Chapter 2: To Sell or Not to Sell

  The sun was setting in the west, and at this time, the Lian family had almost finished dinner, but today, on the kang (heated bed) of the landlord's house, there were only people sitting, and the table had not been set yet.

  Lian's old man, Lian Fang, was a thin and tall old man with a red face. He wore a coarse blue cloth jacket and pants, sat cross-legged on the kang, and puffed on his dry pipe.

  Across from Lian Lao, with his back to the kang and sitting cross-legged on the floor, was a pale-faced middle-aged man, Lian Shouren, the eldest son of the Lian family. He wore a light yellow changshan with a square scarf, his head lowered as if lost in thought.

  Not far from the two men, a group of women sat in a circle. Sitting by the window was Lian's wife, Zhou Shi. Zhou Shi's hair had thinned somewhat, but it was combed neatly, and her face still showed vestiges of its youthful beauty. Next to Zhou Shi sat Lian's daughter, Lian Xiu'er, who was fourteen years old this year. Lian Xiu'er's complexion was slightly dark, and she looked as if she had been carved from the same mold as Lian. The young girl wore a brand-new silver-red embroidered jacket with a shiny black braid coiled on top of her head, adorned with a golden phoenix hairpin and a pink silk flower.

  Lian Hua'er and Lian Xiu'er sat together, their legs touching, in close proximity. She wore a half-old lotus-colored embroidered skirt, her jet-black hair was coiled into a bun on top of her head, with a few strands of green silk hanging down behind her ears. Her skin was as white as snow, and next to Lian Xiu'er, it made her almond eyes and peachy cheeks even more beautiful and captivating.

  Lian Hua's sister Lian Duo was also wearing a brand new embroidered apron, pouting her mouth and leaning half against her mother Gu Shi. Gu Shi sat on the edge of the kang, her stone-green satin jacket and skirt were neither new nor old.

  Because even Lao Yezi didn't speak, everyone else didn't dare to make a sound, only Lian Xiuer and Lian Hua'er, the aunt and niece, leaned their heads together, whispering and giggling.

  Lian Man'er came in from outside and saw Lian Hua'er at a glance. Lian Hua'er raised her head, saw Lian Man'er, and the smile on her face stiffened for a moment, and her conversation with Lian Xiu'er also stopped abruptly.

  Zhang helped Lian Shouxin put the lotus root on his back onto the kang.

  Lian Miao sat there, quietly sizing up the people in the house. Lian Lao Ye is 57 years old this year and doesn't look very robust. Lian Lao Tai must have been a beauty when she was young, as both Lian Jia's eldest son and fourth son resemble her, unfortunately Lian Xiu Er doesn't take after her. Lian Xiu Er is 14 years old this year, the same age as Lian Zhi Er. Alas, Lian Zhi Er is too thin, Lian Xiu Er looks like she has developed normally.

  That round face, thin lips, that's Lianjia's wife Gu Shi, and also Lian Hua'er and Lian Duo'er sisters, all dressed in satin. Alas, Lian Man'er secretly sighed.

  "...this child would rather die than eat anything, afraid that we will sell him again." Lian Shouxin and Zhang stood under the kang, "Dad, please say something."

  Even the old man took a glance at his eldest son and tapped his tobacco pouch in his hand.

  "Shouren, tell me, what's going on?"

  Lian Shouren hadn't even spoken yet, but Gu Shi was already smiling all over his face.

  "Dad, aren't you clear about this? What's being said is just nonsense, it's just the kids in the family joking around. Mian'er is my brother's own niece, even if Fourth Brother and his wife want to sell her, with her uncle and me here, we can't let them sell the child, right?"

  Gu said, leaning over to touch Lianmeng's head.

  Lian Man'er tilted her head and shifted closer to Zhang Shi, avoiding Gu Shi's hand.

