Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 814 - 415: Killing the Chicken to Warn the Monkey
The third watch, seeking for pink support.
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Lian Shouxin was the best at roasting sweet potatoes with the stove fire, having the best grasp of the heat, even Lady Zhang could not roast them as well as he did.
"Dad will go pick some sweet potatoes from the cellar shortly and roast one for each of you," Lian Shouxin immediately said with joy. Xiao Qi hadn’t paid attention to him all day, this was the perfect opportunity to coax Xiao Qi back. At this time, let alone roasting sweet potatoes, even if it was the moon in the sky, Lian Shouxin would presumably climb up a ladder to try and pick it.
When Lian Manman returned home, Lady Li was persuading Lady Zhang.
"...That should be almost enough. When judging someone, you have to look at their good points. Zhizhi’s dad has his strengths; he is an honest and kind man. Last night, when you were at odds, look at him, knowing that I was here, he didn’t dare to raise his voice. If it were someone difficult to deal with, raising their voice and making a fuss, I would have to step in. If I had to intervene, since you are my dear daughter, I would have to press you a little."
"You and the kids ignoring him, I saw that he was getting anxious. This means that he cares about you. The fact that he could lower his tone and apologize to you, coax the children, that’s quite rare. If he were a man with a big temper, even if he were in the wrong, for the sake of his pride he wouldn’t admit it..."
Lady Li was wholeheartedly doing this for her daughter and son-in-law’s sake, for the harmony of Lady Zhang’s family. Lady Li spoke only good words about Lian Shouxin to persuade her daughter. If this were Lady Zhou, she would never act like Lady Li. Lady Zhou would, without a doubt, add fuel to the fire, exaggerating Lady Zhang’s faults to make the relationship between Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang worse, and she would be happier the worse it became.
Therefore, in Zhang Qingshan’s family, with two sons, two daughters-in-law, and a bunch of grandchildren, they lived in harmony. In contrast, the Lian Family was always fighting, small quarrels every three days, big ones every five; it seemed they couldn’t live without arguing.
The difference between people, the gap in how they behave, is just so great.
"Mom, Grandma," Lian Manman entered the room and recounted the previous events to Lady Zhang and Lady Li exactly as they had happened. "In a while, my dad will definitely come to apologize to my mom again."
Lady Zhang hummed through her nose, though a smile involuntarily appeared on her face.
"Mom, you’ve forgiven dad in your heart, but don’t let it show on your face," Lian Manman hurriedly said, then explained to Lady Li, "Grandma, it’s not that I don’t want my dad and mom to make up. I’m thinking, this is an opportunity to make dad change some of his old habits."
"If we, a few mothers, want to live comfortable and good lives in the future, we must establish rules for my dad today," Lian Manman said.
"You child," Lady Li smiled and said nothing, just packed a bundle with cotton and clothing liners, got off the kang bed, and called Lian Zhizhi and Zhang Caiyun to go to the west room.
Lian Manman leaned close to Lady Zhang and whispered for a bit.
"Mom, that’s about it. You think of anything else, just bring it up with dad. Don’t be too soft-hearted. Mom, rest assured, dad can’t run away, he has to listen to us," she said.
Even if Lady Zhang made requests that Lian Shouxin found excessive and got annoyed with, it wouldn’t matter. As long as Xiao Qi intervened with some coquettish acts and flattery, Lian Shouxin could be guaranteed to turn around, and everything would be up for discussion.
Lian Manman smirked inwardly.
After saying what needed to be said, the sound of footsteps came from outside; Lian Shouxin had come back with a small basket of sweet potatoes.
Lian Manman gave Lady Zhang a knowing look and then walked out of the room.
Lian Shouxin was lifting the stove cover, using a poker to adjust the fire, and then he began placing the cleaned sweet potatoes inside one by one.
"Dad, you’re back," Lian Manman greeted with a smile.
"Back, I’ve started roasting the sweet potatoes, they’ll be perfect for eating this evening," Lian Shouxin put the stove cover back on and stood up straight.
While talking, Lian Shouxin glanced into the east room.
"Dad, mom is all by herself in the room there. I just coaxed mom for half a day, although she’s still a bit angry, she’s starting to come around. Dad, you should go and talk nicely again. Whatever mom says, you just agree, and it will all work out," Lian Manman deliberately lowered her voice to speak to Lian Shouxin.
"All right, that’s fine," Lian Shouxin rubbed his hands, obviously a bit nervous.
"Dad, go ahead quickly," Lian Manman said, laughing as she pushed Lian Shouxin into the east room and then closed the door.
In the evening, Lady Li cooked a dish of stir-fried pork with garlic sprouts, which she said Lady Zhang liked. During the meal, Lian Shouxin picked up a big clump of stir-fried pork with garlic sprouts for Lady Zhang with his chopsticks. Lady Zhang didn’t say anything, turning her head and also giving Lian Shouxin a large piece of braised carp.
Then everyone knew that Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang, the couple, had reconciled.
The atmosphere at the dining table suddenly became cheerful.
From that day on, there were new rules in Lian Manman’s family. The rules weren’t really new; it was simply a case of men handling external affairs and women handling internal affairs. Lian Shouxin was in charge of external matters, while Lady Zhang managed all internal affairs.
