Lady Zhou neither willing to cry, nor wear mourning attire, regardless of Lady Da Zhou and Younger Lady Zhou attempting to persuade her, she simply would not listen, eventually stiffly turning her head away, refusing to look at anyone.
With Lady Zhou behaving this way, villagers watching the mourning papers inevitably started to gossip.
Lian Shouxin heard of it, knowing he could do no good facing Lady Zhou, he sent Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu to persuade her. Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu listened well enough, yet soon as they reached Lady Zhou, after just a few words, she sent them packing.
"Let the old lady do as she pleases," Wu Yuchang stepped in to mediate, "She's at an advanced age, and we, farmstead folks, aren't particular about such formalities."
Lady Zhou's age indeed served as an excuse for her various stubborn behaviors.
