Chapter 400: Chapter 207 Rescue_2
"What’s happened here, what’s going on?" Wu Yuchang hurried over from the front courtyard, speaking as he walked.
Si Lang and several others weren’t completely foolish; seeing someone coming, they quickly scattered. A boy from the He Family, as if he hadn’t had his fill, grasped the last bit of oily vegetables in the bowl in his hand, stuffing it into his mouth while running out with a clatter.
Wu Yuchang scolded a few times and made a show of chasing after him.
Sister-in-law Xiu E and a few others were left hanging.
Lady Zhou was pleased with herself.
"Whoever has this daughter-in-law is truly unlucky. She has disgraced the entire Old Zhao family. The Old Zhao family’s upbringing, I see, is not very good. I don’t know how Erlang’s wife is, hopefully not like her sister-in-law."
"Mother, Auntie, I haven’t had enough of those meatballs," from outside, Sister-in-law Xiu E’s little nephew who had taken a tumble whined tearfully.
For Sister-in-law Xiu E, who was already fuming, it was adding fuel to the fire.
"What’s going on, please sit down, there’s still food coming out. The dishes will be here in a moment," Wu Yuchang had returned by this time, smiling apologetically to Sister-in-law Xiu E and her company. He then squatted down to the crying child and said, "This chubby little one is really adorable. No more meatballs, is that it? I’ll go and get you a bowl in a bit, just for you, no one else."
Someone else invited Sister-in-law Xiu E to join them at their table.
Lian Manman looked around and noticed that these were all good people. Their gesture was not because they had any particular fondness for Sister-in-law Xiu E; their behavior was known as "saving face."
Sister-in-law Xiu E blushed and then turned pale, not knowing whether to make a scene or let it be.
"We’re full, we won’t eat anymore."
Sister-in-law Xiu E then called over her sisters-in-law and nephews to leave, knowing that staying would only result in loss of face and ridicule.
Lian Manman then saw Sister-in-law Xiu E heading towards the Upper Room; they were going back to Xiu E’s bridal chamber.
The matter seemed to have resolved itself in this way, which could be considered satisfactory. Lian Manman retreated back to the side of the kang bed, and before she could sit down, she saw Lady Zhou emerge from the room with Lian Xiuxiu.
"Oh my, what is all this crying and howling outside? It’s truly shameless, fighting over food? It’s as if they haven’t seen good food in eight hundred years, coming here to lose face," Lian Xiuxiu’s triumphant voice came from outside.
Then came the sound of Lady Zhou’s cold laughter.
Lian Manman pressed her hand to her forehead, resigned, and hurriedly followed outside, only to see Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu standing under the eaves, seemingly talking to the big vat next to them. However, everyone could tell that their words were directed at Sister-in-law Xiu E.
Sure enough, Sister-in-law Xiu E, who had just reached the doorway to the Upper Room, stopped in her tracks and turned to look over.
Sister-in-law Xiu E was no pushover, and with Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu’s fiery temperaments, clashing with them could lead to disastrous consequences.
"Big sis," Lian Manman quickly smiled and greeted Sister-in-law Xiu E, "Big sis, why did you finish eating so quickly? Why didn’t my eldest sister-in-law accompany you?... Big sis, this is my mother," Lian Manman pointed to Lady Zhou, and then to Lian Xiuxiu, "and this is my aunt."
Was this not taking sides in a fight, Lian Manman thought to herself. Both parties clearly knew who the other was, but by not saying it outright, they could "pretend to be drunk". At this critical moment, Lian Manman identified Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu’s identities to Sister-in-law Xiu E. As a younger generation member, Sister-in-law Xiu E, regardless of what she might say behind their backs, could not afford to argue with Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu in front of others, and had to swallow her anger.
Unless they plan to take Zhao Xiue back home later.
Sister-in-law Xiu E has resigned herself to this loss.
Indeed, the face of Sister-in-law Xiu E turned green, and she pursed her lips tightly, as though afraid that some words might blurt out on their own.
"Nanny, Auntie, that’s Sister-in-law Xiu E’s elder sister," Lian Manman said with a smile to Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu.
The two parties faced each other across a distance, neither of them speaking.
Lady Zhou let out a cold laugh, seemingly about to speak again. Lian Manman inwardly exclaimed in concern. Lady Zhou was the type of person who didn’t let go once she had the upper hand. Now that Sister-in-law Xiu E’s embarrassment was both public and private, Lady Zhou should have lost her steam and shouldn’t continue to mock her with cold words.
Just as Lian Manman was thinking about what to say to change the subject, she caught a glimpse of Lady Chiang arriving with Lian Duoduo and Niuniu from outside the courtyard, and her eyes lit up.
"Elder sister, where have you been?" Lian Manman called to Lady Chiang, "Come quick and have a chat with Sister-in-law Xiu E’s elder sister."
Lady Chiang saw that the atmosphere between Lady Zhou and Sister-in-law Xiu E was somewhat rigid and hurried over to Sister-in-law Xiu E’s side.
"Elder sister, it’s cold outside, let’s go inside and talk," she said, while leading Sister-in-law Xiu E inside.
Lian Manman breathed a sigh of relief.
"Nanny, Auntie, let’s go inside as well."
...
After the banquet ended and the guests had been sent off, the Lian Family and the workers had a separate feast for themselves.
In the room where Lady Zhou stayed, three tables were set up. Lian Manman, Lian Zhizhi, Lian Yeye, Lian Yaya, Xiao Qi, Wu Lang, Lady Zhang, Lady Zhao, and others sat at one of them.
Zhang Qingnian had drunk alcohol and wanted to rest a bit and sober up before leaving, so Zhang Caiyun sat next to Lian Manman. While watching Lian Manman eat, she talked with her.
"Manman, your elder sister... hiding... with a man..."
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Ruoyan’s finished farming story recommended:
Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Complete text with extras) (There is a direct link below, click to arrive directly)
Summary: Transmigrated as a wrongly accused divorcee, carrying along a little bun, a sweet life partnering with a cost-effective man.
****......***
Here’s one more update, asking for pink. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)
