Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1681 - 858: Success Achieved
Not only is it the old house, but they also can’t get any peace. The work of making knee pads and insoles can’t stop, and every day they have to send someone out to look for Si Lang.
"Even if he was angry, he’s been gone for days without leaving a word for the family, not even a message. Never mind his parents, even I’m on edge, really worried he might get into some trouble. No matter what, he’s a grown boy, but he’s still a life." Lady Zhang lamented.
"That’s the thing." Lian Shouxin nodded.
"Didn’t you just go to the old house and see Old Master?" Lady Zhang continued, "The old lady is someone who doesn’t take anything to heart. Even if the sky is falling, she still eats and drinks as she pleases. But Old Master is suffering. If Si Lang doesn’t come back, Old Master would likely be the first to throw in the towel."
Hearing this, Lian Shouxin’s expression changed. What he said about Si Lang earlier wasn’t exactly praise in the strict sense. Farmstead families have many local sayings that are neutral, and whether they are complimentary or critical depends on the situation. The main reason he didn’t start reprimanding Si Lang as soon as he got home was that seeing his wife and children put him in a good mood.
"I didn’t see him; at first glance he startled me," Lian Shouxin said, "Old Master has aged terribly this year, especially these past few days. His hair has turned completely white. I used to not believe in the stories of people going completely gray overnight, but seeing Old Master now, I believe it." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
"On the way back, I asked Si Lang. The boy didn’t tell me that he went to Badao Miaozi without notifying the family; he just kept talking about how he felt wronged. I only found out when we got to the old house. I wanted to scold Si Lang for a bit, but Old Master gave me a look first, signaling me not to speak ill of Si Lang."
"These days, Grandpa was worried sick and genuinely thought something had happened to Si Lang. Now that Si Lang is back safe and sound, Grandpa must feel like that’s the best thing ever." Wu Lang said.
"Exactly." Lian Manman nodded in agreement, "Grandpa must be full of regrets these days. Seeing how hot-tempered Si Lang is, he finally came back, and if everyone starts scolding him again, he might run away or do something else. What then? Grandpa definitely needs to coax Si Lang this time."
Lady He clamored for Lady Zhou to make amends to Si Lang, but naturally, Lady Zhou was not willing to. However, if Si Lang hadn’t come back, Old Master might have really demanded that Lady Zhou make amends to Si Lang.
After Lian Shouxin finished his snack, Lady Zhang told him how chaotic the old house had been these past few days, including the fight between Lady He and Lady Zhou.
"I already know." Lian Shouxin’s expression was somewhat strange, "Earlier at the old house, Old Master told Si Lang to go wash up and change clothes. After Si Lang and his parents left the Upper Room, I wanted to come back, but the old lady stopped me."
"... She even asked me to look at her face and the injuries on her head, wanting me to stand up for her. Sigh..." Lian Shouxin sighed deeply, his face clouded with ambiguity.
In this era, etiquette and propriety are highly valued, and the status gap between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is clear. If a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law really conflict, not only tradition but also public opinion would place the daughter-in-law at a disadvantage. Hence, it’s rare for a daughter-in-law to openly conflict with her mother-in-law. Situations where they actually come to blows are even more uncommon.
It can be said with certainty that nothing like this has happened in the surrounding villages.
Lian Shouxin had some inclination towards Lady Zhou, but he couldn’t deceive himself. Lady He had many shortcomings, but over the years, she had been under Lady Zhou’s control and did not dare to confront her directly.
Lady He’s reputation in Thirty Mile Camp is not very good, but even though everyone says it’s wrong to lay hands on her mother-in-law, privately, no one pities Lady Zhou.
Lady Zhou’s blatant favoritism and harsh words rubbed salt in Lady He’s wounds. It’s no wonder Lady He wanted to fight her; a more temperamental and forceful woman might have even gone all out against Lady Zhou.
It’s fair to say that Lady Zhou getting beaten was entirely because she brought it upon herself by not respecting her age.
Lady Zhou is domineering and unreasonable, but Lian Shouxin had nothing to do with these traits. Not only is he not domineering at all, but he is also quite reasonable. Having such a mother, Lian Shouxin must feel embarrassed and tormented inside.
"She asked you to stand up for her, so how did you plan to stand up for her?" Lady Zhang sneered, "If the old lady wants you to stand up for her, what did you say? Didn’t you ask her how she wanted you to stand up for her? Are you supposed to go and beat up Si Lang’s mother, or do you have the authority to divorce her?"
