Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 570 - 293 Focus_2

Because of that, when Lian Manman was present, she was more careful with her words. However, she could tell that the Lian Manman family didn’t like Zhao Xiue, which gave her the courage to speak so candidly.

"Both of you young ladies have looks and talents, you’ll certainly marry into good families in the future, without all this messy business," Lady Chiang said with a smile.

"Big sister, what are you doing, making fun of us like that?" Lian Manman said with a feigned stern face.

"Manman is still young, but it’s about time for Zhizhi. All the girls and young wives I’ve seen over the years, none can compare to Zhizhi in looks or temperament," Lady Chiang continued to smile, "I think, once this busy time is over, matchmakers will wear out our threshold."

"Big sister, what are you on about?" Lian Zhizhi blushed.

"Big sister is speaking from experience; back in the day, her family’s threshold must have been worn down by visitors," Lian Manman said with a laugh.

"You cheeky girl, now you’re making fun of me," Lady Chiang also laughed, "I’m serious, Zhizhi..."

"Jizu’s daughter-in-law?" Just then, Lian Xiuxiu’s voice came from outside.

"Big sis is calling for me." Lady Chiang had wanted to say more, but after a moment’s thought, she stood up, "I’ll go first, I’ll come and chat with you two again when I’m free."

Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman saw Lady Chiang out.

Lian Xiuxiu stood at the Upper Room entrance, watching Lady Chiang come out of the West Wing Room, followed by Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman, all with smiles on their faces; her own face immediately darkened.

"Jizu’s daughter-in-law, where have you been for half the day? Your mother-in-law has been looking for you to make embroidery patterns, and you didn’t make a peep?" Lian Xiuxiu spoke harshly, which was not her usual manner with Lady Chiang.

Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi exchanged glances; although they had heard Lady Chiang’s grievances, they would have heard if Lian Xiuxiu had been calling for Lady Chiang.

"I’m coming now." Lady Chiang hurried over to Lian Xiuxiu, "I was threading soles for Jizu, couldn’t find the right thread, it took me half a day to find it.... Big sis, I just found a new pattern that would be perfect for that new skirt of yours..."

Lian Xiuxiu’s expression softened but she still turned her head to glare at Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman before Lady Chiang pulled her into the room.

Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman turned to head back to their room when Zhao Xiue came over from the opposite East Wing room.

"Of this whole family, only she knows how to flatter. She has big sis wrapped around her finger, with our grandpa and grandma always taking her side," Zhao Xiue sat down where Lady Chiang had just been, sneering, "I’m a straightforward person and just can’t learn her ways. No choice but to suffer everywhere."

"They all say I’m the bad one, they all say she’s the good one. Who makes her so good at playing the part, huh? On the surface, she acts like a Bodhisattva, but she’s the one with the most sneaky schemes behind the scenes. Zhizhi, Manman, you two are young and haven’t suffered yet, you don’t understand how tricky it can get here. They say I’m harsh, but I just say it as it is, everything out in the open. It’s those like her that are really cunning, fooling you completely, selling you out behind your back, and getting you to help them count the cash."

"She hates me, I know it. Isn’t it just because I spoke the truth, and grandpa made them work in the fields? Wasn’t it high time for that anyway? When did you two start working the fields from a young age? Those lords, they just eat without working. How much older is she than you, and if you can work, can’t she? They have you work the fields while they wait at home for meals. They can’t show their faces, they can’t bear it.

"For years, hasn’t our family been supporting those men and women? And that’s still not enough; they expect Brother Erlang and me to support her too, and when I have a child to keep on supporting them? Bah! She wishes."

Lady Chiang was implicit, while Zhao Xiue was straightforward, each making their own arguments.

Lian Manman touched her forehead; this must be the infamous rivalry between sisters-in-law in the legends.

Zhao Xiue was very articulate. She first disparaged Lady Chiang as being good for nothing and then went on to talk about how hard it was for her. Immediately after, she shifted the topic to Lian Zhizhi.

"Zhizhi must be sixteen this year, right? Uncle, auntie, you should start considering marriage proposals for her. Have you taken a fancy to any family, tell me about it?" Zhao Xiue said with a face full of gossip.

"Sister-in-law Xiu E, what are you talking about?" Lian Zhizhi naturally felt shy when this topic came up.

"I’m not an outsider, what’s there to be afraid of telling me? As someone who has been through it, I can give you some advice." Zhao Xiue became even more interested, "I heard from your second auntie when she came back, the other day Old Jin’s family went to help you with the farming, ah, those mules and horses, made a spectacle of the place with people watching..."

"Sister-in-law Xiu E, my parents said my sister is still young, discussing marriage and such is not urgent. They told us not to bring this up." Lian Manman intervened to stop Zhao Xiue.

Zhao Xiue was enjoying the conversation but became somewhat displeased when Lian Manman interrupted her. When she felt unhappy, she liked to make others feel the same.

"You..." Zhao Xiue intended to use her words to sting Lian Zhizhi and Lian Manman, but after uttering a ’you,’ she swallowed the rest of her words. She remembered the way Lian Manman dealt with Lady Zhou that day.

Lian Manman was not to be provoked.

"The Old Jin family, everyone says they live well. They blow their own trumpet, but in reality, it’s nothing like that. I’ve heard my father and people in town talk about the Old Jin family. Old Jin started as a barber, involved in killing and arson. His sons are no good either, engaging in eating, drinking, gambling—all sorts of vices. They just put on a show outside, but at home, they have nothing. They treat their daughters-in-law terribly, either beating or scolding them. Any girl who marries into their family is bound to suffer, and in the worst case, might even lose her life."

Lian Manman was somewhat shocked; the Old Jin family was that bad?!

"I’m speaking the absolute truth here; others are afraid of their family and dare not speak out. If it were someone else, I wouldn’t have said these things." Zhao Xiue said.

"Whether their family is good or bad, we have nothing to do with them, and it doesn’t concern us." Lian Zhizhi said.

"Exactly, that’s the point." Zhao Xiue nodded.

After sending Zhao Xiue away, Lian Manman started to ponder.

"Sister, why do you think they are all so interested in your marriage?"

×××...××

Here’s the second release, asking for pink votes.

It’s the last day of the month, asking for everyone’s pink vote support to stay on the monthly ticket chart. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes at Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.)