Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1641 - 837: Lies

"Five hundred coins is quite a lot," Lian Manman said, and the key issue is that with the current financial situation of the old mansion, there’s really no need to borrow money to buy wine and dishes.

"It’s still not past the first month of the lunar year, and the meat and oil we gave them for the New Year, plus what they’ve bought themselves, considering the old lady’s temperament, surely they haven’t finished it yet," Lady Zhang said, "... This year, the old mansion also slaughtered two pigs."

The implication of Lady Zhang’s words was that the old mansion now has both meat and vegetables, there’s no need to buy anything, even if they had to buy, the old mansion should have enough silver coins, and there’s no need to borrow from Lian Shouli’s Family.

"Who wouldn’t agree with that," Lady Zhao said, "but they insist on borrowing money."

"Did my third uncle lend them the money?" Lian Manman asked.

"At that time, neither my mother nor I were at home, my dad just told them that we don’t have much money on hand, whatever we have is with my mom, saying he needs to discuss it with her," Lian Yeye said.

"Oh," Lian Manman responded with an "oh."

The money in the Lian Family Old Mansion was managed by Lady Zhou, but for any slightly significant expenses, decisions were made by Old Master Lian. To a large extent, Lady Zhou was just a caretaker. This approach continued in Lian Yeye’s Household as well, meaning that the money in Yeye Household was managed by Lady Zhao; however, the person who made the decisions was Lian Shouli.

Lian Shouli saying that to Lian Shouyi and Lady He was obviously an excuse, a delaying tactic.

"So, they didn’t lend, that’s fortunate," Lian Manman felt relieved for Lian Yeye.

Saving money for Lian Yeye’s Family wasn’t easy; if they lent money to Lian Shouyi’s family, it was truly likely they wouldn’t get it back.

"What’s good about that," Lian Yeye said with a bitter face, "just now when my mom and I went home, my dad was sighing with worry, saying that if we don’t lend them the money after they’ve asked, it’ll definitely upset them."

Lian Shouli didn’t want to lend the money, but he also worried that not lending it would offend Lian Shouyi, Si Lang, and others. Lian Manman understood Lian Shouli’s temperament somewhat, she could imagine how troubled Lian Shouli was at this moment.

"My dad said when he mentioned discussing it with my mom to Yaya’s parents, they turned sour, and their words weren’t pleasant," Lian Yeye told Lian Manman.

Back then, Lian Shouyi turned sour on Lian Shouli, first taunting him for being afraid of his wife, saying he couldn’t run the household, then accusing him of caring only for himself without brotherly feelings and not treating his nephew’s lifetime event seriously.

Finally, Lian Shouyi said if the relative match on the next day doesn’t go well because Lian Shouli didn’t lend money, it’ll be all his fault, implying that if Si Lang ends up unable to get a wife because of this, it’d be Lian Shouli’s responsibility.

"Shameless," Lian Manman said furiously, "why don’t they say it’s because they’re lazy and gluttonous, or admit they’ve ruined their own reputation?"

"They lack any shame," Lady Zhang shook her head in agreement.

"Fourth uncle, fourth aunt, they even said in the end that since my dad has no son, if he doesn’t want to die unburied, he’ll have to rely on them. Told my dad to seriously consider it," Lian Yeye said, eyes turning red.

"How could they say something like that, this is really..." Lady Zhang frowned.

"That’s bullying," Lian Manman chipped in after Lady Zhang, "luckily, my third uncle doesn’t fall for their tricks."

"Sister Manman, just now my dad discussed with us, saying we still have to lend the money," Lian Yeye’s next words left Lian Manman speechless.

"Third uncle still wants to lend them money?" Lian Manman said in surprise.

"Yes, my dad said since they’ve asked, and it’s about Si Lang getting married—which is a big event for the Old Lian Family—this money must be lent to them. My dad just took two hundred coins and went to the old mansion," Lian Yeye informed Lian Manman.

Lian Manman was momentarily speechless. She knew very well Lian Shouli’s attitude towards silver coins, one where he’d rather be frugal to save money for his future security. Yet now, knowing that lending the money is like throwing meat buns to a dog—gone for good—he still took out two hundred coins...

Lian Shouli’s conflict and anguish were evident.

Ultimately, Lian Shouli’s actions stemmed partly from a soft temperament and partly from insecurity due to not having a son.

"Dad, when Si Lang came earlier, surely it wasn’t just to ask you to help with the match tomorrow?" Lian Manman asked Lian Shouxin.

Since Lian Shouyi and Lady He asked to borrow money from Lian Shouli’s Family, Si Lang possibly wanted even more when coming to their house.

"... Didn’t mention money to me...," Lian Shouxin said, "just mentioned that tomorrow the woman’s side will send someone, asking if they can borrow a carriage and a mule from us to welcome the woman. Also said if the match goes well, they’ll use the carriage to send her back."

