Chapter Ten Baozi

  "Heh heh, can't say." Lian Shouyi chuckled and said, "You just rest assured, no matter what, he won't dare not take care of us. When we also become old masters and mistresses, we'll buy a few maids to serve us, and have our sons marry small-footed women from the city."

  "Dad, I don't want a city girl with bound feet, just Xiao Yan from Luo's village is fine." Lian Er Lang suddenly said, not knowing when he woke up. He was 17 years old this year and should be getting married soon, but nothing had been settled yet.

  "It won't do, her family is extremely poor, her mother is ill and weak, and she also has a young brother. She wants a lot of betrothal gifts and plans to let the son-in-law take care of her family in the future. Why should we marry her? Second Brother, don't be impatient, wait until your uncle becomes an official, there will be plenty of good girls for you to choose from." Madam He hastily said.

  "Uncle wants to be an official, it won't happen that quickly." Lian Er Lang saw that they couldn't persuade the two of them, so he turned over and went back to sleep.

  …………

  Lian Man'er was sleeping drowsily when Zhang Shi and Lian Zhi'er helped her up, saying that the medicine was ready and she should take it before going back to sleep. Lian Man'er smelled the strong herbal aroma and forced herself to open her eyes, looking down to see a bowl of black medicinal broth, which didn't smell very good at all.

  "Man'er, drink it now and avoid future headaches." Lianzhier advised.

  Lian Man'er thought for a moment, her body was still very weak, so she had to pinch her nose and swallow the medicine. Throughout the process, her eyes were half-closed, in fact, she hadn't fully woken up yet. After finishing the medicine, she fell asleep again.

  After a while, Lian Menger vaguely heard Lian Shouxin and Zhang talking in low voices.

  "Wang Taizhen will be staying at his brother's house tonight and returning to the town tomorrow morning," said Lian Shouxin.

  "Then tomorrow morning, you can also go to town with me to buy medicine." Zhang said, "Did your mother give you the money for the medicine?"

  Lian Shouxin did not respond.

  Zhang sighed.

  "Doctor Wang is a kind-hearted Bodhisattva, but we can't owe him this favor either. Especially that medicine, he also spent money to buy it. If mother really doesn't want to spend the money, then just pawn these two hairpins of mine again."

  "I'll go try again at my mother's place tomorrow morning," said Lian Shouxiang.

  Zhang nodded and turned her head to look at Lian Mian'er who was sleeping there, and her eyes became red again.

  "I'm sorry, Man Er. I was so foolish to believe whatever others said. If anything happened to Man Er, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. Others would say that I sold my daughter for fame." Zhang Shi sobbed quietly.

  "What are you talking about?" Lian Shou Xin's voice was somewhat stifled. "Mian Er is still alive and well... Mian Er's matter, Mother... Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law, they... shouldn't be... intentionally." These few words, Lian Shou Xin ultimately didn't say out loud.

  "That's your own brother, you know it in your heart. All these years we've been working hard and eating well, whatever Mother says goes, I've never complained. If Mian'er hadn't spoken up today, I'd still be a fool. Thinking about it now, my heart feels like it's been doused with a ladle of cold water."

  Zhang's low sobbing turned into loud wailing.

  "Man Er is La Lian's own flesh and blood..."

  Zhang remembered that at the time, Zhou, Gu and He had promised her many benefits for letting Man'er become a child bride, saying that in the future, Zhī would be able to marry into a good family, Wu Lang and Qi Lang would be able to go to school, and also said that Man'er's marriage would bring happiness. She was not unmoved, but still could not bear to part with Lian and Man'er. It was Zhou who saw her hesitation and scolded her for only thinking of herself and not considering the good of the Lian family, saying she was unfilial.

  "My mother scolded me for being unfilial and neglecting my family, saying that if I didn't agree, the future of our whole family would be ruined because of me. My sisters-in-law also said so. I was afraid, and in a daze, I agreed. Zhang Shi cried even more sorrowfully, and fearing she would wake up the children, covered her mouth with the corner of the quilt, 'As a result, Man Er almost died at my hands...'"

