Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 810 - 413: Venting Grievances
The first update, seeking support.
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Lady Zhang and Lian Lanlan do not get along, a fact that Lian Manman only recently discovered.
Regarding this aunt, who lives in the county seat and only returns to Thirty Mile Camp during festivals to visit Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, she was seldom mentioned in the Shouxin Family due to little relevance to their daily life. Yet recently, because Manman’s family received an imperial arch as a gift, Lian Lanlan sent word that she would come to offer congratulations. Only then did this aunt truly enter Lian Manman’s field of vision.
Afterward, Lian Manman found that whenever Lian Lanlan was mentioned, Lady Zhang would become reticent and look sullen.
Lian Manman then inquired privately with Lian Zhizhi about what was going on.
"Mom and our big aunt don’t get along with each other," Lian Zhizhi told Lian Manman.
"Why?" Lian Manman was somewhat shocked. Lady Zhang’s temperament was gentle and soft, and she rarely conflicted with anyone. Seeing how she yielded to Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu, as well as how she interacted with the villagers, Manman found it hard to believe that Lady Zhang could have any conflict with a big aunt-in-law who had already left their household when she got married.
As for Lian Lanlan, although Manman had no particular impression of her, from what she had heard, it was evident that Lanlan was a very intelligent and sociable woman. Manman believed that Lian Lanlan should be similar to Lady Chiang—someone who, regardless of true feelings, would always make a great effort to maintain a good appearance.
There was no apparent conflict of interest between Lady Zhang and Lian Lanlan, so how could the amiable Lady Zhang be at odds with someone who knew how to get along with people?
Lian Zhizhi was also somewhat at a loss for words.
"They’ve never argued or quarreled, and it’s not clear what it’s about. Mom won’t talk about it either."
Thus, Lian Manman harbored doubts in her heart.
It was precisely because she knew about the discord between Lady Zhang and Lian Lanlan that, when Lanlan came yesterday and looked at her with that evaluating and probing gaze, and deliberately made Jin Suo show her affection, Manman had a vague premonition of something, but she wasn’t in a rush.
As expected, Lian Lanlan only hinted at something before being shut down by Lady Zhang.
However, this did not resolve the doubts in Lian Manman’s mind.
Why does Lady Zhang not get along with Lian Lanlan?
Lian Manman looked at Lady Li, hoping to get an answer from her.
Lady Li, while working with cotton, seemed to ponder for a moment before finally speaking.
"About this, you should ask your mother yourself later," said Lady Li, "You know your mother, she always shares the good news but keeps the worries to herself even with me. I just know that she doesn’t quite get along with your big aunt."
"Oh." Lian Manman couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed, "Grandma, if I ask my mother, won’t she get angry? Besides, from the way she looks, she seems rather reluctant to talk about it."
"Talk about what?"
As they were speaking, Lady Zhang walked in from outside.
"Mom, how come you’re back so soon? Doesn’t the workshop need you to keep an eye on it?" Lian Manman asked.
"They are all seasoned workers. Later on, it’s all counted by weight for their wages, and it’s not necessary for me to supervise. I’ve appointed Chunzhu’s Wife as a foreman; she looks after everything for me. This makes it much easier for me. Nowadays, there are many things to take care of at home, and I can’t always be tied to the workshop, can I?" said Lady Zhang.
Lian Manman nodded. She had intended to remind Lady Zhang of this matter, but now that Lady Zhang had figured it out herself and made arrangements, it was settled.
Lady Zhang then washed her hands, got on the kang bed, and joined Lady Li in working with cotton.
"What were you and your grandma talking about when I came in?" While working with the cotton, Lady Zhang casually asked Lian Manman.
Lian Manman, seeing that Lady Zhang seemed to be in a pretty good mood, thought for a moment and decided to ask anyway.
"... Grandma is so overbearing and unreasonable towards you, and my old aunt was clearly ungrateful. But you seem fine with them, so why is it that with my big aunt you just..."
Lian Manman looked at Lady Zhang.
Lady Zhang seemed to recall something unpleasant. Her expression darkened immediately and she fell silent. Nobody in the room spoke, and in fact, everyone shared Manman’s curiosity. Due to the contrast, they all wanted to know why Lady Zhang treated Lian Lanlan differently.
"Mom, what’s there that can’t be said? In this room, it’s all family. Speak it out, it might be a relief and also let us understand," Lian Manman urged Lady Zhang.
"You, don’t keep every unpleasant thing bottled up inside," Lady Li sighed.
"I want to talk, really, I just don’t know how to start," Lady Zhang finally said.