"Just this?" Lian Manman asked further.

"Yes, just this." Lian Shouxin nodded.

Turns out they wanted to borrow the big cart and mule for putting on a show in front of the bride’s family tomorrow, Lian Manman thought to herself. But to not ask for money was a bit odd at first, though after a little contemplation, she understood.

Right now, it’s just for a meeting; aside from buying some food and drinks, there are no other expenses, and the old mansion can handle it. Asking for money now isn’t justified. Lian Shouyi and Lady He dare to ask Lian Shouli for money because they are bullying him, but they wouldn’t dare treat their own family this way.

After all, borrowing money now means they can only ask for a limited amount. If they do ask, it’ll stir up trouble with Lian Shouxin’s side, and then they might not even lend the cart and mule, which would be a mess.

"Dad, did you agree?" Lian Manman thought and asked Lian Shouxin again.

"Cough, cough," Lian Shouxin had a bit of a cough, "this matter... A cart, a mule, just lend it for a day, it’s not a big deal in our view. Looking at a wife is a lifelong affair. Not just Si Lang, even our village and others encountering such matters, and needing to embellish their status, it’s hard to refuse."

"You could just say you agreed." Lady Zhang glanced at Lian Shouxin, "Generally, when people in the village have matters, at most, they borrow a donkey cart; who would borrow a big cart and additionally a mule to ride?"

"Ah, ah, I, I agreed." Lian Shouxin had to say, "Si Lang, that kid is a bit... but just this once..."

"It hasn’t come to anything yet, but both our families are being used all over," Lian Manman smiled and said. It’s beyond being used, it’s practically exploitation.

"Third uncle’s wife, Yeye, are you going to the old mansion to help with cooking tomorrow?" Lian Manman asked Lian Yeye.

"No." Lian Yeye replied firmly, "The old mansion has enough people already, and we don’t go there just to put up with attitudes and orders. My dad fears offending them, but I don’t."

"Mom, when we go there for the meal tomorrow, it won’t be easy getting the money back, but at least we can eat back some of it." Lian Yeye thought for a moment and then said angrily to Lady Zhao.

What Lian Yeye said was childish, and Lady Zhao, still concerned about the two hundred coins, remained worried.

"My third brother went over to deliver money, right? He hasn’t come back yet?" Lian Shouxin thought and said, "I suppose if this matter goes through Old Master, somehow the money will have to be returned. Maybe the Old Master won’t accept the money sent by my third brother and might directly have him take it back."

Lian Shouxin’s words implied his suspicion that Lian Shouyi and Lady He borrowed money from Lian Shouli’s family behind Old Master’s back to take advantage of Si Lang’s marriage prospects and extort money from Lian Shouli.

In this era, a man getting married and having children is a significant matter to continue the family lineage. Old Lian Family’s cherished son Si Lang is about to marry and continue the family line, asking the wealthy, influential fourth uncle for help, and forcefully requiring the third uncle without sons to contribute.

To Lian Shouxin’s family, it’s a humble request, while to Lian Shouli’s family, it’s almost a coercive demand, and still conveys a slight patronizing favor. Lian Shouli has no sons, and clearly, in the view of Lian Shouyi’s people, Lian Shouli likely never will have sons. Lian Shouli’s failure to contribute to the grand duty of extending the Old Lian Family’s lineage is a grave sin! So now, demanding Lian Shouli contribute money to help Si Lang get married also counts as giving him a chance to indirectly contribute to the family’s grand lineage!

As Lian Shouxin said, both Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye started to ponder. After all, many times, Old Master is still an understanding elder.

"Whether the old mansion accepts the money or not, we’ll know soon." Lian Manman said, "Dad, you’ve agreed to loan the cart and mule to Si Lang tomorrow, then don’t you need to arrange someone to drive it?"

"Hmm." Lian Shouxin said, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Whether Lady Zhang or the kids, even if they don’t agree with some of his methods and decisions, they’re willing to maintain his dignity and have never let him lose face in front of others. "Yes, we need to arrange someone, and it should be someone reliable. The people at the old mansion, not only can’t drive, they also can’t take care of big animals."

"Even if they say they can care for them, I fear they won’t do it diligently, as they’re not our family."

Lian Manman nodded and didn’t say more. What could she say when Lian Shouxin knew the people and matters at the old mansion well?

"Yaya’s mom turned out well; Si Lang’s outfit looked pretty decent." Lady Zhang interjected.

"Si Lang’s clothes, fourth aunt, are you talking about Si Lang new outfit?" Lian Yeye suddenly asked.

"Yes," Lady Zhang nodded, "just the one he wore to town, the fabric for it was given by me."

"Fourth aunt, that outfit, my mom was asked to make it for him." Lian Yeye replied.

...

Typing through the sweltering heat, feeling sweat pour like rain sitting at the computer!

On the penultimate day of the month, asking everyone for their pink support. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)