Chapter 64: Assigning Tasks

  In the west wing room, Lian Man'er was arranging the things sent by Lian Hua'er.

  "Sister, this silk flower is for you to wear." Lian Man'er took out the silk flower and handed it to Lian Zhi'er.

  "Man Er, this is for you." Lian Zhier said with a shake of his head.

  "I wear it and sister wears it, they are all the same." Lian Man'er insisted on giving the handkerchief to Lian Zhi'er, "I'm still young, I don't need these, sister is a big girl now, she should dress up."

  Lianzhi's face turned a little red, but she still took the handkerchief flower. Zhangshi then asked Xiaogui to bring over the mirror, holding it up for Lianzhi to look into. This mirror was part of Zhangshi's dowry, although it had become somewhat old, it was always polished until bright and shiny, vaguely revealing that Zhangshi's dowry was quite impressive at the time.

  Lian Yuer wore a silk flower and stood in front of the mirror, glancing left and right, pursing her lips, clearly very pleased.

  "Sister looks great with this flower on." said Lian Man Er and Xiao Qi in unison, both smiling.

  Zhang also smiled, but her heart was a bit sour. Lianzhi was already 14 years old, but she hadn't grown tall yet, and the clothes she wore were still made from Zhang's old clothes.

  Lian Zhi'er wore it for a while, then carefully took off the silk flower and put it back in the box.

  "Sister, why did you take it off? Just wear it," asked Lian Man Er.

  "This jade hairpin must be very valuable, it's something from the imperial palace." Lianzhi said, "I'm at home all day, it's not suitable for me to wear this. Man'er, you'd better keep it and wear it in the future."

  Among the several children in Lian's family, Lian Zhier may have learned the thrifty habits of Lian Shouxin and Zhang Shi due to being the eldest sister. She would always consider others before herself, especially when it came to her younger brothers and sisters, whether it was food or clothing, she would willingly yield with a happy heart.

  "Don't listen to Hua Er Jie's nonsense, you just believe her words. Where is it accurate?" said Lian Man Er. Although she said so, she also knew that this embroidered flower was indeed a good thing. "Sister, don't wear it now, keep it for when you visit relatives or go out during leisure time."

  "Man Er, I don't want this handkerchief. It doesn't match our status," said Lian Zhier.

  Lian Wan'er saw Lian Zhier was determined not to want the handkerchief, thought for a moment, and felt that Lian Zhier's words also made some sense.

  "Sister, if you don't want it, we can take this embroidered flower to the town another day and see if we can exchange it for some money. And this bangle." Lian Man'er weighed the bangle in her hand, estimating it was over a liang or two, "We can also exchange it, otherwise we can melt it down and make other jewelry."

  "Right." Lian Zhier nodded in agreement.

  Lian Man'er put away the silk flowers and bangles. Although she had taken Lian Hua'er's things, for some reason, deep down, she didn't really want to wear them on her body. It had to be said that Lian Hua'er's actions made her feel somewhat disgusted with anything related to Lian Hua'er in her heart.

  At noon, Lao Lao Ye spoke up and asked the whole Lian Shou Xin family to go upstairs to eat. Except for Zhang Shi, who didn't let Lian Man Er get off the kang, everyone else came upstairs.

  Outside the house, Zhou Shi was cooking with Zhao Shi, Jiang Shi and Lian Xiu'er. Lian Xiu'er was scooping water into the pot to make soup when she saw Lian Man'er come in, and let out a hum from her nose. Her eyes measured Lian Man'er's head, then turned to look at Lian Zhi'er's head.

  Lian Man Er sisters both wore braids and had no decorations on their heads.

  "What took you so long? Don't just stand there waiting to eat. Go set the table and put out the bowls." Lian Xiuer ordered gruffly.

  "Mother, aunt..." Lian Man'er sweetly called out to everyone, then she and Lian Zhi'er went to move the tables. Labor is a virtue, so even if Lian Xiu'er didn't speak, they would still help with the work, therefore they didn't mind her and the several children quickly and efficiently helped set up the bowls and chopsticks on the table.

