"And then there’s the money for buying seeds next year. Our family doesn’t have enough hands to work the fields, so we’ll have to hire people..." The family merrily whispered their calculations, deciding how much land to buy and how much silver to set aside for expenses.

"Second Uncle and Old Uncle He are here," Xiao Qi suddenly ran back and said after stepping out to fetch water.

"They came to our room?" Lian Shouxin hurriedly asked.

"No, they went to the Upper Room," Xiao Qi gestured with his hands, "Old Uncle He even brought two packages of pastries and a jar of wine."

Clearly, they intended to butter up Old Master Lian first and then have Old Master Lian persuade them, already thinking ahead by laying things out beforehand with Old Master Lian.

"I’ll go have a look." Lian Manman slipped off the kang bed, left the West Wing Room, and tiptoed up to the window of the Upper Room, straining to listen to the movements inside.

"...Dad, that wine is what me and He Laoliu brewed together," the voice of Lian Shouyi said, "Dad, don’t glare at me. Old Fourth said He Laoliu stole his brewing method— that’s not the case. If I wanted to brew wine, wouldn’t Old Fourth tell me how if I asked? I didn’t ask because I was afraid Old Fourth’s wife might be petty."

Tch! Lian Manman almost cursed out loud, not only because Lian Shouyi was badmouthing Lady Zhang behind her back but also because Lian Shouyi was so good at twisting the truth. His calculation was really cunning: claiming that the wine was a collaboration between him and He Laoliu meant that the wine now belonged to the Lian Family. If Old Master Lian wouldn’t stand by He Laoliu, wouldn’t he stand by his own son?

The wine was brewed by He Laoliu, and if Lian Shouyi secretly profited from it, that was his private money. Now, with his claim, that money seemed to become communal funds. Lian Manman thought that Lian Shouyi must be desperate, otherwise, he wouldn’t be saying these things to Old Master Lian.

Lian Manman hadn’t realized at that moment that in this short time, Lian Shouyi and He Laoliu had already come to an agreement. They planned to first ride on Lian Shouxin’s coattails to sell the wine. As for the division of profits, they would keep one record for show and one in secret. The profits that appeared to be Lian Shouyi’s on the official record would be given to Old Master Lian, and in a few days, Erlang’s wedding expenses would come up; either way, they wouldn’t lose out.

"...Dad, with the New Year approaching, Big Brother doesn’t have any income either, relying solely on Huahua, who can’t help the family. Now, the day for Erlang’s marriage is also drawing near. If this wine is sold, our family wouldn’t need to borrow money," Lian Shouyi added, "Mom said the Shen Family from Prefecture City bought our wine. They are rich and drink wine like water; Old Fourth’s wine might not be enough for them... It’s just right to sell them my wine as well..."

"Indeed, Uncle, our wine is precious, and others may not afford to buy so much. The Shen Family, on the other hand, can," He Laoliu’s voice said.

"This wine is yours, Second Brother? Why didn’t you say earlier? Were you planning to pocket the money?" Lady Zhou’s voice inquired.

"Mom, didn’t I just tell you? How could I do that? When the money from the wine comes in, I’ll hand it over to you," Lian Shouyi’s voice carried a pleasing tone.

Lady Zhou snorted.

"Old man, if that’s the case, you should help sell the wine," Lady Zhou said.

Indeed, it was as expected, Lian Manman sneered to herself.

"The Shen Family’s people have already left," said the voice of Old Master Lian.

"Dad, you, Big Brother, and Old Fourth just accompanied the Shen Family’s steward for a drink, right? Wasn’t it Shopkeeper Wang who made the connection? Let’s trouble Shopkeeper Wang one more time. Once is important, the second time familiar; how could this not be easy to handle?" Lian Shouyi said.

Lian Manman, holding her forehead, thought, "In this era, that’s how it is; your father, your brother all can represent you. You want to distance yourself? It’s not so easy. Though they have split the family, with Lian Shouxin being so filial, he always puts Old Master Lian first." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The longer they stayed separated after the division of the family, the better it might be. Alas, in the future, she couldn’t be too compliant with Bun’s Dad.

"Second Brother, why don’t you use that cleverness of yours for good?" Old Master Lian’s voice was grave.

"Dad?"

"Laoliu, it’s not a holiday, and your family isn’t doing well. You should take these things back home with you," Old Master Lian seemed to no longer pay attention to Lian Shouyi, instead addressing He Laoliu with considerable warmth. "Old Fourth’s family has already gone their own way; his wine brewing has nothing to do with me or your brother-in-law... I’ve heard you’ve also brewed wine; that’s a good thing. You should sell it— it’ll surely sell better than my fourth son’s. I’ll mention it to others on your behalf so as not to delay your sales."

Lian Manman felt pleased; Old Master Lian had not been deceived and had not agreed.

Lian Shouyi and He Laoliu in the room seemed to be somewhat dumbfounded.

"We’re in-laws, but there are certain things— He Family is He Family, Lian Family is Lian Family. Laoliu, I haven’t seen your wine, but surely it must be good, and definitely different from my fourth son’s. I’ll talk to others later, to avoid delaying your sales," Old Master Lian said in a gentle tone again.

"Dad!"

"Uncle!"

"Second Brother, go see off Laoliu. I drank too much at noon, I might not have spoken properly; you should bear with Laoliu... And don’t forget to take the stuff with you," after saying this, Old Master Lian fell silent.

Then, footsteps were heard walking outside.

Lian Manman quickly ran back to the West Wing Room, peeking out from behind the door, only to see Lian Shouyi and He Laoliu leave the Upper Room with drooping heads, He Laoliu holding two packages of pastries and a jar of wine in his arms.

Lian Manman then returned to the inner room and relayed everything she had heard and seen to Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin.

"This is good."

The family could finally relax.

Soon, it was time for dinner, and Lady Zhang picked a bowl of vegetables from the food box, asking Lian Manman to bring it to Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou. Lian Manman entered the Upper Room to see the meal table already set, but both Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi were absent.

"Second Brother said he’s not coming back for dinner, where has the eldest gone, why isn’t he back yet," Lady Zhou complained.

******......*****

Second posting, seeking pink votes.

******...*******

Recommended completed farm-based novel by Ruoyan:

Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Main text and extras completed) (Direct access below, click to reach immediately)

Summary: Transported into the body of a woman wrongfully accused of losing her virtue, holding a little bun, she embarks on a sweet life hand in hand with a cost-effective male lead.

******.........********(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes, monthly votes, your support is my greatest motivation.)