Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1146 - 584 Palace Lantern_2

"Is that alright?" Lian Manman temporarily forgot her annoyance with Shen Qian upon hearing they could go to the top level. She looked around and asked. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Of course. I’ve sent someone to unlock it," Shen Qian nodded and gestured inside the tower.

It turns out he ran off just now to find someone to unlock it. Lian Manman thought, though she found it odd why Wu Lang and Xiao Qi didn’t return with him. But she was naturally willing to go to the top to see the lanterns. And she believed that with the Shen Family’s name, they could go anywhere, even the pinnacle of the tower.

Good things should be shared with everyone.

Soon, everyone knew they could go to the top to see the lanterns.

"That’s great, Brother Xiao Jiu," Xiao Qi ran over, jubilantly announcing, seemingly having just heard from Lian Manman that they could indeed go to the top.

Lian Manman couldn’t help but glance at Shen Qian, who stood there merely smiling.

The children were all delighted about being able to play at the top, while the adults were relatively indifferent. The upper levels of the Nine-layered Pagoda were sealed year-round. Even the Magistrate needed a valid reason to go up there.

Everyone discussed who should go. Xiao Long and Xiao Hu were stopped, not allowed to go, and Lian Zhizhi stayed behind as well. In the end, only Lian Manman, Shen Qian, Wu Lang, Xiao Qi, Lian Yeye, and Zhang Caiyun decided to go.

Lian Shouxin initially wanted to join, but seeing Shen Qian brought many attendants, he refrained and only let Xiao Xi and Xiao Fu accompany them, instructing Wu Lang to look after the younger ones.

...

A few flights of stairs were nothing for Lian Manman, who was accustomed to labor. Initially, Lian Manman worried about Shen Qian, but seeing him climb with ease, her worries vanished. Soon, they reached the top. The Nine-layered Pagoda stood around twenty-three zhang tall. Standing at the top layer, Lian Manman instantly felt a serene and open atmosphere, with the air feeling colder.

However, all of this was replaced by joy when she leaned over the railing to observe below.

Standing by the railings, the night scene of Jinyang County Town was visible at a glance. The myriad of lights resembled twinkling stars, and the brightly lit, bustling Lantern Fair street looked like two dragons shimmering with scales.

Xiao Qi had already been rejoicing, jumping around; Wu Lang was more composed, though visibly excited, as he was still just a teenager. As for the girls, the most lively and vibrant Zhang Caiyun was pulling Lian Yeye, chattering happily.

"Beautiful, right?" Shen Qian asked, squinting his fox-like eyes with a smile, standing next to Lian Manman.

"Mm," Lian Manman nodded, "Xiao Jiu, you’ve been up here before, right?"

"Yes, twice," Shen Qian nodded.

"There’ll be a dragon dance soon. Don’t miss it," Wu Lang remarked nearby, "Seeing from up here will surely be interesting."

During the Lantern Festival, the Lantern Fair featured a dragon dance at a fixed Chinese hour every evening, dancing from one end of the street to the other. It’s quite a sight and a must-see at the fair.

Soon, long dragon lanterns appeared in the Lantern Fair, seemingly swimming in a sea of lights when viewed from the top of the tower. Fireworks also erupted in several places, appearing to bloom right before their eyes, drawing gasps of admiration from the children.

The dragon dance progressed toward the center of the street and continued eastward, prompting everyone to follow from west to east. Lian Manman was about to go as well, but someone held her hand.

The one pulling Lian Manman’s hand was Shen Qian. He wasn’t forceful, merely holding it lightly.

Indeed, he’s still a little fatty; his hand feels chubby, Lian Manman thought briefly.

Seeing Lian Manman glance at their joined hands, Shen Qian reluctantly released his grip and gestured inside the tower. Immediately, a pleasing-looking servant approached and presented something to Shen Qian.

"Manman, this is for you," Shen Qian handed her the lantern, his mouth curling into a smile, his fox-like eyes seeming wider.

"Wow!" Lian Manman’s eyes widened slightly. The lantern Shen Qian held was too beautiful.

It was an Octagonal Glazed Palace Lantern. The frame and handle were made of premium Small-Leaf Red Sandalwood with Golden Stars. Each of the eight corners on the lantern was intricately carved with dragon heads, each holding a white pearl in its mouth, with silk ribbons dangling below. At the end of the ribbons were round White Jade Pieces, finely engraved with patterns visible under the light, and beneath them hung bright red tassels. The bottom of the lantern was also adorned with splendid red tassels.

Moreover, the palace lantern’s embedded glaze was exquisite. Each pane contained vibrant, lifelike silk paintings, including Liu Hai Playing with a Golden Toad and Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate, among others. Remarkably, these silk paintings were sandwiched between two thin layers of glazed glass.

Observing Lian Manman’s expression, Shen Qian was evidently pleased with her fondness for the lamp he gifted, his fox-like eyes curving into crescent moons.

"I knew you’d like it. Here, Manman...sister..." Shen Qian extended the lantern toward Lian Manman.

Liking it was inevitable; such a beautiful item was universally appealing. Yet... Lian Manman’s gaze shifted from the palace lantern to Shen Qian’s face.

Despite his fox-like eyes, Shen Qian’s smile at this moment bore no resemblance to a fox; instead, it was clumsily cute, reminiscent of Da Pang and Second Fatty as puppies.

This smile gave Lian Manman a warm feeling...

*********

Here’s the second update. Seeking support with pink votes. It’s the 17th; there are less than 360 votes presently. Last month at the end, there were more than a thousand votes. By now, we should have around 500 to 600 votes. This month, even if there aren’t 600 or 500, 400 would be great.

Hugging Da Pang, Second Fatty, and Fatty together, seeking pink votes. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes; your support is my greatest motivation.)