Chapter Fifty-Three: Treating Illness

  Upstairs, Mrs. Zhou lay on the kang, constantly groaning. Lian Xiuer sat beside her, holding her hand. Old Master Lian sat at the head of the kang, silently puffing on his dry tobacco pipe.

  The underground was packed with people. The two father and son of Lian Shouren and Lian Jizong from the first house, Jiang's family also held Niu Niu standing beside Lian Jizong, Lian Shouyi couple from the second house, several children including Lian Rourou, Dalang to Liu Lang, and Lian Shouli couple and Lian Ye'er from the third house.

  Lian Shouxin brought Lian Man'er and a few others into the house, when Zhou Shi on the kang let out an even louder "aiyo", people made way for them to move forward.

  "What's wrong with Mother?" Lian Shouxin asked.

  "My daughter's old problem has recurred, heartache." Lian Shouren said.

  "Daughter, what do you think?" Lian Shouxin walked up to Zhou Shi and asked.

  "How could you not wait until I'm dead before coming!" Mrs. Zhou scolded, then immediately switched to a crying tone, "I'm as good as dead, with a lump in my heart, like a stone weighing me down... What's the point of me living, any little brat can take advantage of me..."

  Lian Meng'er listened to Zhou Shi's crying and singing, and the conversation gradually pointed towards her. She knew that Zhou Shi's illness was fake, and she wanted to find a way to take control of Lian Shouzhong. In this situation, it would be better to take the initiative first.

  "How come this illness is so severe? How come this chronic disease has never been cured all these years?" Lian Man'er said.

  "What kind of occasion is this, Man Er you're just a child, do you have the right to speak here?" Lian Shouren said with a stern face, "Fourth brother, it's not me as the eldest saying you, but you've spoiled the child too much, it's just like this time..."

  Lian Shouren actually spoke up, so does that mean Zhou Shi is now ill and has already gained the support of the eldest branch of the family?

  Her actions not only shook the ruling position of the Zhou family, but also "infringed" on the interests of the first house. Those glutinous rice, white flour, eggs and chicken meat were all exclusive to the first house, now they, the fourth house, who were usually the most honest and belonged to the lowest level of the Lian family, suddenly enjoyed these things, which was unbearable for them.

  Lian is honest and trustworthy, but when it comes to his children, he's a different story.

  "Big brother, it was two days ago when Mian's mother had an accident. Luckily, Mian ran to the town and invited a good doctor, or else Mian's mother wouldn't have made it." Lian Shouxin interrupted Lian Shourong's words.

  "Fourth brother, what you said is not right." Lian Shouren shook his head and said. "Mang'er is just a little girl, how much face can she have? The young master of the Wang family, as well as Dr. Shi, came because they are giving face to me, this scholar. And also because of Father's reputation in the 30-li camp."

  "Old Master is right." Lian Man'er nodded immediately, "This time the illness is so severe, let's just invite Dr. Shi to come over. I've heard that when Dr. Shi was in the palace, he even specialized in treating the emperor's mother, and cured her of decades-long illnesses. Let's invite Dr. Shi to come over. It's guaranteed that he can cure Mother's illness, and Mother won't have to suffer anymore."

  Lian Shouren was somewhat flustered. He had just spoken too much. If Lian Man'er asked him to invite Shi Taifu, it would be terrible.

  "I'm fine, what about you, big brother?" Lian Shouxin asked Lian Shourong.

  "My mother has already been invited, how can my grandmother not be? Lin Wan'er said, "It was the last time they came and saved a life in our family. They didn't even drink a cup of tea before leaving. I heard that Shi Taifu doesn't easily treat people's illnesses, even those with high social status who bring 1,000 to 800 silver coins to invite him, can't get him to come."

  "I've heard that the imperial physicians who come out of those palaces charge for their consultations by the ounce of gold." Lian Shouyi interjected this sentence in order to show off his own extensive knowledge.

  "...the doctor's fee and the cost of medicine, were all paid by Young Master Wang. He saved our lives, this is a matter of human relationships, we can't just leave it unsettled, there's no reason to owe him money. I'll go ask Mother to invite Doctor Shi over, and at the same time take the doctor's fee and cost of medicine over to them." Lian Shouxin said to Lian Lao Ye and Zhou Shi.

  Lao Yezi put down his pipe and said, "What Lao Si said is right. We've owed people favors before, but we can't owe them money too. Whatever the amount, we should give it to them."

  "My father and brother have seen it, that life-saving medicine, just the cost of the medicine is five taels of silver, and there's also Lu Langzhong from Jisheng Hall, the husband of the horse-drawn carriage driver, who must be given at least ten taels of silver. As for Shi Taigong, if he really charges according to his usual price, we can't afford it even if we sell all our belongings. So I'll thicken my skin and first give him a gift of 50 taels, and also buy two jars of wine and a sheep's stomach, which is a bit less but shows some sincerity on our part. Later when we're more prosperous, we can supplement the amount." Lian Shouxin said honestly.

