Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 885 - 452: Instant-Boiled Mutton

Second watchman shift, seeking pink stars.

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Lian Zhizhi is a shy girl, when Lian Manman said this, her face turned red immediately.

Lian Manman found it amusing and chuckled softly.

"Manman, don’t always tease your sister." Lady Zhang, seeing this, said with a smile.

They were inside someone else’s shop, with the shopkeeper, clerks, and other customers around, so Lian Manman naturally knew not to overdo it.

Eventually, the three women picked out twelve quality sheepskins and had the clerk arrange to deliver them to Thirty Mile Camp in the afternoon. Only then did they leave the fur shop and head straight to the Lu Family’s Grocery.

The Lu Family’s Grocery was the biggest in Qingyang Town, with the most comprehensive range of goods and fair prices. As Lian Manman entered the grocery, Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi were already inside, being accompanied by the second owner, Lu Bingwu, who sat by the stove inside the store, chatting and warming themselves.

Upon seeing them arrive, Lu Bingwu quickly stood up, respectfully calling Lady Zhang ’Auntie’ and inviting them to warm up by the stove. He then summoned the clerks to bring over some hot pots for them to choose from.

"...These are sourced from Prefecture City, from a century-old workshop; their hot pots are the best-sellers, used by families in Prefecture City, the county city, and our town." the shopkeeper of Lu Family’s Grocery explained as he pointed out each hot pot to them.

Lian Manman looked them over and chose a medium-sized bronze hot pot. Grabbing the handles, she lifted the hot pot and estimated its weight to be at least five pounds. Upon opening the lid and checking the thickness of the walls and the fine craftsmanship, Lian Manman was also very pleased. In this era, quality of old brands was beyond reproach—exceptionally reliable. Like this bronze hot pot, it could be used for a lifetime and even passed down through generations.

The bronze hot pot was good at conducting heat, and the size was just right for their family of six.

Seeing that Lian Manman had made her choice, Lian Shouxin, Lady Zhang, and Wu Lang all came over to take a closer look and were very satisfied. The hot pot, along with a base pad, a pure copper smoke hood, a charcoal tong, and a small ladle, amounted to six and a half ounces of silver.

Having purchased the bronze pot, the family also conveniently bought some brown sugar, white sugar, ’Fu’ characters, New Year pictures, and other items from the store. They usually would buy Spring Festival couplets as well, but this year they didn’t need to; they just bought large red papers and planned to ask Mr. Loo to write them when they got home, which would surely be much better than what could be bought outside.

After leaving the Lu Family’s Grocery, the family went to stroll the market.

They bought two baskets full of firecrackers and added plenty of fireworks, making Xiao Qi absolutely delighted. They then bought several fish, charcoal, various candies, snacks, and filled a cart to take home.

In the afternoon, the gold and silver jewelry, sheepskins, and hot pot they ordered were all delivered one after another. Lian Manman handled the payments, and then the family sat down to look at the piles of goods they had purchased.

Lian Manman began by distributing the jewelry. Wu Lang and Xiao Qi took the necklaces and lockets handed to them by Lian Manman, both somewhat astonished. Neither had expected Lian Manman to buy them items at the jewelry shop as well.

Everyone in the family had some gold and silver items, except Lian Shouxin who didn’t mind. He just watched with a cheerful grin. In his view, men shouldn’t wear such fripperies, only children and women liked these things. Besides, Lian Manman had also explained that spending money on these items was more like converting silver coins into another form of savings.

After organizing the purchased goods, the hot pot was not put away. Lian Manman suggested they have hot pot with sliced lamb for supper. Naturally, everyone agreed; Lian Shouxin took the hot pot to wash and prepare the charcoal, while Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi prepared the bone broth and sliced lamb.

Wu Lang and Xiao Qi went to invite Mr. Loo to write the Spring Festival couplets.

Lian Manman was also busy preparing the dipping sauce for the sliced lamb hot pot.

To make the dipping sauce for the sliced lamb hot pot, the main ingredient was naturally sesame paste. The other two essential and irreplaceable ingredients were fermented tofu and garlic chives. With these three items, which Lian Manman’s family already had in stock, it was possible to make the most basic dipping sauce. Of course, to make the sauce tastier, other ingredients could be added. Salt was obviously necessary, and Lian Manman also prepared sesame oil, shrimp sauce, homemade broad bean paste, and fresh soup stock, among others.