Lian Ou showed Shen Qing the finished products she had made during this period, including the little butterflies, little goldfish, and little rabbits. She looked at Shen Qing's face carefully, fearing that she had not done a good job and would disappoint Shen Qing.

However, Shen Qing just flipped through it casually without really looking at it. He took out a stack of papers, a large bundle of thread, and a small box of needles with colorful pearls on the back, and handed them to Lian Ou: "These are how to weave knots. Take them back and have a look. Learn by yourself."

Shen Qing traced these little by little according to the tutorial in the book. He had only traced more than 20 pictures, and they were all basic. Shen Qing was exhausted and felt like he was reading a book from heaven. He didn't recognize many of the words in the book and didn't know the order of the tutorial. He begged Song Kaiji to help him trace, but Song Kaiji took advantage of him.

This was the best he could do. Even if Lian Ou couldn't understand, Shen Qing couldn't teach him. He couldn't do it himself, so he could only rely on Lian Ou's comprehension. There were hundreds of patterns in the book, and Lian Ou would learn slowly, and he would draw slowly. As long as Lian Ou could learn 20 or 30 more complicated patterns and practice them to master them, he would never have to worry about food and drink in his life.

Lian Ou was holding a pile of things in his hands. Why did Qing Ge'er give him so many things without even checking whether he had done a good job?

Shen Qing was puzzled by his gaze, and then he saw him looking at himself and then at some small things on the table. After a long time, he hesitated and thought, could it be that Lian Ou was expecting him to praise him?

Shen Qing didn't have much experience in praising people, and he didn't even have much experience in communicating with guys of the same age, so he couldn't quite grasp Lianou's point. He could only take the items in his hands and look at them over and over again, racking his brains to compliment them a few times, and only then did Lianou look relieved.

Shen Qing: Are you really asking for praise? It's so difficult for him to find a job and provide emotional value.

However, Lian Ou was not confident in himself, fearing that he would not do well enough to satisfy Shen Qing. At this moment, Shen Qing praised him a few times. Lian Ou felt that he had received Shen Qing's affirmation, and then he felt relieved. He held the stack of papers and said, "I will definitely study hard and live up to Qing Ge'er's trust in me!"

When Miao came out of the kitchen, the two puppies immediately jumped out of their nests, ran to Miao's feet, and clung to her legs. Miao threw two pieces of blanched chicken innards to the puppies, and smiled at Lian Ou and Lian Rong, "Brother Ou and Sister Rong are here, stay for lunch, we have stewed chicken at home."

Today Shen Qing told her a new way to cook chicken, called Chicken Pot. Miao was also happy to try it, so she killed a little rooster. When Miao went to Shiqu Village for a short stay, they fed the chickens from time to time, usually Aunt Lian helped take care of them, so it was okay to ask Lian Lian to eat some lotus root and Lian Rong.

Lian Rong was very tempted, but Lian Ou refused: "Aunt, I still want to go back early. I'm worried about my family if I stay out for too long."

Miao knew the situation of the Lian family, and she understood what Lian Ou said. Lian Rong struggled for a long time: "Then, I will go back too."

Miao saw her greedy look and smiled: "Don't worry, when it's ready, I'll ask Qingge to bring you a bowl."

Even though Lian Ou was so careful and only came out for a short while before going back, when he was almost at the Lian family's yard, Lian Ou still felt that a figure came out of his room.

His heart tightened, and he quickly quickened his pace. As expected, he entered his room and found that it had been rummaged through. He had always used the jade thread that Qing Ge'er gave him sparingly, braiding it and then unbraiding it again. He would use a piece of rope a hundred times before throwing it away. Therefore, he only used a little of the jade thread that Shen Qing gave him, and there was still more than half a bundle left.

Now there is only a little left.

Who in this family would do this? Is there any need to think about it? Wang Shi did this more than once or twice. Previously, Miao Shi gave Second Aunt Lian a fashionable hair scarf, which was placed in the house the night before, but disappeared the next day. Later, it was found in the pigpen, where it had been trampled to pieces by the pigs.

Even if the family had not been divided, it was not appropriate for the two brothers who had been separated to go to someone else's room when no one was in the room. But Wang Shi would do such an indecent thing. It was stealing, but they were a family that had not been divided, so how could it not be considered stealing?

