Chapter 373: Chapter 193: Undermining the Enemy’s Foundations_2
This family revered her from top to bottom. She grew even more dismissive of the first and second wife, who without a son, would have no choice but to live at her mercy in the future.
It now seemed that her thoughts were too simplistic. The first and second wife were not dead. She should not have been in such a rush to anger the people of the rural old home, giving them something to hold against her.
Her first step was to send Lian Manman away. Some tactics were not suitable for immediate use, so she hoped that Lian Manman would be clever enough.
Carrying the small case, Lian Manman did not let Xiao Yan touch it.
A group of people were at an impasse, when Xiao Chan came over from a distance. Just as Lian Manman was about to bid farewell to Old Madam Shen and take her leave with Xiao Chan, Huahua, worried, also followed. The Song Family’s first and second wife dispersed with their people.
It was still in the side hall where Old Madam Shen came out to meet them.
"Why leave so soon? At the very least, have a meal, stay in the city for a couple of days before returning," Old Madam Shen said with a smile upon hearing Lian Manman’s plans to depart.
"Thank you for your kindness, Old Madam, but with the year’s end approaching, there are many things to attend to at home, so we shall not impose any longer," Lian Shouxin said, knowing that Lian Manman had secured some money and not wanting to stay in the city longer than necessary.
"Old Madam, my grandfather says that thanks to your care, my grand-uncle and his wife have been well looked after in the city," said Lian Manman. "With the New Year approaching, my grandfather wants them to return home."
Old Madam Shen responded with an "Oh."
"I’m also bidding farewell to you on behalf of them. We’re going to take them now, so you can take back the residence and the servants," she added.
Lian Huahua was shocked and covertly glared at Lian Manman.
Old Madam Shen laughed.
"There’s no need for that. If the in-law lord and lady wish to return to fulfill their duties of filial piety, I cannot stop them. The residence and those people were meant as gifts for the in-law lord and lady," she said.
"This was my grandfather’s instruction. We have to follow it," Lian Manman replied.
"Alright, then. I’ll send someone to escort you," Old Madam Shen said.
Lian Manman pursed her lips, feeling pleased inside. She had deliberately brought more men with her because she had heard from Lian Shouli that there were servants in the house where Lian Shouren lived and feared a conflict might arise if the other party had more people. Now, by clearing things up with Old Madam Shen in advance, she had averted potential trouble.
This could be considered cutting the ground out from under one’s feet.
Lian Manman held the wooden box without deliberately avoiding Old Madam Shen. The Old Madam acted as if she did not see the box and naturally did not inquire about it. She also mentioned that this was the first meeting and presented each one with a gift. After that, Xiao Chan was instructed to send them off.
Lian Huahua was sent back to rest by Old Madam Shen; though she was worried, she specifically asked a maid called Xiao Hong to accompany Lian Manman. However, Xiao Hong was soon sent away on a pretext by Xiao Chan.
As Xiao Chan accompanied Lian Manman, she chatted with her, inquiring about her family. Lian Manman did not conceal anything and answered all her questions.
"Miss Manman, I heard that your elder cousin is about your age," Xiao Chan asked with a smile.
"My elder cousin is older than me, about the same age as Sister Huahua and my sister. Sister Huahua and my elder cousin are almost the same height, but my sister is not as tall as them," Lian Manman replied.
"Right, Miss Manman, Xinde Hall is a herbal medicine shop. Just now, the Old Madam said if you want any medicine, tell me and I will have someone fetch it for you."
"I only just heard from Sister Huahua that Xinde Hall is a herbal shop," Lian Manman laughed. "My elder cousin heard about it from someone and thought it was a flower shop."
Xiao Chan giggled, looked around to make sure there was nobody else, then moved a bit closer to Lian Manman.
"A few days ago, a clerk from the herbal shop came to the residence, saying that there was a girl from your village who had come to the shop for treatment, and her surname was also Lian. I thought then, could it be someone from your family?" Xiao Chan watched Lian Manman as she spoke.
Lian Manman kept her expression unchanged. Lian Shouren and Lady Gu had taken Lian Huahua to Xinde Hall for a leg injury, with Lian Huahua’s face covered, pretending to be Lian Xiuxiu. But Lian Shouren and Lady Gu would surely be recognized by the clerks at Xinde Hall. This Xiao Chan was no simple character.
"Thirty Mile Camp only has our family with the surname Lian. The clerks must have heard wrong; this year our family, my elder cousin, my sister, and my two female cousins have not entered the city. We are fine, without illness or disaster, why would we bother running to a herbal shop?" Lian Manman said.
A flicker passed through Xiao Chan’s eyes, and she smiled lightly.
...
Once they left the Song Residence, the two carriages they had hired were waiting outside, sent over by Imperial Doctor Shi. Lian Manman handed out the pre-prepared rewards to Shi Tou, instructing him to take Imperial Doctor Shi’s carriage back first. The Song Family then dispatched a steward who also took a carriage, and after picking up Erlang and Sanlang from a tea house, they proceeded to Willow Alley, the residence loaned to Lian Shouren.
As they reached the door, Lian Manman alighted from the carriage and saw Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang holding Niuniu, ready to greet them as they arrived.
Lian Manman understood in her heart, this must be because Lian Huahua had sent a message ahead of them.
"...Father is so ill that he cannot get off the k’ang, and mother is taking care of father," Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang explained as they walked inside.
Lian Shouxin, Erlang, Sanlang, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi, having received Lian Manman’s instructions, all remained silent.
"Steward Song, lead us to the main hall," Lian Manman said to the steward who had come with them.
With orders from Old Madam Shen, the steward was to follow Lian Manman’s lead and promptly led the way.
Once inside the main hall, Lian Shouxin, Erlang, Sanlang, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi took up positions on either side, as Lian Manman took out Old Master Lian’s tobacco pipe.
Here, unlike at the Song Residence, Lian Manman did not intend to be courteous with anyone.
"Brother Erlang, Brother Sanlang, go and carry grand-uncle over here," Lian Manman ordered, lifting the tobacco pipe.
*****
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