Chapter 1894: Chapter 965: Variables (Part 2)
"Please come in." Lian Manman glanced at Lady Zhang and then said. Luo Xiaoyan came this early, obviously timing it for when they would have finished breakfast. It seemed Luo Xiaoyan knew they would be very busy these days, so she carefully timed her visit.
"Elder sister, shall we first go to the Caiyun Residence to have a look." Lady Zhang Wang suggested.
"Alright, I will arrange a carriage for you." Lady Zhang said and called Duofu to the front to ask the steward to prepare the carriage.
Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang tidied up a bit, and the little maid had already brought Luo Xiaoyan inside. Luo Xiaoyan was still wearing the same dress as yesterday, carrying Er Niuniu wrapped in a bright red cotton cloak in her arms.
Once inside, Luo Xiaoyan quickly set down Er Niuniu, while greeting Lady Li, Lady Zhang, and Lady Zhang Wang, also prompting Er Niuniu to pay respects to everyone.
Er Niuniu listened to Luo Xiaoyan attentively and did as she was told regarding greetings and speaking.
"Quickly, have a seat on the kang." Lady Zhang invited Luo Xiaoyan.
Luo Xiaoyan sat on the edge of the kang, and Er Niuniu was lifted onto it, her shoes removed, sitting inside the kang. Lian Manman instructed the maid to bring in some soft pastries and dried fruits for Er Niuniu to eat.
Er Niuniu had naturally grown in these past two years, becoming much stronger than before and no longer frail. Her little face had filled out, and her skin was fair, with a striking resemblance in her eyebrows and eyes to Erlang. Although Erlang was not as handsome as Sanlang, his features were well-defined. Placed on Er Niuniu’s face, his eyebrows and eyes looked quite good.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Maid Duofu came in to report that the carriage was ready. Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang stood up, and Lady Zhang, Lian Manman, and Luo Xiaoyan escorted them out.
After seeing Lady Li and Lady Zhang Wang off to the town, they returned and sat down again on the kang to talk.
"Why didn’t Erlang and your brother come? Have they gone to work?" Lady Zhang asked, noticing the absence of Erlang and Luo Xiaoying.
"Yes." Luo Xiaoyan answered, "This morning, before daylight, they had breakfast and headed to the city. Erlang said they would return tonight to pay respects to Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt."
"Weren’t they supposed to meet the Wang Family’s daughter? Why have they gone back to the city?" Lady Zhang asked.
"Well, we will not proceed with the meeting for now; we will wait a couple more days." Luo Xiaoyan unconsciously pinched her sleeve as she explained, "Last night, Erlang and my brother only told me that their cart business has been bustling these days. The shopkeeper reluctantly agreed to their leave."
"... Thinking that having business as an excuse isn’t easy, let them first return to work. The meeting can be delayed."
Lady Zhang quickly glanced at Lian Manman, who nodded back. Luo Xiaoyan’s behavior was expected by Lian Manman. Last night, during the family discussion, Lian Manman speculated that Luo Xiaoyan would definitely visit again today.
And Luo Xiaoyan returning again could mean either she was restating yesterday’s request or, after being slightly reprimanded by Lady Zhang, realized the difficulty overnight and decided to back off.
With Erlang and Luo Xiaoying having gone back to the city and now Luo Xiaoyan saying the cart business matter was not easy, it was apparent she leaned towards the second possibility.
This saved trouble, Lian Manman thought, while observing Luo Xiaoyan’s face again. There was a dark circle under Luo Xiaoyan’s eyes, which wasn’t there yesterday.
It seemed that last night, Luo Xiaoyan hadn’t slept well. Was it her tossing and turning, or the family discussing throughout the night?!
Since Luo Xiaoyan was taking this stance, Lian Manman and Lady Zhang had already discussed the response in advance. Just as Lady Zhang was about to speak, Duofu entered again to report.
"M’lady, Young Mistress, someone from West Village has arrived." Duofu entered and reported after paying her respects.
"Someone from West Village? Who has come?" Lian Manman inquired.
"It’s someone surnamed Yang, the family to whom Master sent silver coins and clothing yesterday." Duofu replied.
"Oh." Both Lady Zhang and Lian Manman nodded, understanding it referred to Yang Jun, the tenant farmer who recently lost his wife and child.
"It’s about his family; what has he come for? Has his wife been sent off?" Lady Zhang asked.
"... He has come to pay respects to Master and Young Master." Duofu explained, "This morning, officials from the County Yamen came to arrest the two who obstructed the funeral, saying they would write to their hometown to pursue charges of defiance and unfilial conduct. Also, with the silver coins sent by Young Master, the funeral was smoothly conducted this morning, hence the visit to pay respects to Master and Young Master.... They also intended to pay respects to Lady, but Master stopped them, so he respectfully gave a few more bows in the front, praising Lady’s benevolence."
It turned out that Wu Lang sent someone to verify the rumored situation of the Yang Family and found it true. Therefore, he both sent a note to the County Yamen and dispatched the steward to speak in detail with the County Official, as well as provide money and goods to the Yang Family to help with the funeral. The County Yamen sent people this morning to detain those troublemakers, allowing the Yang Family to proceed with the funeral smoothly. Thereafter, they came to express their gratitude to Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang.
For tenant farmers, and furthermore among countrymen, there often aren’t too many formalities, and also the Yang Family was without womenfolk. Hence, this Yang farmer expressed his desire to pay respects to Lady Zhang.
"He is an honest person." Lady Zhang remarked upon hearing this.
"Mother..." Lian Manman caught a glimpse of Luo Xiaoyan, subtly giving a signal to Lady Zhang, "Mother, didn’t you mention yesterday about wanting to help this family?"
...
Beginning of the month, asking for pink support.
Special thanks to everyone for last month’s support. Little Landlord secured fifth place on the Pink Chart. Thank you very much and hope for your continued support this month.
To thank everyone, Ruoyan will strive to have more updates every day this month. Fist clenched.
Originally planned to release two updates today, but was too tired yesterday and haven’t recovered. Tomorrow, two updates will be provided. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)