  At noon, Gu brought back a crystal roasted goose and a catty of cooked donkey meat. Zhou also made two dishes and a bowl of soup. Everyone sat together, except for Zhang who didn't come, and the scene at these two tables was almost restored to what it was like before they split up.

  Dengzhou picked up his chopsticks and ate some, then Lianmang took an empty bowl.

  "Nai, my mother can't get off the kang yet and can't come over. Can I send some dishes to her instead?" Lian Man'er said with a smile to Zhou Shi.

  Zhou looked at Lian Muer and didn't say a word.

  Lian Wan'er took it as her consent and was about to pick up the chopsticks to serve Zhang Shi some meat, when Lian Xiu'er suddenly slapped the chopsticks onto the table.

  "Man Er, don't you know the rules? The people at this table haven't finished eating yet, and you're already picking out meat for your mother to eat. Your mother is older than everyone else." Lian Xiu Er scolded Lian Man Er.

  Lian Man'er slightly furrowed her brow. She didn't think she had done anything wrong, etiquette dictates that juniors should be filial to their seniors, but similarly, seniors should also be kind to their juniors.

  Now they have separated and become two families, so they need to be more mindful of etiquette. For example, if they make something delicious, they will give some to Lian Laoye and Zhou Shi. Similarly, Lian Laoye and Zhou Shi should also show a kind attitude. Now it's Lian Laoye who invites them over for dinner, but Zhang Shi can't come because of her physical condition. If Zhou Shi understands etiquette and values Zhang Shi, she should proactively suggest sending some dishes to Zhang Shi instead of waiting until they finish eating and then giving her the leftovers.

  Lian Man'er felt sorry for Zhang Shi and took the initiative to bring it up, also seeking Zhou Shi's opinion. What she did was not something that people could find fault with.

  "I've already asked Mother. I didn't lack courtesy, nor was there anything wrong... If you're not willing, just tell me straightforwardly. My mother doesn't have to eat this." Lian Man'er said calmly.

  "Let Man'er pick some good meat for her mother, Man'er is thoughtful." Lao Yezi said from the other table.

  Even Lao Ye said something, and Lian Xiuer was also helpless, so she glared fiercely at Lian Maner.

  Lian Man'er pretended not to see and picked a few pieces of braised donkey meat and crystal roasted goose, ready to be sent to Zhang's family.

  "Wait a minute." Zhou stopped Lian Mian'er, "While everyone is here, I'll say something. ... The fourth family has moved out, and the household chores need to be reassigned."

  Lian Man'er didn't think this matter had anything to do with her, but Zhou Shi wouldn't let her leave, so she could only sit back down and listen to what Zhou Shi had to say.

  During this time, Gu left and only Jiang, the wife of the grandson, was left in the big house to take care of Niu Niu. Zhou had no choice but to let He and Zhao take turns doing household chores. When it was He's turn to cook, the rice was either undercooked or burnt, and Zhou scolded her, but she just ignored it. Zhou lost his temper and wanted to let Zhao do everything, but Zhao was busy with farm work and couldn't handle it. She got sick once, and Zhou didn't dare push her anymore. During the busy farming season, meals couldn't be delayed. There was no other way, not even for Zhou. Even Lian Xiu'er, who never cooked normally, had to help with cooking.

  Lian Xiuer already had many complaints, and Zhou Shi herself was also unhappy, but she pitied Lian Xiuer, it seemed that they would have to make new arrangements.

  "Older sister-in-law, you're back just in time. It's still the three of you taking turns cooking. Today doesn't count, but starting tomorrow, it'll be Older Sister-in-law's turn first, then one person from each family will take care of meals and feeding the chickens and pigs. I'm exhausted to death! And don't even get me started on you all - if any of you do a bad job, just go tell your father directly." said Zhou Shi.

