Chapter 1890: Chapter 963: So That’s How It Is (2)
"Hey." Lian Manman happily agreed and really sent the little maid to the front.
"It’s a happy day today, let them drink a few more cups." Lady Zhang laughed and said, "The younger ones are all here, we can’t let the two old masters drink too much."
"I know." Old Madam Lu laughed and said, "I just fear the younger ones talk, and they don’t listen. Our old man usually gets too friendly with the wine. When the two old buddies drink together, they never have enough."
Everyone laughed. Old Madam Lu was speaking from experience. Every time Zhang Qingshan and Old Master Lu dined together, they never went home until completely drunk.
The little maid soon returned from the front, telling Lian Manman that she had relayed the message.
"They haven’t cleared the table yet, are they still drinking there?" Lian Manman asked in a low voice.
The little maid nodded.
Lian Manman didn’t say anything, but she thought to herself that today everyone would probably end up drunk, and it was uncertain when the feast would be over.
Indeed, as the ladies talked in the back, the feast at the front went on for another round, and only after Lady Li and Old Madam Lu sent people to urge them repeatedly did everyone finally disperse.
Zhang Qingshan and Old Master Lu drank happily, and sure enough, they were both drunk. Lian Shouxin, Scholar Wang, Master Qu, Wu Yugui, and a few others were also slightly intoxicated. However, the younger ones like Wu Lang and Wu Jiaxing were more restrained; they had to take care in serving the cups, so they didn’t drink much.
When the feast ended, everyone began to bid farewell, and Lian Manman quickly instructed the steward to arrange vehicles and lanterns to send the guests home.
The Zhang family naturally stayed at the Lian home. Zhang Qingshan and Zhang Qingnian stayed in the guest rooms at the front yard, while Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang stayed in the outer room of Lian Manman’s western chamber.
Lian Shouxin returned from the front yard, and Lady Li said she was a bit tired, so Lian Manman and Lady Zhang Wang accompanied her to the western chamber. Lian Manman washed up briefly and changed into casual clothes. Since it was still early, although Lady Li said she was tired, her spirits were still good, so Lian Manman sat and kept Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang company.
In the eastern chamber, Lian Shouxin also washed his hands and face and changed into his casual clothes, sitting across from Lady Zhang on the kang.
"You had enough to drink, why not have some strong tea?" Lady Zhang asked Lian Shouxin.
"No, at the feast today, we mainly talked and didn’t drink much. Plus, today’s wine isn’t strong, but I’m worried the two old masters might have drunk too much, so we chose carefully... After the feast, I’ve already had plenty of strong tea. No need to drink more now." Lian Shouxin replied.
"Alright, if you’re fine, you don’t need to drink any." Lady Zhang looked at Lian Shouxin, saw his complexion was normal, and put her mind at ease.
"Tomorrow, my father-in-law and his big uncle will return home. Prepare more things for them to take with them." Lian Shouxin added.
"Hmm, we brought quite a lot of things from Prefecture City, I’ll split some to send back with them." Lady Zhang nodded with a smile.
"See what else we have at home and add more things. My father-in-law still looks strong, but he’s getting on in years... The good tea leaves Sixth Master sent last time, I find them quite nice, pack more for the old folks to take home." Lian Shouxin continued.
"Sure." Lady Zhang nodded, lowering her eyes with a smile on her lips. Lian Shouxin was kind-hearted and filial, with these qualities, the benefits of family life would slowly manifest. Initially, Zhang Qingshan and Lady Li married her to Lian Shouxin not only because of Zhang Qingshan’s friendship with Old Master Lian but also recognizing this trait.
Seeing Lian Shouxin in good spirits, Lady Zhang originally considered bringing up Luo Xiaoyan’s matter but then decided against it. It wasn’t a pressing issue to discuss after resting today.
Unexpectedly, before Lady Zhang could speak, Lian Shouxin brought it up himself.
"Let me tell you something," Lian Shouxin said to Lady Zhang, "Before dinner, in the front yard, Erlang told me something."
"What was it?" Lady Zhang asked.
"He said his little brother-in-law proposed a marriage and wants me to find a reason for his little brother-in-law. Says he wants it to be closer to home, a bit more respectable. The girl’s family conditions are good, and we must make a fuss here, or it won’t match and the proposal will be cancelled. He’s worried his little brother-in-law won’t find a good match afterward." Lian Shouxin explained.
It turned out Erlang had already laid everything out for Lian Shouxin.
"Erlang’s wife also talked to me, but before she finished, Zhizhi and the others came over." Lady Zhang said, "Do you agree or not, dear?"
"Same with me, Jiaxing and the others came over, and the conversation changed." Lian Shouxin replied.
"I suppose they’ll come over again tomorrow." Lady Zhang added.
Lian Shouxin frowned and sighed deeply. Regardless, from the look of him, he wasn’t angry, and Lady Zhang felt relieved.
"I thought you might not know, hearing it would make you angry for sure, and I was wondering how to break it to you." Lady Zhang said casually.
"Who said I’m not angry." Lian Shouxin responded, "Even though it’s been this long, any anger should have subsided by now. I can’t just put on a long face in front of relatives and friends because of this."
"That’s true." Lady Zhang agreed.
"What do you think about this? Should we help or not?" Lady Zhang asked, not wanting to provoke Lian Shouxin further, withholding certain words and merely posing the question.
"What do I think? Erlang is just not reliable!" Lian Shouxin said, hitting his leg in frustration. "From the start, he shouldn’t have matched with the Luo family!"
"But what can be done, it’s been years now. I think the two of them get along quite well. Marriage isn’t for outsiders to judge, if they’re willing and things are going alright, then that’s fine." Lady Zhang said in defense of Erlang and Luo Xiaoyan, also trying to comfort Lian Shouxin.
"Such a woman, treating Erlang like a fool!" Lian Shouxin raised his voice involuntarily.
...
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