Reborn as a Landlord

This tofu is ordered from the tofu shop at Thirty Mile Camp. The tofu from Thirty Mile Camp is fresh, tender, and delicious, and it’s quite famous both near and far.

"The banquet is well done." Lady Wu Wang said.

Besides tofu, there were dishes like radish stewed meat and even two kinds of fried vegetarian balls, which are rarely seen at funeral banquets. Clearly, Lian Shouxin had told them not to worry about spending money, so Wu Yuchang spared no expense in arranging things, and the chef had a chance to show off his skills.

Although funerals were generally frugal, people in their hearts and mouths would still have opinions. If an elder’s funeral was grand, people would say the descendants were filial and praise the elder for having a respectable departure. If the funeral was poorly done, people would criticize the descendants as unfilial and lament the elder’s humble departure, as if suggesting the elder’s journey to the afterlife would be more difficult, even affecting their treatment in the underworld.

Lian Manman, of course, didn’t believe these things, but in this era, such notions were deeply rooted in people’s minds.

After the meal, finding a quiet moment with fewer visitors coming to pay their respects, Lian Manman, Wu Lang, Xiao Qi, Lady Zhang, and Lian Shouxin took a trip back home.

When Lady Li saw Lian Shouxin and the children return, she was naturally happy, and upon hearing they traveled through the night, she felt a pang of sympathy.

"At midday like this, there shouldn’t be many people there. You all take a good rest. We have several days to go, it’s not just about this moment." Lady Li said to Lian Shouxin and the children.

"I’ll sit for a while then go back. Manman and Xiao Qi can choose to go today if they want, no need if they don’t. Wu Lang and your mother, you two take a good rest, we’ll need to go in the afternoon." Lian Shouxin said.

"Alright." Lady Zhang nodded.

When Lady Zhang entered, she had instructed the kitchen, and soon they sent over two large bowls and two small bowls of fried sauce noodles. The snow-white, chewy noodles were topped with rich condiments and a bright red, fragrant meat sauce. Just the aroma alone was enough to whet one’s appetite.

"Earlier at the banquet, I saw you didn’t eat much. You usually love these fried sauce noodles, so I had the kitchen make a few bowls. Eat them while they’re hot. If you let hunger go too far, you’ll have chest pains later." Lady Zhang encouraged Lian Shouxin and the others to eat.

Because of the journey, Lian Shouxin indeed felt a bit tired, and coupled with Old Master Lian’s passing, he had no appetite. However, seeing the earnest look in Lady Zhang’s eyes, no one had the heart to refuse her kindness.

Lian Shouxin picked up a bowl first and started eating in big bites, even if he wasn’t hungry, he would eat.

Lian Manman, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi also picked up their bowls.

"Everything is alright, nothing problematic?" Lady Li called Lady Zhang aside, asking in a low voice.

"There’s no fuss," Lady Zhang quickly glanced at Lian Shouxin before replying in a low voice, "She refuses to wear mourning attire, doesn’t cry at all, and we’re the ones who foot the bill. She guards her belongings tightly, as if afraid someone might steal them."

"She has nothing to stir up, since she doesn’t have to worry about anything, it’s all on us. I didn’t step up to take charge, the children’s father also said we just need to handle the finances, and the matters are up to the stewards. Without siding with us, what can she stir up?"

"That’s right." Lady Li nodded, "The Old Wu Family is still her nephew, it’s a good thing."

"Her two sisters are accompanying her. At her eldest aunt’s place, we sent word to persuade the old lady. Moreover, if her third aunt says anything, let her eldest aunt handle it." Lady Zhang added.

This was arranged in the West Wing Room of the old house where Lian Manman and the others were staying.

"Also, Jizu’s wife, she should keep an eye on the old lady."

"Ah, you all worry so much." Lady Li sighed, "But, there are good people everywhere, you walk the right path, there’s nothing to fear at any time."

"Let’s handle the funeral well first; once it’s done, there might still be some troubles." Lady Zhang talked about the arrangements for music and other things with Lady Li, then mentioned sending a message to Burner Pot Village.

"Your father and the others will probably arrive after dark." Lady Li said.

Zhang Qingshan received the message today, and arriving tomorrow would be entirely appropriate. However, with Lady Li’s understanding of Zhang Qingshan, it was certain that upon receiving the message, he would immediately rush to Thirty Mile Camp to pay his respects to Old Master Lian.

Zhang Qingshan was a sentimental person and bore no old grudges. With Old Master Lian’s passing, he would certainly recall the times the two of them shared. They were once very good brothers and friends, otherwise, Zhang Qingshan wouldn’t have given Lady Zhang in marriage to the Lian Family.

After Lian Manman and the others finished eating, they chatted for a while before someone came in to report. It turned out some of Wu Lang’s friends, upon hearing of Old Master Lian’s passing, had come to pay their respects.

"Also, Scholar Wang and Young Doctor Wang have already sent someone over, saying they heard about it in the county and are on their way here."

"This is probably not all." Lian Manman remarked.

Although they lived separately now, Old Master Lian was still Lian Shouxin’s father and Wu Lang’s grandfather. Families who were acquainted with them, upon knowing of Old Master Lian’s death, would likely come to express their condolences.

These people, of course, required Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang to greet them personally.

The person reporting hadn’t even left before someone else came up to announce that Song Hailong of the Song Family from the county was also here to offer condolences.

...

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