Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 124 - 64 Assigning Work_1

Chapter 124: Chapter 64 Assigning Work_1
In the West Wing Room, Lian Manman was playing with the items Lian Huahua had brought for her.
"Sister, wear this silk flower," Lian Manman said as she took out the silk flower and handed it to Lian Zhizhi.
"Manman, that was a gift for you," Lian Zhizhi shook her head.
"It’s all the same whether I wear it or you do," Lian Manman insisted, handing the silk flower to Lian Zhizhi, "I’m still young, I don’t need these things. You’re a grown girl now, it’s about time you dress up."
Lian Zhizhi’s face turned a bit red, but she still accepted the silk flower. Lady Zhang then had Xiao Qi bring over the Target Mirror and held it up for Lian Zhizhi to look into. This Target Mirror had been Lady Zhang’s dowry, and although it was somewhat old, it was always kept polished and shiny, faintly hinting that Lady Zhang’s dowry had been quite respectable at the time.
With a silk flower in her hair, Lian Zhizhi looked left and right in the mirror, pursing her lips, obviously very pleased with it.
"Sister, you look really pretty with that flower," both Lian Manman and Xiao Qi said with a smile.
Lady Zhang also smiled, yet felt a twinge of sourness in her heart. Lian Zhizhi was fourteen yet hadn’t grown much in stature; the clothes she wore were still alterations of her old ones.
Only having worn it briefly, Lian Zhizhi carefully removed the silk flower and put it back into its box.
"Sister, why don’t you keep it on? Why did you take it off?" Lian Manman asked.
"This silk flower must be very valuable, especially because it’s from the Imperial Palace," Lian Zhizhi said, "I’m always at home or in the fields; wearing this is inappropriate. Manman, you keep it and wear it in the future."
Among the Lian Family’s children, perhaps because she was the eldest sister, Lian Zhizhi had thoroughly learned Lian Shouxin’s and Lady Zhang’s habit of frugality and always considered others in everything she did, especially when it came to her younger brothers and sisters, willingly giving way whether it was for food or clothing.
"Don’t take Sister Huahua’s words so seriously. They’re never accurate," Lian Manman said. Though she said this, she also knew the silk flower was indeed a fine item. "Sister, if you don’t want to wear it now, just save it for when we visit relatives or go door to door."
"Manman, I don’t want this silk flower, it doesn’t suit our status," Lian Zhizhi said.
Lian Manman saw that Lian Zhizhi was adamant about not wanting the silk flower and thought there might be some sense in her words.
"If you don’t want it, sister, then let’s take it to the town someday and see if we can get some money for it. And this bracelet too," Lian Manman weighed the bracelet, guessing it weighed a bit over a tael, "we could pawn that as well, or else melt it down and make other jewelry."
"Right," Lian Zhizhi agreed.
Lian Manman then stored away the silk flower and bracelet. Although she had accepted Lian Huahua’s gift, for some reason, she subconsciously did not want to actually wear them. Undeniably, Lian Huahua’s actions had caused her to be somewhat repulsed by anything related to Lian Huahua.
At lunchtime, Old Master Lian spoke up, declaring that Lian Shouxin’s household should all eat in the Upper Room. Except for Lady Zhang, whom Lian Manman didn’t let off the kang, everyone headed to the Upper Room.
In the outer room, Lady Zhou, along with Lady Zhao, Lady Chiang, and Lian Xiu, were cooking. Lian Xiu was scooping water into the pot to make soup when she saw Lian Manman come in and humphed through her nose, glancing at Lian Manman’s head and then twisting her head to look at Lian Zhizhi’s.
Sisters Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi both had their hair braided with no adornments.
"Why are you just coming now? Don’t just wait to eat; go set the table and arrange the bowls," Lian Xiu ordered with an edge to her voice.
"Granny, Aunt..." Lian Manman greeted sweetly and then, along with Lian Zhizhi, started moving tables. Labour is a virtue, and they would have helped with chores even if Lian Xiu hadn’t spoken, so they didn’t argue with Lian Xiu. In short order, the children quickly helped set up the tables and place settings.
Lunch included a crystal roast goose and a pound of cooked donkey meat that Lady Gu had brought back. In addition, Lady Zhou made two dishes and a pot of soup. Everyone sat together, and aside from the absence of Lady Zhang, the two tables almost revived the ambiance of the times before the family had separated.
After Lady Zhou began eating a few bites, Lian Manman took an empty bowl.
"Granny, my mother can’t get off the kang and come over, may I take some dishes over to her?" Lian Manman asked with a smile.
Lady Zhou glanced at Lian Manman but said nothing.
Taking her silence as consent, Lian Manman was about to pick some meat for Lady Zhang when Lian Xiu suddenly slapped her chopsticks onto the table.
"Manman, do you not understand the rules? The folks at this table haven’t finished eating yet, and you’re already picking meat for your mother. Does your mother outrank everyone else?" Lian Xiu reproached Lian Manman.