Chapter 405: Chapter 210: Examination_1
During the fourth watch of the night, a request for pink rouge.
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Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi exchanged a knowing look. The town was so close to Thirty Mile Camp, and when they had separated from the Lian Family, they had set up a pickled vegetable workshop and opened a breakfast shop—how could their separation be unknown to others?
And the Zhao Family, who had a marriage arrangement with the Lian Family, should have been even more attentive to the Lian Family’s affairs. They ran a sundries shop, bustling with people coming and going, and were well-informed. Yet they acted unaware of the separation until they "just heard Lian Yaya mention it"? Clearly, Zhao Xiue was lying.
Zhao Xiue appeared to make casual conversation, but what was she really trying to find out?
"Sister-in-law Xiu E, you care too little about us!" Lian Manman joked with a somewhat exaggerated tone, "We’ve been separated for several months now."
Following that, Lian Manman refused to say more, only urging Zhao Xiue to eat.
"I will definitely pay more attention in the future," Zhao Xiue said as she sized up Lian Manman, catching a glimpse of the needle and thread basket on the kang bed, and laughed, "When I was at home, I just did some needlework in the house. I hardly ever went out, and the family was so busy with business, they had no time to discuss outside matters with me."
"Coming here, I’m completely in the dark about everything, and it’s frightening. I also don’t dare to talk to others. Before I left, my mother warned me. She said your uncle and aunt are good people, and so are the two younger sisters, beautiful and good-hearted. Seeing you both warms my heart... It’s just inquiring; I didn’t mean anything else."
Back at home, she had thoroughly gathered information about the Lian Family. However, after all, rumors abound, and the specifics were best known by the Lian Family themselves.
But as a new bride, there were some things she couldn’t openly ask about. She thought of probing the younger children of the Lian Family: Lian Duo didn’t care to interact much, and she seemed to know little about the old estate; Lian Yeye was aloof and wasn’t talkative. As for Lian Yaya, she would say whatever was asked, but her answers lacked clarity.
Zhao Xiue had set her sights on Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi. At first glance, the sisters seemed amiable, but upon speaking with them, she found they were the hardest to deceive.
"Look at you, Sister-in-law Xiu E, making it sound like we accused you of having an ulterior motive. Besides, we don’t understand what else you could mean," Lian Manman replied cheerfully and deftly, as if reciting a tongue twister.
"We’re just making idle talk, Sister-in-law Xiu E. You’ll come to know all the household matters as time goes by," Lian Zhizhi said, smiling.
"Zhizhi, Manman, when you separated, what did you divide? Did your grandfather and grandmother agree to the separation?" Zhao Xiue thought for a moment but couldn’t help asking, avoiding the latter part of her question.
"All you see around here, didn’t Brother Erlang tell you?" Lian Manman said, dodging Zhao Xiue’s second question.
Zhao Xiue didn’t press further on that topic, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then asked, "When I went to the western room earlier, I saw Duoduo. Does Huahua, who married into the city, send word often? You’ll see her during the New Year, won’t you?"
"That... we really don’t know." Lian Manman shook her head, "Sister-in-law Xiu E, the carriage you rode in is very pretty. Is it rented?"
"That’s my family’s carriage," Zhao Xiue said with a smile.
"Oh." Lian Manman uttered, realizing the Zhao Family must be quite wealthy.
"Your uncle and aunt, didn’t they all move to the county town? Are they coming home for the New Year, or do they plan to stay for good?" Zhao Xiue asked again.
"I haven’t heard anyone from the Upper Room mention it," Lian Manman thought to herself how Zhao Xiue had too many questions. "Sister-in-law Xiu E, we live in the same yard, but we are separated; the matters of our uncle and aunt don’t concern us much."
It was true after all. Seeing she couldn’t glean much, Zhao Xiue switched to expressing interest in Lian Zhizhi’s needlework.
"Xiu E, have you come up here?" Just then, Lady He walked in from outside, greeted Zhao Xiue with a smile, "Come, follow me to the Upper Room. It’s time to cook."
It was time to cook, not to eat.
In tenant farmer households, taking a bride was for producing offspring and doing chores. A newly entered bride was pampered for only a moment before she was expected to cook and tend the fire.
Watching Lady He’s joyful demeanor, Lian Manman wondered if she was so happy because with a daughter-in-law, she wouldn’t have to cook anymore.
Zhao Xiue hesitated visibly, but still got off the kang and followed Lady He.
A bride’s first time cooking was precisely when the mother-in-law assessed her skills. Curious, Lian Manman waited until Lady He and Zhao Xiue had left, then after a short while, she made her way to the Upper Room.
