CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 24 APOLOGY_2

Lady Zhang said this and then felt a bit sorrowful.

"This is what the children bought for you. Just eat it, it’s their heartfelt gesture." Lady Zhang stuffed the meat bun into Lian Shouxin’s hand.

Lian Shouxin received the bun, but did not eat it.

Having been married to Lian Shouxin for many years, Lady Zhang of course understood what he was thinking.

"You should eat. We have a long life ahead of us. Manman also said that when she earns more money in the future, she wants to buy things for her grandfather and grandmother."

Lian Shouxin thought for a moment, then nodded.

"When we earn money in the future, your mother and I don’t need much, but the first thing is to be filial to your grandfather and grandmother," Lian Shouxin told Lian Manman.

Lian Shouxin insisted on not eating the bun and in the end, unable to refuse any longer, he tore off a piece, and let Lian Manman and the others share the rest.

"Dad has already eaten in town with your eldest uncle and second uncle," said Lian Shouxin.

Lady Zhang glanced at Lian Shouxin, but remained silent.

But then there was Lian Manman.

"Dad, we were just talking about this with mom. When we were in town, we saw Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle coming out of the big restaurant, drunk and even calling for a sedan chair. The restaurant’s waiter said they ordered a table full of good dishes, spending more than a tael of silver, and left a lot uneaten," Lian Manman said, feigning nonchalance.

Lian Shouxin looked somewhat embarrassed.

Lady Zhang gave Lian Shouxin a cold look and whispered, "Your eldest brother and second brother also took a sedan chair to Temple Back Street. Did you go with them too?"

Lian Shouxin was silent for a long time before saying, "Let’s keep this matter quiet. Dad is wholeheartedly looking forward to big brother getting an official position... Dad’s health isn’t what it used to be."

"I’ve already warned the children," Lady Zhang said, "They can’t mention the little money they’ve earned. If word gets out, it could ruin Young Doctor Wang’s prospects... It’s good for the kids to have some private money for themselves, to treat themselves a bit, but to rely on family support, that’s not possible."

Lian Shouxin nodded and said no more.

"Grandpa used all the family’s money to support Eldest Uncle. He himself doesn’t indulge in food or clothing. If we separate the family and earn money, how wonderful it would be to generously support Grandpa and let him enjoy good food and drink," Lian Manman ventured.

Lian Shouxin was taken aback. "Why bring this up now?"

"Because I remembered it from the bun. Dad, don’t you think it makes sense?" Lian Manman said.

"You mustn’t talk about this again. If Grandpa hears this, he’ll be angry," Lian Shouxin said.

"Alright," Lian Manman agreed. Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang had been making buns for so many years; it was hard to change their ways overnight. Fortunately, although they were stubbornly filial, they were still sensible and knew how to cherish their children. Lian Manman reminded herself not to be too anxious. She needed to influence Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang little by little. One day, they would understand what the right thing to do was.

The family chatted for a while longer before retiring to rest.

The next morning, Lady Zhang went to the Upper Room and took an egg. Although Lady Zhou didn’t look very pleased, she said nothing this time. Lady Zhang boiled the egg, peeled it, and gave it to Lian Manman. Lian Manman shared it with Xiao Qi.

After breakfast, Lian Shouren and Lian Shouxin returned from town beaming and brought back some pastries. Lian Shouren also mentioned that he had met a friend from the Prefecture City who said that with the right connections and a sum of silver, a County Magistrate position was a sure thing, which made Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou very happy.

"There are still some things to take care of in town; Jizu and the others will be back in a few days," Lian Shouren added.

Old Master Lian nodded, then took several of his sons to inspect the crops.

Lady Zhou sat on the kang bed, recalling something.

"Second son’s wife, go invite Grandma Li Si from the Back Street. Let’s bind Yaya’s feet today," Lady Zhou told Lady He.

"Grandma Li Si?" Lian Zhizhi was shocked.

"Yaya is nine years old, and we can’t do that tiny feet binding at home, only Grandma Li Si is skilled at it. I’ve promised her two hundred coins and two catties of eggs; she guarantees she’ll make Yaya’s feet beautifully small," Lady Zhou told Lady He.

Lady He was delighted.

"Mother, I’ll go right now," said Lady He, rushing off like a whirlwind.

"Oh dear, Grandma Li Si is quite renowned; I want to see it too," Lady Gu said with a laugh, "Mother really pampers her granddaughter, willing to spend so much."

"Within ten miles, one couldn’t find another grandparent as kind-hearted as you," Lian Huahua added, joining in the laughter.

"I may have a sharp tongue but a soft heart, you all understand me," Lady Zhou’s face broke into a smile.

"Manman," Lady Gu turned her head to look at Lian Manman and smiled, "Why don’t you take this chance and bind your feet too."

Lian Manman felt as if she had been struck by lightning and could only force herself to remain calm.

"Who will pay for it?" Lian Manman deliberately asked, confident that foot binding was considered a highly respectable privilege in Lady Zhou’s eyes, and that Lady Zhou would never grant her that dignity or spend the money on her.

"Good child, come here, your aunt’s silver hairpin is also worth a few taels of silver..." As Lady Gu spoke, she took a hairpin off her head.

No, could it be, Lian Manman’s heart gave a tremble, her eyes immediately misted over. She was scared, but to Lady Gu and the others, that look was clearly one of longing, yet fear of being left wanting.

Lady Gu and Lian Huahua both laughed.

"Never mind her, that hairpin didn’t come on the wind. With her temperament, even if her feet were bound, it would be pointless; she won’t amount to much," Lady Zhou said.

Lian Manman tried to show a disappointed and heartbroken expression, then decisively turned around and ran out. Lian Zhizhi also followed her out. The two had just left the entrance of the Upper Room when they were met face-to-face by Lady He leading a woman in her forties.

The woman was tall and thin with a pale, sallow complexion, and a pair of shrewd, triangular eyes that swept across the faces of Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman before finally resting on their feet.

Lian Manman felt Lian Zhizhi grip her hand tightly. Turning to look, she saw that Lian Zhizhi’s face had gone completely pale.