After hearing the question, Lianyi thought for a moment, then said with red eyes and a choked voice:

"Thank you for your concern, elder. The housekeeper has already called a doctor and prescribed some medicine for me. I dare not let myself fall down before my parents' funeral is completed."

"Poor kid, I'm sorry you've suffered. Those damned bandits were so cruel. They just wanted the money, but they killed people."

The fifth old lady stomped the cane in her hand and said angrily.

Lianyi turned her head to the side and wiped the corners of her eyes with her sleeve. She turned around and spoke:

"Lianyi knows that she is young and has never organized a funeral before. She is afraid that if she fails to follow the proper etiquette, her parents will not be able to rest peacefully. So she specially asked someone to invite two elders to preside over this matter, hoping that her parents can have a more dignified last journey."

"We would have helped you even if you hadn't said anything. Xiuxiu is one of the most promising children in the clan, and we have trained you so well. You are already a student at such a young age. If this hadn't happened, you would have been a scholar this year."

The third old lady also said with a hint of regret.

Lian Yi said with red eyes:

"Two clan elders, Lianyi will observe six years of mourning for her parents, so she will not participate in this year's provincial examination. She will wait until the mourning period is over."

The two elders looked at each other, and the fifth old lady spoke earnestly:

"Lian Yi, everyone knows that you are filial, and it is only natural for you to mourn for your parents. However, six years is a bit long. Not only will it delay your studies, it will also affect your marriage."

Lian Yi looked up after hearing this and said in confusion:

"Elder, both my parents are dead. The three-year mourning period for each person is exactly six years."

"You are right, but since they died at the same time, we can just keep watch for three years."

The third old lady explained patiently.

"In that case, I will listen to the two elders. I'll trouble you two elders to take care of my parents' funeral. Lianyi would like to thank the tribe for taking care of my daughter."

Lian Yi finished speaking, stood up and bowed, then continued:

"After my parents' funeral is over, I would like to donate thirty acres of good land to my clan as a sacrificial field. This will fulfill my mother's wish and also thank the clan for protecting me."

After hearing this, the two elders looked at each other and saw surprise in each other's eyes. This was really an unexpected gain. Although they were happy, they suppressed their surprise and just nodded with satisfaction and said:

"Lianyi is thoughtful, don't worry! You are a member of my Su family. No matter where you go, the Su family will be your support."

After hearing this, Lianyi agreed obediently. At this time, the noise in the front yard became louder and louder, interrupting the three people in the hall from reminiscing about the past.

"What's going on?"

The fifth old lady asked with a frown.

"Five clan elders, I asked the housekeeper to find a matchmaker to sell off some servants."

Lian Yi said calmly.

“Lianyi, did the servant bump into you?”

The third old lady asked directly.

"It was also because of my poor health that I vomited blood and fainted upon hearing the bad news. This allowed my aunt to take advantage of the situation and actually became the head of my Su Mansion. She ordered the servants to separate the housekeeper Su, the young servant, and the book boy around me, in an attempt to control me.

He shamelessly conspired with his own son at my bedside, wanting his son, who was not presentable enough, to be alone with me, spread some rumors, and then marry him off during the mourning period to accomplish his goal."

"How ridiculous! This is the Su Mansion, not her Tang family. It's not her turn to make the decision!"

The fifth old lady had a hot temper and started cursing immediately.

"Humph! She sees Lianyi as an orphan with no elders in her family. She is also a student. If she marries her son into the family, she will be the legitimate elder and can suppress Lianyi. Lianyi will swallow this humiliation even for the sake of her own reputation. Her calculation is quite shrewd."

The third old lady saw it more clearly and exposed Tang Huirong's thoughts with just a few words.

"What the third elder said is true, so I invited two elders to come to my house to take charge. They are elders of my Su clan, legitimate and of high seniority. With the two of them here, my aunt won't be able to do anything."

Lianyi lowered her eyes and said.

"Don't worry, we will take care of the rest, you just need to be a good filial daughter."

The fifth old lady waved her hand.

"Thank you two elders. Lianyi will go to the front hall to keep vigil."

Lianyi stood up and bowed, then went to the front hall with the help of Zi Yan and An He.

By the time the three of them arrived at the front hall, the matchmaker had already kidnapped all the disloyal servants. For a moment, all the servants in the Su Mansion were silent, not daring to make a sound, and just lowered their heads to do their work.

Lianyi took a quick look and felt that this tactic of killing the chicken to scare the monkey was quite effective.

Steward Su also came over holding an ebony box and bowed, saying:

"Miss, eight servants were sold this time. They all obeyed Madam Tang's orders. A total of 100 taels of silver were sold. The silver notes and the indentures of the remaining servants are all here."

"well done."

Lianyi nodded and let Anhe take the box.

"Housekeeper, arrange a place for the two elders to stay next to my aunt's. Ask the two elders for advice on funeral arrangements. Keep a good account of every expense. The money of the Su family didn't come from the wind. Save as much as you can. Filial piety is based on what happened before death, not the more grand the funeral is.

When my mother was alive, she taught me how to manage the household, but at that time both my parents were alive and young, so I had no burden and devoted myself to the imperial examinations, only thinking about bringing honor to our family.

Now that my family has suffered such a disaster, I have to mourn for my parents and learn how to manage the household. I hope Steward Su will cooperate with me."

Lian Yi expressed her meaning very clearly, and I believe that Steward Su also understood it, so he immediately bowed and said:

"Don't worry, Miss. I will take care of it."

Lianyi nodded with satisfaction and went to the mourning hall.

There were two coffins placed side by side in the mourning hall, with the coffin lids not closed yet, to make it convenient for relatives and friends to pay their respects. Zi Yan tactfully placed a futon on one side of the mourning hall, then helped Lian Yi kneel down, and quietly left the hall. An He brought a brazier and silently accompanied his young lady in burning paper.

After housekeeper Su opened the door of the mansion, people came to pay their respects one after another. There were nearby neighbors, people who were good friends of Su Xiuxiu, and even a few of Lianyi's classmates. They all sought Lianyi out privately and asked her about this year's provincial examination.

"Sister Lianyi, the teacher said that if you take part in the provincial examination this time, your chances of passing the examination and becoming a scholar are very high."

A girl in a purple-pink robe said in a low voice.

"Sister Yueqin is right. If I miss it this time, I will have to wait another three years."

Another girl named Yue Liuli also spoke up. She was the oldest among the group and very mature.

"I am in a state of confusion after this incident at home. I vomited blood when I heard the bad news, and I am a little weak now. I can only give up this opportunity. But I also wish you all good luck in the provincial examination and hope you can pass the examination and become a scholar as soon as possible."

Lianyi still declined her classmate's kindness.

"Forget it, don't be too sad, take care of yourself, there are more opportunities in the future.

Also, be careful of your ambitious relatives."

Yue Liuli reminded in a low voice. (End of this chapter)