Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 836 - 426 Taicang County Yamen_2

The entire courtyard was rather neat and clean.

Upon entering the courtyard, one could already hear the sound of laughter and chatter coming from the Upper Room.

"Lady Chiang hurried forward with quick steps and said loudly, "Lady He from Thirty Mile Camp has arrived."

The laughter from the Upper Room came to an abrupt halt. After a moment, Lady Gu emerged with Lian Duoduo, Lady He with Liulang and Lian Yaya.

Lady Zhang stepped forward with Lian Manman, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi, and everyone greeted and exchanged pleasantries.

Seeing this, Lu Bingwu knew for certain that they had reached the right place and that there were no issues, and then he handed the bundle to Wu Lang.

"Aunt, you’ve reached your destination, so I’ll be taking my leave now... On that day, I’ll come to pick you up. I’m staying at Old Wang’s Large Cart Inn in West City. If you need anything in the next few days, just send someone to find me there," he said.

Their caravan would continue to neighboring counties, but the final destination for many was here or a nearby village. When everyone was ready to return, they were to gather at Old Wang’s Large Cart Inn in West City, Taicang County. The Lu Brothers would also be resting there for the next couple of days before taking Lady Zhang and her children back with them.

"All right," Lady Zhang nodded in agreement.

Lady Gu called for a servant to escort Lu Bingwu out. It was evident that Lady Chiang had already informed her of Lu Bingwu’s identity.

It has to be said, both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law handled affairs with grace and poise on the face of it.

"Come inside quickly," Lady Gu ushered Lady Zhang and the others towards the Upper Room, "Old Master and the Old Mistress have been talking about it since early this morning."

"...Your older niece arrived before you," Lady Gu added as they walked toward the Upper Room.

Lady Chiang had already relayed this news to Lady Zhang on the way in.

The Upper Room consisted of three chambers, the central chamber served as the main hall for receiving guests. The east chamber housed Old Master Lian, Lady Zhou, and Lian Xiuxiu; the west chamber was home to Lian Shouren, Lady Gu, and Lian Duoduo.

Lady Gu first directed Lady Zhang and her children into the east chamber.

Once inside, they passed a screen on the left and near the window was a brick bed, which was almost fully occupied.

Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou were seated on the bed, with Lian Xiuxiu to the left of Lady Zhou and Lian Lanlan to her right, followed closely by Yin Suo.

Lady Zhang, accompanied by Lian Manman, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi, promptly paid their respects to Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.

"Rise, rise," Old Master Lian quickly got up to greet them, "Come sit up here on the bed. The journey must have chilled you... the weather this year turned cold quite early."

Lady Gu and Lady He also invited the mother and children to join them on the bed. Xiao Qi was the first to take off his shoes, climb onto the bed, and nestle into Old Master Lian’s embrace. Old Master Lian, stroking his chubby grandson, couldn’t stop his whiskers from trembling with laughter.

"Eh, it seems our Xiao Qi has grown taller and also fuller," Old Master Lian remarked.

"Grandpa, I finally get to see you. Back home, I think about you every day... and Granny. My dad, mom, and also my brothers and sisters, we all miss you so much," Xiao Qi said.

"Always such a flatterer," Lian Xiuxiu uttered with a glare at Xiao Qi.

Lian Xiuxiu sat there, dressed in a bright red floral gown, with a jade hairpin and strings of pearls in her hair. When she raised her hands, a shiny gold bracelet on her arm came into view. Her ordinary face, now tinged with a hint of blush, looked surprisingly radiant.

"I trust Xiao Qi’s words," Old Master Lian said, stretching out his hand protectively in front of Xiao Qi with a smile.

Manman and Wu Lang followed suit, shedding their shoes to join on the heated brick bed, with Manman surreptitiously winking at Xiao Qi. This little guy Xiao Qi was truly a wily sprite, a veritable all-cure lubricant.

Their words totally disregarded what Lian Xiuxiu had said.

Lady Zhang did not take off her shoes but simply sat by the edge of the brick bed.

Sitting next to Xiao Qi, Manman felt pleasantly warm beneath her. It was apparent the brick bed had been well heated. She looked around and saw that the floor was piled with trunks bound with red ribbons, which obviously weren’t all part of Lian Xiuxiu’s dowry.

"Half of these are Xiuxiu’s dowry, the other half are betrothal gifts from the Zheng Family," Lady Chiang whispered to Manman.

Manman nodded with a smile.

"Have you not received the letter sent by your father?" Lady Zhou asked with a stern face, "How come only you girls are here, what about Old Fourth, Old Three?"

Old Master Lian cleared his throat.

"Haven’t had lunch yet, have you? Shall I check if the kitchen is ready with the meals?" Lady Gu stood up, suggesting with a smile.

Indeed, due to the journey, Manman and her company had yet to eat. Stirred by Lady Gu’s words, Manman began to feel hungry. Although they had snacked a bit in the carriage, in this weather, hot soup and warm meals were much more satisfying.

"It is past lunchtime; what hour is it now to start cooking? Where will the money come from to buy fuelwood?" Lady Zhou scolded Lady Gu, "It’s nearly time for dinner, let’s eat together then."

Lady Gu forced a smile, awkwardly not knowing whether to sit down or leave.

They had traveled a long way for Lian Xiuxiu’s joyful occasion. Whatever they felt inside, they had to show courtesy outwardly. For example, since the moment Manman and the others had entered, Lady Gu had not put a foot wrong. Of course, the wife of the County Magistrate ought to have such grace.

And Lady Zhou was still the same Lady Zhou from Thirty Mile Camp. Even though she was now the mother of the County Magistrate and addressed as the old lady, it was said that she still ran this large family home.

Old Master Lian coughed, about to speak.

"Mother, look at you; just now you were asking for the kitchen to prepare this and that, waiting for Old Fourth’s wife and the children to arrive so they could enjoy a hot meal. Now that they are here, you have changed your tune. Anyone would think you meant it," Lian Lanlan interjected before Old Master Lian could speak, "Sister-in-law, please go ahead and get the meal ready. Let’s not let Old Fourth’s wife and the kids go hungry."

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

Here’s the third update for today. I’m drained and caught a cold, so I can’t post more, sad. Please show me your pink support and don’t abandon Ruoyan.

******...*******

Completed novel recommendation by Ruoyan:

Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Including extras, the novel is complete) (There is a direct link below, click to go straight there)

Description: Traveling to another world as a wronged and chastised divorced woman, with a little bun in tow, she embarks on a sweet life with a thrifty husband. (To be continued. If you like this series, please go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)