Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 104 - 56: The Family Dividing Banquet_2

Chapter 104: Chapter 56: The Family Dividing Banquet_2
Lady Wang rolled up her sleeves.
Lady Zhang hurriedly said there was no need.
"I’m fine now, I’ll accept this loss. Even if it’s not for anyone else, there’s still his father, and if it starts a fuss, it wouldn’t be good for him to be caught in the middle," said Lady Zhang, "Today we were just discussing the division of the household. Once we separate, it will be better."
"You still have the same temperament as when you were at home," said Lady Wang, "When you encounter good people, it’s all harmonious and beautiful, but with the bad ones, you’re bound to suffer."
"It’s all my fault for always teaching you to be gentle and filial, to treat others with sincerity, thinking that theirs was a good family. In the end, it made you suffer," said Lady Li, blaming herself.
"Mother, don’t say that. It was my lack of adaptability. I’ve figured that out now, and I’ll be better in the future," Lady Zhang hastily replied.
After talking for a while, Lady Li took Lian Manman into her arms and then cried for the little grandchild she hadn’t met. Mentioning the child made Lady Zhang cry again.
"Mother, sister is still recuperating. We should show her what we’ve brought," Lady Wang quickly interjected.
"The two hens in that basket, and this basket of eggs, are all for you to nourish your body. Don’t hesitate to eat them," Lady Li told Lady Zhang.
Lady Li had Lady Wang carry over the things they brought and listed them out for Lady Zhang. In addition to the two hens and a basket of eggs, there were also a bag of rice and a bag of flour, a strip of layered pork belly, two big strings of dried mushrooms, a large bag of dried wood ear mushrooms, a basket of autumn pears, a basket of duck pears, two packets of brown sugar, two packets of pastries, and a bolt of woolen cloth.
"Mother, the crops and fruit trees at home should be harvested. It’s a busy time, and yet so many people came here for me, bringing all these things..." Lady Zhang felt somewhat embarrassed.
"The fields are almost done. The fruits on the mountain still need a couple more days. The second brother, his wife, and a few of the kids are at home, so there’s nothing to worry about. And these things aren’t that much..." said Lady Wang.
"Knowing that the good things from your home wouldn’t reach you, we were afraid you’d wear yourself out," said Lady Li.
Zhang Caiyun saw the chickens on the beam outside the room, the japonica rice and flour in the corner, and the two eggs in the Chinese basket on the cupboard, then pointed them out to Lady Li and Lady Wang.
The faces of the mothers looked a bit better.
"This time she feels guilty and actually willing to give you these things..."
"It was all thanks to the kids," said Lady Zhang as she recounted how Lian Manman begged Imperial Doctor Shi to save her life and then later how she helped her argue for a separate kitchen. "The kids are all sensible. Zhizhi and Wu Lang are working in the fields with their father every day. I just lay on the kang bed, and Manman takes care of all my eating and drinking, and Xiao Qi keeps me company by talking..."
"Manman can cook now?"
"I watched my mother do it, and then I learned," said Lian Manman.
"At first, I was worried, but to my surprise, the meals she made turned out to be quite delicious," Lady Zhang said with a touch of pride.
"A skillful mother wouldn’t give birth to a foolish daughter. When you were at home, you could do everything. If only Caiyun were half as capable as her aunt," said Lady Wang.
Then they heard Old Master Lian in the Upper Room telling Lady Zhou to prepare the meal.
"The Upper Room is starting to make food, Father wants to take the meat over," Zhang Qingnian came in and said.
"Take it over, then," nodded Lady Li, "We should also go over. I need to have a word with my in-laws," she said.
So everyone headed over to the Upper Room. Upon meeting, Lady Zhou and Lady Li exchanged a few polite words.
"Look at me, I still have to cook. Please go inside and sit, in-laws. I’ll let my daughter-in-law keep you company," said Lady Zhou.
Lian Manman, knowing Lady Li had something to discuss with Lady Zhou, told Lady Zhou, "Grandmother, you and my grandma can have a rest and talk inside. My sister and I will cook."
"That wouldn’t be appropriate," said Lady Zhou, who was actually somewhat uneasy and did not want to face Lady Li and the others.
"What’s not appropriate about it? There are no outsiders here. Whatever the kids cook, we eat. Who will be picky? With the gentlemen talking in the east room and it being inconvenient, Lady Wang half-supported, half-led Lady Zhou to the west room. Lian Xiuxiu and Lady Chiang, afraid that Lady Zhou would be at a disadvantage, also hurriedly followed."
Lian Manman consulted with Lian Zhizhi about what dishes to prepare.
"Grandma and Grandpa have come to see mother. This is a big deal. We should try to make the meal as lavish as possible," said Lian Manman.
For the cold dishes, they decided on smashed cucumbers with garlic paste, a mixed trio of dried tofu strips, carrot strips, and radish strips with a sour and spicy flavor, and freshly bought large bean jelly mixed also with garlic paste and autumn sauce. Additionally, they asked Wu Lang to bring down a bundle of peanuts from the roof, shell them, and fry them in oil, sprinkling them with salt, making a total of four cold dishes.
Then came the hot dishes: sautéed leeks with eggs, pork slices stir-fried with cucumbers and wood ear mushrooms, green pepper stir-fried with dried tofu and pork slices, and deep-fried eggplant stuffed with pork filling seasoned with flour, salt, and Sichuan pepper. They picked out the larger tender eggplants to make the stuffed eggplants, frying them in the oil until cooked. Additionally, they prepared sautéed sour string beans and finally a dish of braised pork with potatoes and fatty pork.