Chapter 369: Chapter 191 Confrontation_2
But that would show weakness to Lian Manman, losing the first round upon entering the fray.
Lian Huahua was unwilling and turned her eyes toward Old Madam Shen. She was now the most honored person in the Song Family. Although it was not appropriate for her to speak, as long as Old Madam Shen intervened, she could avoid kowtowing to Old Master Lian’s dry tobacco pipe.
"Since it’s like this, you should pay a grand tribute," Old Madam Shen sipped her tea, her face betraying no emotion. "And perform the rituals on behalf of your husband as well."
"Yes, Mother," Lian Huahua replied with her head down, a flash of reluctance and surprise crossing her face.
The oval-faced Xiao Chan brought over a brocade cushion and placed it in front of Lian Hua’er. Lian Huahua then knelt on the cushion; Lian Manman had already placed the dry tobacco pipe on the chair. Lian Huahua directed her bows to the tobacco pipe resting on the chair, one after another, before slowly rising to her feet.
Xiao Chan was very astute, stepping forward to support Lian Huahua by one hand. After Lian Huahua was steady, she let go, picked up the brocade cushion, and retreated behind Old Madam Shen.
Old Madam Shen had Lian Huahua sit next to her. "Stay and chat with your family for a while."
"With the New Year approaching, are Grandfather and Grandmother in good health?" Lian Huahua asked with a smile after sitting down.
Because of the debt incurred by Lian Huahua, Old Master Lian almost died of anger.
Lian Manman gave Lian Huahua a look. She had just mentioned Old Master Lian’s illness, so Lian Huahua couldn’t have failed to hear it, nor could she be unaware of the reason behind it. Given Lian Huahua’s shrewdness, why would she deliberately bring up such a topic, stepping into a minefield?
There was something fishy!
Lian Manman’s original plan was to bring up the topic of the Song Family’s Jade Pendant in front of Old Madam Shen, just to mention it without being too explicit, in order to press on Lian Huahua. Lian Huahua, not wanting the disgraceful details to come out, was expected to stop the conversation and dutifully pay back the money she owed.
However, Lian Huahua’s extremely confident and fearless expression made Lian Manman reconsider.
Lian Huahua had previously claimed the matter of breaking the Jade Pendant was a mutual secret between her, Song Hailong, and even Old Madam Shen, kept under wraps merely to avoid gossip, thereby necessitating the use of a fake Pendant temporarily. This, of course, Lian Manman did not believe to be true.
For if what Lian Huahua said was true, the Song Family would have produced another Jade Pendant. They should be aware of the Lian Family’s financial circumstances, and if they were willing to forgive Lian Huahua, they wouldn’t let the Lian Family suffer in such a manner.
Back then, Lian Huahua was so afraid of the truth about the Jade Pendant being exposed, but now she boldly wore the fake Jade Pendant without repaying the debt, unfazed even when the matter was brought up.
Had Lian Huahua discussed the matter of the Jade Pendant with Old Madam Shen and obtained her forgiveness?
No, that couldn’t be right. If so, she wouldn’t carry the fake Jade Pendant, a constant reminder that Shen Family’s heirloom had been destroyed. Even the magnanimous Old Madam Shen would be stung by such a reminder.
The matter of the Jade Pendant remained a secret, yet Lian Huahua wasn’t afraid of it being exposed to her face.
Lian Huahua must have found something to rely on! A thought struck Lian Manman: what kind of support could embolden Lian Huahua to such confidence that Old Madam Shen would not pursue the matter of the Jade Pendant.
Lian Manman thought of the way Lian Huahua had entered, with the two maids at her side supporting her as if they were holding a phoenix egg, with that careful and ingratiating demeanor. "Other ladies and young misses, even those with bound feet, wouldn’t need such help," she thought. Why was that?
Lian Manman’s gaze involuntarily fell on Lian Huahua’s waist. Given the Song Family’s situation, what could be more precious than a male grandson?
The full display of jewels in Lian Huahua’s hair, her demure demeanor, along with the occasional glance of envy and jealousy in the eyes of the maids in the room, all pointed to one thing.
Lian Huahua was pregnant!
No wonder she was so bold and fearless; upon her entrance, when she should have been unstable, she dared to disavow others, to not obediently return the money, and even plotted to bring unrest to the Lian Family.
Lian Huahua was still the same Lian Huahua, ruthless and sharp, priding herself on being clever but lacking patience, always after grandiose achievements.
Now, Lian Huahua was not only unafraid of her mentioning the Jade Pendant matter, she probably hoped she would bring it up, to clear things up in front of Old Madam Shen. Had she even prepared an excuse to shift the blame and set up someone else?
Heh, couldn’t let her have her way.
"Your grandfather has fallen ill from anger, Huahua, you should know what this is about," Lian Shouxin said upon seeing that Lian Manman had remained silent. Observing Lian Huahua’s composure, a surge of anger overcame him and he burst out.
"My grandfather fell ill from anger? Over what?" Lian Huahua raised a hand to cover her mouth, feigning surprise and concern, "Uncle Four, you really must explain."
Faced with a niece exhibiting such thick-faced audacity, Lian Shouxin felt the veins on his forehead bulging with anger.
Old Madam Shen squinted her eyes, seemingly not hearing a word of the conversation between uncle and niece, while the maids and daughters-in-law in the room discreetly perked up their ears.
"Sister Huahua, Old Aunt asked me to bring you a message; she misses you," Lian Manman said with a smile. If she had hesitated to speak any longer, Lian Shouxin might have brought up the Jade Pendant. "Old Aunt asked about your leg injury; has it healed?"
Lian Huahua, waiting for Lian Shouxin to speak, was caught off guard by Lian Manman’s change of topic. Was this not a debt collection visit? Why not speak directly of the Jade Pendant, which was related to the debt, but instead she mentioned the leg injury. She had used Lian Yeye to blame her burn injury on Song Hailong; no one in the Lian Family had ever mentioned it. Even when Lian Manman brought Lian Yeye to seek justice from her, they only discussed her framing Lian Yeye.
Lian Huahua always believed her clever schemes were beyond the understanding of country girls like Lian Manman and Lian Yeye. But today, Lian Manman’s sudden question gave her an ominous feeling.
Lian Manman saw the shift in Lian Huahua’s expression and thought to herself, "You’re not afraid of the Jade Pendant matter, but what about the truth of your leg injury?" Lian Huahua would definitely not want Old Madam Shen and Song Hailong to know the truth. Even if the Jade Pendant was worth a fortune, it was still an inanimate object, while deceiving their feelings and taking Song Hailong for a fool could cause Old Madam Shen and Song Hailong to develop animosity towards Lian Huahua, leading them to grow tired of her.
That was something not even a male grandson could make up for.
"Old Aunt and Granny mentioned they haven’t been to the county town for a year. They want to visit," Lian Manman continued, turning to address Old Madam Shen, "Old Madam, do you know of Dexing Hall in the county town? My granny and Old Aunt have heard it’s quite famous, though they’ve never been."
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I’ve fallen off the pink list, I’m begging for pinks, begging for 130 pinks. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
