Siheyuan: Living in the People's Community, with a Heart for the Red Star

As Lao Yang's son grew up, the forces under Lao Yang began to inevitably take sides. Open and covert struggles emerged one after another, but they were still restrained and did not cause any serious consequences.

As time went by, various conflicts arose in Lao Yang's harem. The reason they can coexist peacefully like they do now is due to Lao Yang's strong strength and financial backing, which can meet the current needs of his wives.

When we arrived at the restaurant, it was already full of people. At the innermost part of the restaurant was a round dining table, with Lao Yang's wives sitting on both sides. At the other tables sat visiting relatives and friends.

As soon as Lao Yang walked into the restaurant, people began to greet him. Lao Yang smiled and nodded in response, and soon sat down at his seat. At the signal of Butler Tian, ​​the servants began to bring the dishes to the table. Looking at the dazzling array of dishes, whispers rang out in the restaurant.

Old Yang naturally would not argue with others. After the dishes were served, he signaled to his wives that they could start eating, and then he took the first bite of the dish. Under Haitang's lead, everyone started eating silently. The whole process was like a ritual. Several people did not communicate with each other. They quickly finished their meals and waited to leave.

Lao Yang suddenly felt that his life was controlled by someone, which was contrary to his original idea. The shackles of the world were tightening around him.

Old Yang took Haitang and other wives out of the restaurant, and the noise in the restaurant became noisy. Old Yang was helpless and led Haitang and his wives to a living room in the side hall. After everyone was seated, Old Yang ordered the servants to invite the wives who were not present to come over and prepare to hold a family meeting.

Soon, Zhao Jingyi, Deng Lijuan, and Luo Yun, who came with doubts, appeared in the reception room with bulging bellies. Old Yang saw that the wives had arrived, so he spoke out his doubts: "Daughters-in-law, I feel that our lives are being kidnapped by power and morality, making the whole family run like a machine. This has completely affected my Taoism. I think it's time to make some changes! Haitang, as the eldest sister, do you have anything to say?"

Lao Yang turned his gaze to Haitang standing beside him, hoping that Haitang could offer some constructive suggestions.

Haitang carefully fixed her makeup and said, "Our status is getting higher and higher, and the environment is constantly changing. Power and etiquette have brought us different life experiences. The rules also restrict our behavior. We just don't want to appear to be different. It is indeed a bit uncomfortable to follow the tide of history. But it is difficult to change. Unless we give up some of our rights and status, we still have to move forward under the constraints of etiquette!"

Pregnant Luo Yun spoke first, "I don't care about these big principles, but I feel that our family has become lacking in affection and laughter. There is a barrier between us, and it is difficult to integrate into the family. As a result, I am only willing to hide in my room and watch TV and read books. Recently, I have been reading some reports about the origin of mankind, which are very interesting. Soviet experts believe that we were transported to the blue planet from other planets, which has nothing to do with the creation of the world and the creation of man from mud in mythology, and it also denies the new theory of evolution."

Old Yang was very happy listening to Luo Yun's chattering. Although the focus of her speech was wandering, she was not annoying but rather friendly.

Before Luo Yun could continue nagging, Zhao Jingyi interrupted her gossip and said, "Since we moved into the palace, the people and environment around us have added a shackle, which has placed a heavy responsibility on us. We need to think twice before doing anything. In addition, the people around us keep instilling various ideas and rules in our ears, which has invisibly affected our getting along and consumed the trust and intimacy between each other!"

The others also nodded in agreement. Old Yang looked at the ladies and said apologetically, "It is me who has brought invisible pressure to the wives, forcing everyone to wear masks. When the situation stabilizes in a few years, I will pass the family business to the eldest brother, and we will abdicate and find a small island to live in seclusion and lead a pastoral life. Now let's think about how to change the current situation. I am worried that a huge change will break out before we can retire, resulting in irreconcilable conflicts and falling apart!"

The girls looked at Lao Yang, who was full of apology, and showed self-blame and deep love. Each of them loved Lao Yang, but they slowly lost themselves in the luxurious life and powerful power, which brought out the evil thoughts in their souls. With Lao Yang's timely correction, everyone suddenly realized the danger.

"Relatives from our mother's side come to visit us with different purposes, and often instill some bad ideas in us. It is necessary to distinguish our back house from the front hall. Ordinary relatives and friends should be received in the front hall, and not brought to the back house. In the back house, only we sisters will live and play together, reducing the influence of others."

Rose, who thinks of herself as a little Zhuge Liang, suggests reducing the contact between girls and their relatives and friends to avoid being affected.

Deng Lijuan, who has always been known for her gentleness, also suggested: "Husband, I think we can let the child be raised by ourselves. Find something for us to do, so that we won't be idle all day long!"

Luo Yun, who was a bit more prudent, raised an objection first: "How can that be possible! If I have to take care of the children all day, I will be bored to death! I think it's good now. When I miss the children, I can go to Yuying Building to take care of them. I can do whatever I want at other times! Besides, the eldest brother and the others have all been through this, and they have a good relationship with each other. If we separate them, will it affect the relationship between the children?!"

This is the trouble with too many women. There will always be various uncertainties. Women like Shen Yuting and Deng Lijuan like to take care of their husbands and children, while Luo Yun, Meigui, Cui Li'niang and others like to show off and don't want to be dragged down by taking care of children. The nursery building was built because Lao Yang strongly requested unified training, so all the children were placed in the nursery building for care. Deng Lijuan, Shen Yuting, and Zhao Jingyi used to stay in the nursery building to accompany the children, and others would go there from time to time to accompany them. Generally speaking, everyone persisted.

Lao Yang's thoughts have changed now. He wants to increase the feelings between the women to dilute the struggle for power in the harem, so he has to consider the emotional needs of the women. Since ancient times, there has been no trivial matter in the royal family. Lao Yang's status also determines that his family affairs will be paid attention to by all his subordinates to guess his intentions!

Old Yang looked at the women who had fallen silent and took the initiative to make arrangements.

"Everything in our family comes from the inheritance of my master, which will definitely not last forever. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. We can't take care of them for long. You don't have to be too obsessed with power. If your mother's family needs anything, you can help them appropriately. I don't mind. But we can't fight among ourselves. After we retire, there will definitely be internal fighting among our relatives. The stronger they are, the bigger the fight will be in the future!"

Old Yang waited for the girls to react. Seeing that everyone was a little puzzled, Old Yang sighed and continued, "Our family cannot be like the ancient emperors who had no family affection. We must receive relatives and friends when they come, but we must be careful and not be dominated by outsiders. First, housekeeper Tian will receive them and intercept a group of unnecessary people. Then at least two sisters will receive them together. Children under two years old can be taken home by their mothers, or they can continue to be placed in Yuying Building with a nanny to take care of them. The eldest and other older children have started private school education, and Haitang will be responsible for the arrangements!"