Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1147 - 585: A Young Boy’s Concerns
Seeking pink, authentic subscriptions, recommendation tickets.
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Shen Qian noticed Lian Manman was slightly dazed, so he pushed the palace lantern forward, tentatively grabbing Lian Manman’s hand and guiding it to hold the lantern’s handle.
While doing these actions, Shen Qian’s expression was rather cautious. Once successfully handing the lantern over to Lian Manman, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. The sparkle in his eyes appeared as if he had accomplished a significant task.
Lian Manman regained her composure at this moment, glanced at the lantern in her hand, and then at Shen Qian, and couldn’t help but smile with relief.
"Thank you, Xiao Jiu," Lian Manman said sincerely. Sometimes it’s simple to know how someone feels about you. When someone gives you what they own, cherish, and believe you’ll like without hesitation, only worrying that you might not like or accept it, then their feelings for you are undeniably genuine. Such a person, such an intention, should be cherished and cared for.
Lian Manman held the palace lantern in her hand, studied it carefully, and liked it more and more.
"Xiao Jiu, where did you get this palace lantern?" Lian Manman asked Shen Qian. Such exquisite craftsmanship must be the work of skilled artisans from somewhere.
"It was given to me by my Empress Aunt when I went to the capital at the age of eight," Shen Qian replied cheerfully.
"Oh, so precious."
"Aunt gave it to me, so it’s mine. Now I’m giving it to you, it’s yours, Manman. I have many good things; when you come to Prefecture City, I’ll show them to you slowly," Shen Qian quickly explained, seemingly afraid that Lian Manman might return the lantern to him. When mentioning Lian Manman coming to Prefecture City, anticipation almost overflowed from Shen Qian’s eyes.
Lian Manman looked at Shen Qian and decided to hold back the words about returning the lantern. Although Shen Qian was young, he acted with propriety. He wouldn’t give away what couldn’t be given.
Even if it was a palace lantern given by the late Empress, it was just a lantern. Its worth lay solely in Shen Qian’s sentiment behind it.
"Xiao Jiu, you hold it for me for a while," Lian Manman handed the lantern to Shen Qian, then lifted her hand to remove a sandalwood carved Buddha head bead bracelet from her left wrist and gave it to Shen Qian. "Xiao Jiu, this is for you. My mother asked for this last year, sent it to the temple for forty-nine days, where the Abbot Master blessed it, saying it can protect safety. I’ve worn it all year, and the days have gone smoothly; not even a small illness or disaster."
Last year was Lian Manman’s essential year, and according to tenant farmers’ traditional sayings, it would be full of calamities. So, Lady Zhang entrusted Lady Li to ask for this Buddhist bead bracelet and had it blessed before giving it to Lian Manman as a protective amulet.
"Giving it to you, it can protect your safety too."
Shen Qian seemed surprised that Lian Manman had something for him too, happily taking a while before cheerfully handing the palace lantern back to Lian Manman, then fondling and cautiously wearing the bracelet on his wrist.
Afterward, the two stood before the railing with lanterns, watching the night view of the lantern market below.
"Fish dragon, fish dragon dance," Shen Qian watched for a while, then mimicked a thinker, muttering constantly while looking at Lian Manman. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
"What fish dragon, Xiao Jiu, are you trying to write a poem?" Lian Manman asked, amused.
"Not writing a poem, just suddenly remembered a poem describing the Lantern Festival. Looking down from here, it’s just like the poem. I only remember the phrase ’fish dragon dance’; the rest, I’m too anxious to recall," Shen Qian answered, squinting and smiling.
"You passed the scholar exam, didn’t you?" Lian Manman laughed. In fact, civil examinations prioritized essays rather than poetry, especially in this dynasty, where practical knowledge was valued. "Even I know this poem."
When Shen Qian mentioned the fish dragon dance, Lian Manman remembered there was indeed such a poem, depicting the scene before them.
"Manman, are you fooling me? I’m not Xiao Qi," Shen Qian’s eyes widened slightly, clearly unbelieving in Lian Manman’s words.
"Looking down on me for not being able to attend school, aren’t you?!" Lian Manman glared at Shen Qian, suddenly inspired, "Xiao Jiu, ancient people had Single-Character Masters. Today, you couldn’t recall the phrase from the poem, and I told you. Shouldn’t you then honor me as a master?"
