Chapter 381: Chapter 197: Rules_2
Tenant farmers, for the most part, were self-sufficient, living frugally. A year’s expenses of just two strings of money were enough. One could deeply appreciate how wasteful it was to pawn a jade pendant and take out usurious loans from just looking at what these eight pieces of silver could buy.
Twenty taels of silver; what was left to return to Old Master Lian was four taels and five pieces of silver, along with more than two strings of copper coins.
"Grandfather, don’t feel reluctant to spend this money. When those things run out, just go buy more. Focus on getting your health back first," Lian Manman said.
Old Master Lian looked down at the silver in his hands. Manman was really brave in spending money, but every penny was spent in the right place and nothing was concealed from him. Even if Lian Manman took back the money, he wouldn’t investigate the whereabouts of the twenty taels of silver if she didn’t mention it.
"I don’t want this money, Manman, you take it. Whatever is lacking in daily life, just buy that," Old Master Lian insisted on giving the money to Lian Manman.
Of course, Lian Manman would not take it.
Old Master Lian then turned his gaze to Xiao Qi, who jumped in fright and promptly hid his chubby hands behind his back, as if afraid that Old Master Lian would forcefully shove the money into his hands.
"Grandfather, you should keep the money. Our expenses are not large now, and the earnings from the shop are sufficient," Lian Wulang said with a smile.
"Grandpa, let’s not go back and forth on this, just keep the money," Lian Manman urged Old Master Lian with a wink, "Grandpa, you surely don’t have any private stash of money."
Old Master Lian was amused and laughed.
"Alright," Old Master Lian put away the larger pieces of silver, pushing the few smaller pieces and two strings of coins to Xiao Qi, "This is for you, to buy paper."
After a couple of refusals, Lian Manman let Xiao Qi accept the money. She had to appreciate Old Master Lian’s kind gesture.
"Grandpa, make sure to take good care of your health and get well soon, so we can continue learning to write and study," she said.
"I am mostly recovered now, come over this afternoon. All of you can keep the books now, right? Our little Xiao Qi can even use the abacus now, which makes me very happy," Old Master Lian, cheered up by the children, laughed as he ruffled Xiao Qi’s hair.
As midday approached, Lady Zhou was in no hurry to get lunch ready.
Now that the people from the main house had returned, Lady Zhou had reorganized the domestic duties. Lady Zhao helped at the breakfast bun shop and was only in charge of preparing the Lian Family’s dinner. The breakfast and midday meals, from now on, would be alternately handled by Lady Gu and Lady He.
Today was Lady Gu’s turn.
"Xiuxiu, Manman, Wu Lang, come with me," Lady Zhou called out.
"Go, see what your grandmother needs," Old Master said.
Lian Manman and the others got down from the kang and followed behind Lady Zhou into the west room.
Because the kang was not heated and there was no fire in the stove, the west room was much colder than the east room.
Lian Shouren, Lady Gu, Lian Duoduo, Lian Jizu, Lady Chiang, and Niuniu all sat on the kang bundled up in thick clothing, covered with quilts, Lian Shouren even wrapped in a cotton blanket.
The few people got busy getting up when they saw Lady Zhou enter.
"Mother, I was just about to start cooking," Lady Gu was the first to slip off the kang, ingratiatingly saying to Lady Zhou.
Lady Zhou coldly glanced at Lady Gu without a word.
"Grandma, please sit on the kang," Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang also got off the kang, spreading a mat at the kang’s edge for Lady Zhou to sit.
"Mother," Lian Shouren didn’t get off the kang, but merely shifted to a kneeling position on it.
Lian Duoduo sniffled, hugging Niuniu and shrinking behind Lian Shouren, her expression hidden from view.
Lady Zhou sized up the room, noting not only the several wardrobes that were normally there but also several boxes that Lian Shouren and his family had brought back from the city, piled up in the corner of the wall.
Withdrawing her gaze, Lady Zhou slowly sat down on the mattress.
"Mother," Lady Gu didn’t dare to slacken in the slightest, standing with her head bowed and ears pinned down off the kang.
"To do work and cook, that outfit of yours won’t do," Lady Zhou glanced at Lady Gu.
Having lived in the county town for a few months, Lady Gu’s clothes were all silk and satin now. Naturally, the other members of the major branch of the family had done the same.
"Mother is right, I’ll change my clothes right now," Lady Gu said obediently.
"Your clothes won’t do either, I’ll give you some of my old clothes later," Lady Zhou said, "We farmstead folks should look the part. Previously, when you weren’t under my eye, I couldn’t be bothered with you. But it won’t do anymore. The way you’re decked out, coming and going, you’ll make the neighbors laugh at us."
Lady Gu dared not speak.
"Go, open all your trunks of clothes, pick out what can’t be worn, and leave them with me," Lady Zhou ordered.
Lady Gu was stunned.
"What are you dazed for, didn’t you hear what I said?" Lady Zhou instantly became angry, pointing at Lady Gu and scolding, "Spent a few days in the city and now you think you’re above us? Do you still recognize me as your mother-in-law? You spiteful, wicked woman, causing trouble secretly, conniving with my son to scheme against us, you wish I was dead, don’t you?"
"Mother, no, I haven’t," Lady Gu knew this was Lady Zhou taking charge of her, hastily knelt down, and pleaded.
"Stop putting on airs in front of me, one way to my face, another behind my back, ruining perfectly good adults and children," Lady Zhou railed again, her eyes darkly sweeping over Lian Shouren and Lian Duoduo hiding behind him.
It was winter, and while the kang was cold, the ground was even colder. Lady Gu had knelt for a while and began to feel her legs stiffen, her face betraying her suffering.
"Mother..." Lian Shouren tried to speak up.
"Shut your mouth, you unfilial wretch," Lady Zhou immediately turned and scolded Lian Shouren.
Lian Shouren flushed, his mouth shut. It had been so many years, and this was the first time Lady Zhou had scolded him like this.
Lian Shouren was treated thus, so Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang dared even less to speak, only standing with their heads bowed.
"What are you still waiting for?" Seeing that she had subdued everyone in the room, Lady Zhou again spoke sharply to Lady Gu.
Lady Gu then remembered what Lady Zhou had just said, reluctant in her heart but still stood up and walked over to the trunks.
"Open all the boxes," Lady Zhou commanded loudly.
***...***
With Manman’s status raised, Lady Zhou’s targeting for reprimand shifts significantly, heh.
Seeking likes, seeking likes, twisting and turning for likes. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
