Chapter 6, The Lian Family Dinner

After looking around in the backyard, Lian Man'er returned to the front yard

"Man'er, why are you just standing there? Come over and tend to the fire," Zhou said immediately upon seeing Lian Man'er.

Lian Man'er clearly saw Lian Hua'er's fierce gaze, but in the blink of an eye, she appeared to be a picture of delicate endurance. This made her secretly alert; this girl is quite scheming.

"Only one night can be kept, and the interest will be calculated from today," said Old Jin

This money will definitely be repaid. However, the borrower cannot leave a fingerprint on the IOU; if it gets out, what will others think?

In recent years, in order for your elder brother to pursue his studies, our family has indeed spent a considerable amount of money, making your lives increasingly difficult. I feel quite distressed about this. If your elder brother is successfully selected for an official position this time, our family will finally see a brighter future. The younger ones, being of a tender age, will have the opportunity to receive an education, and the older ones will be able to marry good wives. I will also have your elder brother look after you more.

Exiting from the back of this outer room leads directly to the backyard of the Lian family. The backyard is quite large, entirely cultivated as a vegetable garden. At this time, during the late summer and early autumn, the garden is filled with rows of leeks, cabbages, chili peppers, cucumbers, and eggplants, all growing very pleasingly. A gentle breeze blows through, carrying the fresh scents of soil and green leaves

After Lian Shouren saw off Old Jin, the members of the Lian family sat down again

Indeed, Lian Man'er secretly nodded. The couple, Lian Shouren and his wife, would go to any lengths for their own benefit, including the idea of selling her; what else could they possibly do

Both large iron woks on the two stoves had been heated. Mrs. Zhou poured oil into the woks and added the sliced meat, stir-frying until it released a fragrant aroma. Lian Zhi then brought over the cleaned and chopped eggplants, which Mrs. Zhou added to the wok. After stir-frying for a while, Lian Zhi brought over some water, and Mrs. Zhou added salt to the wok before covering it with a lid

The children have all been spoiled by the picture books. Zhou cast a glance at Zhang but no longer made Lian Man'er do any work. Instead, she walked to the back, took a piece of pork belly from the cupboard, personally cut half of it on the chopping board, sliced it, and then put the other half back.

"Mother, the meal is ready. What dishes shall we have?" Zhang asked Old Lady Zhou.

Lian Shouren exchanged a glance with the Gu family, while Lian Shouyi and the He family prioritized the present situation above all else, unwilling to concede even a little. If they insisted on having Old Master Lian sign, and Lian Shouyi truly made a fuss, then all their previous efforts would be in vain

"Second Uncle, what exactly do you want?" Lian Hua gritted her teeth and said

"It is not appropriate for the flowers to leave handprints, Father, you are the head of the family, or perhaps you should do it yourself," said Lian Shouren.

Ah. Zhou promptly agreed, placing the washed potatoes on the cutting board and began to slice them into shreds

Otherwise, let us discuss this matter further

Both Lian Shouyi and He wished to have Lian Hua'er place her fingerprint on the promissory note, which surprised both Old Master Lian and Lian Shouren

"Old Third, Old Fourth, do you two have any opinions?" asked the old master.

Lian Man'er took a few deep breaths; if she could not return, at least there was no air pollution here, and the food was green and healthy

Gu and Lianhua hurriedly walked in upon hearing these words

Mother, Man'er has just woken up. We, the mother and children, can manage this work. Let her rest a bit longer before we ask her to do anything.

Manner has not yet recovered, I will start the fire. Lian Wulang then sat down beside the large stove, ready to tend to the fire

"Stir-fry the flat beans in that basket," said Zhou.

If Lian Shouyi continues to speak, the matter of Lian Hua'er breaking the jade pendant will be exposed. By then, it will reach the Song family, and Lian Hua'er and *Tu* *Shu* will be unable to marry.

The front yard and the back yard are approximately the same size, with three rooms in each of the east and west wings. From the wings to the main entrance, there is also a vegetable garden. This residence of the Lian family can be considered a very well-proportioned farmhouse. When the old master Lian built it, he spent a total of one hundred and fifty taels of silver.

Oh. Lian Man'er nodded.

Just now, Zhang inquired about what dish she was preparing, and she scolded him. How is it that in such a short time, he has come out to give orders?

Zhou approached and snatched the oil bowl from Zhang, pouring it into the pot himself

I am willing to write a note... However, regarding the jade pendant, no one can mention it again. If outsiders find out, my engagement will be ruined, and I won't be able to repay this debt. At that time, the whole family will suffer.

Shouren, what do you say

Lianhua had made up her mind, wiped the corners of her eyes, and then spoke with a choked voice.

Father, I understand your thoughts. The selection of officials is my elder brother's ability; I just want to be a farmer and live a down-to-earth life. Lian Shouxin said, I have helped my elder brother in every way I can, this time Man'er...

No matter what the cost, whether it leads to the ruin of the Lian family or results in another incident like that of Lian Man'er, no one can stop her from marrying into the Song family

"What is there at home? Why are you asking me about such trivial matters?" said Zhou with irritation

"Go fetch the green beans; stir-fry the green beans first," Zhou instructed immediately

Everyone has agreed to call Old Jin tomorrow morning to sign the loan note and exchange for silver

The main house of the Lian family consists of five rooms, with two rooms on each side and the middle room serving as the kitchen. On both sides, there are two large stoves and two small stoves, and in the center, there is a partition. To the north of the partition are a cupboard for bowls, a chopping block, and some miscellaneous items, effectively functioning as the kitchen's workspace

Old Jin heard some insights from m.hetushu.com, "This money, is it for the young lady from the scholar's family to borrow?"

