CHAPTER 1345: CHAPTER 686: THE WOLF IS HERE_2

"No, I didn’t mean it that way," Lian Lanlan quickly replied.

Today’s purpose had been achieved, so Lian Manman didn’t want to continue the discussion with Lian Lanlan. She gave Lady Chiang a look.

"Aunt, both your fourth sister-in-law and Manman have already agreed to help. No point in pestering them further; they’re not men who can go out and get things done," Lady Chiang stepped forward, trying to help Lian Lanlan and Lady Zhou up while advising Lian Lanlan. "Aunt, I think Manman’s about to lose her temper. Now that we need her, if you anger her, it won’t do us any good. Besides, if you push too hard, Manman may think you’re doubting her, and call back the people we’ve sent out; then it would be all over."

Lady Chiang whispered these latter words into Lian Lanlan’s ear.

Though anxious, Lian Lanlan knew Lady Chiang had a point, so she stood up slowly under Lady Chiang’s guidance, both of them helping Lady Zhou up.

"Take good care of the elderly lady; she’s still ill and needs to keep taking her medicine. We’ll think of more ways to try to find my father and my brother... We’re unable to leave now, so we won’t see you off... Please take good care of the elderly lady and bring my regards to the Old Master," Lian Manman said, standing up.

This was clearly a hint to say goodbye.

Lian Lanlan and Lady Chiang helped Lady Zhou out slowly.

After sending them off, Lian Manman instructed people to guard the gates properly, then returned to the backyard with Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi. The three ladies sat on the east room’s heated bed, each taking out their sewing work.

"Mom, are you alright? You should rest for a while; my sister and I can do these tasks," Lian Manman said with concern, seeing Lady Zhang still seemed a bit distracted.

"I’m fine, really... but something’s bothering me inside," Lady Zhang shook her head, regaining her composure to sew quickly. "Imagine! There are people like that in this world! All my effort... if I hadn’t heard her say it herself today, I still wouldn’t have gotten it; I would’ve kept assuming she meant well."

"Even if you didn’t understand before, now is not too late," Lian Manman replied.

"She doesn’t know she’s wrong; if she weren’t afraid of ghosts and spirits, she wouldn’t have admitted anything in the end," Lady Zhang continued.

"Arguing right and wrong with someone like her is futile; it just leaves you angry. With her, you use her own tricks—what she’s afraid of, we’ll scare her with," said Lian Manman.

"Manman, do you think after this incident she won’t cause trouble again?" Lian Zhizhi asked, looking up.

"That’s quite likely," Lian Manman answered cautiously.

Lady Zhou, with a domineering and stubborn personality, never admitted fault in front of her sons and daughters-in-law. But once she did bow her head, she could never lift it again.

Therefore, Lian Manman and Lady Zhang had planned today to question Lady Zhou directly. Lady Zhou’s prior kneeling and admitting wrong to Lady Zhang were merely manipulations, not sincere. In the end, with Xiao Ba’s intimidation, they forced Lady Zhou into admitting her fault to Lady Zhang.

Lady Zhou verbally acknowledged she owed Lady Zhang.

After this, Lady Zhou naturally wouldn’t be able to stand tall again before Lady Zhang.

However, merely doing this wasn’t enough. This wasn’t evil, just a fair, normal demand, and Lady Zhou would gradually bounce back.

Therefore, there was a subsequent trick—Lady Zhou, in her dazed state, fell into the trap, worsening her humiliation.

In the future, even if Lady Zhou caused any trouble, there would be no need for Lady Zhang, Lian Manman, or Lian Zhizhi to handle it; sending any maid or servant from the house would silence Lady Zhou.

Lian Manman imagined that Lady Zhou would no longer theatrically insult them with terms like heartless wolves, as today Lian Manman had become a true villain in Lady Zhou’s eyes.

Being manipulated and bullied by Lady Zhou versus becoming her nightmare—neither was what Lian Manman desired. Lady Zhou forced her to choose between the two options, and wasn’t the choice obvious?

With this incident, Lian Manman believed they would enjoy a long period of peace, allowing them to live their own lives, as they had much to do.

"I wonder when your father and Wu Lang will return?" Lady Zhang looked out the window, speaking softly.

...

Lady Zhang and her two daughters stayed home, sewing and waiting for news about Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang. Meanwhile, Lian Lanlan and Lady Chiang supported Lady Zhou back to the old house. Lian Manman hadn’t sent anyone or a cart to escort them. At first, Lady Zhou kept her eyes shut, seemingly unconscious, but as they left Lian Manman’s family’s gate and stepped onto the main road, Lady Zhou "came to."

The three walked back to the old house in silence, and upon entering, Lady Zhou lay down on the bed without even taking off her shoes.

Lady Zhou fell ill—it was real this time.

However, having just called the doctor yesterday, bought medicine, and embarrassed herself, this time no one believed she was truly sick.

"Calling a doctor again? Haven’t made enough fuss, haven’t lost enough face, think money just grows on trees?" the Old Master angrily said. "I can’t afford losing face like this with you; call a doctor again, and until I’ve thrown this out there, don’t even think about it!"

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Extra Chapter, seeking 800 pink votes.

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Ruoyan’s completed rural literature recommended:

Book Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Complete with extras) (Direct link below)

Description: Crossing over as a woman falsely accused of losing chastity, armed with a little bun, sharing a sweet life with an economically practical man. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)