章節 6: Chapter 3: The 500 Taels of Silver Problem_1
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Lian Manman slowly sat back down next to Lady Zhang, turned her head and saw that Lian Xiuxiu, holding Lian Huahua, was glaring fiercely at both her and Lady Zhang.
"Fourth brother, fourth sister-in-law, how can you be so selfish, only thinking about yourselves?" Lian Xiuxiu accused, staring intently.
Lian Manman touched her ear. Could there be something wrong with her hearing? How could there be such a person who could so utterly distort the truth? That person was her aunt, no less. What was even more astonishing was that Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang, who had been directly called out, were both silent.
"Mother, please help Lian Huahua," Lian Xiuxiu whispered into Lady Zhou's ear.
Lady Zhou hesitated somewhat as she glanced at Old Master Lian.
"Father, this matter... it concerns not just your son—no, it's about the future of our Lian Family..." Lian Shouren pleaded with a despondent expression to Old Master Lian.
Old Master Lian just smoked his pipe, his face hidden behind the smoke, unreadable.
"Eldest, the matter with the Jade Pendant, you acted without consulting me. If it hadn't been for Manman's issue, you probably never would have told me," Old Master Lian said.
"Father, didn't we not want to worry you at that time?" Lian Shouren replied.
"And now I don't need to worry?"
"Father..." Lian Shouren was at a loss for words, stopped short by Old Master Lian's response.
"Eldest, you were wrong from the very start." Old Master Lian put down his tobacco pipe, sighed, and continued, "The Jade Pendant is a Song Family heirloom. When Huahua broke it, we should have informed them. The fault lies with Huahua; whether we pay restitution or whatever else, we have no excuse. You replaced it with some other piece of jade and tried to deceive them. That's not something our Lian Family should do."
It turned out that Old Master Lian hadn't known about the matter at the time; the Eldest of the Lian Family had taken action before reporting.
"Father, I... I had no choice," the eldest stammered.
Lian Xiuxiu gently nudged Old Lady Lian, Lady Zhou.
"My dear, how is this deceiving them? Haven't we bought a piece of jade that's nearly identical and offered it as compensation?" Lady Zhou finally spoke up, "Huahua has finally managed to secure such a good marriage proposal. How can we let a small matter like this ruin it? If we follow what you're saying, we'll have to pay compensation, and the marriage will be off—aren't we just shooting ourselves in the foot? You've been a shopkeeper for so many years; how can you not see past this simple account?"
"What would you women understand? When I was managing the store, I was honest with all, never resorting to deceit," Old Master Lian said angrily.
"What, you're calling me deceitful?" Old Lady Lian also erupted in anger, "I've spent a lifetime with you, borne and raised your children, worked myself to the bone, and now in my old age, you disdain me, calling me a cheater."
"You're being unreasonable; I won't argue with you," Old Master Lian said, his beard shaking with anger.
The atmosphere froze.
"I'm not doing this for myself—I'm doing it for Father, and for our Lian Family," Lian Huahua sobbed, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.
"Yes, Huahua isn't a selfish child," Lady Gu said, "Parents toil their whole lives hoping for their eldest to top the imperial examination, to bring honor to the ancestors. Not only has the eldest never forgotten Father's instructions, but Huahua always keeps them in mind. The eldest has the capability; it's just that these past years he has been down on his luck, failing to succeed in the examinations."
Lady Gu, as she spoke, also dabbed at her eyes.
"After speaking with Huahua, the Song Family's son-in-law has said he can find some connections, pay some silver to have the eldest become a Jiansheng, and directly present his name to the Emperor, securing an official position immediately," Lady Gu continued.
"Yes, Father, there are many vacancies at court right now. Jiansheng can be selected for official positions directly. But this opportunity is only for a year or two; miss it, and there will be no such chance again," Lian Shouren added.
"Once the eldest becomes a Jiansheng, becoming a Magistrate is certain. Serving in that role for a few years would lead to becoming the Magistrate, bringing glory to the Lian Family's threshold. It could also earn our parents imperial appointments, and then our Xiuxiu would be a lady of an official's household. The good days we'd enjoy would be endless," Lady Gu explained while glancing at Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang, "The eldest's brothers, nephews, and nieces will all also be lordships and young ladies of an official's household."
With every phrase Lady Gu uttered, Lady Zhou would nod in agreement.
"That's exactly it," Lady Zhou said.
"Father, this isn't just about Huahua; it's a major matter that affects our Lian Family's ancestral honor," Lian Shouren emphasized.
Lian Manman stood there dumbfounded; this couple was actually quite adept at twisting facts. It was clear that their daughter had damaged the betrothal gift, and they were afraid that the other family wouldn't want her because of it, which had led to all these complications. Yet, after their framing, Lian Huahua seemed downright noble and magnanimous.
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