  "Mother, Flower is getting married soon and there are many things to attend to. Does Elder Sister have the time to cook?" Lian Xiuer said.

  "...Which of you is willing to take your elder sister's shift?" asked Mrs. Zhou.

  No one uttered a word.

  "Zhi'er and Man'r aren't good at cooking, but they've won the praise of the whole village. Dajie has been very kind to them, giving them many things; otherwise, she would have let them take her place that day." said Lian Xiuer.

  This Lian Xiu'er is really daring to speak. Lian Man'er narrowed her eyes, not looking at Lian Xiu'er but instead gazing at Lian Hua'er. Lian Hua'er hastily dodged Lian Man'er's line of sight.

  "That..." Mr. Gu wanted to say something, looking at Lian Muer, and then swallowed his words back.

  This is an unreasonable request, even if Cang Er can say it, why doesn't Lian Xiu help. But thinking again, I shouldn't say that.

  "I'll go back and discuss it with my mother." said Lian Man'er in a good temper.

  "What's there to discuss? Fourth Brother is also here, let's just settle it." said Lian Xiuer.

  "I'd better ask Auntie and Hua'er's opinion." Lian Man'er interrupted Lian Xiu'er, saying that as she looked at Lian Hua'er with a smile.

  "This matter..." Lian Hua'er saw Lian Man'r looking at her with a smile that was not quite a smile, and she rolled her tongue in her mouth, "Lian Zhi and Lian Man are still young, isn't it too tiring for them?"

  Lian Xiuer glared at Lian Hua'er with a huff, refusing to say another word in a fit of pique.

  Lian Wan'er gave a signal with her eyes to Lian Zhi'er and Xiao Qi, the three children quickly finished their meal and left the table, returning to the west wing room.

  "Let them go cook for her?" Zhang heard Lian Man'er's retelling and got a bit angry, looking at Lian Shouxin, "The Lian family has such rules?"

  Zhang's words were gentle and soft-spoken, so for her, this was already a very serious tone.

  "This matter, it's just Xiuer talking nonsense, Father and Mother didn't say anything, Xiuer doesn't understand things, it's not just one or two days." Lian Shouxin said helplessly.

  "Lao Gu has been honest for a while now, but as soon as Lian Hua returns, she's back to her old ways again." Lian Man suddenly said.

  These days, Lian Man'er has seen it very clearly. To put it bluntly, Lian Xiu'er is simply brainless. Lian Man'er suspects that Lian Hua'er is secretly causing trouble. However, if Lian Hua'er were truly clever, she shouldn't be stirring up more trouble at this time. Even if she's not willing to give in, she should at least endure it until after the wedding.

  Lian Hua usually puts on airs, but today she knelt down to Zhang's family. Lian Man thinks Lian Hua is a ruthless person. However, if Lian Hua still makes small moves behind her back, then Lian Hua's cleverness is very limited, it's petty cleverness, and her heart is too narrow.

  "Let her get married early." Lian Man'er thought to herself. Now that Lian Hua'er is married into the Song family, in order to live a dignified life, she must hide those little tails of hers even better, and also needs the support of the Lian family. As for them, they can only be won over. Indeed, if a daughter is not educated well, it's easier to marry her off early to another family.

  Lian's family still went to the threshing ground every day, watching as bag after bag of millet and sorghum was brought in. As the workload decreased, Lian Miao stopped going to the threshing ground. Upstairs, Gu Shi indeed thought that Lian Hua was preparing for her marriage and no longer did household chores, instead Zhao Shi and Lian Ye took over her duties.

  Lian Man'er looked at Zhao Shi and Lian Ye'er who were busy all day and couldn't straighten their waists, but there was nothing she could do.

  After breakfast, Little Seven ran out to play and came back after a while.

  "Second sister, second daughter-in-law, they all went to pick up the wheat, let's go quickly too."

  The first watch is delivered, and the weak color goes down to code for the second watch, seeking pink ing.