Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1643 - 838: Saving Face (Part 2)

"Consider it a loan," Lian Yeye said.

"Did our grandpa say it was a loan, or...?" Lian Manman asked again.

"It was my dad’s insistence," Lian Yeye replied, "It’s not easy for us to save up that bit of money. Besides, even if we had money, it should be spent in the right places, not just handed over to that ingrate."

"My third uncle has it tough too," Lian Manman said.

Lian Shouli managed to hold onto the final line of defense, protecting what their family earned through hard work. For someone not good with words and who feared both Old Master Lian and Lian Shouyi, being able to secure the money as a loan was no small feat.

"Did our grandpa say when they’d repay you?" Lian Manman asked again.

"He said they’d repay, but didn’t specify a date. Grandpa also said they weren’t urgently in need of these few coins tomorrow, but my dad’s goodwill was rare. He could also boast in front of others, letting them know that even though the Old Lian Family has split, they remain like one family, united as ever." Lian Yeye told Lian Manman, "When my dad went to give the money, Third Aunt Granny and Third Maternal Grandfather were both there."

During the few days the Lian Manman family went to Prefecture City, Shang Huaide and Younger Lady Zhou’s family had already moved to Thirty Mile Camp to settle down. Now, the family lived on Back Street, temporarily renting three west wing rooms from the Wang family, just waiting to buy a suitable house.

They had just moved in and weren’t familiar with people in the village yet, so almost every day they’d visit the Lian Family Old Mansion and Er Ya’s House.

After chatting for a while, Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye took some work and went home.

When Lian Shouxin returned from the front yard, Wu Lang and Xiao Qi followed along, and the family inevitably discussed the matter again.

"Your third uncle told me, and I reckon in front of outsiders, the old man wanted to save face, which is why he specifically said that and kept the money. It’ll have to be repaid later." Lian Shouxin said.

"No matter what, the money went into the old man’s hands, not directly to Second Master’s hands, so it hasn’t gone entirely to waste. If it had really gone to Second Master and his wife, it’d be like throwing money into a well without even hearing a splash." Lady Zhang said.

The family then talked about Si Lang borrowing a cart and a mule.

"One should only take on as much as they can handle. Needing such pomp and circumstance isn’t something a proper farmer would do." Even though Lian Shouxin agreed to Si Lang’s request, he admitted in his heart, "He’s frivolous, unreliable, and it’s concerning. Hopefully, after marrying, with a wife to manage him and some years to mature, he might settle down..."

This was Lian Shouxin’s earnest wish as an uncle, though Lady Zhang and the kids were noncommittal about it.

Before bedtime, Lady Zhang and Lian Manman went to check the courtyard in the front yard, seeing the hired wives bustling with work. They instructed the kitchen to prepare a late-night snack and made more arrangements before returning to rest.

The next day, after breakfast, Si Lang came over. Lian Shouxin sent a large cart and chose a mule for him, also arranging for the coachman to follow. Si Lang then asked Lian Shouxin to help look things over at the old mansion, suggesting Lady Zhang go if Lian Shouxin couldn’t.

Lian Shouxin declined; he had things to do today, and Lady Zhang couldn’t leave either.

After seeing Si Lang off, Lian Shouxin took people out, while Wu Lang, having no tasks today, read in the front yard study with Xiao Qi.

Lady Wu Wang, with Wu Jiayu and Lian Zhizhi, and Lady Zhao, with Lian Yeye, all came early and gathered around the kang in the backyard with Lady Zhang and Lian Manman to sew together.

When women gather, their hands get busy with sewing and their mouths rarely remain idle. As they chatted, the topic turned to Si Lang’s potential bride for today.

"Borrowed your cart and mule, too, huh? Tsk tsk..." Lady Wu Wang clicked her tongue and shook her head.

"Also borrowed two hundred coins from us. Initially, they wanted to borrow One String of Coins, saying it was for today’s banquet." Lian Yeye said.

"Whose idea was this?" Lady Wu Wang was about to comment but changed her approach, asking whose idea it was first.

"It was all Second Master and his wife’s doing, along with Si Lang himself coming forward." Lady Zhang said, "Yesterday, we were thinking about it; the old man isn’t like that."

After hearing it wasn’t Old Master Lian’s or Lady Zhou’s idea, Lady Wu Wang spoke more freely.

"That’s quite a show they put on. I’m not criticizing, but what’s the point? Even if they manage to marry a bride with all these appearances, what then? One must gauge their capacity." Lady Wu Wang said.

"I just went to the side courtyard; someone saw him riding the mule with a carriage trailing westward. All good things from my Sister Manman’s house, anyone seeing would mistake it for a wealthy landlord or grand gentry. They think they’re gaining face with such antics, but anyone who knows their circumstances would laugh. I just heard a wife say he’s like a pig wearing an onion, pretending to be cultured!" Lian Yeye said unkindly.

Everyone in the room couldn’t help but laugh.

"You’ll surely enjoy blessings from this daughter of yours," Lady Wu Wang told Lady Zhao.

Lady Zhao smiled, sighed, and said nothing.

"Yeye, is your dad at home or at the old mansion?" Lady Wu Wang asked Lian Yeye.

"He was just called away to help greet guests from the west." Lian Yeye answered, "They also wanted me and my mom to help, but we came here instead."

"Will you be dining at the old mansion later?" Lian Manman asked intentionally.

"Sure, why not," Lian Yeye laughed, "My mom won’t go, but I will. While I’m at it, I’ll check out what the girl is like. Sister Manman, I’ll tell you when I get back."

"Great." Lian Manman laughed too. She was also a bit curious about this bride Si Lang talked about.

...

Here’s the second update, asking for your support with votes or recommendations. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)