If Aunt Lian pursued the matter, Wang would never admit it, saying that Aunt Lian accidentally dropped the pig into the pigpen but wanted to blame her, crying and making a scene. Aunt Lian didn't catch her on the spot, so she just let it go and watched the door of her room more carefully afterwards.

But I didn't expect that Wang would even enter and search her nephew's room!

Lianou checked carefully again. In addition to the missing thread, he also lost a butterfly he practiced with. He knew what was going on. Wang was very anxious recently. What made her most anxious was that she knew Shen Qing was pulling out the second room again, but she didn't know what he was pulling out. She was very anxious. Now she finally knew that he probably stole his thread and pattern and went back to learn secretly.

Lian Rong was anxious and regretful: "Why is she like this! Brother, let's go tell Brother Qing and let him decide for us! Brother Qing is so powerful!"

Lian Ou shook his head.

He knew Shen Qing was powerful, but the things Shen Qing gave him were stolen, so he had his faults. He didn't want Shen Qing to think that he was a fool who couldn't even keep a little thing, and he couldn't rely on Shen Qing's power for the rest of his life.

Lian Ou gritted her teeth, followed Shen Qing's example, and put the scissors on her waist: "I'm going to find milk."

Even the old lady has been very worried recently, and is also confused about what is going on. The family is obviously getting better and better, with more and more money coming in, and there is meat and eggs on the table every now and then, and the men in the family have all had new clothes made from cloth. This was something that they would never have dared to think about in previous years, but now everything has been achieved, but the atmosphere at home is becoming more and more tense!

Originally, it was just that the two daughters-in-law didn't get along, but they were just secretly trying to show off. Now it has developed to the point of being at loggerheads, especially the eldest daughter-in-law, who is looking for trouble like crazy!

A disturbed home is not a good thing! Many wealthy families have been ruined by a disturbed home, let alone a small family like theirs!

Just as I was worrying, I saw Lian Ou leading Lian Rong in: "Grandma, my aunt stole the things Qing Ge'er gave me."

The old lady almost dropped the bowl.

However, after listening to Lian Ou's words, Old Lady Lian relaxed her expression again: "Ou'er, you said that your aunt took it. Did you see it or hold it? The thread is probably given to you by Qing'er for practice. He won't ask for it back. Qing'er doesn't know if there is more or less. Besides, maybe you used too much and forgot it?"

She thought Wang had stolen something and it would be bad if she provoked the living devil. But when she heard that it was just some thread, she breathed a sigh of relief. How could this thing be counted? Not to mention that it was given by Qing Ge'er, it was common for people to take a piece of it home when they went to the city to work for others. Who doesn't take things home? There is no way to investigate things that are not counted!

She just needs to scare Lian Ou and not let the matter out. In the eyes of Mrs. Lian, Lian Ou has always been an honest, well-behaved child, and quite considerate and sensible. When conflicts arise, those in higher positions often let those who are more tolerant and sensible give in. They don't care about fairness, they only care about saving trouble.

Zhao Youdang was like this, and so was the old lady. But this was wrong, and it would make some people more rampant and make those who were wronged more wronged. So Wu Guixiang hated Zhao Youdang's attempt to smooth things over, and even Ou felt a simmering anger in her chest.

However, Old Lady Lian did not notice the change in Lian Ou. She also knew a little about Wang's thoughts. Wang has always favored the boy, and she did not love Ye Ge'er that much, but she always wanted to suppress the second brother's family in everything. If Ou Ge'er could work in the workshop, she wanted her own brother to go too. If Ou Ge'er learned a craft, she wanted Ye Ge'er to learn it too. As for getting married in the future, if Ye Ge'er married someone worse than Ou Ge'er, Wang would be even more disgusted!

Even the old lady was annoyed by Wang's overly demanding temper. Many conflicts in the family were caused by her temper!

But this time, she also had her own selfish motives. The first and second wives were both her bloodline, not to mention that she originally favored the eldest son more. They were all her grandchildren, and it would be better for Ou Ge'er and Ye Ge'er to make money together than for Ou Ge'er to make money on his own? Wouldn't it be better for the first and second wives to prosper together than for the second wife to prosper on her own?

