Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 1479 - 752: Gourd (Part 2)

However, Shen Liu is just Shen Liu, the Sixth Master of the Shen Family, with too many people standing behind him, burdened with too many things. It’s not even a matter of whether she is willing to face it with him, to shoulder it with him.

So, Shen Liu can ultimately only be Shen Liu, even though, as a man, he is quite impressive, even making her heart flutter.

Lian Manman finally opened the wooden box, and the items inside made her eyes widen. Xiao Qi leaned over and also let out a soft gasp.

Inside the box, on a bright red velvet cushion, lay two beautiful hourglass-shaped gourds.

Lian Manman carefully took the gourds out and examined them closely.

"Sixth Master, these are the gourds from Nian Garden, correct?" Lian Manman asked.

"Yes. Before heading to the Capital City, I promised you. There aren’t many final products left, apart from those made as longevity gifts, these are the only ones." Shen Liu replied.

Lian Manman nodded. Shen Liu had said he would send her gourds when he returned from the Capital City, and she certainly remembered this. She just didn’t expect Shen Liu to remember it so clearly and fulfill it so quickly.

Unlike the unusual-shaped gourds Lian Manman and the others initially designed, the two hourglass-shaped gourds did not have peculiar shapes. Their charm lay in the patterns on the surface. Upon closer inspection, one could see the "grown" seal script character for happiness, and the vivid imagery of two magpies perched on plum branches. Whether the character or the pattern, they sought resemblance without any semblance of craftsmanship, as though naturally grown.

At the top of the two gourds, a long section of vine remained, somehow treated to coil into a double bowtie, intricately unique.

Lian Manman couldn’t help but praise them.

Just by looking at these two gourds, one could imagine how exquisite and delicate the gourds Shen Liu sent to the Emperor as longevity gifts must be. Shen Liu’s approach to capturing their essence was truly extraordinary and refined.

"Sixth Master, are both of these for me?" Lian Manman asked, holding the gourds, unwilling to let them go.

"Of course." Seeing that Lian Manman liked the gourds, Shen Liu naturally felt pleased.

"To accept without propriety, to decline would be disrespectful, so I shall take them with gratitude." Lian Manman stood up, bowed to Shen Liu, then sat back down with a smile, put the gourds away, and even moved the wooden box closer to herself and Xiao Qi, fearing that Shen Liu might regret and take them back.

"These items, you should take them home, but don’t just keep them in the box." Shen Liu watched Lian Manman’s actions, his gaze tinged with a smile, "They should be displayed. You know the auspicious meanings associated with these gourds, don’t you?"

With the last sentence, Shen Liu used a tone of inquiry, specially glancing at Xiao Qi.

"Ward off evil." Lian Manman quickly replied. Gourds are traditional auspicious items, often hung at the doorway to ward off evil and bring fortune.

"Good fortune and prosperity." Xiao Qi said. This is derived from the homophone of ’gourd’, indicating blessings and richness.

"Rest assured, Sixth Master, we definitely won’t keep such good items hidden when we return." Lian Manman hurriedly said, simultaneously pinching Xiao Qi lightly beneath the table to signal him not to continue.

If they were to go further, gourds symbolize fertility due to their abundance, implying prosperous offspring and plenty of descendants. The hourglass design denotes harmonious marital bliss.

Lian Manman recalled mentioning to Shen Liu that she preferred the adorable, bulging gourds native to the Liaodong Prefecture more than these hourglass-shaped ones.

Perhaps Shen Liu forgot, Lian Manman thought, or perhaps Shen Liu deemed the hourglass gourds rare in Liaodong Prefecture, thus specially selecting these two gourds for her.

"Alright." Shen Liu’s eyes were keen, naturally noticing Lian Manman’s subtle gesture.

Lian Manman ought to understand his intention, he imagined. After going back, Lian Manman would likely display the gourds prominently, which gave him some minor discomfort. But, that’s alright. Though Lian Manman won’t show them to outsiders, she certainly wouldn’t hide them from her family.

"Sixth Master, the trip to the Capital City was hard, you shouldn’t be traveling again before the year ends, right?" Lian Manman chatted casually with Shen Liu. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"After resting for a few days, I still need to visit the military." Shen Liu replied.

Many of the Shen Family men serve in the military, and Shen Liu spends a substantial part of the year with the military. As the year draws to a close, he must inspect the troops. Lian Manman once heard Shen Jin say that sometimes, Shen Liu even spends the New Year in the military.

"When do you plan to return to the village?" Shen Liu asked Lian Manman.

"Within the next couple of days, depending on any instructions from Sixth Master or any plans from my brother. My sister’s wedding day is approaching, we need to go home to prepare." Lian Manman replied.

"I know about this, Wu Lang told me." Shen Liu said, "There’s enough time, no need to rush. You should get to know the families in the Prefecture City."

Lian Manman understood Shen Liu’s hint, and quickly nodded in agreement.

Footsteps sounded outside; Wu Lang, Lady Zhang, and Lian Zhizhi returned. Lian Manman seized the opportunity to pull Xiao Qi up and bid farewell to Shen Liu.

"It’s getting late, Sixth Master must be weary from travel, it’s time for some rest."

"Hmm." Shen Liu nodded as he gazed deeply at Lian Manman.

The family left the Shen Mansion and returned to their home in Pine Tree Alley. Naturally, Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang noticed the wooden box Lian Manman had someone carry back.

"What’s this?" Lady Zhang asked.

"It’s a decorative gift from Sixth Master." Lian Manman replied while instructing Xiao Xi to place the box inside the cabinet. "It’s just too fragile, easily broken, better keep it stored in the cabinet.... Mother, how did you and my sister find Phoenix Tower?"

With a light touch, Lian Manman promptly shifted the topic.

Seeking support (to be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)