Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 839 - 428: Playing the "Bad Guy
At the second watch of the night, seeking shades of pink.
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"...Please be merciful, Xiuxiu’s entire life hinges on this one occasion. Whatever anger or resentment you have, direct it all towards me, this old lady. Here, hit me, slap me across the face with your broad palm..." Lady Zhou, with one hand, disheveled her own hair, and with red eyes, said to Lady Zhang.
This was not pleading; it was vexing. Even when conceding, Lady Zhou did so with her strong personal flair.
And such a twisted method was useless against those with a hardened heart, or those who were indifferent. This approach only worked on the closest kin, those who still had affection, who were soft-hearted and kind.
Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang, one her son and the other her daughter-in-law, were exactly those soft-hearted and kind people.
Lian Manman then moved forward, nestling closer into Lady Zhang’s embrace. On the surface, this seemed like she was frightened by Lady Zhou, but in reality, she was bolstering Lady Zhang’s courage.
She must not be soft-hearted; now that they had started, they could not back down at this juncture.
On their way here, mother and daughters had nothing else to do but ride in the carriage and chat each day. The topic they discussed most was what they should do upon arriving in Taicang.
The mother and daughters agreed that upon arriving in Taicang, they would play it by ear. Respect others as you would like to be respected. They had traveled hundreds of miles with goodwill. If the Zhous behaved courteously, they would respond in kind, and all would be well.
But if the Zhous were rude and belligerent, treating them as insignificantly as before, they would no longer endure and yield without principle.
They had already devised several strategies in anticipation of the Zhous’ possible attitudes.
Lady Zhang’s recent response was one of the killer moves they had discussed. There was no reasoning with Lady Zhou—more words would be a waste. If they didn’t act, they wouldn’t, but once they did, they had to hit Lady Zhou where it hurt most.
If Lady Zhou showed no consideration for their long journey, and no mercy for Lian Xiuxiu’s happy occasion, then they had nothing left to care about. Moreover, with Lian Shuxin not present, they had less concern for his feelings, reducing their worries even further.
Now, if Lady Zhang gave in and showed weakness, one could imagine how their remaining two days in Taicang would be, and even in the future, Lady Zhang would still be a doughy daughter-in-law under Lady Zhou’s thumb.
They hadn’t traveled this long distance just to be trampled upon.
As a mother, Lady Zhang had to provide an umbrella of protection for her children. Even if she was soft-hearted and couldn’t bear to see an elder abuse herself, she had to stand firm.
Thinking of the responsibilities on her shoulders and the silent support from her children behind her, Lady Zhang was not as panicked as Lady Zhou had imagined.
"Mother-in-law, you kneel before me; there must be a reason for this. What reason could that be, let’s have a good talk about it. We won’t go far back, let’s start with the reason for the separation..." Lady Zhang spoke up.
"Quickly help your mother up," Old Master Lian urged.
Lian Lanlan hurriedly helped Lady Zhou to sit up. Lady Zhou’s gambit hadn’t secured Lady Zhang, and instead it forced Lady Zhang to delve into the reason behind the separation. Naturally, that involved Lian Xiuxiu.
Lady Zhou felt panic rising as she sat on the bed with the help of Lian Lanlan, hanging her head and weeping softly while covering her face, but she dared not speak any further.
"Wife of Old Fourth, you are a magnanimous person, none of us should take her stubbornness seriously," Lian Lanlan said with a smile to Lady Zhang, "Wife of Old Fourth, don’t be misled by what mother says, she knows in her heart and always mentions to us that you’re the most virtuous person with the kindest soul.
"Not to mention anything else, just think of Xiuxiu. The eldest sister-in-law is like a mother. Xiuxiu and Zhizhi are about the same age; Xiuxiu has been raised under your care, and before you, Xiuxiu is just like a child. I know you’re more worried about Xiuxiu than your own daughters. You’ve come all this way just to show this affection."
"Such a sincere heart cannot be changed by a few words."
Lady Zhou lifted her head, wanting to speak, but Lian Lanlan gave her a look and stopped her.
"Wife of Old Fourth, you and Old Fourth, along with these children, are all the most sensible ones, don’t bother with an old woman like her. Traveling these hundreds of miles in the cold weather, your visit represents deep affection and friendship. The gifts, those are secondary. Besides, the gifts you brought, as well as those from Old Three, are indeed top-notch."
