This is for Auntie’s own good. Auntie can do whatever in our own home, but if she forms bad habits and behaves the same way in other people’s homes, she will not only embarrass the Lian Family, but she will also suffer for it."

"Manman is right," Lady Zhang considered for a moment.

"You’re right, but can’t you think of another way to talk to her, something less confrontational?" Lian Shouxin said.

"This is the best way," Lian Manman insisted.

Lian Shouxin thought it over and indeed could not come up with a better method, so he nodded in agreement.

The family members then took the money and pastries and headed for the Upper Room.

It was already getting dark, but there were no electric lights in the Upper Room. When they walked in, they saw Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi were both there, seemingly talking with Old Master Lian about something. As soon as Lian Shouxin and his family arrived, the conversation stopped.

"Old Fourth, you really went and bought the land. Why didn’t you tell Second Brother at the time? Were you afraid Second Brother would snatch it from you?" Lian Shouyi, with one hand on his lower back, spoke to Lian Shouxin.

"Second Uncle, my dad wanted your help with that; it was you who ran off suddenly with Old Uncle He for some reason," Lian Manman said with a smile.

Remembering why his back hurt, Lian Shouyi was suddenly at a loss for words, and at the same time, he felt his back pain intensify.

Old Master Lian invited Lian Shouxin and his group to sit on the heated brick bed.

"Your room was blazing hot today; can anyone still stay in there? If not, you can come squeeze in here at the Upper Room," Old Master Lian suggested.

"We can still sleep at the edge of the bed," Lian Shouxin replied, "How about letting the kids come over tonight?"

"It’s not like this room was short on heating. Lian Xiuxiu and Lady Zhou were sitting at the edge of the bed when they chimed in, "Huahua and Duoduo still need to come over here, and with so many people, there won’t be enough room. Old Fourth, your room didn’t need that much heating, did it? After all, you didn’t cook for lunch or dinner, right?"

"Don’t mind her; Manman, you and the others just come over later," Old Master Lian said. Even in the dim light, the red flush on Old Master Lian’s face was visible. He had drunk quite a bit of alcohol in town and was clearly in a good mood.

"Grandpa, we’ve brought you the money for the peanuts," Lian Manman said with a smile.

Lian Shouxin then handed the money over to Old Master Lian.

Looking at the amount—two strings of money plus four strings—Old Master Lian didn’t accept it.

*******

Book Recommendation:

[Soul Cultivation Chronicles] 2132875, Synopsis: A path of cultivation filled with trials and tribulations, Soul’s perseverance remains unwavering! (Warm and sweetly mild, like the lingering fragrance of tea—subtle and light. If you like it, come take a look!) (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)