Many parents do not think it is fair to give 50 taels to each of their two children if they have 100 taels. Instead, they think it is fair if one child has 100 taels and gives 50 taels to the child who has no taels, so that both children have the same amount of money.

They don’t care that the child who has one hundred taels has earned it through hard work, while the child who doesn’t have one hundred taels just lies at home every day.

Old Madam Lian was also such a person, not to mention that she actually relied on her eldest son a little more. Therefore, instead of helping Lian Ou to seek justice, she also persuaded Lian Ou, "You learned the craft from Qing'er, and you can take care of Ye'er when you are free. He is also a poor boy. Your aunt... it's better not to talk about it. Ye'er is an honest man. You grew up together and there is no big conflict. You can mention Ye'er in front of Qing'er. He is also a boy of our Lian family, just like you."

Lian Ou pursed her lips and said, "Grandma, you don't care?"

Old lady Lian's expression turned cold. She had always been very dignified with her grandchildren. Today, she had been talking to Lian Ou in a gentle and kind voice for a long time, but why was she still not convinced? One by one, they were going to make a scene!

Lian Ou took a deep breath, turned around and rushed into Wang's house.

Wang was studying the butterfly that Lianou was practicing, and was startled by Lianou rushing in. Her first reaction was to hide the thing under her buttocks, and then she got angry and said, "Do you have any manners? You went into the elders' room without saying a word. Is that what your mother taught you?"

"Then what did your mother teach you? Did she teach you to steal things from your sisters-in-law and nephew's rooms?" Lian Ou stared at her.

Wang was furious and stood up to hit Lianou: "What nonsense are you talking about, little bastard!"

As soon as she stood up, the silk threads and butterflies hidden under her buttocks were revealed. The old lady who had been chasing Lian Ou came over and saw them, feeling very disappointed with her.

You are good at stealing, but you can’t even hide!

Wang and Lianou had already started a quarrel. Although Lianou looked like a boy who looked like a girl, he was still a boy after all. He had often done housework before, and his strength was beyond the reach of a woman like Wang. After a few moves, he pushed Wang to the ground, picked up the silk thread and the butterfly, and showed them to old lady Lian: "Grandma, I am not mistaken. It was stolen by my aunt!"

Wang also lay on the ground and wailed: "I won't live any longer... my nephew pinned me to the ground and beat me..."

Even the old lady's forehead was throbbing with veins: "Enough! Shut up!"

Lian Ou just stared at her with his eyes open. Wang's crying paused for a moment, but then continued. Old Lady Lian was so angry that she kicked her: "Aren't you ashamed?"

Then he turned to Lianou and said, "What kind of stealing are you talking about? How can you steal when we're family? Just take it back and don't tell anyone about it!"

Wang rubbed her eyes, and after being reminded by Old Lady Lian, she also said, "That's right, I ran out of thread for sewing, and I can't even go to your room to find some? They are all things from Old Lian's house, why can't I use them!"

Lian Ou was so angry that his chest was rising and falling rapidly. He really wanted to take out a pair of scissors and pierce Wang's body with a few holes. But he only carried the scissors to give himself courage. If he really wanted to pull out a knife and hit someone like Qing Ge'er, he really couldn't do it. He could only say bitterly: "I will tell Qing Ge'er about this! This is not mine, nor does it belong to the old Lian family. This is all Qing Ge'er's!"

Shen Qing's voice came from the yard: "What do you want to tell me?"

Even the old lady was startled, and Wang became silent again.

Shen Qing was holding a bowl of chicken in pot and looked around the room in confusion. Ou Ge'er suddenly felt like he had found a backbone and ran over to lean against Shen Qing.

Old lady Lian smiled stiffly to smooth things over: "It's okay, it's just a little thing in our family, who doesn't quarrel? Ou'er is young and shy, he can't help but be teased."

She glared at Lian Ou, warning him with her eyes not to talk nonsense. A thief can appear in the family, but you can't let anyone know that there is a thief, otherwise the reputation will be ruined! Ou Ge'er and Ye Ge'er are both at the age of getting married, and if this rumor gets out, it will only hurt Ou Ge'er himself. In the eyes of outsiders, there is no division between the first and second branches of the Lian family. If there is no division, everyone is a member of the old Lian family.

