Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 91 - 51 Killing a Chicken_1

Chapter 91: Chapter 51 Killing a Chicken_1
""The voice was so tiny, it called out all night long and only left when dawn was about to break," Lian Manman continued, "it was so pitiful, I wanted to open the door for it, but I just couldn’t move. Sister, didn’t you hear it?"
"Second sister, I heard it too," Xiao Qi leaned against Lian Manman, "I even saw it, such a tiny little bundle, I wanted to hold it, but it was covered in blood..."
"You two stop talking nonsense," Lady Zhou said with a pale face.
"Mom, I’m not making it up, it’s true. Later it left, seeming both sad and angry, and I don’t know where it went. Mom, didn’t you hear anything, did it come knocking at your door?" Lian Manman asked innocently.
Lady Zhou’s lips quivered slightly, and Lian Xiuxiu, who was beside her, seemed to realize something as well, showing a terrified expression on her face.
"What’s the matter with Old Aunt?" Lian Manman pretended to have just noticed Lian Xiuxiu’s condition, "Old Aunt, why is there a footprint on your face?"
Lian Manman pointed to the bruise on Lian Xiuxiu’s face. Lian Xiuxiu’s injury had been treated simply, allowing the shape of the wound to be vaguely discernible.
"Such a small foot, like it was stamped by a little child," Lian Manman observed for a while before adding, "Old Aunt, it wasn’t that child who was looking for you, was it?"
Lian Xiuxiu was frightened and burst into tears again.
"Mom, save me, I didn’t do it on purpose."
"Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, there’s nothing there, your mom is here," Lady Zhou hurried to comfort Lian Xiuxiu.
Village folk are extremely superstitious, and when it comes to matters of gods and ghosts, they always take the attitude that it’s better to believe than to disbelieve. Lady Zhou had originally suspected that Lian Manman and the other children were to blame, but she had no evidence, and Lian Xiuxiu hadn’t seen anyone nor knew how many people had attacked her, and she hadn’t made any noise during the process. Considering, Lian Manman and the others were just children and could not possibly have been so impeccable in their acts.
Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu were guilty, and hearing Lian Manman’s words, they were already convinced to a large degree: it was the aborted child, unwilling to leave and seeking vengeance on them.
Lian Xiuxiu and Lady Zhou didn’t eat breakfast, whereas Lian Manman and the others relished theirs.
After breakfast, Old Master Lian packed his tobacco pouch and prepared to go to the fields again.
Lian Manman quickly ran over and tugged on Lian Shouxin’s sleeve.
"Dad, didn’t you have something to discuss with Grandpa?"
"Right," Lian Shouxin nodded, "Dad, I need to discuss something with you."
"Go on, what is it?"
"Manman’s mother suffered a lot this time and nearly lost her life. Imperial Doctor Shi advised that she needs to be well looked after for the month, especially with her diet; we can’t let her be short of anything. Dad, why don’t we have the kids take turns watching over her? Regarding food, could you consider buying some rice and wheat flour, as well as eggs and such?" Lian Shouxin discussed with Old Master Lian.
This was the result of a discussion Lian Manman had with Lian Shouxin the night before.
Old Master Lian heard this, pondered for a moment, then nodded his head.
"Alright, you ask your mother for it, and say I said it’s fine," Old Master Lian said.
"Dad, since we are all working the fields and mom has her own things to deal with, I’m worried she might be too busy. With only kids left to care for her at home, she’s too young and doesn’t understand much, and if she upsets mom, it wouldn’t be good. Dad, do you think, for this matter, we could avoid troubling mom..." Lian Shouxin said.
Lian Shouxin spoke delicately, but Old Master Lian understood what he meant: he didn’t trust Lady Zhou, fearing she might agree on the surface but do otherwise in secret, possibly skimping on provisions or making trouble for Lady Zhang.
Lady Zhang’s miscarriage had nearly cost two lives, due to the fault of Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu,
"Fine, let’s provide a pound of fine grain daily, and she can have all the eggs from the house. If anything else is needed, we’ll discuss further," Old Master Lian said.
Lady Zhou, who was nearby, heard this and immediately objected.
"Old Master, what are our family’s circumstances, a pound of fine grain a day? She’s no delicate noble lady..."
Old Master Lian gave Lady Zhou a stern look, "Stop wasting words and give the child the money..."
Lady Zhou complained of having no money, but eventually slowly counted out a pile of Copper Coins from her purse.
"These fifty Copper Coins, which were saved from selling eggs, are for adding vegetables to your harvest this autumn..."
"If you run out of money, you can pawn your and Xiuxiu’s jewelry first. No matter what, we need to make sure Old Fourth’s wife recovers properly," Old Master Lian said.
He knew in his heart that Lady Zhou had more than just a few coins but didn’t call her out on it. Instead, he suggested that Lady Zhou and Xiuxiu pawn their own items. His intention was for Lady Zhou and Lian Xiuxiu to use this opportunity to mend their relationship with Lady Zhang and the Fourth Household.
However, Lady Zhou failed to grasp the deeper meaning behind Old Master Lian’s suggestion.