"And then there’s my eldest cousin-in-law. She’s been married for years and has only given birth to Niuniu, a daughter. But she’s still the most respected daughter-in-law. No good thing ever excludes her."

"Yingzi’s mother endured a lifetime of beatings, and her children were poorly raised. But was it just because Yingzi’s father is foolish and unreliable? Look at my grandma—she’s fierce, right? My second uncle and his wife aren’t easy to deal with either. But when Sister-in-law Xiu E married into the family, she managed to subdue both my second uncle and his wife. Even when she clashes with my grandma, she never suffers a loss. She went back to her parents’ home a few times, but whenever she came back, things were just as usual. Who dares to look down on her? Now she’s even given birth to a daughter, and her situation is still as it always was."

"I’m just giving examples—not saying everything my eldest cousin-in-law or Sister-in-law Xiu E do is right."

"It ultimately depends on human effort. Different people face the same situations but live completely different lives. The key is to rely on ourselves and be capable!" Lian Manman concluded to Zhang Caiyun.

"Yes, Manman, you’re absolutely right." Zhang Caiyun had been feeling a little melancholy, but Lian Manman’s words instantly dispelled her gloom.

Lian Manman smiled. Her words were not only intended to comfort Zhang Caiyun but also to remind herself.

In this era of male dominance and female subservience, with all the oppression and inequality faced by women—so what? One must rely on oneself, strive hard, hold firm decisions, and live brilliantly and happily.

Lian Manman and Zhang Caiyun sat in the backyard for a while longer before Lady Zhang came over with Wu Lang.

"Come inside; let’s discuss something. Caiyun, you join us too; we won’t keep it from you." Lady Zhang said.

Zhang Caiyun cheerfully announced she wanted to find Xiao Qi to play and ran to the front yard. Lady Zhang, Wu Lang, and Lian Manman entered the Upper Room East Room and sat on the kang.

"Both families have sent gifts. With the May Festival coming up, let’s discuss what we should send back as a reciprocal gift." Lady Zhang said. "Your eldest aunt’s gift—I honestly don’t want to accept it. She’s quite the character. If it were me, I’d be too ashamed to keep coming back like this again and again."

"As for my eldest aunt’s gift, since we haven’t even opened the bundle, we can simply return it to her as is." Lian Manman thought for a moment and suggested.

"Well..." Lady Zhang hesitated, as her soft nature always made her want to preserve others’ dignity.

"This works." Wu Lang nodded in agreement.

"Alright, then let’s do this," Lady Zhang agreed since both her eldest son and her assertive youngest daughter had spoken.

"Now, what about the Song Family’s gift?" Lady Zhang asked for their opinions again.

The interactions with the Song Family had already been discussed thoroughly within the Lian Family.

Initially, the Song Family had arranged a match with Lian Huahua but had kept minimal contact with the Lian Family, even neglecting basic courtesies—especially towards the Upper Room, and even more neglectfully toward them.

The Song Family’s attitude shifted after Shen Liu visited Lian’s shop and the imperial award of the arch plaque came into play. Their gifts became more generous and frequent. And now, with Wu Lang passing the Tongsheng exam, the Song Family immediately sent rich gifts. From Song Hailong and Lian Huahua’s attitudes, it was clear that the Song Family matriarch’s disposition towards them had changed.

The Song Family’s courtesy towards them now stemmed from their connection to the Shen Family and Wu Lang.

If their interactions with the Song Family were purely due to Lian Huahua’s betrothal, there was no need to maintain close relations. The Song Family matriarch might understand this herself, but every time she sent Lian Huahua as a representative, it seemed deliberate—perhaps with the intention of leveraging the familial ties to draw the families into closer alignment.

In any case, their relationship with the Song Family didn’t need to be too intimate. If the Song Family initiated contact, they would reciprocate politely enough.

After deciding on the return gift for the Song Family, the three of them returned to the front yard.

In the kitchen, the dishes were all prepared, and the meal was served in the front room—an outdoor table for the men and a kang table for the women. After eating and drinking, Song Hailong was the first to propose leaving.

Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang tried to hold them back briefly but soon let it go. They prepared the return gifts and had them loaded onto the Song Family’s cart. Additionally, they asked Song Hailong and Lian Huahua to convey their regards to the Song Family matriarch as they escorted them off.

At the door, as Song Hailong, Lian Huahua, and Lian Lanlan were about to board the cart, a minor incident occurred.

On the way there, Lian Lanlan had shared a cart with Song Hailong and Lian Huahua, while Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong rode in the separate cart carrying gifts. This time, Lian Lanlan naturally intended to continue riding with Lian Huahua.

But Lian Huahua, claiming she had twisted her foot, asked Aunt Sun to guide Lian Lanlan to the rear cart instead.

Lian Manman observed everything and laughed inwardly.

... 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

On the official road to Jinyang County Town, the Song Family’s carts sped along, one behind the other. In the lead cart, Lian Huahua’s glance wandered across Song Hailong, and then she sighed.

"This time it’s all my fault. I couldn’t lower my pride and shouldn’t have agreed to let my eldest aunt come with us." Lian Huahua said softly.

Song Hailong snorted but didn’t reply.

"You haven’t noticed, have you? My eldest aunt has seriously offended my fourth uncle’s family. They didn’t even let us sit in their backyard—our treatment there was due to my eldest aunt’s trouble..." Lian Huahua continued, speaking to herself.

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

Here’s the second update. Ranked tenth in the Pink Rankings now, urgently asking for everyone’s Pink support. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)