Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 228 - 118: Harm Others, Harm Yourself_2

Chapter 228: Chapter 118: Harm Others, Harm Yourself_2
And it was in front of the whole extended family.
Lady Zhou felt this was a slap in the face, but Lian Manman said nothing. She wanted to lash out, yet she felt somewhat guilty.
So when Lian Shouyi mentioned Lian Manman, she didn’t speak up. In her heart, she wished Lian Shouyi would give Lian Manman a harsh lesson. Yet, Lian Manman followed up on Lian Shouyi’s words, revealing to everyone that a thief had entered the room, and that things had been rummaged through.
Lian Manman didn’t name names, but seeing the look Old Master Lian gave her, she knew he had guessed it was her.
Sifting through a daughter-in-law’s belongings behind her back was already a topic of gossip, not to mention eating stolen goods. Even though it was Lian Xiuxiu who stole the snacks, could she clear her name? At her age, losing face like this was absolutely unbearable.
At that moment, she began to resent Lian Shouyi for his greed, for opening the parcel of snacks in front of everyone, and for failing to reprimand Lian Manman, who instead found an opportunity to expose the fact that someone had searched the room.
When she heard Lian Manman hinting that the person who searched their room was Lady He, Lady Zhou was first stunned, then relieved. But as soon as Lian Manman claimed to have evidence, Lady Zhou felt compelled to speak up.
She could not let Lian Manman and Lian Shouyi continue their argument. That would certainly reveal her and Lian Xiuxiu’s involvement.
As soon as she spoke up, sure enough, everyone stopped quarreling.
"Mother, you be the judge. Manman is outrageous, accusing her second aunt-in-law of being a thief without any proof. This is the very definition of..."
"Shut your mouth." Lady Zhou interrupted Lian Shouyi angrily. "What thief? Are we all dead in this courtyard? Wouldn’t we know if someone came in? Old Fourth, Old Fourth’s wife, how old are you two to let a young girl’s words dictate everything?
Lady Zhou’s intention was to have Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin retract their previous statements, to tell everyone that they were mistaken, that no one had entered their room.
Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin exchanged a glance. If they followed Lady Zhou’s intent, it would save her face, but what about the snacks? Were they as parents supposed to slander their own child’s character, accusing her of lying and stealing?
Lady Zhang glared at Lian Shouxin, unable to bear the thought.
Lian Shouxin’s throat rumbled a couple of times, but in the end, he also remained silent. If he dared to say as much, Lady Zhang would not forgive him. And what would their children think of him as a father? Moreover, they had already made a significant compromise. The situation turning out this way wasn’t their fault.
"Old Fourth, if you don’t clarify the situation, this matter won’t be settled," Lian Shouyi said, seeing that both Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin remained quiet, and he was quick to speak up. He had an arrogant plan in mind: He had been home all afternoon and was certain that Lady He had not gone to the Fourth Household’s room. He believed the people of the Fourth Household would never dare accuse Lady Zhou, so in the end, they would have to admit they had falsely accused Lady He. He wanted the Fourth Household to apologize, and if things went well, he could extort some silver from them; if not silver, then something else.
"I’ll call the children’s mother right now, to talk things out face-to-face," Lian Shouyi thought smugly, deciding to summon Lady He to make a scene, which would be even more effective.
Seeing Lian Shouyi, not knowing what got into him, insisting on making a big fuss, Lady Zhou felt both anxious and enraged. She couldn’t catch her breath and suddenly started coughing violently.
"Old Second, you, you come back here," Lady Zhou called out between coughs.
Lian Shouyi stopped and turned around at the door when he heard Lady Zhou calling him.
After being beaten a few times on the back by Lian Xiuxiu, Lady Zhou gradually stopped coughing.
"Why call her? Do you want to embarrass yourself even more?" Lady Zhou pointed at Lian Shouyi and scolded.
"What?" Lian Shouyi was confused; he clearly thought he was helping Lady Zhou suppress the Fourth Household, so why was she cursing at him?
"Everyone knows what temper your wife has. The second day she entered our home, she stole eggs to eat. I don’t even dare leaving oil in the outer room’s bowl rack; she could eat half of it in one go, and when asked, she wouldn’t admit it, blaming it on rats," Lady Zhou revealed all about Lady He, speaking rapidly. Lian Shouyi’s face darkened upon hearing this, while Lian Manman couldn’t help but smirk.
"Who else could it be but her?" Having given two examples that Lady He was a habitual thief, Lady Zhou quickly concluded.
Lady Zhou was making Lady He the scapegoat! Everyone understood the implication.
Lian Shouyi stood there dumbfounded, feeling immensely frustrated. He had intended to fan the flames and have Lady Zhou clean up the Fourth Household. But now the flame had spread to him, turning it into a confrontation with Lady Zhou. If he didn’t admit it was Lady He who entered the Fourth Household and stole the snacks, he would have to expose that it was Lady Zhou’s doing.
Lian Manman sneaked a glance at Lian Shouyi and chuckled inwardly; this was what one got for scheming against others and failing.
"Xiuxiu, bring the money over," called Lady Zhou, hastily instructing Lian Xiuxiu to bring over the two thousand four hundred wen. She clutched the money in her hand, "And some peanuts, don’t know how much we can earn for them either, so many expenses to cover."
"Mother," Lian Shouyi came to his senses and wanted to say a word in his defense. Seeing the money in Lady Zhou’s hand, he hesitated. They needed money for Erlang’s wedding, and he also wanted to skim some for himself. If he upset Lady Zhou, he would not get any money.
Lian Shouyi hung his head low and said no more about seeking out Lady He.
"Old Second, go back and talk to your wife. She’s going to be a mother-in-law too; it’s high time to change her old ways," Lady Zhou said, seeing Lian Shouyi’s reaction and spoke further.
Lian Shouyi hummed noncommittally.
"You two..." Assuming his assent, Lady Zhou turned to address Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang, but suddenly paused.
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additional pink points update, sent in advance. I’m seeking pink points.
Book recommendation:
Title: "Legitimate Branch," ID: 2324075, Synopsis: As a legitimate eldest daughter, she marries in her sister’s stead. Facing family misfortunes and reliance issues, she uses the strength of others to thrive amidst wealth and power. She’ll make those who owe her pay. She’ll reclaim everything that belongs to a legitimate eldest daughter! (To be continued... If you like this work, you’re welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)