Chapter 355: Chapter 184: Offensive and Defensive Alliance_2
Lady Zhang suddenly felt a pang of heartache and could not find the words to continue.
"Dad, there are some things we need to clarify first," Lian Manman said, "It’s not a problem for us to separate and live on our own, to honor our grandfather and grandmother, everyone agrees on that. But some things are different..."
While all were Old Master Lian’s grandchildren, Lian Shouxin’s family, once separated, held different rights and obligations towards Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou than those grandchildren who had not moved out.
To illustrate with a simple example, if in Old Master Lian’s large family, anyone bought a piece of meat or a package of snacks home, Lian Yeye, Lian Yaya, Si Lang, and Liulang could partake in it, and before Lian Manman’s family separated, they could as well. But after moving out, they couldn’t.
Similarly, whatever Lian Shouxin’s family bought or owned in terms of property, no one from Old Master’s large family had any right to possess.
Honoring Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou was expected, but specifics needed to be analyzed concretely. Lian Shouxin had the duty to respect his parents, and at the same time, the responsibility to care for his wife and children. Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou still had three other sons and two daughters, yet Lady Zhang only had Lian Shouxin as a husband, and Lian Manman’s children had only Lian Shouxin as a father.
Lian Shouxin sat motionless, listening closely to the words of Lady Zhang and Lian Manman.
"You’re overthinking it; I’m not an idiot," Shouxin said, "I’m just worried and want to go back sooner to see for myself. I really don’t know what eldest brother is thinking; how could dad come up with more than eight hundred taels of silver?"
"Elder uncle must have a way. Remember when he got hold of those five hundred taels of silver," Lian Manman sneered. Because of their close brotherly relationship, had Lian Shouxin become so forgetful!
Some things could be forgotten, but others absolutely should not. It had nothing to do with forgiveness because once you forgot certain things, you could get hurt again. For instance, if you were bitten by a wolf once and by luck managed to escape, you should remember that wolves hunt humans. If you forget that, the next time you encounter a wolf, you might let your guard down, and you could be bitten again. This time, you might not be lucky enough to escape.
"Manman, you suspect..." Shouxin suddenly raised his head.
"I didn’t say anything," Lian Manman replied coldly.
Lady Zhang took Lian Manman into her arms at once, while Wu Lang and Xiao Qi also gathered around.
"What did Huahua say when he asked to borrow money? His elder uncle and aunty are living in a fine house in the county town with butlers and servants, how could they only come up with four hundred taels of silver? They are not harboring good intentions," Lady Zhang said with heavy emphasis. "Husband, this time we cannot afford to be foolish."
"He, he couldn’t... We’ve already separated, isn’t this forcing dad and mom?" Shouxin muttered to himself.
"Husband, let’s not think about it anymore. We tenant farmers can’t fathom their thoughts. I’m laying it out here first, if you want to side with your dad, your mom, your elder brother, your sister-in-law again, then just go with them," Lady Zhang said.
"What?" Shouxin was somewhat stunned.
"You left empty-handed, and what came later—the land we bought, the money made from selling wine, and this shop—were all initiated by Manman. We, the women of the house, made it happen; you have no share in it," Lady Zhang pondered then added another sentence.
Lian Manman glanced at Shouxin. Just leaving empty-handed would be too easy on him. If Shouxin were to do something foolish this time, let him rely on Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou; besides, he would have to pay support to Lady Zhang and her siblings.
"How did the conversation lead to this?" Shouxin asked awkwardly. "It’s not that serious."
"It wouldn’t matter if that were the case. I’ll apologize to you when the time comes," Lady Zhang said, "It’s not the expected that I fear but the unexpected. We were scared enough by past events as it is."
"Yes, we were scared," Lian Manman agreed. "That’s why we need to take precautions beforehand."
The family made an agreement of mutual support and defense before they started to tidy up.
Lady Zhao was sitting by the hearth, staring blankly at the fire when they came out, and she immediately stood up.
"What’s wrong, Third Auntie Zhao?" Lady Zhang caught sight of Lady Zhao’s pale face and got startled, quickly asking.
"Fourth Auntie Zhang, Fourth Uncle Zhang," Lady Zhao barely started speaking before her eyes moistened, "I beg you, my husband and I are fine, it’s just Yeye, if something happens to him, I beg you, please help us, help Yeye..."
Because she was so anxious, Lady Zhao’s tongue started to twist towards the end of her plea.
Lady Zhao wasn’t a gossip, and she got along well with Lady Zhang. Lian Manman’s family didn’t intentionally exclude her from their conversations in the house. It seemed that Lady Zhao had overheard their discussion and associated it with Lian Yeye. Never having dealt with any deceitful schemes, Lady Zhao could only deduce from Lian Shouren and Lady Gu’s intention to exchange Lian Manman for money that they would be after Lian Yeye this time if the money wasn’t sufficient.
"Third Auntie Zhao, don’t worry. We definitely can’t stand by if someone bullies Yeye," Lady Zhang promised without hesitation.
"Fourth Auntie Zhang, I knew it, you are a good person," Lady Zhao cried, moved.
"Third Auntie Zhao, we’re here, and we won’t let Yeye be wronged," Lian Manman said, "However, you yourself also need to take a firm stand and straighten your back."
"What should I do, Manman? You tell us, we’ll listen to you," Lady Zhao said eagerly.
"It’s simple," Lian Manman smiled, "If you hear anyone talking nonsense, bullying, or hurting you and Yeye, no matter who she is, you must stand up and object."
"Object?"
"Yes, you say you don’t agree, you won’t consent," Lian Manman explained, "For Yeye’s sake... we will definitely support you."
"Okay," Lady Zhao nodded earnestly.
"Let’s go back now," Lian Manman said.
After giving Lian Shouxin a precautionary warning and persuading Lady Zhao, they ensured the unity of the third branch with theirs. No matter what tricks Lian Shouren and his group might play, they were ready to counteract them.
****...****
Here’s one update, continue to vote pink, and there will be another one in the evening! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)
