Chapter Three, the issue of five hundred taels of silver

Lian Man'er surveyed the people in the room. The Lian family was now divided into two factions. One faction aimed to sell Lian Man'er to benefit Lian Hua'er, thereby fulfilling the ambitions of the Lian family's patriarch. This faction included Old Madam Lian, Zhou, Lian Xiu'er, the first branch of the Lian family, and the second branch of the Lian family. The other faction consisted only of Lian Shouxin and He. This division was something Lian Man'er had fought for with her life.

Lian Man'er certainly would not take it to heart, and she turned to look at He Shi, "Aunt Er and sister Ya'er’s new clothes are also beautiful. Aunt Er looks just like a fairy in this outfit."

"You are being unreasonable, and I will not speak with you." Even the old gentleman's beard trembled with anger

It turns out that even the old master was unaware of this matter at the time; it was the eldest of the Lian family who acted first and reported later

You all know what has happened at home, so I will not elaborate. I have called you all here now to discuss how we can gather five hundred taels of silver.

"Yes, it was indeed the day I met Young Master Song with the old gentleman," Gu said hurriedly. "As for this matter, we have an unspoken understanding with the Song family. It's just that the Song family has many members, and they are concerned about rumors. Therefore, we need to first present a piece of jade pendant to save face for both families"

Everyone looked towards Lian Hua'er

Lian Man'er slowly sat back beside Zhang, and when she turned her head, she saw Lian Xiu'er holding Lian Hua'er, glaring fiercely at her and Zhang.

Lianhua raised her head and said, "Sir, in fact, Young Master Song already knows about this matter."

"Why is the flower crying? She's about to get married, and what should we do if her eyes swell from crying?" As soon as He entered the room, he saw Lianhua crying and immediately began to shout anxiously. "Isn't Man'er alive again? Tomorrow, let the Sun family take her away, and everything will be settled!"

Even if you do not care for your granddaughter, your eldest son has worked hard for many years and finally has a chance to succeed. Can you bear to stand in his way?

After all, the old gentleman could not bring himself to strike his old wife, so he could only throw down the half-smoked pipe in his hand and let out a long sigh

Father... Lian Shouren, holding onto the old master Lian's push, cried out in anguish.

Father, I, I also have no choice

"This is the principle." Zhou stated

As long as the elder can secure the position, it will be certain that one will become a county magistrate in due time. After doing this for two or three years, one could even become a prefect, bringing glory to the Lian family. It would also earn each of our parents a title, and by then, our Xiuer would be a lady of the official family, enjoying a life of abundance. " As Gu spoke, he glanced at Lian Shouxin and Zhang, "The elder's brothers, nephews, and nieces will all become lords, young masters, and young ladies of the official family in due course.

"I am not doing this for myself; I am doing it for Father and for our Lian family," Lian Hua said, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice choked with emotion.

Gu and Lianhua also knelt before Old Master Lian, lowering their heads and beginning to wipe their tears

Every time Gu spoke, Zhou would nod in agreement.

"Go call the old couple of the third son over." The old man lowered his head for a while, instructed Lian Shouyi, and then addressed those under the kang, "The fourth son and his wife should get up; what I said just now will not change."

Father, I know I was wrong. Please have mercy on me; I have sat on the cold bench for twenty years... This is how things are now..." Lian Shouren suddenly knelt before the old master Lian, hugging his leg and crying bitterly

With a sharp crack, the smoking pipe broke into two pieces. Even though the old man wanted to strike again, Zhou had already lunged at Lian Shouren, protecting her son.

Gu said something while also wiping his eyes

Lian Man'er was somewhat dumbfounded; this couple truly had a knack for switching concepts. It was clearly his daughter who had damaged the betrothal gifts, and out of fear that the other party would refuse to accept her because of it, they had concocted so many issues. However, with their narrative, Lian Hua'er had become almost glorified and heroic.

Lian Shouxin and the Zhang family slowly stood up.

This loud voice was exactly what she heard when she had just woken up, the woman who was about to bury her, causing Wan'er to darken her expression

Lianhua, crying, was determined to end her life, but was, of course, stopped by Lianxiuer. Gu's family, Lianhua, Lianxiuer, and Lianduor embraced each other and began to weep inconsolably

Indeed, the flower does not only care for its own child. Gu said, "Parents toil their entire lives, hoping that their eldest son can achieve success and bring glory to the family. Not only does the eldest son not dare to forget his father's admonitions, but the flower also keeps them in mind at all times. The eldest son has talent, but over the years, he has faced misfortune and has failed to pass the imperial examination several times."

"When did you tell Young Master Song? I..." Lian Xiuer said.

"Man'er has died once, this matter cannot proceed." Lian Shouxin's face turned red, and he said in a low voice

"Mother, please say something," Lian Xiuer said to Mrs. Zhou, while crying.

Mother, please help Lianhua." Lian Xiuer whispered in Zhou's ear

Now I no longer have to worry

Why should I hit him? Ask him what he has done. Does he deserve to be treated well by Lao Si? Even the old man pushed aside the Zhou family and continued to beat Lian Shouren.

"What is this? Didn't you both agree? Why are you going back on your word now?" Lian Shouyi pointed at Lian Shouxin and scolded.

Father... Lian Shouren was left speechless by the old master Lian's remark.

Father, at that time it was not that I did not want you to worry about it

If you are going to hit him, you might as well kill me first

"What do you, a mere woman, understand? When I was the shopkeeper, I was honest to both young and old, and I never engaged in such deceitful practices." The old gentleman said angrily

Lian Shouren immediately stopped crying. Gu Shi and Lian Hua'er both lowered their heads, exchanging glances and secretly rejoicing.

