Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1664 - 849: Gossip Behind One’s Back

"That girl Baorong is quite endearing," Lady Zhang nodded as if it were a matter of course. "She helps cut cloth, trim shoe soles, and even brings tasks to do at home. When everyone works together, she gets along well with people. By the way, I told her we’d pay for her work, but she refused. So I thought, once we’re done, I should pick something to gift her as a token of my goodwill as her sister-in-law."

"Getting along well with others" is a colloquial term frequently used by tenant farmer families in Thirty Mile Camp, meaning someone who is easy-going and pleasant to work with.

Young girls are full of life and joy, untouched by the world’s harsh realities, their thoughts mostly pure and untroubled. Such girls are naturally likable and have a significant influence on people and things around them.

"Fabrics, cosmetics, silk flowers... I noticed she likes dressing up. Anyway, since what we have in our general store is all fashionable and top quality, let her pick a couple of items then," Lian Manman suggested.

"A few days ago in town, didn’t the Shopkeeper Chiang mention that a batch of fashionable fabrics would be arriving from the south this spring? At that time, I’ll select a brightly colored one for her.... And for your sister, let’s make two sets for each of you then," Lady Zhang nodded. "Manman, are you not that fond of her?"

"No," Lian Manman shook her head. She had only just recently become acquainted with Shang Baorong and hadn’t interacted very deeply. To be honest, she didn’t dislike Shang Baorong. "I just..."

"I know," Lady Zhang laughed. "She’s only a few years older than you but is a whole generation above you."

Lian Manman rolled her eyes helplessly. In this particular aspect, Lady Zhang was spot on.

In this era, there weren’t any notions of contraception, let alone family planning. A woman could keep having children from her teenage years up to her fifties; there were even tales of women giving birth in their sixties. This situation often resulted in scenarios like the one in the Lian Family, where Lian Xiuxiu and Lian Zhizhi were born in the same year yet were aunt and niece.

However, Lian Xiuxiu’s case was relatively easier to accept. After all, their blood ties were very close, and having grown up together, everyone was used to it. But now, suddenly having Shang Baorong, whose blood ties were more distant and whom they never interacted with, being of a similar age yet two generations apart, was truly awkward for Lian Manman.

Of course, she never displayed this in front of others. However, living with the family day in and day out, Lady Zhang noticed that Lian Manman wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about Shang Baorong.

"Such childishness," Lady Zhang couldn’t help but laugh.

"It’s not just because of that," Lian Manman reflected and said, "It’s also because we haven’t had much interaction before, so I’m not familiar with her. We’ve only known each other for a few days, I can’t treat her like I would Yeye or Er Ya."

Naturally, besides this, there was also the shadow cast on her heart by Younger Lady Zhou’s gaze.

"That’s true," Lady Zhang, upon hearing this, found a bit of reason in it. "It’ll be fine once you’re more familiar."

"...The other day they were working together, talking and laughing. I heard Baorong isn’t engaged yet, and they were planning to introduce a fiancé for her," Lady Zhang suddenly seemed to remember something and added with a smile. "That day, when I was chatting with her, I found out. She hasn’t been matched with anyone because her parents are always hoping to move back, reluctant to marry her off far away."

"To be honest, she’s at a good age right now. From what I gathered, she’s looking to find a suitor nearby. Her parents are reluctant for her to go far, and if she could marry into town, that would be ideal," Lady Zhang said in her lengthy manner. At her age, she was particularly enthusiastic about matchmaking affairs. "I heard from Zhizhi’s mother-in-law that the Shang Family even asked for her help in keeping an eye out for any suitable matches for Baorong."

On this topic, Lady Zhang was quite cheerful, but the rest of the family couldn’t really engage in the conversation. Lian Manman found the topic somewhat interesting due to her age, but she could only listen. As for Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi, they had even less to say.

Even if it were a one-sided conversation, Lady Zhang spoke with great enthusiasm.

"If you ask me, with Baorong’s looks and skills, she could not only marry into town but even into the city," Lady Zhang continued talking to herself.

Clearly, Lady Zhang held Shang Baorong in high regard.

In this era, much like any other, a woman’s youth and beauty were intangible assets. Not only outsiders but even families with daughters had their own measures of this worth.

For instance, a smart, beautiful girl could marry into a better family, a so-called high marriage. A girl who was only beautiful but not smart would have fewer prospects. As for a girl who wasn’t pretty, she could only marry equally or beneath her standing.