CHAPTER 1319: CHAPTER 673: ONE THING SUBDUES ANOTHER (PART 2)

Lady Chiang also forced a smile, unable to speak.

"Neither your Fourth Uncle nor Wu Lang are home, and we have no idea when they’ll return. I truly can’t do anything about this matter with the government office," Lady Zhang also said.

Even someone as soft-hearted and warm-hearted as Lady Zhang knows she can’t handle matters involving lawsuits. She shudders at the thought of joining in on discussions with Lady Zhou and Lian Lanlan.

What could she discuss even if she went over? Serve as Lady Zhou’s punching bag? Of course, Lady Zhang didn’t want to go.

"Men take charge outside, and women manage the inside. This has always been the custom in the Old Lian Family. When my dad and brother left, they instructed us to keep the household in order, do our needlework at home, and even if we encounter grievances, to wait until they return to talk about it," Lian Manman said.

"Sister-in-law, we women can’t manage such things. Whenever we hear about these matters, our hearts start to panic," Lian Zhizhi said.

"Isn’t that true? The moment you spoke to me, my heart started pounding wildly," Lady Zhang said, patting her chest.

"Sister-in-law, do you know what trouble they’re in, and will it involve us?" Lian Manman asked, "My father and brother aren’t around..."

"I know these things too; it’s the old lady who pushed me to come and relay the message," Lady Chiang said with a bitter smile.

"Sister-in-law, what do we do now? My mom is terrified. Even if she goes with Sister-in-law, she wouldn’t be able to help and possibly..." Lian Manman looked at Lady Chiang and asked, "But if my mom doesn’t go, and Sister-in-law can’t call for help, won’t she get scolded when she returns?"

"What is there to fear about being scolded? Haven’t we been scolded less in the past?" Lady Chiang smiled bitterly again and discussed with Lian Manman, "I noticed Fourth Aunt doesn’t look well. I’ll go back and explain everything to Old Master and the old lady. With Fourth Uncle and Wu Lang not at home, Fourth Aunt and the two girls are all that are left to guard the house. Fourth Aunt fell ill from the heat, and telling her the situation frightened her too much. Fourth Aunt isn’t unwilling to come; she really can’t come."

"In such matters, it doesn’t make sense to force Fourth Aunt to resolve them," Lady Chiang added at the end.

Indeed, why would such matters require the wives to join in discussions? With Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang gone, and bringing many of the stewards and family members with them, Lady Zhang stayed locked in with Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman, and it’s entirely reasonable for them to do so.

Lady Chiang was about to get up to say her farewells, but seeing that there were no signs of regret on her face, Lian Manman understood that Lady Chiang probably knew she couldn’t really persuade Lady Zhang this time.

"Sister-in-law," Lian Manman saw Lady Chiang about to leave and grabbed her sleeve, "The weather is so hot outside. Since you’ve come all this way, let me get someone to bring you another bowl of iced sour plum drink to cool down."

"Alright," Lady Chiang, being a smart person, readily accepted the kindness shown by Lian Manman.

While the maid went to fetch the sour plum drink, Lian Manman began to talk with Lady Chiang.

"Sister-in-law, Jizu is the eldest grandson of the old house. Sooner or later, all matters of the old household will fall on Jizu and you," Lian Manman slowly said, "Whether it’s good or bad, in the end, everything will rest on Jizu and your shoulders."

Lady Chiang straightened her expression as Lian Manman spoke such words.

"Sister-in-law, even if not for others or yourself, you should consider Da Niuniu, and the brothers and sisters she will have in the future," Lian Manman continued when she saw Lady Chiang was listening, "The old house has land and property. Even if it’s not enormous wealth, it’s enough for a farmer’s family to get by. Even if there’s a shortfall, as long as our household is doing alright, we naturally won’t stand by. But, some things we simply can’t interfere in."

"For instance, the perception of the old house by outsiders. People’s reputations, like trees and their shadows, can’t be helped by outsiders. This reputation, this shadow, isn’t just the work of one generation; it spans multiple generations. Not to mention far into the future, but the current events, the impressions left on the neighborhood, the reputation spread, ultimately, they’ll fall on Jizu and you, on Da Niuniu and her siblings."

Lady Chiang opened her mouth, but Lian Manman quickly continued before she could speak.

"Sister-in-law might say you’re not in charge now, and there’s nothing you can do. But then, others won’t refrain from blaming you just because of this, nor will your descendants be untouched. Sister-in-law, these days, my dad, my mom, and I often talk about this matter, really worrying for you."

Lian Manman’s words were earnest and heartfelt. She meant to tell Lady Chiang not to think that because she’s not causing any trouble that she’s not involved. Everything the old house does now will ultimately affect Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang’s branch of the family. Lady Chiang might claim she’s not in charge, hiding behind Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou, letting them cause a ruckus, taking benefits, and avoiding blame when things go wrong. But life doesn’t work like that. In doing so, you’re harming yourself and your descendants.

For your own future, for your offspring, you must quickly find a way to take on what you can. Aren’t you clever and capable in handling people? Then show your cleverness, coax where needed, hold back where needed.

Old Master Lian is a lock, locking up Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi, preventing them from causing trouble. Lady Chiang, you must also be a lock, to lock Lady Zhou away.

Lian Manman even hinted that as long as Lady Chiang does well, her family won’t treat Lady Chiang unfairly.

Once she finished speaking, Lian Manman smiled at Lady Chiang, confident that she wouldn’t be disappointed by her.

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Here’s the third update. Taking a look at the stats, Ruoyan has written 12,000 words today. Fist pump. Dear readers, please encourage me with pink votes.

The penultimate day of the month, pink votes are doubled, seeking your support, aiming for 1,300 pink votes. The pink votes are in your hands, while Ruoyan focuses on writing O(∩_∩)O

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Recommendation of Ruoyan’s completed book: "The Brocade Screen Chronicles" light house fight farmland tale, family trivialities and tangled enmities in large households.

Book number: 1771214

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