  As soon as Lian Shouxin finished speaking, the room fell silent.

  "Daughter, first take seventy taels of silver, I'll immediately ask a good doctor to come and see you," Lian Shouxin said to Zhou Shi.

  Every time Lian Shouxin mentioned a sum of money, Zhou's mouth twitched. Now that he was asking her to take out seventy taels of silver, it was like cutting her flesh. Zhou suddenly sat up from the kang and slapped Lian Shouxin's head with a loud crack.

  Lian Shouxin didn't dodge and took the hit head-on, Lian Man'er couldn't help but feel pain for him.

  "The pain in my breast is gone. Just look at this slap, how powerful it is!" In order to not let Lian Shou Xin's slap go to waste, Lian Man Er immediately clapped her hands and said.

  Zhou's red face, big eyes staring, and swinging palms, truly deserving of the phrase "fierce and powerful".

  "It's great, Nai's illness has recovered so quickly." Lian Zhier and several others also responded in agreement.

  Zhou was furious and hit Lian Shouxin. It was already a failure, so it wasn't good to pretend to be ill again. He simply pointed at Lian Shouxin and scolded him again.

  "Seven or eight taels of silver? Do you think I'm running a silver mint? Your wife is a precious person, made of silver or inlaid with gold. If you want money, why don't you just sell this old bag of bones of mine..."

  "I haven't calculated this account much, it's indeed what our family owes to others. These days have been busy, and I haven't mentioned it. Mother, you see, these days have passed too, we should also go to their house to pay respects, and send the money and gifts." Lian Shou Xin discussed with Zhou Shi.

  "You figure out how to send yourself, I don't have money." Zhou Shi flatly refused.

  "Mother, I've never asked you for anything else, I've never argued with you about food or clothes, but this money, no matter what, we have to come up with it." Lian Shou said. He was a straightforward person who insisted on the things he believed in.

  Zhou Shi pointed at Lian Shouxin with his fingers.

  "Fourth brother, you've changed, you've become bad, it's that wife of yours who has corrupted you."

  It's one thing if it were someone else, but even Shou Xin, who never spent money in the past, is now asking her for money, and to make matters worse, he's asking for such a large amount all at once. This is especially hard for Zhou Shi to accept.

  "Mother, I'm being serious with you, let's see how much money we can come up with. If we really don't have any money, then we'll do it like we did when I helped my older brother in the past - we'll just pretend for now and I'll slowly pay it back after I earn some money." Lian Shou Xin said with some difficulty.

  "What a fart!" Mrs. Zhou cursed, "You speak so lightly. When the time comes, what will you use to pay? Are you willing to sell your son or daughter? Or is it that this whole family has to suffer for you? I raised my children for you, and now you want me to give you money? What have you done for me all these years? Get out!"

  "How can you talk like that? My mother almost lost her life, and isn't she a member of our family too? We're all one family!" said Lian Man Er.

  "Get out of my sight, all of you! I don't even have a family with such good-for-nothing sons like you!"

  "Milk, even if Ba Jiazi is a prodigal son, he's still family. Now that he owes money, you want to split us up? That won't do," said Lian Man'er.

  Lian Man'er suddenly split up, but reminded Zhou Shi.

  "Yes, I can't afford to support you all. You'd better divide the family property and leave me alone! Seven hundred taels of silver, return them to yourselves!" Madam Zhou said immediately.

  Lian Man'er clenched her fists secretly, and the words "divorce" finally came out of Zhou Shi's mouth.

  These days, Lian Man'er has come to realize one thing. Although Lian Shouxin and Zhang Shi have had thoughts of separation in their hearts, it would be extremely difficult for them to bring it up themselves. Moreover, the social environment dictates that if they were to propose separation, they might end up with a reputation for being unfilial. However, if someone else were to bring it up, especially Lian Lao Yezi or Zhou Shi, then there wouldn't be any problem at all.

  Mrs. Zhang had a miscarriage and was unable to work for over a month, and she also needed to eat well and drink well to nourish her body. This has just begun, but there are already people who are unwilling. If they show that they are no longer easy to bully, even if they don't mention divorce themselves, someone will have to make them separate.

  What's more, there is another famine of seventy-two silver coins now.

  This seventy-two silver famine not only cured Zhou's illness but also made Zhou take the initiative to propose division of the family.

  "Dad, mom wants us to separate." Lian Man'er deliberately made a sad face, "How can we pay back that money if we don't separate?"

  "I said I want a division of the family property, you don't want to divide it, but you have to give me my share." Zhou Shi immediately said with satisfaction.

