The third watch, seeking pink.

****......*** 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Lian Lanlan brought the elbow meat to Lian Manman and Xiao Qi, and Lian Manman did not decline, simply thanking loudly.

Upon hearing the noise, Lady Zhou turned her head around just in time to see Lian Lanlan putting down the bowl of elbow meat. Lian Lanlan quickly flashed a smile to appease Lady Zhou. Inside, Lady Zhou was annoyed, but she had to save face for her eldest daughter and could not disgrace her in front of Lady Zhang and others.

Thus, Lady Zhou had to swallow her anger, simply turning her back to avoid further sight of the scene, just showing her back towards the table.

Previously, Lady Zhang certainly would have lost her appetite over this.

From a young age, she was taught to prioritize filial piety. If an elder was upset, as a younger member, she would feel uneasy. Even now, seeing Lady Zhou like this made Lady Zhang somewhat uncomfortable. However, she remembered the plans she had made with Lian Manman along the way. She was a guest now, and for her own sake, for her children, for her family, she couldn’t keep indulging Lady Zhou’s bad habits.

Therefore, although Lady Zhang felt somewhat uneasy inside, she maintained a composed façade, eating and drinking as appropriate.

Lady Zhang not submitting to Lady Zhou meant Lady Zhou had to tough it out, going hungry for this meal.

After the meal, it was getting somewhat dark.

Old Master Lian came back to the eastern room with Wu Lang, and Lady Gu and Lady Chiang, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, also came over.

There needed to be arrangements for where Lady Zhang and her daughters would stay for the night.

In this small courtyard, housing almost twenty members of the Lian Family, it was already cramped. Lian Lanlan and Yin Suo arrived yesterday and stayed in Lady Zhou’s room. A room for five people, including a bride-to-be, Lian Xiuxiu. If Lady Zhang and her daughters were to move in too, it would be even more cramped.

Looking at Lady Zhou’s expression, she clearly did not want to let them move in.

As for other rooms, they weren’t suitable to accommodate Lady Zhang and her daughters either.

"Let’s do this," said Lady Zhang, "I’ll take the children to a guesthouse, and come back tomorrow morning."

This was also discussed on the road; if it was inconvenient to stay here, they’d rather stay at Old Wang’s Large Cart Inn.

"How could that be?" Lady Gu quickly intervened and looked for Lady Zhou’s opinion, "Mother, see how Old Fourth’s daughter-in-law came a long way with the kids, where should they stay tonight?"

"They can stay wherever they want." Lady Zhou said impatiently.

Lian Lanlan made eye contact and gave cues to Lady Zhou, who then glared at Lian Lanlan.

"There’s no need for arrangements." Lian Lanlan said smiling, "Let Old Fourth’s daughter-in-law stay with us together with Manman and Xiao Qi. It will be crammed, but cozy. Wu Lang..."

"No." Lady Zhang gestured, "Xiuxiu needs to go out tomorrow; it’s too cramped here, she won’t be able to sleep well. We better stay at the large cart inn."

"Auntie Four, please don’t mention the large cart inn anymore." Lady Chiang quickly said, "Mother and I have already discussed, we’ll vacate my and Jizu’s room. Auntie Four, you can squeeze in there with Wu Lang, Manman, and Xiao Qi."

"How can that be?" Lady Zhang said busily, "If we stay in your room, where will you two and Niuniu sleep?"

"Auntie Four, don’t worry about them. They have a place to stay. We’ll let Niuniu sleep in our room tonight, with her aunt. Jizu and his wife can go stay at the Yin Guesthouse in front."

Entering the large gate of the County Yamen, a cluster of buildings to the east is the Yin Guesthouse, mainly for hosting higher-ranking officials. In Lian Manman’s heart, there was once again a stir.

During the day, hearing Old Master Lian, Lady He, Zhao Xiue, and others talk, it seemed that Shouren was not having an easy time in Taicang County, being suppressed by the Magistrate at every turn, even struggling to leave this small courtyard. How come now, he could arrange for people to stay at the Yin Guesthouse?

It must be credit to Lian Xiuxiu.

Lian Manman stole a glance at Lian Xiuxiu. As Lady He mentioned, the Zheng Family here is a significant family, even a bureaucratic one; even the Magistrate has to nod and bow upon seeing someone from the Zheng Family. Lian Xiuxiu marrying into the Zheng Family meant that the Lian Family was allied by marriage with local gentry. County Magistrate Shouren in Taicang County now had a powerful local support.

A mighty dragon can’t suppress a local snake.

With this connection, from now on, the Magistrate would probably have to give some leeway to Shouren. That’s why agreeing to accommodate several members of the Lian Family in the Yin Guesthouse at this time makes sense.

"Since there’s a place to stay outside, I’ll take the children there myself. It won’t inconvenience you..." Lady Zhang said.

"Auntie Four, coming here is like coming home, don’t be so polite." Lady Chiang said smiling, "You’ve had a tiring journey, Auntie Four. I’ve warmed your kang and made up the bedding already, Auntie Four, shall I accompany you there now, so you can rest early?"