Free Web NovelChapter 1899: Chapter 968: Growth
Lian Manman was very happy to see Liulang and Xiao Tanzhi. These two, from the perspective of worldly wisdom, were not clever people. Precisely because of this, they lacked the annoying traits of "clever people." Whatever these two said or did was straight from the heart.
Such people are actually naturally blessed and favored by the heavens. As people often say, "The silly have their blessings," referring to people like them.
Lian Manman’s heart, which was somewhat gloomy due to some matters, felt completely bright and warm again upon seeing them come over to greet her, both with simple smiles on their faces.
The bond of growing up together has not deteriorated at all among them.
"...Come to our backyard later; your fourth aunt wants to see you," Lian Manman first said to Liulang. "I see you’ve grown taller. We’ve made you a new cotton coat. Come try it on and see if it fits."
Liulang responded with a simple, earnest smile.
"...I bowed to Fourth Uncle and Brother Si Lang, but didn’t dare go to the backyard..." The backyard is the inner quarters and is not as easily accessible as the front courtyard. Despite seeing Lian Manman and knowing to come and pay respect, Liulang did not realize he could inform someone to meet Lady Zhang.
"Xiao Tanzhi, why have you come to help out? Did your master agree?" Lian Manman then asked Yuan Tan.
"...I finished work at the temple, and my master doesn’t really mind. I’m not coming to work formally; I just come over when I’m free and do whatever needs doing." Yuan Tan replied.
While they were talking, Lian Manman noticed Lian Shouli’s figure appear at the door, glancing their way.
"Is my third uncle seeking you two for work?" Lian Manman asked.
Liulang and Yuan Tan turned their heads, saw Lian Shouli, then nodded at Lian Manman. They were both now assisting Lian Shouli’s group of carpenters.
"Manman, we’re off to work then." Liulang and Yuan Tan said.
"Alright, go ahead, be careful." Lian Manman instructed, then advised Xiao Tanzhi, "Don’t leave at noon; eat here. I’ll have the kitchen prepare some vegetarian dishes for you."
Liulang and Yuan Tan continued working while Lian Manman glanced for a moment and then returned inside. In Lady Zhang’s room, Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye had been there for a while, chatting with Lady Zhang.
"I just saw Liulang and Xiao Tanzhi," Lian Manman said after greeting Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye, sitting down with a smile, "both have grown quite a bit."
"Liulang has had someone watching over him these past years, teaching and guiding him, and he’s certainly a hundred times better than before," Lady Zhao commented.
"Yes, he’s grown quite a bit." Lian Yeye also smiled and said, "Unlike before, always thinking about eating, untidy and rough. Now, he even greets people and takes care of himself."
"Liulang is just a bit slower than other kids, but he’s sincere and grounded, unlike his parents." Lady Zhang observed.
"The Second Master’s children are all actually quite good; it’s just Si Lang..." Lady Zhao commented, she blurted out Si Lang and then paused abruptly.
Lady Zhang did not respond, just sighed. When Si Lang initially went missing, Lian Shouxin sent people searching in various places, but there was no news. Eventually, it was given up. Si Lang has become a taboo subject for all the Lian Family over the years. No one wants to mention him. Lady Zhao had just let it slip today.
"Is Xiao Tanzhi learning carpentry from my third uncle?" Lian Manman then skillfully changed the topic with a smile.
"No, he’s a monk, what’s there to learn about carpentry." Lian Yeye replied.
"Yeye’s father has praised that kid a lot," Lady Zhao remarked. "It’s a pity he became a monk; otherwise, if he studied diligently for a few years, he would have become a good carpenter."
"That child is good; he’s helped you guys a lot over these years." Lady Zhang said, "Whenever we have things going on, he’s always there to lend a hand. Don’t let the fact that he’s a monk fool you; he’s very well-liked in the village."
"He often helped out Yeye Household; my third aunt treats him well too. I just saw him, and all the stitching on his clothes is done by my third aunt and Yeye." Lian Manman commented.
"The boy puts in real effort; whatever we have, we give him a pair of shoes or two pieces of clothing, helping with sewing and mending." Lady Zhao replied.
"It’s fate for you all. Even though he helps any family in the village with matters, he’s particularly kind toward your household." Lady Zhang observed.
"He’s a good kid." Lady Zhao agreed. Lady Zhao greatly liked Xiao Tanzhi, and Lady Zhang has seen over the years that besides Lian Yeye, Lady Zhao is most attentive to Xiao Tanzhi, who also feels close to the family. That’s why Lady Zhang called it fate.
Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye chatted for a while longer before standing to say their goodbyes.
"It’s almost noon; join us for the meal." Lian Manman invited them to stay for lunch.
"You might not know." Lady Zhang chuckled, "They’re off to eat dumplings."
"Oh," this took Lian Manman by surprise, she glanced at Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye again, "No wonder they’re dressed so new today. Whose place, I haven’t heard about it."
"It’s not from our village," Lian Yeye informed Lian Manman. "It’s from a family in Xiao Liu Village, people my dad knows through his carpentry work. The family’s grandmother is turning sixty-six, so we’re all going."
