Lady Zhou’s words were so inhospitable because she simply did not want Lian Shouxin’s family to dine there.

"Even if you’re busy, there won’t be any meal until tomorrow afternoon," Lady Zhou added.

Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang exchanged glances, both thinking in unison that Lady Zhou was treating them as outsiders, as regular busy folks. However, if there really were busy folks around at mealtime, they wouldn’t be so rudely turned away. If word of such inhospitality got out, everyone would say that the Old Lian Family, that Lady Zhou, did not know how to behave; who would then be willing to come to the Lian Family’s aid in times of need?

"Dad, Mom, our meal is easy to prepare; we just need to light the fire and it will be ready, so we won’t eat here," Lian Shouxin said, feeling somewhat uneasy, but he was more afraid of Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou arguing because of this and hurriedly spoke up.

"Yes, I’ll go and start cooking right away," Lady Zhang also immediately stood up.

"You always have to poke your nose into everything. They have just come back from the market, do you know what delicious things they’ve bought? Are you really that keen on this one meal?" Lady Zhou showed no appreciation for Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang’s attempt to smooth things over, instead, she sneered.

At this, Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang were both so embarrassed they didn’t know what to say.

"Keen, we’re keen..." Lian Manman felt she couldn’t let it go and wanted to stay for the meal just to spite Lady Zhou.

"Manman," Lady Zhang quickly pulled on Lian Manman, giving her a look to stop her from continuing.

Lian Manman pouted but said no more.

Old Master Lian was dissatisfied with Lady Zhou, and thus he glared at her, "Stop bringing up unnecessary points."

Old Master Lian’s tone was rather stern, causing Lady Zhou’s face to darken upon hearing it.

"Dad, Mom, we’ll be heading back first," Lian Shouxin hurriedly said.

Old Master Lian took a careful look at Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang, and seeing that although they were a bit embarrassed, they were not angry or resentful, he felt relieved. He knew that both his son and daughter-in-law were decent people who would not stoop to argue with Lady Zhou. At the same time, Old Master Lian sighed inwardly; he could see that Lian Shouxin was somewhat heartbroken. His son and daughter-in-law were beyond reproach, but they wouldn’t be able to stand Lady Zhou’s attitude forever. Over time, even the closest of kin could become distant.

"Alright, we didn’t prepare much for dinner tonight, so I won’t keep you. Old Fourth, starting tomorrow morning, don’t cook at your place; come to the Upper Room for meals," Old Master Lian said, his tone especially gentle and warm. The Lian Family was about to undertake a matter, and he did not want to create a stir with Lady Zhou at this time. Since his son and daughter-in-law were understanding and accommodating of Lady Zhou, he could only be nicer to them and think more highly of them to make up for it.

"Alright."

Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang agreed, and without lingering in the Upper Room, they took Lian Manman back to the West Wing Room.

Lian Zhizhi had stayed home to keep house and had already cooked enough rice for a few people, and also boiled several salted eggs. They didn’t have chickens at home and hence no eggs, so these salted eggs had been pickled using eggs that Zhang Qingshan had given them.

"Mom, let’s also warm up these meatballs, and everyone can eat together," Lian Zhizhi said, holding a bowl of fried meatballs.

Lian Manman had been eating at Wu Yugui’s home for the past few afternoons, as Lian Zhizhi had not gone since she was watching the house. On the way home, Lian Manman saw some fried meatballs for sale, bought some wrapped in oil paper, and brought them back for Lian Zhizhi to eat.

"Aren’t these the meatballs they bought for you? You eat them," Lady Zhang said. She was very happy to see her children so loving to one another.

"Mom, I’ve already eaten quite a few; let’s all eat these together," Lian Zhizhi insisted.

"Alright, my Zhizhi is indeed considerate," Lady Zhang said with a laugh. The phrase "is indeed considerate" was local slang, praising Lian Zhizhi for being understanding and knowing how to share. Of course, if it were a family of scholars, they might use the story of Kong Rong giving away pears to praise Lian Zhizhi.

Lady Zhang cut the meatballs into halves, sliced some cabbage, and fried them together with oil. The family then sat down to have dinner. Both the salted eggs and the cabbage with meatballs were very appetizing dishes, and the family enjoyed their meal, finishing dinner quickly.

"We might be too busy tomorrow; let’s prepare the pickled cabbage for the next market night," Lady Zhang suggested after cleaning up the dishes and chopsticks and discussed with the family.

Being diligent people, no one in the family objected. They all immediately started to get busy. Lian Shouxin also helped with chopping and squeezing the vegetables. He and his wife worked even harder to not overburden the children, and by the time it was late at night, they finally finished pickling a vat of sauerkraut.