Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1222 - 624: Washed Flower Paper
The first watch, asking for pinks.
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"Someone from the Shen family is coming again?" Lian Manman casually asked. She didn’t really expect Lian Yeye to answer. There’s a temple for Empress Shen on the mountain, so naturally, the Shen family visits every season to make offerings. Additionally, the emperor gifted the garden to the Shen family, making it an excellent place for a summer retreat. Although it’s not mid-summer yet, the weather is pleasant, and the mountain environment is beautiful and quiet, truly a place for immortals.
Ever since the construction on the mountain was completed, everyone knew that the Shen family would occasionally come and stay.
Just not sure, who came this time?
"...They all came in carriages, I counted, there are more than a dozen just for people. Behind them were mounted riders." Lian Yeye further informed Lian Manman, "Oh, and there were soldiers, one of whom looked a bit familiar."
"Seems like that commander who came to help with the corn harvest last time." Lian Yeye tilted her head and thought.
"Not very tall, not very old, quite energetic?" Lian Manman asked.
"Yes." Lian Yeye nodded.
"That should be Commander Zhang Qianhu." Lian Manman replied. Commander Zhang had been there several times, and Lian Yeye happened to see each time. This little girl, Lian Yeye, had good eyesight and recognized people well.
With soldiers escorting, and Commander Zhang also coming. That means, most likely, Shen Liu is among those from the Shen family who came this time. Shen Liu returned from the Capital? Then Fatty should be back too. There’s no festival or anything, doesn’t seem like there’s any big event, so it’s rare for Shen Liu to have time to visit here.
If Shen Liu came, then did Fatty come with him?
While Lian Manman was pondering this, Xiao Qing had already picked over half a basket of yellow apricots, came down from the stool, and brought the basket to Lian Manman for a look.
"That’s enough, just pick these for now." Lian Manman said.
Although these apricots are delicious, they shouldn’t be eaten too much at once. If picked in excess, they can’t be finished in time; even if stored in the cellar, they won’t be as fresh as newly picked ones. Besides, with the apricot tree right at the doorstep, it’s very convenient to pick and eat fresh.
"Yeye, want to come to the house and sit for a while?" Lian Manman invited Lian Yeye to come inside.
"No, Sister Manman, I have to go back and feed the chickens and ducks. My mother is making new clothes for my father and me these days." Lian Yeye said with a cheeky smile.
"Alright then." Lian Manman didn’t insist. The two families lived close now and visited often, not bothering about this moment.
Lian Yeye was about to go home, and Lian Manman grabbed some yellow apricots to put in Lian Yeye’s basket.
"Take them back for Third Uncle and Third Aunt to try, if they like, you can come back for more." Lian Manman said to Lian Yeye.
"Okay." Lian Yeye agreed happily. Because of the good relationship, these cousins no longer needed to be overly polite with each other.
After seeing Lian Yeye off, Lian Manman then took Xiao Qing back home.
She washed the apricots clean, kept some for Lian Shouxin and Xiao Qi, and took another plate into the east room, inviting Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi to eat together.
"Mom, Sister, take a break, see I’ve brought back some apricots."
Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi then put down their needlework, the three of them sat on the kang and began eating apricots.
Lian Manman only picked the fully ripe apricots, the ripe ones are a bit soft to the touch, and with a gentle twist of both hands, the two halves of the apricot separate neatly, with almost no pulp sticking to the pit. The apricot trees grown at Lian Manman’s family were the best local variety chosen by Zhang Qingshan, with large apricots, thick pulp, and a sweet and fragrant taste.
Having eaten the pulp, the apricot pits shouldn’t be thrown away casually. Placing them on the windowsill outside to dry, and cracking them open, the kernels inside can be used for medicine. Moreover, by peeling the apricot kernels and soaking them in water to remove bitterness, they can be made into a well-known dish from Liaodong Prefecture.
Children from farmstead families, usually, after drying the apricot pits, are reluctant to eat them immediately. They often carry a pouch of apricot pits to play games with their friends. This kind of game is similar to marbles. The game also has stakes, which are these apricot pits. Some children might go out with a pouch of apricot pits, and come back with two pouches. Of course, some go out with a full pouch, but come back with it flat, surely losing.
No one in Lian Manman’s family plays marble games with apricot pits now, so they save the pits, crack them for apricot kernels, and make cold dishes.
While eating apricots, Lian Manman told Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi about the arrival of the Shen family.
"Let’s send someone to find out who came, so we can prepare some gifts to send over." Lian Manman said.