In the customs of Liaodong Prefecture, having an elder at home reach the age of sixty-six or eighty is a great cause for celebration. A grand event is usually organized to commemorate the occasion, and relatives and friends will come bearing gifts and offering congratulations.
"This is a good thing," Lian Manman also smiled. In recent years, Lian Shouli has made new friends, and the Lian Yeye family has developed their own social circles. Lian Manman was genuinely happy for them. "Then I won’t keep you any longer. Let’s set another day."
After sending off Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye, Wu Jiaxing and Lian Zhizhi arrived with Dabao in tow.
At last night’s banquet, Wu Yugui and Lady Wu Wang had already informed Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang that today, at noon, the Wu family would host a banquet, inviting the Lian Manman family, the Zhang Qingshan family, and the Lu family for a meal and a gathering.
The reason for arranging the banquet at noon was because in the afternoon, Zhang Qingshan and Zhang Qingnian needed to return to Burner Pot Village. Originally, this father and son duo had planned to leave right after breakfast today, but Wu Yugui and Wu Jiaxing had done their utmost to persuade them to stay.
Wu Jiaxing and Lian Zhizhi came over to urge everyone to head over quickly, mentioning that the banquet was already prepared.
Even though it was agreed upon yesterday, the fact that they personally came again shows the utmost sincerity.
"It’s all agreed upon, we’ll just tidy up and head over, why did you two come over again?" Lady Zhang remarked to Wu Jiaxing and Lian Zhizhi, "In this terribly cold weather, you also brought Dabao along. What if the child catches a chill?"
Seeing Dabao, Lady Zhang was both delighted and worried about her grandson, fearing he might suffer even the slightest discomfort.
"Mother, we came by carriage, Dabao won’t catch a chill," Wu Jiaxing replied with a cheerful grin.
"Mother, I also didn’t want to bring him. But there’s no choice, he’s so clever now. Knowing we were coming here, he just watched me, and if I didn’t bring him, he would start to pout and cry," Lian Zhizhi added with a smile.
"This child," Lady Zhang also laughed. She, having raised several children herself, naturally understood the temperament of little ones. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
"Your grandmother and your Aunt-in-law are in the town..." Lady Zhang said to Lian Zhizhi while tidying up.
"Dabao’s grandfather and grandmother went over there; since it’s nearby, they probably arrived earlier than we will," Lian Zhizhi responded.
"Then let’s hurry and tidy up," Lady Zhang said, waving her hand at Lian Manman to quickly go to the west room and change into proper clothes.
Soon, the entire family was ready, and they sat in the carriage to head to the town.
The banquet at the Wu house was naturally a sumptuous affair. After the meal, everyone drank tea and chatted until mid-afternoon. Considering that Zhang Qingshan and Zhang Qingnian needed to drive back to Burner Pot Village, everyone got up and headed over to Thirty Mile Camp, where they all gathered in the front hall.
Lian Manman and Lady Zhang had long prepared the gifts to send back with Zhang Qingshan and had them loaded onto the carriage. After having another cup of tea, Zhang Qingshan and Zhang Qingnian got up to take their leave.
"Perhaps we should send a separate carriage with someone else to drive for you," Lian Shouxin suggested as he walked them out.
"I’ve said before, no need," Zhang Qingshan waved his hand. "At noon today, the two of us didn’t drink much. No need for all that trouble. This road, we could drive with our eyes closed. Even if we did nothing, the mule could find its way home by itself."
Zhang Qingshan had a somewhat stubborn nature and wouldn’t easily accept riding in the Lian Manman’s family carriage. He preferred to drive his own mule cart, claiming it gave him freedom.
Seeing that Zhang Qingshan insisted, and knowing that what he said was reasonable, Lian Shouxin didn’t press further. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
After sending off Zhang Qingshan and Zhang Qingnian, everyone dispersed.
Lady Zhang, Lady Li, and Lian Manman returned to the rear courtyard. Shortly after, Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi also came to Lady Zhang’s room, and the family sat together, talking.
"Why don’t we go visit grandma now," Lian Shouxin checked the Chinese hour and discussed with Lady Zhang and the children.
"Alright." Lady Zhang nodded.
"Then let’s first have someone check if Grandma is up from her nap," Lian Manman suggested. "If she’s not up and we visit, she might get upset. It’s not much for us, but should Mother also go? If she goes, Grandma might think Mother is deliberately troubling her."
These days, Lady Zhou didn’t openly show any displeasure towards Lady Zhang, but secretly, she still said some unpleasant and biased things. Whatever Lady Zhang did, in Lady Zhou’s eyes, was always against her, never good enough.
Lady Li, sitting on the kang, looked at Lady Zhang upon hearing this, while Lady Zhang turned to look at Lian Shouxin.
Lian Shouxin forced a smile.
"Of course," Lian Shouxin said, not explaining further, not knowing for sure what he affirmed. "I was planning to send someone over first, and then we’d go."
Lian Manman gave a slight smile and didn’t acknowledge it, directly sending someone to the village to inquire.
...
Seeking your support with pink votes. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it and provide monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)