Lian Hua coldly scrutinized the people in the room. She could tell that none of them were willing to bear this debt for her, not even temporarily. Even Old Master Lian was swayed by their words, feeling pity; he feared losing this house and the several dozen acres of land in the process. In this house, no one considered her, not even her parents, who were only willing to exert themselves because Song Lang had promised to take her under his guardianship.

"His second uncle, if there is anything to discuss, we can talk it over as family later." Gu said to Lian Shouyi with a smile, "Moreover, everything has already been settled just now, what is there for you to worry about?"

Zhang brought over the chopped chili peppers and shredded potatoes, ready to pour them into the pot

"The fourth son's wife." Zhou was standing in the outer room, directing Zhang to do this and that

"Wugong, you should go do what you need to do; this is not your responsibility. Let Man'er tend to the fire," said Zhou.

"Elder brother, there is always a possibility of unforeseen circumstances. It sounds nice when Flower talks, but if the money cannot be raised to repay the debt, we will have to use the family's house and land. Your several nephews still rely on these for their livelihood and to marry. " Lian Shouyi said with a smile, "Moreover, this money is meant to be spent by Flower; it is only natural for her to sign the IOU."

"Cut the ingredients into fine strips, but do not overcook them." Lian Xiuer echoed beside Mrs. Zhou, "And do not add scallions; the flowers do not eat them. Add more sesame oil; the flowers love it."

"These potatoes should be shredded, and you can wash a few more peppers to stir-fry and eat," Zhou instructed further.

"What are you doing out here, getting yourself covered in the smell of cooking oil?" Zhou complained to his daughter

At this moment, Zhao brought Lian Ye'er in and lit the fire in another large stove

Lian Shouxin and Lian Shouli exchanged a glance.

"Good." Gu and Lianhua both nodded, as they did not want Lian Shouyi to reveal the matter in front of Old Jin

"Flower, you have already said you would repay the money, so why are you afraid to put your fingerprint on the IOU?" Lian Shouyi said.

I share the same sentiment as my fourth brother, "Lian Shouyi said.

Elder brother, we understand that you care for your daughter, but soon she will be the young mistress of the Song family. It would not be fair to let us poor people bear her debts

She wasn't crying, but even Man'er was pondering over Shouxin's words, feeling somewhat complicated.

Zhang hurriedly picked potatoes out of the basin, and even Zhi stood up, wiped her hands on her apron, and took a basket to the back garden to pick eggplants

Lian Wulang carried a bundle of firewood to the upper room, and Lian Man'er followed him back.

The old gentleman let out a sigh

"Why are you washing so many potatoes?" Zhou said, looking at the large basin of potatoes in front of Lian Zhi'er. "Take out half of them and let your mother wash them herself. Go pick two eggplants; we will have braised eggplant for dinner."

"If the flowers are willing this way, then let it be so," said Lian Shouren

Ah? Oh...

It is getting late, let's have dinner," said the old master.

When it comes to Lian Man'er, Lian Shouxin can no longer continue the conversation, lowering his head deeply

"Man'er, you should rest in your room," said Zhang, seeing that Man'er had come out. "Otherwise, let Xiao Qi take you outside for a walk. Just don't go too far, as it will be time for dinner soon."

"Watch the fire carefully," Zhou instructed Zhao, straightening up and noticing Zhang pouring oil into the pot. "That oil doesn't come for free; it can't withstand being poured like that!"

"Second Brother, how can you do this!" Lian Shouren turned to Old Master Lian for help, "Father, please say something."

"Mother, I am going to talk to the flowers." Lian Xiuer laughed and quickly walked into the west room

This money must have been borrowed by my family, be sure to keep it for hetushu.com

Lian Shouyi merely chuckled, "Sister-in-law, without any evidence, when the time comes, you officials will go about your business, and the young ladies will enjoy their lives, leaving this entire family to bear the debts. How unjust that would be. Third brother, Fourth brother, what do you say?"

Ah, Scholar, you speak quite accurately. You urged me to prepare the loan receipt, and now you wish to discuss it. I am not boasting, but those who come to borrow money from me, Old Jin, are lined up. Five hundred taels of silver incurs quite a bit of interest each day. If the Scholar no longer wishes to borrow, he should not obstruct my source of income

Brother, we have been together for so many years, and for this matter, mere words are not enough to rely on. Lian Shouyi said. He had just discussed with the He family and felt that it was essential to borrow money in the name of Lian Hua'er for it to be secure.

No

Ah. Zhang readily agreed with a response.

"It was agreed upon, so how is it that you, Er Er, still regard our parents with such disdain?" Lian Shouren took on the demeanor of the elder brother and reprimanded Lian Shouyi.

Zhang had no choice but to leave awkwardly.

Does this man have any sense of responsibility? Even Man'er felt she could no longer hold back her urge to jump up and curse. Turning her head, she saw Old Master Lian with a face full of gloom, and turning again, she caught sight of Lian Hua'er, whose eyes were glinting with a cold light

Lian Man'er also came out, with the front and back doors of the outer room wide open. Zhang Shi and Lian Zhi'er were both in aprons, serving rice and steamed buns from a large iron pot.

"Second brother, what do you mean by this? She is a young lady, how can we let her press her fingerprint? Father is the head of the family." Lian Shouren hurriedly said

We all listen to our father

Now you look at me like this, but once I marry into the Song family, you will know my true capabilities

"Let me handle it." Lian Zhier entered with a basket of eggplants and, upon hearing Mrs. Zhou speak, quickly replied.