Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 140 - 71: So This is the Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Relationship_2

Chapter 140: Chapter 71: So This is the Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Relationship_2
It was clear that the Lian Family suffered the greater loss.
"Lady Gu scolded Auntie fiercely; no one could withstand such harsh words," Lian Zhizhi added.
"How could she not? Lady Gu was heartbroken for her older sister-in-law," said Lian Manman.
Of course, this was only one of the reasons.
Moreover, the Lian Family had always maintained a clear distinction between men and women, public and private spheres. The Old Master Lian had almost entirely entrusted the management of household affairs, daughters, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters to Lady Zhou. With such incidents occurring continuously, the first issue was Lady Zhou’s lack of strict discipline, and Old Master Lian’s dissatisfaction with Lady Zhou gradually began to surface.
At this juncture, Lady Zhou obviously couldn’t remain silent; she needed to make a good impression.
And, Lady Zhou likely had other plans in mind.
"Even without this incident, I reckon Lady Gu would have stirred up trouble these days; it’s just unknown whom she would have targeted," Lian Manman surmised.
"Why would she cause trouble when everything is fine?" asked Lian Zhizhi.
Lian Manman glanced at Lian Zhizhi, who was kind-hearted and greatly influenced by Lady Zhang. Without guidance, Lian Zhizhi would become another Lady Zhang. However, since she was in this family, Lian Manman would not allow Lian Zhizhi to follow in Lady Zhang’s footsteps.
"Sister, haven’t you noticed? Everyone fears Lady Gu, but ever since we split from the main family, everyone seems to fear her less," Lian Manman observed.
After thinking it over, Lian Zhizhi nodded and said, "That’s truly the case."
Don’t think that just because it’s a small household, there are no power struggles. The Lian Family itself was a miniature battleground. Formerly, Lady Zhou’s rule was quite perfect, with a clear hierarchy among the women of the Lian Family. Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu naturally occupied the top, while Lady Zhang played a vital role within this structure.
Lady Zhang worked tirelessly, but she also had a strong family to rely on, was competent, and gave birth to two sons and two daughters; she didn’t seem like someone who would be easily controlled by her mother-in-law. Yet, Lady Zhang was filial, gentle, and obediently managed by Lady Zhou. No matter what happened, as long as she had a hold over Lady Zhang, and with Lady Zhang being compliant, the other daughters-in-law would think twice: comparing themselves with Lady Zhang, they found little to no advantage, eventually feeling insecure or balanced out, hence they wouldn’t consider opposing Lady Zhou.
But now, with Lady Zhang separating from the family, no longer under Lady Zhou’s jurisdiction, Lady Zhou’s authority had been undermined, and the tiny structure of the Lian Family faced a massive shift. For Lady Zhou to reestablish her authority and securely sit at the peak, she needed to take action.
What method would Lady Zhou use? Of course, she would employ the method she was most familiar and adept with.
It was a case of killing the chicken to warn the monkeys.
But which chicken to choose?
Lady Gu? Lady Gu was the Scholar’s wife, her daughter Lian Huahua was about to marry into a wealthy family - a great one from the perspective of tenant farmers - and her man, Lian Shouren, was soon to become an official. Clearly, she was not a good choice.
Lady He? Lady He had borne the most sons, but she herself was lazy and ineffective. Yet, Lady He had a brazen disposition; scold her, and she would turn a deaf ear; give her a stern look, and she would pretend not to see, continuing to eat and drink as usual. Lady He was like a tough piece of meat that you couldn’t get through with anger alone; not a good choice either.
It seemed only Lady Zhao was left. After so many years in the family, Lady Zhao had only given birth to a daughter, and had no significant backing from her own family; she was used to being controlled by Lady Zhou. She could be dealt with in any manner desired, but exactly for this reason, she wouldn’t serve as a warning to others. Lady Zhao was already deeply stuck in the mire, with no wish to get out, and allowed herself to be trampled upon without resistance. Choosing her would be completely pointless.
In fact, about the issue of the Fourth Household’s splitting, Lady Zhou had maintained her silence after impulsively being the first to suggest it at the start. Losing Lady Zhang was entirely disadvantageous for Lady Zhou. But it was she who brought it up, so it would be ill-advised to go back on her word. Additionally, it must be said that Lady Zhou was cold-hearted; she worried that if Lady Zhang’s health didn’t improve, not only would Zhang no longer be able to work hard, she would require Lady Zhou’s care, a consequence she was absolutely unwilling to face.
Lady Zhou must have been vexed, Lian Manman thought with a smile.
Now, this incident provided Lady Zhou with an opportunity, a chance to kill the chicken and warn the monkeys.
Isn’t the Scholar’s wife the most valuable old hen for such a purpose? Under normal circumstances, Lady Gu wouldn’t be chosen, but the situation had changed, and she had presented herself upfront. Would Lady Zhou be polite then?