  "I know." Lian Shouxin said in a low voice, and Zhou Shi was also like this towards him.

  "His father, I don't ask for anything, just that the flower girl marries well. My elder brother's family went to be officials, that is their good fortune. I don't ask to follow in their glory, as long as a few children are safe and sound, guarding those few acres of land without lacking food or drink, this life I am satisfied."

  "Uh-huh." Lian Shouxin nodded, "Big Brother's matter is the heart of Father's life, as a son and brother, I can help with what I can. This time...I also regret it."

  Lian Shouxin hugged his head tightly.

  "After that, is there anything else...?" Zhang asked Lian Shouxin with raised eyes.

  Lian Shouxin was speechless.

  "I'm not a good daughter-in-law." Zhang pulled the quilt up to her chest, "I've thought it through, I'd rather have the reputation of being unfilial. If something like this happens again, I won't agree to it. If you want to exchange money, take me instead."

  Lian Shouxin let out a sigh and turned to hug Zhang Shi. He knew better than anyone what kind of person Zhang Shi was. Over the years, he had seen with his own eyes the sacrifices Zhang Shi had made for the Lian family and the grievances she had endured.

  "I'd rather die than betray my integrity, and I would never sell out my wife and children."

  Lian Man'er was dazed and heard Lian Shouxin's words, just about to secretly praise him, when she heard Lian Shouxin continue to say:

  "If such a thing happens again, I'll be the one who's sold... At worst, I'll go to the salt mines and dig for salt..."

  "That's not going there to die..."

  Lian Man'er almost vomited blood. Thinking about what happened today, she suddenly realized that Lian Shouxin and Zhang Shi, this couple, were the legendary foolish filial piety's big silly bun.

  Life is already very difficult, and parents are also a burden, how can people live like this.

  The vines are speechless, asking the vast sky.

  The heavens will not care about Lian Miaoer, she can only rely on herself.

  To live a good life in the future, we must first transform these two big buns, Lian Shou Xin and Zhang Shi. Without turning them into smart people, at least they should stop being foolishly filial.

  Think carefully, although this couple is doting, they still have their good points. She can see that the couple loves their child dearly, and although they are not principled in treating their parents and children, with the scales completely tilted towards their parents, they still understand what's right and wrong. Moreover, between themselves and their child, they would rather suffer hardship to protect their child.

  And besides, in this matter of Lian'er, they were constrained by a sense of filial piety, not blinded by selfish desires. If it had been the latter, there would have been no hope for them.

  Generally speaking, this couple can still be reformed under certain conditions. However, reforming them is not an easy task. Fortunately, the incident with Lian Man'er has provided an opportunity. The couple has already begun to question their own foolishness and feels extremely guilty towards Lian Man'er. This is something that can be utilized effectively.

  Lian Man'er clenched her fists secretly, "The first step to a happy life, watch me transform Baozi!"

  "Father, Meng is talking in her sleep," said Zhang quietly.

  It turned out that Lian Man'er accidentally muttered to herself.

  "It seems like someone is saying something... Baozi." Lian Shou Xin also heard it.

  "Mei is craving steamed buns." Zhang sighed, "I was thinking of asking my mother for an egg to feed Mei tomorrow, but she might not even agree to that. As for steamed buns, it's even more unlikely."

  "Otherwise, I'll follow Father." said Lian Shou Xin.

  "Father can be dealt with, but the eggs are all in Mother's hands. When the time comes, Mother will still get angry, and today's anger doesn't know when it will be settled. If we add another mouthful of air, our lives will become even more difficult." said Zhang Shi.

  "What's to be done? Imperial Physician Wang said that the child is weak and needs to be taken good care of."

  "What else can I do," said Zhang with a somewhat despondent tone, "I'll go ask Mother, even if she scolds me for being greedy, I'll admit it."

  "...his daughter is just like that, stubborn but not a bad heart." Lian Shouxin said in a low and depressed tone.

  Zhang sighed heavily and didn't say another word.

  Lian Man'er slept soundly for a whole night and woke up the next morning to the sound of Zhou Shi's scolding.