Chapter 6 The Lian's Dinner_1

Lian Shouyi and Lady He insisted that Lian Huahua press her handprint on the IOU, causing both Old Master Lian and Lian Shouren to be surprised.

"Second brother, what do you mean by this? Huahua is just a girl; how can we let her press her handprint? Dad is the head of the family," Lian Shouren hurriedly said.

"Big brother, anything can happen. Huahua talks sweetly, but if the time comes and we cannot get the money to pay back the debt, we will have to use the house and land of our family. Your nephews still need these assets to eat and to take wives," Lian Shouyi said with a smile, "Besides, isn't the money to be used by Huahua? It's only right for her to sign the IOU."

"Big brother, we understand you care for your daughter, but Huahua is soon to be the young lady of the Sun Family. It's not good to have us poor folks shoulder her debts," Lady He said.

Old Jin sensed something fishy, "Is this money to be borrowed by the scholar's young lady?"

"No."

Lady Gu and Lian Huahua, who were outside, quickly entered upon hearing this conversation.

If Lian Shouyi continued speaking, the matter of Lian Huahua breaking the Jade Pendant would come to light. If this were to spread to the Sun Family, Huahua would not be able to marry into their family.

"Second uncle, anything you wish to discuss, we can talk over as a family later," Lady Gu said to Lian Shouyi with a smile, "Besides, wasn't everything settled just now? What more is there to worry about?"

Lian Shouyi just chuckled, "Big sister-in-law, empty promises have no proof. When the time comes, those who become officials will do so, and the young ladies will become young ladies, leaving this whole family to shoulder the debt. How unjust that would be. Third brother, Old Fourth, do you agree?"

Indeed, Lian Manman silently nodded. Lian Shouren and his wife, for their own sake, could scheme to sell her off; there was no deed they wouldn't do.

"Second uncle, what exactly do you want?" Lian Huahua gritted her teeth and said.

"Huahua, you said yourself that you would pay back the money, so why are you afraid to press your handprint on the IOU?" Lian Shouyi said.

"How about this, we'll discuss this matter further," Lian Shouxin said.

"Okay." Both Lady Gu and Lian Huahua eagerly nodded, as they did not want Lian Shouyi to reveal everything in front of Old Jin.

"Oh dear, Scholar, you were so certain, urging me to have the IOU written and brought here, and now you want to discuss it further. I don't mean to boast, but there are queues of people waiting to borrow money from me, Old Jin. The interest on five hundred taels of silver per day is not a small sum. If the Scholar does not wish to borrow after all, it wouldn't be right to block my way of making money," Old Jin complained somewhat unhappily.

"The money will definitely be borrowed from you, please be sure to keep it for us," Lian Shouren hastily said.

"I can only keep it for one night, and the interest starts from today," Old Jin replied.

After seeing Old Jin off, the Lian Family members sat down again.

"Everything was agreed upon; what's this, Old Second, do you no longer consider our parents' authority?" Lian Shouren assumed the role of the eldest brother, chastising Lian Shouyi.

"Big brother, we siblings have spent so many years together; in this matter, verbal agreements provide no proof," Lian Shouyi said. He had discussed with Lady He earlier and felt it was essential to borrow money in the name of Lian Huahua for it to be safe.

"How can you do this, Old Second!" Lian Shouren turned to Old Master Lian for support, "Dad, please say something."

"Old Three, Old Fourth, what do you two think?" Old Master Lian asked.

Lian Shouxin and Lian Shouli exchanged glances.

"We'll follow Dad's lead."

Old Master Lian sighed deeply.

"Over these years, for your big brother's education, the family indeed has spent quite a bit of silver, making your lives increasingly difficult. This weighs heavily on my heart. If your brother succeeds in the selection for an official, our whole family can finally see better days. The little ones can go to school, and the older ones can marry good wives. I also expect your big brother to provide for you after he ascends," Old Master Lian said.

"Dad, I understand your intentions. Big brother's success in the selection is his own merit. I just want to be a simple farmer and live an honest life," Lian Shouxin said, "I've helped big brother all I can; this time, regarding Manman..."

When it came to Lian Manman, Lian Shouxin could not continue and hung his head low.

"She's not crying, is she?" Lian Manman pondered Lian Shouxin's words, feeling somewhat conflicted.

"Old Fourth and I share the same view," Lian Shouyi declared.

"Huahua will definitely repay the money, but she cannot press her handprint on the IOU. If word spreads, what will people think?" Lady Gu also started sobbing.

"Shouren, what do you say?"

"Huahua should not be the one to press her handprint; Dad, since you are the head of the family, you should do it," Lian Shouren stated.

This man, does he have no sense of responsibility at all? Lian Manman felt she could hardly restrain herself from jumping up and cursing. She turned her head and saw Old Master Lian's face filled with sadness and, turning again, she saw a flash of cold light in Lian Huahua's eyes.