The first update, seeking pink votes.

... 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Speaking of it, Luo Xiaoyan’s supervision over Lady He is far less strict than over Lian Shouyi.

Lady He moved to Luo Family Village, but her hobbies didn’t change; she still loved visiting other people’s homes, and once she sat down, she didn’t want to move. When she first arrived at Luo Family Village, she was unfamiliar with the locals, yet Lady He dared to walk into any house and would seat herself comfortably.

Sometimes, she stayed until mealtime, or when the household had something going on that made her presence inconvenient, she still wouldn’t leave. Although the people of Luo Family Village had heard about Lady He’s character, they were yet to witness it firsthand. Some families, concerned about old customs and too polite to ask her to go, would invite Lady He to join them for meals.

If no one asked her to leave, Lady He wouldn’t leave. Of course, even if asked, she likely wouldn’t go. If invited to stay for dinner, she would really stay and sit at the table to eat.

Soon, the people of Luo Family Village knew what kind of person Lady He was, and inevitably, gossip began behind her back.

When Luo Xiaoyan found out, she, her mother, and sister began keeping a closer eye on Lady He, not letting her linger at other people’s homes. Families that disliked Lady He were off-limits to her according to Luo Xiaoyan.

Lady He thus felt her freedom was restricted, even more than when she lived under Lady Zhou’s watchful eyes. After all, Lady Zhou might scold her, but never would she drag her out of others’ homes.

Not being able to visit freely or dine at others’ homes made Lady He very uncomfortable. So, when she had the chance, she spoke up, hoping Lian Shouxin or Lady Zhang might say something on her behalf, relieving her from Luo Xiaoyan’s constraints.

Her comments about Lian Shouyi gambling were casual but pointed. Lian Shouxin, Lian Manman mentioned Lian Shouyi gambling, and while Lian Shouyi didn’t refute, he didn’t admit it aloud. However, Lady He’s remarks seemed like indisputable evidence; naturally, Lian Shouyi was unhappy.

"Say a few less words, don’t just blurt out whatever! Not speaking doesn’t mean we’re selling you as mute," Lian Shouyi scolded Lady He in a low voice.

"How am I blurting? I’m only speaking truth," Lady He still didn’t understand why Lian Shouyi was angry, defending herself, "Erlang’s wife is really disrespectful, and here I am as the mother-in-law, being controlled when visiting people!"

Lady He lacked Lian Shouyi’s tact, assuming everyone knew about his gambling and he admitted, so her comments didn’t matter.

Seeing Lady He’s confusion, Lian Shouyi’s anger grew. He didn’t dare to argue with Lian Shouxin and the others, but he had no reservations about Lady He.

"Still blurting? I’m not being considered by anyone, and you’re going against me!" Lian Shouyi said, raising his hand as if to hit Lady He. He didn’t actually intend to hit her, but he wanted to vent some of his frustration.

"What are you doing? This isn’t your house, behave!" Lian Shouxin shouted.

Lian Shouyi looked at Lian Shouxin in surprise, slowly lowering his hand.

"Old Fourth, Old Fourth Master Lian, you’ve got quite a temper. That’s quite intimidating..." Lian Shouyi mumbled.

"Not that I mean to say, you really should change that habit of sitting too long. With that time, why not do some work? These past few years, which of your children wear anything stitched by you? As their mother, expecting them to respect you in the future, you must set an example yourself," Lady Zhang couldn’t help but say to Lady He.

Lady He mumbled to herself, turning her head away.

Lian Shouyi’s series of complaints had been rebutted by Lian Manman and the others, and with Lady He’s interruption, his initial momentum was mostly gone. Nevertheless, he was reluctant to leave things as they were.

"Old Fourth, we’re not talking about anything else, but Erlang’s wife took my money, and that’s something genuine. Is she a proper woman or a thief in the house? Old Fourth, you can’t ignore this. If you do, indulging her, she will eventually ride on the heads of our male members in the Old Lian Family... Already, she rides Erlang’s head, soon she’ll ride mine too," Lian Shouyi said after a moment, addressing Lian Shouxin again.

"Anyway, this money, Old Fourth, you should help me get it back, right? Our family’s money, all taken by her to fill her own family. Isn’t this just too unfair?"