Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 141 - 71: So This is the Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Relationship_3

Chapter 141: Chapter 71: So This is the Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Relationship_3
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"I think," Lian Manman whispered softly, "that Grandmother has been displeased with Eldest Uncle’s wife for quite some time, only refraining from an outburst for the Scholar’s wife’s sake. Grandmother must have considered the future—if Eldest Uncle becomes an official and she goes with him, then who would run the household here? A pecking order must be established. Just think about the scolding from today; from now on, Eldest Uncle’s wife won’t be able to stand tall in front of Grandmother."
Lian Zhizhi’s eyes widened as she listened. Wu Lang also listened silently without speaking, but the one who listened most attentively was Xiao Qi, the little fellow’s large eyes flickering as he watched Lian Manman.
"You know, your grandmother is no ordinary woman," Lady Zhang remarked.
Lian Manman nodded in agreement. Despite Lady Zhang’s self-sacrifice and her earnest cooperation, the shrewd techniques employed by Lady Zhou in handling her daughters-in-law might not be brilliant, but they were certainly effective. Otherwise, how could Lady Gu, who was always so astute and self-assured, have to bow her head before Lady Zhou? And even Lady He, as shameless as she normally was, feared Lady Zhou when she spoke.
"Eldest Uncle’s wife is no slouch either; she should be, as they say, a match for her," Lian Manman added.
"Manman, tell me, how are they a match for each other?" asked Lian Zhizhi.
"Sister, do you really believe that Eldest Uncle’s wife truly sought death?" Lian Manman questioned.
"Are you saying Eldest Uncle’s wife’s suicide attempt was fake?"
"After being scolded like that, if she wanted to defend herself, with her wit, she could have retorted a word or two. But she didn’t, why not?" Lian Manman probed.
"Because she felt guilty," replied Lian Zhizhi.
Lian Manman shook her head.
"She wanted to protect Lian Huahua. When Grandmother lashed out, she took it all upon herself, including the affair concerning Lian Huahua. If something were to happen to Lian Huahua, then regardless of whether she was scolded or not, she would have no dignity left in the Lian Family. Keeping Lian Huahua out of trouble, and thus ’valued for her son’s sake,’ her dignity could eventually be restored." So Lady Gu was quite willing to accept Lady Zhou’s move.
"One cries, two causes a scene, three attempts suicide," mused Wu Lang thoughtfully.
"Who’s filled your head with such nonsense?" Lady Zhang glared at Wu Lang.
Wu Lang chuckled. As a little boy, he always had the chance to overhear the men’s private discussions.
"That’s exactly it," laughed Lian Manman.
"Manman, within a family, you can’t always be so calculating and see things so clearly," Lady Zhang said hesitantly.
"Mother, I understand. But if everyone else looks at it this way, calculates it this way, wouldn’t the one who doesn’t end up at a disadvantage?" Lian Manman said, "Mother, I’m just thinking ahead. We need to be clear in our own minds. Besides, Mother, you might be willing to suffer a loss, but would you want my sister or me to suffer such losses in the future?"
"That’s unacceptable," Lady Zhang replied immediately. She did not want her daughters to endure the hardships she had faced. "Alright then, Manman, continue."
"Mother, don’t worry. My sister and I mean no harm; we just don’t want to be naïve and suffer losses. We also don’t always think of making others suffer. That should be alright, shouldn’t it?" Lian Manman said.
"Of course, that’s alright," Lady Zhang replied, her lingering scruples about being virtuous and well-mannered completely dissolving upon hearing Lian Manman’s words.
"Some losses can be tolerated, while others absolutely cannot. We must not scheme with malice, but we can’t let others scheme against us and not fight back," Lian Manman advised Lian Zhizhi.
Lian Zhizhi nodded. Her sister’s words opened up a new world to her. While she might not fully grasp some aspects, she wholeheartedly agreed with Lian Manman’s thinking.
"Sister, Niuniu stopped crying," Xiao Qi tugged at Lian Manman’s hand, "I saw it. My sister-in-law pinched Niuniu’s arm, and that’s why Niuniu cried."
Lian Manman just smiled and patted Xiao Qi’s head. The child was even smarter than she had thought.
"Really? Why would my sister-in-law want to make Niuniu cry?" Lian Zhizhi asked hastily.
"Inside the main room, Eldest Uncle’s wife, Huahua, and Lian Duo all made mistakes, and Lian Duoduo can’t be said to be entirely blameless. But as the daughter-in-law of the eldest grandson, my sister-in-law has done nothing wrong in public. Niuniu is Lian Family’s first precious granddaughter. If she cried, how could Grandfather and Grandmother not be rattled, not be swayed?" explained Lian Manman.
"My sister-in-law and Eldest Uncle’s wife are of the same mind," noted Lian Zhizhi.
"How could they not be, when Eldest Uncle’s wife is my sister-in-law’s maternal aunt?" Lian Manman replied.
"Your Eldest Uncle’s wife, well, Jizu is not her biological child, so there’s always been that distance. To feel secure, she needed her own niece to marry into the family. Eldest Uncle’s wife spared no effort for that cause back then," Lady Zhang commented.
"What happened, Mother? Tell me," Lian Manman immediately asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Well, it’s not much of a story..."