Their strategy was not particularly brilliant, they knew that. All they wanted was to deceive Song Hailong, as for the Lian Family members, with those several hundred taels of high-interest silver debt and Lian Shouren’s future prospects, Lady Zhou and others, even if they understood the truth, would not divulge it on their lips.

And indeed, everything went just as she had anticipated, all quite smoothly.

They thought the matter was settled, but Lian Yeye, who had not reacted earlier nor later, chose this moment to settle old scores in front of Scholar Zhao’s Wife and Scholar Li’s Wife.

Lady Gu and Lian Huahua, of course, did not know that this moment was precisely chosen by Lian Yeye and Lian Manman: they wanted to bring up the matter only in the presence of distinguished female guests.

The Song Family and people from such rural households like theirs might as well be from two different worlds. The gossip of rural women, even if it reached the ears of Madam Song, might very well be discounted. But the words of the two scholars’ wives were different.

Moreover, today was the day Lian Huahua was adding to her dowry. On such an occasion, even if Lian Huahua were truly pure and without stain, any commotion would lead outsiders to look down upon her, not taking issue with the young maiden Lian Yeye. Especially since Lian Huahua was full of flaws, unable to withstand any scrutiny.

Lady Gu and Lian Huahua understood this well, which is why they were so afraid.

"Who is this young girl, what is she going to say? It sounds rather interesting," chuckled Scholar Zhao’s Wife, obviously wanting Lian Yeye to continue.

"How can we take seriously the words of a child?" Lady Gu hastily said, her anxiety growing by the minute.

Many were envious of Lian Huahua’s engagement to the Song Family. Lady Gu knew that Scholar Li’s Wife had a niece who had once been offered in marriage to a lesser-born son of the Song Family, but was disdained. If words unfavorable to Lian Huahua were to come out of Lian Yeye’s mouth today, Scholar Li’s Wife would surely find a way to spread them to the Song Family, which would be highly detrimental to Lian Huahua’s future.

"Jizu, brew two more cups of hot tea," Lady Gu could no longer keep her composure and pushed Lian Yeye while calling out.

Lady Gu was puzzled; the tea was supposed to be Lady Chiang’s responsibility, and she had been instructed that if there were guests from town, the tea must be of good quality, and Lady Chiang was to oversee it personally. Yet Lady Chiang was nowhere to be seen; instead, it was Lian Yeye who came with the tea.

"Aunt, are you looking for your sister-in-law?" The curtain was lifted, and Lian Manman stood smiling at the doorway.

Lian Manman stood there, effectively blocking the doorway.

"Where is your sister-in-law?" Lady Gu asked, slightly baffled.

"There are guests at my grandmother’s place, and they called my sister-in-law over to pour tea and chat," replied Lian Manman smilingly, "My grandmother said, she wants me and Yeye to come here to help Aunt entertain the guests."

Lady Gu was stomping her feet frantically. She did not know that Lady Chiang was supposed to look after her side’s tea, but it was Lian Manman who reminded Lady Zhou that Lady Chiang, being the wife of a grandson, should attend to her, the senior matriarch. On hearing this, Lady Zhou quite agreed. Lian Manman and a few others could help pour tea and water, but how could they compare with Lady Chiang, who was dressed elegantly? Having Lady Chiang serve the tea brought significant prestige to Lady Zhou.

Lady Zhou had originally been considerate of Lady Gu as the Scholar’s wife and meant to entertain the scholars’ wives as well, showing some deference. Once Lian Manman reminded her, she immediately felt, no matter who the wife was, in front of her as the mother-in-law, they should be the younger ones, and she should be respected first. Thus, she genuinely called for Lady Chiang to serve the tea.

Therefore, Lady Chiang would not be coming to help. Moreover, given it was the day to add to the dowry, very few male guests would come; even Lian Shouren and others had gone to the eastern wing, and it was unlikely they’d come over to where the female guests were.

Lady Gu, with no helpers of her own, had to rely solely on herself to deal with Lian Manman and Lian Yeye.

"Elder Auntie, why are you pushing Yeye outside?" Lian Manman purposely asked again.

Lady Gu knew things were turning sour and hastily grabbed Lian Manman.

"Manman, if you cause your Sister Huahua’s marriage to fall through, there will be no benefits for you either," Lady Gu whispered into Lian Manman’s ear.

Lian Manman let out a chuckle.

"Elder Auntie, this really has nothing to do with me," Lian Manman said, "You’re wronging Yeye, and she won’t stand for that."

"I have no intentions of basking in anyone else’s glory, whether poor or rich, that’s my own fate," Lian Yeye then said, "If Sister Huahua is to enjoy her blessings, she can’t use me as a stepping stone or a scapegoat for her advantage."

Lady Gu and Huahua were so anxious upon hearing Yeye speak, they broke out in a cold sweat. Lady Gu turned her head and saw that both Scholar Zhao’s Wife and Scholar Li’s Wife were watching them with keen interest. If the disturbance continued, they would lose face completely.

"You sisters never seem to stop quarreling. Huahua, since you’re about to leave the household, why don’t you go and chat with your sisters?" Lady Gu hinted at Huahua with a look.

Huahua’s heart was in her throat, but upon hearing what Lady Gu said, she immediately understood that Lady Gu wanted her to take the guests aside and appease the situation with Yeye.

"Yeye, let’s talk elsewhere," Huahua said as she pulled Lian Yeye to leave.

Lian Manman stood at the doorway, watching Lady Gu and Huahua, and couldn’t help but smile. The mother and daughter were rather clever, but today wasn’t for them to call the shots.

"Where we talk should be up to Yeye. It’s more lively with more people around," Lian Manman said with a smile.

"Right, I think the Scholar’s wives would also like to hear me speak, so let’s just talk here," Lian Yeye immediately added.

"This little sisterly dispute is quite interesting, do tell us so we can listen in," Scholar Li’s Wife said.

Lady Gu and Huahua’s faces turned deathly pale.

Book recommendation

Mushui Game’s "Beauty Is Fierce" freshly concluded. Synopsis: Reborn after death, she resolved to either never marry or to have her husband join her household. Furthermore, to fight against the husband who had killed her and to protect her family wealth, she took part in the family’s Jinxiu Lianluo business. She used everything she had learned from him to retaliate against him! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)