Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 721 - 369 Everyone Goes to Take Office_2

They say that without desire, one can maintain integrity—Lian Manman now felt very calm, finding the sibling rivalry between Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi rather amusing. She turned her head to look at Lian Shouren, eager to hear how he would respond.

"Second brother, I can’t bear to leave our parents either, nor can I stand to be apart from you all," Lian Shouren wiped the corner of his eye, then sighed. "But have you ever heard of a County Magistrate who takes his whole family with him when he assumes his post? Let alone a County Magistrate, even a Magistrate or Governor usually..."

As Lian Shouren was about to say "unmarried," he caught a glimpse of Lady Gu’s piercing gaze and swallowed the word back.

"At most, one would bring three or four members of the family, keeping it simple and low-key. As an eighth-rank official, how can I outshine my superiors? Such ostentation would likely bring reprimand as soon as I set foot there. Even worse, someone might impeach me, and if I can’t fulfill my duties for even a day, I would be at fault," Lian Shouren said, shaking his hands, showing a look of helplessness.

Lian Manman understood perfectly. What Lian Shouren had said so gravely meant one thing: he only wished to take his own family with him when taking office; as for others, whether it be Old Master Lian, Lady Zhou, or the people from the second household, he didn’t want to take any of them.

But Lian Shouren had spoken many words of officialdom; would Lian Shouyi be intimidated by them?

Lian Manman turned her head again to look at Lian Shouyi.

"Uncle, your words seem a bit off," Zhao Xiue interjected. "I am a woman, illiterate, and I can’t read, but even I know that our Great Ming Dynasty values filial piety above all else."

"Yes, and also brotherhood and respect," Lian Shouyi joined in.

"Just because someone holds high office, does that make him any less human? As soon as he takes office, does he no longer have parents or siblings? Not to mention the farther relatives, here in our county, which official hasn’t arrived with his family in tow? Not just their immediate family—parents, sisters, brothers, nephews— but even those relatives beyond the five degrees of mourning, everyone brings them along when assuming a post, and nobody gets reprimanded for it; in fact, people praise them. It shows they have humanity, not becoming conceited upon reaching success, looking down on others!"

"Right, right, right, that’s exactly the point," Lian Shouyi, hugely entertained by Zhao Xiue’s sharp tongue, was genuinely satisfied.

"Big brother, don’t take this to heart. What Erlang’s wife is talking about are those heartless people. Big brother, between us brothers, I know what kind of person you are; you’re certainly not the type to abandon our parents, siblings, and nephews once you’ve gained office. Brother, I trust you; you definitely can’t do such a thing," Lian Shouyi said with a chuckle, staring earnestly at Lian Shouren’s face.

Lian Shouren was both embarrassed and angry, his face turning purple but finding himself unable to lash out.

Lady Gu then gave a subtle glance towards Lady Chiang.

"Erlang’s wife has quite the mouth on her, though... too harsh," Lady Chiang spoke slowly. "We Lian Family have our own customs. Speaking to one’s elders in such an unclean and disrespectful way—if word of this got out, it would be the Lian Family that becomes the laughingstock."

"In the village, one can bear the gossip, what can be done about it. But going out there, with the Old Master now being an official, to continue allowing a village shrew to throw tantrums and curse in the streets would bring great shame upon the Lian Family. And that’s just one issue. Disregarding the distinctions of age and status, lacking in the proper rites and morals, can we bear the weight of such accusations?" Lady Gu continued.

Zhao Xiue was bold and brazen, quick with her words; usually, Lady Gu and Lady Chiang avoided direct confrontations with her. But today, it was apparent that Lady Gu and Lady Chiang had changed their strategy.

With Lian Shouren having become an official, the Lian Family had also transformed from tenant farmers into a family of officials. If Zhao Xiue wanted to accompany them upon taking office, then they would suppress her with propriety and morality.

With Lady Gu and Lady Chiang singing a duet, now it was Zhao Xiue who felt ashamed and flustered.

"Sister-in-law, don’t start throwing around big words at us. Erlang’s wife is one of our own; we know what she’s like. She’s just frank, always says what’s on her mind," Lian Shouyi said laughingly.

"That’s right, if you’re standing straight, why fear a crooked shadow? If you’re... clean, why fear what others might say?" Zhao Xiue raised her eyebrow and glanced at Lady Chiang.

"Big brother, let’s cut the nonsense. It comes down to one thing—we all agreed that we would accompany our parents along with you and sister-in-law, as one family, harmoniously. Big brother, if you don’t take us, have you thought about what others would say? Big brother, to serve well as an official, you’ll need to bring us with you," Lian Shouyi said, leaning on the bed’s edge, and staring widely at Lian Shouren.

Lian Shouren was frustrated and powerless.

"Second brother, I never said I wouldn’t take you. Just wait, let me go first, and once I have everything arranged, I will send for you all. This way, it avoids drawing attention, and when you arrive, everything will be ready for you. How good would that be?" After exchanging another look with Lady Gu, Lian Shouren softened his tone.

"Big brother, aren’t you turning things upside down? As the more important person, it should be me and a few nephews who go first to prepare the way. That’s only proper," Lian Shouyi winked at Lian Shouren. Others might not understand Lian Shouren, but didn’t he? Lian Shouyi wouldn’t be fooled by such a statement; if he were, he wouldn’t be Lian Shouyi. What Lian Shouren suggested was clearly a way to dodge; thinking that once Lian Shouren settled down, he would actually consider coming back for them would be wishful thinking.

No matter what, Lian Shouyi was determined to hold on tightly and not let go.

"Big brother, as brothers, we share in the good times—together, and share the bad times—likewise, don’t we, big brother?"

"Second brother, if you all come with me, who would take care of our parents?" Lian Shouren asked.

***...***

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