Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1476 - 751: Attending the Banquet

Lian Manman had someone give a thick reward to the Shen family’s steward who delivered the invitation, and kept the steward for tea and conversation. This revealed that this banquet was not as grand as yesterday’s dinner, but it wasn’t purely a family gathering either. Besides the members of the Shen family currently in the Prefecture City, officials of the city and their families were also invited to this banquet.

The Shen family not only arranged a banquet this time but also organized theater performances and acrobatics.

"...It’s said that several well-known troupes in the Prefecture City have been invited." Xiao Qing reported to Lian Manman.

In this era, entertainment was truly lacking, so having theater performances and acrobatics to watch was like celebrating the New Year for farmstead families. Although the Lian Manman family was wealthy now, they were often too busy to watch theater and acrobatics.

"Serve them well, and you won’t miss these lively shows in the future." Lian Manman noticed the excitement among the maids and laughed.

The whole family then busied themselves with preparations. Naturally, Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang needed to wear their formal clothes. Wu Lang, Xiao Qi, Lian Zhizhi, and Lian Manman also dressed up carefully.

Lian Zhizhi wore a lotus-colored floral robe and a matching leather skirt, with a crimson cloak over it. Lian Manman chose an orange floral robe, also with a matching leather skirt, and wore a pink cloak over it. The sisters had plenty of jewelry, but they did not prefer overly complex adornments, so each wore only a few ornaments. Lian Manman wore two pearl hairpins and inserted the hairpin gifted to her by Shen Jin.

Apart from the very fashionable golden necklaces and jade pendants in the Prefecture City, Lian Manman removed her usual gold bracelets and replaced them with a pair of seldom-worn green jade bracelets.

Green jade bracelets are extremely delicate, requiring the wearer to move gracefully and softly.

Being used to hustle and bustle every day, this occasion required blending into the customs, and wearing these bracelets served as a constant reminder for Lian Manman to be cautious, she thought.

As for Wu Lang and Xiao Qi, they wore patterned brocade robes. When the family stood together, they saw delight in each other’s eyes. Clothes not only make a person look good, but with their good looks, they appeared pleasing to others, and they themselves were filled with joy.

At the Chinese hour, the family divided into two carriages, with attendants walking alongside, and several maids and ladies occupying another carriage, heading towards the Shen family.

Upon entering the Shen Mansion, they were greeted by the guest-welcoming steward and the steward’s wife. Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, and Lian Manman separated from Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi, led by the steward’s wife to the Warm Pavilion in the Shen family’s West Flower Garden. The seats for the ladies were set up inside the Warm Pavilion. In front of the Pavilion, the stage was already set, awaiting the performance once the banquet began, with various actors ready to take the stage.

Inside the Warm Pavilion, they first had tea, and once the Chinese hour arrived and guests were all present, they took their seats. The three naturally sat together, sharing the table with the Shen family’s third lady and her two daughters, as well as the wives of two officials from Liaodong Prefecture and the Tongpan, accompanied by several young girls of varying ages.

It was Lady Zhang’s first time attending such an occasion, and understandably, she was a bit anxious. Fortunately, once they were seated, the outside stage became lively, and with Lian Manman coordinating beside her, the atmosphere at the table was exceedingly harmonious.

The third lady of the Shen family, in her early forties, slightly plump, with an exceedingly gentle demeanor, seemed to smile before speaking. It was unclear if she had received instructions from someone, but she seemed extremely attentive to Lian Manman and her daughters during the banquet.

Lian Zhizhi remained gentle and shy, speaking little, but her behavior left no room for criticism. Lian Manman, too, refrained from excessive laughter, yet within a few exchanges, she became acquainted with the two lively young girls at the same table.

The ladies invited to such gatherings were surely well-informed. Although the Lian Manman family held no high official rank, they had an archway gifted by the Emperor. Both Wu Lang and Xiao Qi were favored by Shen Liu, and Wu Lang had even been summoned to the capital by the Emperor. Hence, their conversations were exceptionally courteous.

After a few scenes were performed outside the Warm Pavilion, and a few dishes changed on the banquet table, the individuals at the table had slowly grown familiar, leading someone to tentatively inquire with Lady Zhang. Topics among women weren’t many, but the family had prepared for this before coming.

"Is this the eldest girl? She’s truly gentle and lovely. Has she been engaged?"

"My eldest daughter is seventeen and is already engaged. She will be married in a few days." Lady Zhang replied with a smile.