Speaking of external affairs, those were big issues and Lian Shouxin couldn’t make decisions alone. Additionally, since all the silver coins and accounts were in Lian Manman’s hands, to spend money one had to get through Lian Manman first. So, this external household head’s role was largely a nominal one, with almost no real power.
However, Lian Shouxin himself did not mind. A man earns money, isn’t it just to be spent by his wife and children?
Since all domestic affairs were decided by Lady Zhang, Lian Shouxin could make suggestions, but not decisions. Whoever came to discuss domestic affairs had to seek Lady Zhang, and if they went to Lian Shouxin instead, he was responsible for informing them that Lady Zhang was in charge of these affairs.
Those who do not learn their lesson or dare to defy Lady Zhang’s authority, no matter who they are, will be dealt with accordingly.
Lian Shouxin cannot be polite to those who dare to bully Lian Manman’s children; he must take responsibility and fight back.
Lian Lanlan has done these few things and even tried to stir up trouble in the marital relationship between Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang and disrupt the harmony of their family. Therefore, she was listed on the most unwelcome people’s list.
Being the most unwelcome naturally means no longer associating with her.
Lian Shouxin had a somewhat different opinion on this matter; he felt that such treatment was too severe.
"This imperial archway is for you, Old Master Lian. What are we in comparison? Things are different now. If you push me out, you’ll have someone introduce you to a city girl, and by then you’ll be in high spirits," Lady Zhang glanced at Lian Shouxin and spoke.
Lian Shouxin’s face immediately turned red.
"What are you talking about? There’s no such thing. If I did such a disgraceful act, may thunder strike me down."
"You may not want it now, but when enough people persuade you, you’ll change your mind," Lady Zhang said indifferently.
Lian Shouxin caught the implication in Lady Zhang’s words, and his face turned even redder. But he couldn’t defend himself, especially since Lian Lanlan’s instigation was evident, and there were relentless marriage propositions.
"Dad, are we agreeing to this or not?" Lian Manman asked while enjoying roast sweet potatoes as a dessert after dinner.
"Agreed, agreed, just as it is," Lian Shouxin quickly replied.
As the saying goes, kill the chicken to show the monkey; with Lian Lanlan’s example, let’s see who would dare to scheme carelessly next time. Lian Manman clenched her fist secretly—a great victory!
While the family was talking, Lian Yeye ran in from outside.
"Jizu brother and sister-in-law are coming soon," Lian Yeye came to deliver the message.
With the matter of Lian Lanlan resolved, there was still Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang.
This couple represented the Lian Family to pay respects to the archway, congratulating Lian Manman’s family on their new housewarming, and they brought gifts back with them.
Lady Zhang opened the gifts in front of Lady Chiang.
Just two lengths of silk and two boxes of tea. The silk was of cheap satin, with gaudy colors and patterns, and poor quality, somewhat thin. It would not be suitable for clothing, not even for quilt covers as it wasn’t durable. As for the tea, it was very ordinary brick tea.
"...Not presentable," Lady Chiang looked somewhat embarrassed, "...With nearly twenty people to feed and clothe, living expenses aren’t the same as at home. Each grain of rice, each leaf of vegetable, costs money everywhere. The Old Master’s salary is not nearly enough. When we left, Huahua had taken some money with her. Now at home, the Old Madam is in charge. The Old Madam... is used to economizing. Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt have lived with us; they should know, none of us have even a One Wen Money in our hands. The travel expenses for this trip were scraped together with difficulty..."
Lian Manman, who was listening by the side, understood the meaning behind Lady Chiang’s words: the gifts were prepared under Lady Zhou’s decision, and she, or Lady Gu, had no say in the matter. Even if they wanted to add something, they didn’t have the funds.
"The Old Madam said, for the family, it’s the thought that counts; what’s important is the heart," Lady Chiang conveyed Lady Zhou’s words.
By invoking Lady Zhou and showing such an attitude, Lady Zhang did not say anything further.
"Sister-in-law, our farmstead families’ exchanges are exactly like this. What’s there to talk about presentable or not?" Lian Manman chuckled.
She was not upset at all about these gifts. In the future, things are bound to occur on their side too, and when that time comes, they will follow this standard for gift-giving, which will save both trouble and effort.
Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang did not return to Hejian Prefecture after the feast that day; instead, they stayed. They still had to collect the rent and take it back with them.
"The Old Master says that eating rice and white flour is too expensive, and it doesn’t make sense to buy millet or the like from the market either. After collecting the rent, we would have to sell it, which is even more of a hassle... Planning to collect the rent and hire a cart to carry it back, just right for the family’s grain, which would save quite a considerable sum," Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang explained.
Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang did not offer Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang to stay in the new house, nor did they take the initiative to inquire about the rent collection. Truthfully, these past few days, with the incident involving Lian Lanlan, this couple was at odds, busy sorting out household affairs, and had no time to look after anything else.
Now with Lian Yeye delivering the message, it brought their attention back to the matter.
"Yeye, what are they coming for?" Lian Manman asked. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
"What else could it be? Just for the rent collection... Jizu brother is upset," Lian Yeye replied.
Indeed, after a while, Lian Jizu came in a huff.
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Delivering the third update, asking for pink hearts.
Recommended completed book by Ruoyan: "The Brocade Screen Chronicles," a light-hearted farmstead drama within a large family estate, with petty family matters and entangled grudges and grievances.
Book number: 1771214
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