Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1672 - 853: Decision (Part 2)

Shang Baorong thanked while insisting on going home for dinner.

"...Sister-in-law said that we’re not outsiders, and we live close. We can have a meal together anytime, it doesn’t have to be this one."

Seeing Shang Baorong’s insistence, everyone did not force her to stay.

"Baorong is such a filial girl to her mother." Everyone said.

After sending Shang Baorong out, they did not immediately have dinner but first inquired with Lian Yeye about what they were most concerned about, what was happening at the old house.

"Wasn’t it said that they didn’t invite Baorong’s father to mediate? What’s going on?" Lady Zhang asked first.

"...When I went there, he was already there. I secretly asked my father, and he said my grandpa didn’t invite him. He came on his own, happened to be there, so he stayed and helped mediate." Lian Yeye said.

"Today they were going to settle things at the old house, he must have known." Lian Manman said.

Shang Huaide obviously knew something was happening at the old house today, and even though Old Master Lian didn’t invite him, he still "happened" to show up. Clearly, Shang Huaide did it on purpose.

"But I’ve never heard that he’s a reckless person." Lady Wu Wang said.

"Reckless" is a local saying implying someone who doesn’t know when to advance or retreat, lacking discretion.

The issues with Si Lang and Yin Suo weren’t honorable matters. Inviting Wu Yuchang as a mediator showed immense trust in him. Not inviting Shang Huaide meant not wanting him involved.

Yet, Shang Huaide insisted on getting involved.

If he’s not reckless, then what is he?

Nobody said a word. Lian Manman felt that Old Master Lian was surely quite frustrated today.

"So what happened with the matter?" Lady Zhang asked Lian Yeye again.

Lian Yeye frowned and recounted everything she saw and heard at the old house. Although mediators were invited, the atmosphere was far from friendly. The factions of Lian Shouyi and Lian Lanlan each had their arguments and quarreled from morning till noon.

Lian Lanlan firmly denied spreading rumors that sabotaged Si Lang’s marriage proposal. She declared that when Si Lang proposed, the old house hadn’t informed her, and being in the city, she knew nothing about it, much less could have sabotaged it.

Lian Shouyi’s side had anticipated Lian Lanlan’s defense. Spreading rumors and gossip is inherently difficult to pin down.

Si Lang brought up again how Lian Lanlan had spread rumors in the city, tarnishing his reputation. With this precedent, it was natural for people to suspect Lian Lanlan. Si Lang even said, "Who else but you?" unequivocally identifying Lian Lanlan as the main culprit.

The incident of Lian Lanlan tarnishing Si Lang’s reputation in the city had been witnessed by Lian Shouxin, making it hard to deny. Lian Lanlan didn’t deny it, but she also didn’t admit it. Instead, she immediately cried and brought up Si Lang tarnishing Yin Suo’s reputation.

Lian Shouyi’s side demanded compensation for Si Lang from Lian Lanlan, and Lian Lanlan demanded compensation for Yin Suo from Lian Shouyi.

The two sides were thus at an impasse, neither willing to concede despite Wu Yuchang and Shang Huaide’s persistent mediation.

"Needle tip to wheat awn, neither side is willing to only gain advantage and not suffer losses." Lady Zhang listened to Lian Yeye’s account and sighed, "This truly is hard on the mediators."

"So they didn’t come to any conclusion in the end?" Lian Manman asked.

"I don’t know if you could call what happened a result." Lian Yeye said.

The mediators’ efforts were ineffective, and finally, Old Master Lian proposed a solution. Old Master Lian’s so-called solution was that both Lian Shouyi and Lian Lanlan’s sides had their faults, which should cancel each other out, ending the matter there. In the future, both sides must behave as before, without harboring grievances or bringing up the issue again.

"I guessed it would be like this." Lian Manman said. This resolution was typical of Old Master Lian’s style. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Will the Second Master and Auntie be happy with this?" Lady Zhao asked.

"Yin Suo’s parents didn’t say much. Yaya’s parents and Si Lang wouldn’t agree to anything, and started arguing again, saying until Yin Suo’s parents agreed to compensate Si Lang, they shouldn’t think about leaving." Lian Yeye explained, "Then my granny wouldn’t have it, and told Si Lang’s family to leave."

Lady Zhou forcefully intervened, clearly setting conditions. If Lian Shouyi’s family didn’t agree to drop the matter and continued harassing Lian Lanlan, they would be driven out of the house. Not just to split the family, but to be kicked out with nothing.

With Lady Zhou’s stand, Lian Shouyi’s side was naturally discontented but significantly subdued. Old Master Lian immediately seized the opportunity.

Old Master Lian spoke less directly than Lady Zhou, but made his meaning clear. If Lian Shouyi and Si Lang didn’t agree to his decision, they would immediately separate from the family. He hinted that if the family divided now, Lian Shouyi’s share would be minimal—just the east wing they lived in and a few acres of land, nothing else. Old Master Lian even implied that because of Lian Shouyi and Si Lang’s disobedience, Si Lang didn’t need to go work in the shop in the future.

"Wow, that’s... quite severe." Lady Zhang was speechless for a moment.

"Yesterday my grandpa already hinted at this." Lian Manman told Lady Zhang. Yesterday, with only family present, Old Master Lian said this, perhaps Lian Shouyi’s family held onto a shred of hope. But today, stating it before mediators made it definitive; Old Master Lian was resolute in carrying it out.

No matter how stubbornly Lian Shouyi, Lady He, and Si Lang could argue, in the end, they had to compromise, though certainly they would harbor even more resentment.

"So Si Lang’s family agreed, right?" Lady Zhao asked.

"They didn’t say they disagreed. Si Lang just turned and left, while Yaya’s father knelt there, kowtowing to my grandpa and grandma, wailing that his own son and grandson couldn’t compare to a daughter..." Lian Yeye said.

"This grudge, it’s really blown up big this time!" Lady Zhang sighed. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)