Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1255 - 641: Lingering Fragrance
Second watch, asking for pink.
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The servant who had just left with a basket of fish returned, but this time he wasn’t carrying a fish basket; instead, he had a big tray. On the tray were fish that had been cleaned thoroughly and evidently seasoned. Behind him was another servant, holding a charcoal stove and a metal grate.
These two servants entered the pavilion, quickly and skillfully, and within moments, they set up the charcoal stove and metal grate, placing the fish on it to grill. Then, the two servants retreated.
It turns out that today, not only is Shen Liu fishing, he’s also grilling and eating fresh fish.
The fire in the charcoal stove was strong, and the fish had been coated with premium seasoning. Before long, a slight fragrance began to permeate the air. Shen Liu picked up metal tongs, bent slightly, and flipped the fish over on the metal grate.
Lian Manman watched somewhat speechlessly; they were in the middle of a conversation, and she was waiting for Shen Liu to explain, but Shen Liu seemed to have completely forgotten the previous topic and was focused solely on grilling the fish.
Seeing the grilled fish, Lian Manman also remembered something. It was the first time she ate grilled fish after coming here, right after saving Shen Liu. Back then, Wu Lang and Xiao Qi were also present. She had been worried about Shen Liu being hungry after his serious injury, so she deliberately sent Wu Lang and Xiao Qi away and packed a grilled fish in a basket to find Shen Liu in the mountains.
Of course, she didn’t find Shen Liu, and that grilled fish had cooled down. Later, she ate it cold. It originally didn’t have much seasoning, and when it cooled, the taste naturally wasn’t great, but Lian Manman still ate it with relish. For someone who rarely tasted meat, such a grilled fish was a rare delicacy.
"Grilled fish, I also like to eat it," Lian Manman murmured.
Shen Liu lifted his head and glanced at Lian Manman. He also recalled the scene of his first meeting with Lian Manman. When he left, he had left instructions to clean up and specifically sent Zhang Qianhu to... check on Lian Manman. Later, Zhang Qianhu returned and reported that Lian Manman had gone into the mountains again to find him and had hidden a grilled fish in a basket.
Before then, he didn’t eat grilled fish. But afterward... the taste of grilled fish was truly delicious.
"The fish are more at ease swimming in water, but grilling them on a fire..." Shen Liu suddenly remarked.
As if in response to Shen Liu’s words, the half-cooked fish on the metal grate sizzled, and the aroma of grilling fish in the pavilion became even more rich.
The seasoning for the marinated grilled fish from the Shen family must be a secret recipe; the taste is really good, Lian Manman thought. She wondered if she could ask Shen Liu for the recipe, and maybe try grilling some fish herself when she had time.
Wait, Lian Manman suddenly felt a stirring in her heart; how could someone like Shen Liu suddenly say something so poetic, about fish being at ease in the water and grilling on the fire? This didn’t fit the current scene at all, and it was quite at odds with Shen Liu as a person.
Was Shen Liu’s remark about something else, meant specifically for her to hear?!
"Cai Xiu has always been by my side," Shen Liu said without looking up, as if speaking to himself. In reality, being by his side meant in his room. He had long been designated as the successor for the Commander of Liaodong Prefecture and was selected into the Imperial Guards, spending years away. When he’s outside, he never takes maids or matrons to serve him.
"... Inside the mansion, there’s some... insight into the inner courtyard. Punishing swiftly is no issue, but inside the mansion, it might cause unrest. So many eyes are watching, you, you siblings should not be excessively focused on by those people; a temporary blazing spotlight is not beneficial for you, for you all."
Lian Manman’s eyes shifted; she understood Shen Liu’s meaning. Cai Xiu, although just a maid, had a special status. It was feared that the people in the Shen Mansion believed Cai Xiu was favored by Shen Liu and was destined to become his concubine, or even a favored one. Shen Liu suddenly taking harsh action against Cai Xiu naturally drew attention within the Shen Mansion.
Thus, she, Xiao Qi, Wu Lang, and their family would receive special attention. Unlike previous engagements associated with the Shen family, this time they were being focused on because of Shen Liu’s different treatment.
Even though they had an imperial-bestowed archway, Wu Lang was still just a scholar, and Xiao Qi had yet to take exams. Their foundation was still shallow, and unless they decided firmly to cling to Shen Liu for survival, being "excessively focused on" by the Shen Mansion people was undoubtedly detrimental to their growth and development.
