Reborn as a Landlord

Lady Zhou neither willing to cry, nor wear mourning attire, regardless of Lady Da Zhou and Younger Lady Zhou attempting to persuade her, she simply would not listen, eventually stiffly turning her head away, refusing to look at anyone.

With Lady Zhou behaving this way, villagers watching the mourning papers inevitably started to gossip.

Lian Shouxin heard of it, knowing he could do no good facing Lady Zhou, he sent Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu to persuade her. Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu listened well enough, yet soon as they reached Lady Zhou, after just a few words, she sent them packing.

"Let the old lady do as she pleases," Wu Yuchang stepped in to mediate, "She’s at an advanced age, and we, farmstead folks, aren’t particular about such formalities."

Lady Zhou’s age indeed served as an excuse for her various stubborn behaviors.

To be frank, now that Old Master Lian was gone, Lady Zhou held the highest rank, her temperament was customary, and with the Lian Family being of solitary surname in the village, nobody could do anything about Lady Zhou.

Old Master Lian lingered for quite a while, so soon as white streamers were hung at the entrance of the Lian Family Old Mansion, people came arriving progressively for the mourning papers. According to customs of Thirty Mile Camp’s funerals, Lian Shouxin and the other descendants must stay by Old Master Lian’s spirit. Each visitor here for mourning papers must burn incense before the spirit, bow according to their status and generation, while Lian Shouxin and the others must accompany in crying, offering sacrifices, and kowtow in acknowledgment to the visitors.

Lian Manman, being a granddaughter, doesn’t have as many demands in this situation. Yet Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang must remain at the Old Mansion most of the time, with Wu Lang and Xiao Qi somewhat less so. Among the dwelling rooms of the Old Mansion, the Upper Room East Room temporarily served as the spirit hall, the West Room of the Upper Room and East Wing Room welcomed mourning guests, while Lian Manman had the West Wing Room tidied for use. The South Room they had once occupied did not offer hospitality to guests, remaining for family use, to process funeral-related affairs, and serve as a place where Lady Zhang, Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi could rest briefly.

As for the North Room once occupied by Lian Yeye’s family, it temporarily served as a treasury. most matters of money distribution were entrusted to Steward Han Zhong by Lian Manman, with only major matters or substantial exchanges requiring her consultation.

Having arranged the West Wing Room properly, Lian Manman invited Lady Zhang over from the Upper Room.

Old Master Lian’s numerous children have at least one benefit; in times like these, a few sons could take turns attending the spirit. After all, in this era, filial sons aren’t easy to be, and to put it mildly, if health were lacking, this funeral could be difficult to endure.

Lady Zhang promptly arrived, accompanied by Lady Wu Wang and Lian Zhizhi, who just finished mourning at the spirit. Subsequently, Wu Lang and Xiao Qi also came in.

Once everyone was seated indoors, little maidens served hot tea and snacks.

"Mother, Aunt, these days must have worn you out. Have you had breakfast yet? Though it’s still before noon, at least have some snacks to fill up," offered Lian Manman.

"Manman thinks of everything," Lady Wu Wang glanced around, noting the tidy room, with a warm stove and green thick rugs laid, even all household utilities were complete, nodding repeatedly in secret praise of Lian Manman’s efficiency, managing such a significant event so methodically at such a young age.

"I’m alright, it’s just your mother, not just missing breakfast, but lacking restful sleep over these days," continued Lady Wu Wang.

What Lady Wu Wang expressed, Lian Manman had discerned a bit upon seeing Lady Zhang, noticing her haggard face, it was the reason she promptly arranged the room and had hot tea snacks specially prepared.

"It’s a matter of such magnitude with the Old Master, as a daughter-in-law, it was only proper," said Lady Zhang, "I’ve been grateful these days having your aunt accompany me, with neither of us readily eating or sleeping. Also your brother-in-law and his father, scurrying about tirelessly."

"No need for such formality," Lady Wu Wang feigned a reproach and refrained Lady Zhang from further talk.

"You children, following your father back overnight, surely haven’t had decent rest all night. There’s few guests now, take a rest on the kang, and have some food," Lady Zhang also called to the children.

"Mother, we haven’t had breakfast either," Xiao Qi sat beside Lady Zhang, grabbing a snack, eating it with warm tea.

Lady Zhang, Lady Wu Wang, Lian Manman, Wu Lang, and Lian Yeye joined in eating, only Lian Zhizhi declined, saying she already ate.

Lian Zhizhi, with her pregnancy, was already positioned on the kang, with Lian Manman gifting her a large cushion for her comfort.