Lian Ou gritted his teeth, suddenly ran back to his room, and took out all the things Shen Qing gave him: "Qing'er, thank you, I don't want to learn anymore." After hesitating for a moment, he was a little reluctant, and whispered: "Can I learn from you after I get married?"

"You, how can you be so generous, kid!" Even the old lady was dumbfounded, how could Lianou be so generous! In order to gamble on this, he even refused the money that was delivered to him? "Don't be silly, Qing'er, he's just talking nonsense!"

Shen Qing glanced at the anxious old lady Lian, then looked at Wang who was slumped on the ground, and smiled. Old lady Lian said that Lian Ou and Lian Ye were both brothers of the Lian family, and they were the same, but how could they be the same? Shen Qing had no friendship with the Lian family. When he was in the Shen family, old lady Lian hated everyone in the Shen family equally, and also forbade Second Aunt Lian and Miao to have any contact. It was only after Miao divorced that things got better.

Many people in the village had helped Shen Qing, but Old Lady Lian was not one of them. When Second Aunt Lian wanted to help the Miao family, she had to do it secretly, and she used her own dowry. In the end, Shen Qing only had a relationship with Second Aunt Lian, and it was his duty to take care of Second Aunt Lian's children. He only helped other people out of consideration. If Second Aunt Lian liked him, he would help her. If Second Aunt Lian didn't like him, why would Shen Qing care what the person's surname was?

"Silly child." Shen Qing was only a few years older than Lian Ou, but he spoke in an old-fashioned way: "Do you think you will be happy after getting married? If you marry into a family with a sister-in-law like this, can you still learn from me?" He glanced at Wang on the ground with the corner of his eye: "On the contrary, if you learn now and have the status and confidence, you can marry into a better husband's family and have more choices."

Lian Ou looked at him with a confused look.

However, Shen Qing still took the things he had given to Lian Ou, "But you can't learn anything good from this thing even if you study it at home every day. I still need to teach and guide you in person. How about this, your hand has healed now, you can come to my house every day to learn." He turned around and smiled at old lady Lian, "Grandma Lian, what do you think?"

Even the old lady's face was frozen. But what could she say? Who in the village dared to refute Shen Qing now? If Shen Qing was offended, there would be no benefit at all. Therefore, she could only smile and say: "That's right, the child is clumsy, it's okay to weave a straw rope, but you still need to guide me to make such delicate things, you are so capable!"

Shen Qing nodded in satisfaction. Only then did he begin to understand the power that Chen Jiaqian was talking about.

Power is the old lady Lian knew that he was talking nonsense. Everyone in the village knew that Shen Qing's needlework was average, so how could he teach Lian Ou how to weave a rope? Old lady Lian knew very well that he was just taking sides and protecting the face of their old Lian family under Lian Ou, but what could she do? She could only smile and agree!

Power is so fascinating!

"Then come with me now." Shen Qing carried the large bowl of chicken pot, walked around the Lian family, and then took it back to his own home. Old Mrs. Lian and Wang were so nauseated.

Back at the courtyard at the foot of the mountain, Lian Ou burst into tears. First, it was his first time to fight against Old Lady Lian and Wang. He was brave when he did it, but he was still scared after it. Second, he felt very wronged. He had been wronged a lot in the past, and he couldn't cry when he was wronged. But like today, someone stood in front of him and absolutely protected him, which made him want to cry even more.

His mother had never protected him like Shen Qing did. His mother had no choice but to do so, and always had many concerns and difficulties. Qing Ge'er was really good.

"Stop crying." Shen Qing handed him a handkerchief, then turned cold and taught Lian Ou a lesson: "You are also wrong."

Lian Ou nodded while crying: "Yes, I didn't see the good stuff..."

"It's not about these things." Shen Qing frowned. "What are these things? How much can they be worth? I was mad at you. Maybe I was just angry with you, or I didn't want your aunt to take advantage of me, so I said I would stop studying. What is Wang? Is she worth sacrificing your future for?"

Lian Ou cried even harder. It was not because she was scolded, but because she felt the concern behind Shen Qing's cold words.

"But I really don't have much to teach you." Shen Qing touched his nose. Everyone has shortcomings. Shen Qing is so perfect, but he is not good at delicate handwork. His needlework is limited to making patches. When he makes shoes and clothes, he needs Miao's guidance. His skills are not good enough. "I got this pattern from somewhere else. You still have to figure it out yourself. When I'm not at home, you can practice in my room. If I come back to live here, you can practice in the main room. You can put your things in my room."