  Lao Lao raised an eyebrow and glanced at his wife, Zhou Shi. He let his eldest son speak, but his daughter-in-law jumped in to answer instead. This was not according to his rules. However, as a father-in-law, he valued dignity and couldn't directly scold his daughter-in-law. Meanwhile, his usually strict mother-in-law, Zhou Shi, unexpectedly remained silent.

  "Shouren, I'm letting you speak." Lian Laoyezi knocked on his pipe again and said in a low voice.

  Gu's face was a bit awkward, but he still accompanied it with a smile.

  "Dad, didn't I tell you?" Lian Shouren finally spoke up. "That day when I went to the prefectural city, I happened to run into a fellow townsman and good friend named Yang Chengfeng. When he heard that our family was short on silver, he immediately took out 500 taels of silver and even invited me to dinner... His brother-in-law's surname is Sun, and they are a very prestigious local gentry family in Qingfeng County. The young master of the Sun family has not yet been betrothed, and he is about the same age as our Mian'er. This marriage would still be a stretch for us."

  "Uncle, what does 'tong yang xi' mean?" asked Lian Man'er, hearing Lian Shouren's nonsense and asking a lighter question.

  "Tong Yang Xi..." Lian Shou Ren and Gu Shi exchanged a swift glance.

  Gu gave Lian Duo'er a slap in the face. However, his hand was raised high, but when it fell, it was light and gentle.

  "Duo'er this girl, speaks without weighing her words, provoking Man Er's anger, wanting to hit her, accidentally bumped into the well rim. Luckily, our parents' blessings are great, and Man Er was saved. Otherwise, if this gets out, it'll be a laughingstock." Gu Shi's thin lips opened and closed, speaking with extreme straightforwardness.

  "A life of the Lian family was lost just because of a couple of laughs from Dabo's wife. The lives of the Lian family are so cheap." Lian Man'er said coldly.

  "Oh dear, I didn't mean it that way. Your family is so sensitive." Gu realized her mistake and quickly made amends. "Because of your situation, both I and your uncle are feeling unwell in our hearts. Look at Hua'er's eyes, they're all red from crying. And as for Duo'er, if anything happens to you, I'll kill her to avenge your death."

  "Child bride..." Lian Wan'er gritted her teeth and said.

  Lian Hua'er lowered her eyelids and secretly gave Lian Xiuer a glance. Lian Xiuer understood, and coquettishly pushed Zhou Shi, Old Lady Lian.

  "Mang'er's age is not too young, but also not old. The Sun family says they want to get married immediately, it's nothing. A wealthy family like theirs can't lack food and drink for her, so it's better than staying at home. Yatou will eventually marry out, if she doesn't marry into the Sun family, she'll end up marrying a farmer. Are you happy with that? The Sun family is large and prosperous, they can find any kind of daughter-in-law they want, if it weren't for your older brother, Mang'er wouldn't be able to marry into such a good family. Qingfeng County is less than 1,000 miles from the village, so it's not like you'll never see her again."

  "Daughter, how can you say that." Zhang looked at Lian Xiu'er leaning on Zhou's body, her heart aching, covering her mouth, tears streaming down again.

  "Fourth aunt, what are you crying about? Mian'er doesn't understand things, and you as her mother don't understand either? Since it's all settled, just follow the agreement and get married." said Zhou Shi.

  "That Sun family is rich with gold and silver, and that young master Sun also loves to read. This is a rare opportunity, if you miss this village, there won't be another chance." Gu said with a smile.

  "What a good thing, why didn't you go?" Lian Man'er retorted.

  "Lian Man Er, you dare to curse me!" Lian Duo Er raised her eyebrows and pounced on Lian Man Er with a fierce expression.

  Zhang used his body to block the incoming punch from Lian Duo'er.

  "Is sending Duo'er to the Sun family a curse on her? There must be something else going on here, what do you want to sell me for?" Lian Man'er asked loudly.

  Lian Hua'er's face changed first, and she glared at Lian Duo'er fiercely. Her gaze towards Lian Man'er was a mix of fear and hatred.