  Lian Wan'er silently turned her face away, and at this point, Zhou Shi and Lian Xiuer were indeed mother and daughter.

  "Who dares to mention dividing the family, you're a good-for-nothing wife!" Old Master Lian heard Zhou Shi mention dividing the family and choked on his smoke, unable to immediately stop this topic. As a result, Zhou Shi nailed it down with another sentence. Old Master Lian was furious and randomly threw the broom he used to sweep the floor at Zhou Shi.

  Zhou's head was hit, and her hair immediately became disheveled. She was also stunned. Unlike most peasants, the old man had never laid a hand on his wife before, this was his first time hitting Zhou.

  Zhou was both ashamed and angry, and she rushed into Lian's arms, scratching his face with her ten fingers.

  "You dare to hit me, I'll give you birth to children, at your age, you still hit me, what am I living for..." Zhou Shi scolded while scratching. Even the old man had to wave his hands and feet to defend himself.

  "You're crazy, you old hag! You've gone mad, I'm divorcing you..."

  Even Lao Ye and Zhou Shi's old couple got into a fight, everyone rushed forward to pull them apart. The room was filled with crying, scolding, and shouting, making a big commotion. This commotion lasted until dawn, before it finally subsided.

  Lian Man'er and a few others returned to the west wing room. Zhang Shi, who couldn't get down from the kang, heard the commotion coming from the upper house and asked what was going on.

  Lian Shouxin sulked and didn't say a word. Xiao Qi then went over to Zhang Shi's side, chattering away and telling her about what had happened in the upper house.

  "Man Er, you only said that your mother's illness can be cured, but didn't say it would lead to a family split." Lian Shouxin asked Lian Man Er.

  "Dad, was there any deception in that calculation you just did?" asked Lian Man'er without answering.

  "Of course not, it's still less than that." Lian Shou said.

  "As for this money, Father, have you calculated whether our family can afford it or not?" asked Lian Mian'er again.

  "Your mother's current silver, should be about that." Lian Shou said, "It's just unwilling to take out the silver, when one or two things are taken out, it can be made up, and after selling grain, a large piece can be supplemented." He calculated seventy-two silver, which is calculated according to the silver that the Lian family can take out now.

  "This money, I really can't take it out now. Let your mother lend it to you first, and I'll pay it back bit by bit later." Lian Shouxin said, his heart aching with distress.

  Lian Man'er sighed, a common problem with Baozi was that he was good at taking responsibility upon himself.

  "Dad, you just told grandma this too, what did she say?"

  Lian Shouxin did not respond.

  "This account is not fake, it will be raised sooner or later. Dad, think about it, even if you didn't mention it just now, what would be different if you mentioned it after a few days?" asked Lian Man Er.

  Lian Shouxiang remained silent.

  "Dad, since you could think that after Uncle became an official, our family would have to split up even if we didn't want to, how come you couldn't think of the situation that's happening today? I don't want to say anything else, just one sentence: it's in times of hardship that true feelings are revealed." Lian Man'er said.

  Lian Shouxin sat on the kang, holding his head. What Lian Man'er said was right, Lian Shouxin could think that his brothers would not share wealth and honor with him, but what he couldn't think of was that when he was in trouble, it would be his own mother, Zhou Shi, who would suggest dividing the family property.

  "Isn't your father opposed to dividing the family?" Zhang said with a complicated expression.

  "Even if Grandfather doesn't agree, what if everyone else is willing to divide the house?" Lian Man'er said, "I mean, what if everyone else is willing to split our family apart."

  "This time I've lost big, even if I'm lucky enough to survive, who knows what the future holds," Zhang said with a desolate smile. "We still owe a large sum of debt and favors to others, they're not willing to share the burden, and we can't say anything about it."

  "Right, we won't drag them down." Lian Shouxin stood up, "I'll go talk to Father now, we'll separate and live on our own."

  If only there were these words earlier, things wouldn't have ended up like this now. Perhaps they would have parted ways early on and Zhang wouldn't have lost that child either.

  However, Lian Man'er still blocked Lian Shouxin.

  "Dad, don't go now, Grandpa is still in a bad mood. Let's wait for two days and talk to him when he has calmed down," said Lian Wan'er.

  "Man Er is right, now going would be adding fuel to the fire." Zhang Shi also said.

  Lian Shouxin thought for a moment and felt it made sense, so he nodded his head.

  "For the next two days, let's not show any signs of separation, lest people gossip." Lian Man'er reminded again.

  Everyone nodded.

  Of course, the division of the house must be divided, and waiting for two days is not waiting for Lao Ye to calm down. When Zhou Shi said the words of dividing the house, she might have been a bit impulsive, but someone must have taken it to heart. These two days will definitely not be able to hold back.

  She wants to separate from her family and also make a good name for herself, which is in their family's interest, not one bit less.

  Thank you for everyone's support.

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