Now, there is nothing in Shen Qing and Miao's house that cannot be known to outsiders. It is much more convenient to get the space jade pendant. Shen Qing also stored a lot of spiritual spring water at home. Miao and Old Lady Miao drank it for a long time, and their health improved a little.

The house is still too tight. Shen Qing thought. At the beginning, because Song Kaiji couldn't come here, Shen Qing was devastated and discouraged. He didn't build the planned house. He bought bricks and tiles and gave them to Miao Ren to build a wedding house. Now he regrets it a little. It would be fine to build one or two rooms to store miscellaneous things.

Fortunately, the manor on the East Mountain has been built almost completely. Shen Qing did not plan to install it. When the manor on the East Mountain is built, he will live there with Miao Shi, so that it will be very convenient for him to travel to the end of the world. After the spring, the soil will thaw and the road will be built quickly. When Miao Shi wants to go to the county town or the village, she can take a mule cart directly, which is very convenient.

If someone asks, I will say that I have done a good job and the nobleman has rewarded me with this farm. However, with my current reputation in the village, no one dares to ask. It's good this way. The unpredictable is the most frightening. Otherwise, how could Wang be so defensive?

"At noon and in the evening, you can stay and have dinner with my mother. If my mother goes to Shiqu Village, you can cook something for yourself and eat whatever is at home." Shen Qing said.

Hearing the word "you all", Lian Rong was stunned and pointed at herself: "Does that include me?"

"Of course." He asked Lianou to come over, not because he really wanted Lianou to learn anything, but to protect Lianou. Since he was protecting Lianou, why couldn't he protect Lianrong? "You can also bring Qiaoer with you. Yuer is working in the workshop and has a child. Others say that he is lazy. You can bring Qiaoer here to play with my mother." Miao liked children. Lianqiao was as cute as Lianrong, but not a naughty child. It was the best time to have fun.

"I ask my mother to give Ou Ge'er 100 coins every month, and Ou Ge'er gives it to your grandmother. This will also be considered a legitimate way for you to come to me."

Lian Ou waved his hands when he heard this: "How can I do this? I haven't earned a penny, and now I'm practicing with the materials you provided, and I want to take your money for free, this is not acceptable!"

"What do you know? This is called investment." Shen Qing began to show off what he had just learned: "I will invest in you for a few months first. Once you have mastered the skills, you will have to work for me for at least three years... well, five years. During these five years, I will pay you by piecework. After five years, we will split the profits. I will provide the materials and you will provide the skills. We will each take half of the profits."

This can be regarded as Shen Qing taking care of Lian Ou. In the first five years, he must have been unfamiliar with the craft and was in a groping stage. The things he made probably could not be sold at a high price. He could only make accessories with jade. But after five years of practice, Ou Ge'er is so savvy that he might become a famous craftsman, or what is called in modern times, an artist!

That work is valuable! They will split the profits at that time. It seems that Shen Qing took advantage of Lianou in the past five years, but the opportunities Shen Qing provided to Lianou are rare.

Lian Ou just nodded: "I'll listen to you!" He is not an ignorant person. Qing Ge'er is so good, he will not let him down, he can only take care of him!

In Shen Qing's opinion, it would be the best if the Lian family could split up. However, Shen Qing also knew that his family was a special case, and it was not easy to split up a family in the village, so he could not interfere in the affairs of the old Lian family. He could only do his best to make sure that Lian Ou and Lian Rong lived like a split family even though they did not split up.

Based on his own experience, Shen Qing couldn't stand the fact that the money earned by Second Aunt Lian's family was used to buy good food and new clothes for Lian Bao. He wanted to do as Chen Jiaqian said, to make those people in this world who looked down on me and regarded me and women as lowly ants and discarded like old shoes feel helpless with me and women and never be able to get high enough.

Power means that he wants to elevate someone. No matter how lowly this person is, he will become noble because of his support.

People are people. Shen Qing touched Lian Rong's head. People should be equal, and there should be no distinction between high and low based on gender. The only thing that can determine a person's high and low status is... power and status.

Unexpectedly, Shen Qing thought that the Lian family could not be divided, but Second Aunt Lian could not hold back.