  Gu grabbed Lian Duo'er back and slapped her twice on the back. This time, the slap was loud and clear, and Lian Duo'er burst into tears with a "wa".

  "Let Lian Man'er go, I won't go..." Lian Duo'er cried out.

  Gu covered Lian Duo'er's mouth.

  "Man Er, what are you talking nonsense about? Is there something else going on here?" Lian Hua Er stared at Lian Man Er and asked.

  Poor Lian Mian'er, her last memory was chaotic and fragmented. She only remembered that Lian Duo'er said she would sell her as a child bride, and Lian Duo'er had said something else, but she couldn't remember what it was, or maybe she hadn't even heard it because at that time she had already fallen to the edge of the well and lost consciousness.

  Going to the Sun family is not as simple as being a child bride, there are other things involved. Even the Sun family was fabricated by Lao Da and Gu Shi. Sending her far away, who knows what she's being sent to do? Five hundred taels of silver is no small amount, spending such a large sum of money must have a "big" purpose. And what "big" purpose could a little girl like her possibly serve? Suddenly, Lian Man felt a chill run down her spine.

  Lian Man'er stared back at Lian Hua'er without blinking. She couldn't remember, but she couldn't let Lian Hua'er know.

  Lian Hua'er saw Lian Man'r and didn't say a word, but glared at her fiercely, her eyes flickering slightly.

  "Big brother, apart from being a child bride, what else is going on?" Lian Shou Xin was not stupid and also sensed that something was off.

  "What's going on? Fourth brother, don't listen to the children's nonsense." Lian Shouren hastily said.

  The old man stared at Lian Shouren with his eyes, and Lian Shouren slowly lowered his head.

  "This matter is handled carelessly by you, go tell your friend that this matter ends here." Lao Yezi said.

  Lian Shouxin and Zhang's family both let out a sigh of relief.

  However, some people have become impatient.

  Lotus daughter pinched her handkerchief tightly and nervously glanced at Gu Shi, both mother and daughter looked at Lian Shouren together.

  "Dad, I've already agreed to this matter and promised the other party. Fourth Brother has also nodded in agreement. We can't go back on our word, can we?" said Lian Shouren.

  The old man puffed on his dry pipe again, clearly having made up his mind.

  "Then who will compensate for the 500 taels of betrothal money?"

  "Dad, Mom, did you take the money I was going to sell?" asked Lian Man'er on purpose.

  She's now forcing herself to be angry, but it's full of loopholes, just listening to it makes you know it's not reliable, and even Shou Xian and Zhang Shi actually believed it? The daughter was sold by someone, and they're still helping the person count money. No, it's worse than that, they can't even get the job of counting money, they can only sit on the sidelines like a wooden stake.

  "Mang'er is the flesh that has fallen off my body. I don't eat or drink, and I save a mouthful of food for her. I won't sell my daughter." Zhang suddenly straightened his waist and said.

  "Big brother, Yang Chengfeng lent you 500 taels, and you used it to buy a jade pendant. When did you also take out the betrothal gift money?" Lian Shouxin said.

  Lian Man'er secretly clenched her fists, this couple isn't completely hopeless yet.

  "Older brother, return the money to them!" Lao Yezi said.

  "Grandpa, you're not going to sell me off?" Lian Man'er's eyes lit up, and she crawled to Lian Old Master's side with her hands and feet, looking at him with big, shining eyes. This is also your own granddaughter, please, hurry up and wake up to our familial bond.

  Even Lao Yezi seemed unaccustomed to Lian Man'er's sudden approach, but still nodded.

  "Really won't sell anymore?"

  "We won't sell, we won't sell our daughter." Lao Ye said resolutely, "Go back and sit with your mother." Lao Ye turned his head away and started puffing on his dry tobacco pipe again.

  The little scamp's heart was finally put at ease.

  Lian Hua'er suddenly leaned on Lian Xiu'er's body and burst into tears.