Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 593 - 305 Betrothal_2

Old Master Lian had also attempted to persuade Lady Zhou, but her attitude was very resolute.

"Do you think I’m faking my illness? I feel light-headed and weak, like I’m about to be thrown out. Zhizhi’s marriage was arranged without my consent. Now, all of a sudden, you need me? If I don’t go, does that mean Zhizhi’s betrothal will not be finalized? I can’t go anywhere, let alone see anyone. Just for the sake of Zhizhi’s marriage, must I risk my old life to serve? Go ahead and pressure me. When I’m dead, you’ll all be happy," Lady Zhou claimed to be seriously ill, but when she cursed at others, her voice was strong; everyone could see that she was not sick at all.

Hearing Lady Zhou speak like this, Lady Zhang stormed out.

"She’s gone too far this time. All these years, my heartfelt devotion to her and Xiuxiu, has been taken for granted. We’re arranging the marriage of our eldest girl, a once-in-a-lifetime affair. We’re not begging her for anything; we just want a nice presentation and seek a joyous family reunion. She won’t even give us this bit of face. What does she take us for?" Lady Zhang returned to her room and immediately vented to Lian Shouxin.

Lian Shouxin also felt disheartened, but he could not join Lady Zhang in speaking ill of Lady Zhou.

"If she behaves like this, then let me make it clear as well. When Xiuxiu’s day comes, don’t expect me to attend," Lady Zhang swore through clenched teeth, genuinely infuriated this time.

Lady Zhang was annoyed, but in front of Lady Wang, she had to maintain pretense and agree that Lady Zhou was ill.

"My aunt is sick again, what an uproar," Lady Wang seemed shocked, "then, should I and his father take Jiaxing to see my aunt? That shouldn’t be a problem, right?"

Lady Wang turned and asked Old Master Lian the question.

A look of embarrassment appeared on Old Master Lian’s face. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"There’s no need to see her, my aunt’s ailment this time is...contagious," Old Master Lian had to say, in an attempt to avoid embarrassment.

Wu Yugui and Lady Wang quickly exchanged a glance.

"What’s this about being contagious or not? We’re real relatives here; we’re not afraid of that. Let’s do this: we’ll go over, and Jiaxing can greet my aunt," suggested Wu Yugui.

Being people who valued etiquette, Wu Yugui and Lady Wang made it difficult for Old Master Lian to object.

Wu Yugui and Lady Wang, along with Wu Jiaxing and Lian Zhizhi, left the house and headed for the Upper Room. Lian Shouxin, Lady Zhang, and Lian Manman followed behind.

The door to the Upper Room East Room was tightly shut. Wu Yugui paused at the doorway.

"Auntie, we’ve come to see you," Wu Yugui called out. Following that call, there was a rustling inside the room. Wu Yugui paused for a moment before pushing open the door.

Inside, Lady Zhou was wrapped in a quilt, half lying on the bed. Lian Xiuxiu sat beside her, holding a cup of water, about to help Lady Zhou drink.

Manman scanned the room quickly with her eyes; three small, dark purple circles marked Lady Zhou’s forehead, the result of cupping therapy. If it weren’t for her rosy complexion, she could have easily been mistaken for someone who was truly ill.

Lady Zhou leaned on Lian Xiuxiu’s hand to drink water, but there was actually no water in the cup.

Lady Zhou’s demeanor was natural; however, Lian Xiuxiu was clearly uncomfortable.

Wu Yugui and Lady Wang approached Lady Zhou to greet her, inquiring about her health.

"This is the sin of a former life, not having appealed to good children. Dying of anger is futile..." Lady Zhou began to speak, deliberately casting a sidelong glance at Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang.

"You’re a fortunate person, ease your mind, everything will get better. Our families are even closer now; you should be happy about this," Lady Wang said, overlooking Lady Zhou’s words and smilingly tried to appease her.

"We’re out of water," Lian Xiuxiu announced, holding the cup and addressing Lian Zhizhi, "Zhizhi, do you have boiling water over there? Spare a cup for your grandmother."

"Auntie, my mother just boiled a kettle of hot water specifically for grandma. It’s being kept warm on the stove outside," Manman stepped forward, taking the cup from Lian Xiuxiu’s hand, "You’re not used to doing chores, but in the Upper Room, my auntie, your elder aunt, your sister-in-law, and Sister-in-law Xiu E are all there. Whenever grandma wants water, it’s always readily available. You surely haven’t settled in yet, so you wouldn’t know... I’ll go and get the water for you now."

In the Upper Room, where the divided family’s sons, and daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and their spouses were in abundance, Lian Xiuxiu was still asking Lian Zhizhi for a cup of water. This was not only about losing face for Zhizhi; it was also about the faces of people like Lady Gu, Lady Chiang, and Lady He. Moreover, being perfectly capable herself, surely she could boil a kettle of water.

As Manman spoke, she went to get a cup of hot water and handed it back to Lian Xiuxiu.

Lian Xiuxiu, who wanted to embarrass Lian Zhizhi, ended up being put in her place by Manman. Frustrated with no outlet for her anger, Xiuxiu’s expression grew even more unsightly.

Wu Yugui and Lady Wang then stood up to take their leave.

"Rare for you all to come see me...these past few days I’ve had no appetite, can’t stomach anything, just craving a bowl of dumpling soup made by Zhizhi. Her dumpling soup suits my stomach. Since today is the day of Zhizhi’s engagement, let’s forget it," Lady Zhou suddenly remarked.

"Auntie, I’ve also got a knack for making dumpling soup, guaranteed not to be worse than what Zhizhi makes. If you want to eat it, I’ll go and make it right now," Lady Wang cheerfully offered.

Initially, it was meant to put Zhizhi in a difficult position, making her face a loss of dignity in front of her future in-laws. A girl who has lost face in her own family will naturally be looked down upon in her husband’s family. But unexpectedly, Zhizhi’s future mother-in-law stepped in to defend her. Aren’t mothers-in-law supposed to take great pleasure in keeping their daughters-in-law under their thumbs? What was going on with Lady Wang, defending Zhizhi like this?

Lady Zhou was surprised.

"Zhizhi, come, let’s make it together, mother and daughter," Lady Wang cheerfully pulled Zhizhi along and departed.

Everyone naturally took this opportunity to leave the room as well.

Lady Wang came out, actually intending to fetch firewood and scrub the pot, preparing to make dumpling soup for Lady Zhou. Old Master Lian approached, shocked to see this, and after learning the reason, immediately became furious.

×××...×

Delivering a second update, requesting pinks. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)