Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1231 - 628: There Is Much Strife in a Wealthy Household (Part 2)

Xiao Xi and Xiao Qing responded in unison.

"Tomorrow, we’ll go to Nian Garden again. You two should have an idea in mind. That Xiao Tao..." Lian Manman pondered for a moment, as it was common for maids in large households to be curious and enjoy gossip. If that’s all there is, it’s not surprising. "Try to find out what she’s doing and which courtyard she serves."

...

Early the next day, after breakfast, Lian Manman discussed with Lian Shouxin to catch a basket of fish and shrimp from the fish pond and picked the freshest corn and other vegetables to fill two baskets from the garden. She then sent Xiao Xi and Xiao Qing to pick some apricots and cherries, and took a small bucket of milk from the cellar.

With everything prepared, Lian Manman took Xiao Qi with her to Nian Garden. Lian Shouxin, accompanied by Steward Han Zhong, also went along.

Lian Manman and Xiao Qi sat in the carriage, and throughout the journey, Lian Manman softly instructed Xiao Qi.

"... Fatty is easy to get along with. However, as you study at Xiao Shan Ju, there are others... Large households have quite a few difficult servants; we must be cautious not to let them find faults in us... However, there’s no need to be overly cautious. Remember, we are guests there."

Lian Manman advised Xiao Qi to be cautious in Nian Garden, but not to be overly concerned with others’ opinions. To put it simply, it meant maintaining a balance and not provoking trouble, but also not fearing any trouble that comes their way.

Lian Manman handed several pouches to Xiao Qi.

"These four red pouches are for Fatty’s four personal servants. The blue ones are slightly less valuable, and you can give them to those serving at Xiao Shan Ju. The green ones are even less valuable, and you can decide how to reward them yourself."

Xiao Qi also had silver money in his own pouch, but Lian Manman had also prepared separate small changes for him to reward the Shen family’s servants.

"Sister, I’ve remembered everything." Xiao Qi nodded solemnly.

Xiao Qi’s cleverness didn’t just manifest in reading; despite his young age, his flexibility and adaptability in dealing with people seemed even greater than Wu Lang. Lian Manman felt assured letting Xiao Qi study at Xiao Shan Ju.

"And one more important thing—study well!" Lian Manman added.

"Mm." Xiao Qi nodded solemnly again.

At Nian Garden, they entered through the west gate. Upon entering, Steward Zhong took charge of Lian Shouxin for a conversation, while Lian Manman and Xiao Qi went directly to Evergreen Garden to meet Shen Liu.

"Sixth Master is in the study, Ninth Master is also there."

Entering the study, they only saw Shen Qian.

Shen Qian, upon seeing Lian Manman and Xiao Qi, was visibly pleased and quickly reached out...

Lian Manman smiled silently and bowed respectfully.

Shen Qian, in turn, hurriedly returned the courtesy with clasped hands.

"... Why come only now? I was talking with Sixth Brother about sending someone to fetch you... Come earlier next time, so we can have breakfast together."

"There’s still half a Chinese hour before class begins. We’re not late." Lian Manman replied softly and with a smile, as she hadn’t seen Shen Liu, she asked quietly, "Xiao Jiu, where is your Sixth Brother?"

In private, he reverted from being Brother Xiao Jiu to Xiao Jiu, thankfully not being called Fatty again. Shen Qian exhaled and pointed behind the screen.

Lian Manman heard the rustling of the curtain behind the screen, followed by footsteps. Shen Liu slowly emerged from behind the screen, accompanied by a maid who crouched down and seemed to adjust Shen Liu’s clothing before rising and following him out.

"Dismissed." Shen Liu gestured to the maid behind him.

The maid hung her head low, stepped back out of the room, lifted her head slightly, and stood to the side of the door. Lian Manman glanced over and recognized her as the head maid Cai Xiu.

Lian Manman looked at Shen Liu. Today, Shen Liu was dressed in a blue brocade wide-sleeve robe, with a jade-colored belt at his waist.

"Everyone’s here, have a seat." Shen Liu spoke, managing to sit down at the desk first.

Shen Qian, Lian Manman, and Xiao Qi all also sat down on chairs beside him.

Lian Manman took another look at Shen Liu, then her gaze fell on the screen behind the desk. It was a silk-embroidered screen, and her gaze moved over the top of the screen. Behind the screen was a curtain, presumably with a room behind that. Shen Liu and Cai Xiu must have emerged from the room; Shen Liu seemed to have recently changed his attire. As for Cai Xiu, though she kept her head low, her face was flushed.

Lian Manman tilted her head slightly and gave Shen Liu another look. It couldn’t be the way she was thinking, could it?

"Have you decided on the studies?" Shen Liu asked.

"Yes, I’m just here to send Xiao Qi over to study. My parents asked me to offer my respects to Sixth Master, and thank Sixth Master and Ninth Master for being so considerate of our family." Lian Manman, hearing Shen Liu’s questions, was pulled back to reality. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

While responding, Lian Manman involuntarily glanced at Shen Liu again. It shouldn’t be—upon pondering, Lian Manman dismissed her previous thoughts. Shen Liu, no matter what, wouldn’t leave his brother waiting in the study while he was doing this and that with a maid in the room.

The maid Cai Xiu’s duty probably involved handling Shen Liu’s clothes, so taking them out for Shen Liu to change can be considered part of her duties. However, she seemed used to doing such tasks. Why blush? To be frank, if Cai Xiu hadn’t blushed, Lian Manman wouldn’t have suspected anything between her and Shen Liu.

"Is there something on my face?" Shen Liu asked suddenly, raising his hand to touch his own face.

"Ah?"

****

Sending the first update now, will try to have the second update later.

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