Old man, this matter has already come to this point. These are still your own sons and granddaughters. Don't you have a heart? I can't bear it. If anything happens to the flower, my wife won't survive either.

Father, this is not merely a matter of flowers; this concerns a significant issue that relates to the glory and honor of our family.

The Lian family has put considerable effort into this matter, as can be seen from the attire of the few individuals in the house.

It was a letter that my parents brought back when they went to the city. " Lián Huā said hurriedly, glancing at the Gǔ family from the corner of her eye.

Zhang cried out loud, and then with a thud, she knelt down on the ground, followed by Shouxin who also knelt down.

"Why aren't you eating yet? Why are you all crying?" As the door curtain was lifted, Lian Shaoyi and Lian Laoer walked in from outside. Following them was a short, plump woman, He Shi, who was Lian Shaoyi's wife. She was holding the hand of a little girl, Lian Ya'er, their daughter, who had just turned nine this year. Both mother and daughter were dressed in brand new cotton skirts.

Do not cry anymore, I already know. The old man closed his eyes and gently patted Lian Shouren's shoulder twice.

"Old man, are you crazy? Why are you hitting your eldest son!" Zhou rushed forward to intervene

These two items, combined, are not worth as much as the one belonging to Aunt Xiu'er

Is that so? asked the old master, Lian Shouren.

"Yes, father, that is exactly how it is," said Lian Shouren.

Aunt Xiu'er's clothes are so beautiful, they must be newly made! Lian Man'er put on a dazed expression, gazing longingly at Lian Xiu'er's embroidered jacket.

What, do you say I am lying? Even the old lady and the librarian are furious. "I have spent my whole life with you, bearing your children, working myself to the bone. Now that we are old, you still look down on me and accuse me of being a liar"

The atmosphere momentarily became tense

Lian Xiuer gently nudged the elderly Lian matriarch, Madam Zhou

Indeed, Father, there are many vacancies in the current court, and the candidates can be directly appointed to official positions. However, this opportunity has only existed for the past one or two years; if missed, such a favorable chance will not come again.

The son-in-law of the Song family told Hua that he could help find a way. By spending a few coins to bribe the officials, he could directly submit the name to the emperor, and immediately there would be an official position available.

"Second sister-in-law, our father just said that Man'er is not allowed to go," Zhang said, holding Man'er tightly.

"Boss, you were wrong about this matter from the very beginning." The old man put down his pipe and sighed, saying, "That jade pendant is the heirloom of the Song family. Since it was broken by Hua, we should have informed them. The fault lies with Hua; whether she compensates or whatever, we have no say in it. You all went and got another piece of jade to deceive them. This is not how we, as members of the Lian family, should act"

Father, Mother, Man'er is also your biological granddaughter

Even the old gentleman was merely smoking a dry pipe, his face obscured by the smoke, making it difficult to discern his expression

Father, this matter concerns my son... No, it concerns the future of our Lian family..." Lian Shouren said with a mournful expression, pleading with the old master Lian.

Father, Mother, has Auntie also bought you new clothes?" Lian Man'er turned her head, smiling as she looked at Lian Shouxin and Zhang. This couple seemed a bit slow-witted, so she needed to make her words clearer.

You beast! Even the old master shouted, swinging his pipe towards Lian Shouren.

"Father, how can this be called a deception? Didn't we buy a similar piece of jade to compensate?" Zhou finally spoke up, "It took a lot of effort for Hua to secure this good marriage, how can it fall through over such a trivial matter? According to your reasoning, we would have to compensate this money as well, and then the marriage cannot proceed. Isn't that a lose-lose situation? You've been the manager for so many years, how can you not figure out this simple accounting?" According to your reasoning, we would have to compensate this money as well, and then the marriage cannot proceed. Isn't that a lose-lose situation? You've been the manager for so many years, how can you not figure out this simple accounting?"

"Really? Don't say that, you little girl have some insight after all." He smiled proudly, "In all these years, this is the only time I've gotten just these two items." The implication in his words seemed to suggest there was still something lacking.

The He family, the Gu family, and Lian Hua'er all changed their expressions

Lian Man'er touched her ear, wondering if there was something wrong with her hearing. How could there be such a person who distorts right and wrong, and moreover, this person is Lian Man'er's aunt. What is even stranger is that both Lian Shouxin and Zhang Shi, who were named, remained silent.

Even the old master fell silent for a moment, "Regardless of your plans, the matter of the jade pendant should not be concealed from the Song family. Otherwise, even if a marriage is arranged, there will be chaos in the future"

The decision-maker is Old Master Lian. Lian Shouxin and the Zhang family are Lian Man'er’s biological parents. She still needs to add a bit more fuel.

Lian Xiuer tenderly touched her own clothes, snorted softly, and was too lazy to respond to Lian Man'er

Zhou hesitated for a moment and glanced at Old Master Lian

If I am rejected because of this matter, I cannot live on

Lianhua's eyes darted as she said, "I delivered a message to Young Master Song. Young Master Song said he does not blame me, and Old Madam Song also nodded in agreement. However, this matter cannot be brought to light, and for the time being, the other members of the Song family must not be informed."

"Boss, regarding the matter of the jade pendant, you did not consult me and went ahead with it on your own. If it weren't for the incident with Man'er, I probably wouldn't have been informed at all," said Old Master Lian.

"Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister-in-law, why are you so selfish, only thinking about yourselves?" said Xiu'er, glaring.

After a while, Lian Jiaolao San Lian Shouli and his wife Zhao entered from outside, following Lian Shouyi.