What is Old Madam Shen planning to do with Lian Huahua? Before falling asleep, such a question flashed through Lian Manman’s mind. Send Lian Huahua back home? That’s not possible, because it would affect all the girls in the Lian Family, even those who have split households. It would also look bad for the Song Family’s face.

She can’t be sent away, nor can she always be kept as a decoration, so what will happen?

The carriage drove to Qingyang Town, and Lian Manman only woke up from her nap then. Xiao Qi woke up earlier than her, was lifting a corner of the curtain, looking out. Today is the market day in Qingyang Town, and the town is bustling with people coming and going.

The carriage passed Butcher Zhang’s meat shop, and Lian Manman saw Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang’s carriage stopped in front.

Erlang was holding a strip of pork belly, standing in front of the carriage, and talking to Lian Shouxin inside the carriage.

"My dad, my uncle, and Brother Jizu have returned. My grandpa asked me to buy some meat for a feast." Erlang said to Lian Shouxin.

Lian Manman calculated that Lian Shouren and the others went for labor service, now it had been nearly two months, and they should be back by now. She wondered if the laborious days had changed them somewhat.

"Have you finished buying? If you have, let’s go back together." Lian Shouxin said to Erlang.

"Fourth Uncle, you go back first. My grandpa’s vegetables are not all bought yet." Erlang said.

"That’s fine too," Lian Shouxin said.

Leaving the town, after a while, they arrived at Thirty Mile Camp and saw their familiar shop, the archway, the new courtyard... Xiao Qi cheered. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Lian Manman’s heart also felt a bit of excitement.

This was the first time being away from home for so long. Yes, home, Lian Manman realized, unconsciously, she had long recognized this place as her home in her heart. The days away made her more deeply understand how important this home was to her.

The carriage entered the courtyard and stopped, and Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi had already come out to greet them. The family reunion was naturally very cordial. Wu Lang and Lian Shouxin were okay; they had returned during these days. Lian Manman and Xiao Qi had been in the county town all the time. Lady Zhang hugged them both at once, and her eyes turned moist.

"Mom, let’s talk inside, it’s cold outside," Lian Manman said.

"Alright, alright, let’s go inside to talk. You must be cold from the ride, I knew you would come back today, just heated the kang," Lady Zhang said.

Leaving Xiao Fu and Xiao Xi to move the luggage, the family laughed and chatted as they went to the back courtyard, sitting in the Upper Room East Room eventually.

As soon as Lian Manman and Xiao Qi entered the room, they took off their shoes and sat at the edge of the kang. Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi busied themselves with serving hot tea and snacks.

"Mom, I’m a bit hungry, can we have dinner earlier?" Xiao Qi said to Lady Zhang.

"Sure, sure," Lady Zhang agreed immediately.

"Mom, I missed your cooking," Xiao Qi added.

"What do you want to eat? Tell mom, and I’ll go to the kitchen to make food for you," Lady Zhang was coaxed into laughter, and said, "Didn’t you say you hired a cook? Why has my Xiao Qi gone hungry?"

"Not really hungry, just no one’s cooking is as good as mom’s," Xiao Qi laughed.

By this time, Xiao Xi and Han Zhong’s wife brought in Lian Manman’s luggage and the things she bought back from the county town.

Lian Manman asked Xiao Xi to arrange her luggage in the west room, while she unfolded the things she brought back with Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi.

"Oh my, why did you buy so many things back?" Lady Zhang said as she opened the bundle and looked at the assorted items inside.

"These are the new items at our department store..." Lian Manman said, "Mom, this is for you, this is for my sister, this is for Aunt Wu, this is for Yeye, and Jiayu, this is for my grandma, my two aunts, and Sister Caiyun."

Lian Manman picked each item, Lian’s Department Store had a batch of new small household goods: the famous double-layer comb from Changzhou, horn combs from Hejian Prefecture, Jasmine scented powder from Suzhou, silk embroidered handkerchiefs from Hangzhou, exquisite hairpins from the Capital City, boxed balsam, perfumed hair oil from Taiyuan Prefecture, delicately carved sandalwood swift hairpins, red agate bracelets, green agate rings...

These items, Lian Manman had prepared several sets, intending to give them as gifts. Among them, Lady Zhang and Lian Zhizhi received an extra red gold hairpin and a set of gold trinkets each.

"This balsam is good," Lady Zhang, almost dazzled, picked out a box of balsam, opened it, smelled it, and applied some to her hand. "The Upper Room people used to use this; not only does it smell nice, but in winter, it keeps the hands smooth and not cracked."

"Mom, you and my sister use this first. In the future, we’ll get better ones." Lian Manman said.

In addition to these daily small goods, Lian Manman also brought back several pieces of fabric from the county town, which she chose herself, with the intention of adding new clothes for the family before the new year.

"Mom, make these into outer clothes, let’s not add any new cotton-padded clothes this year. A few days ago, I went to the fur store, and their shopkeeper said they would get a batch of good hides in a few days. Then, we’ll all go to town and get some big fur clothes each." Lian Manman said.

"Alright," Lady Zhang naturally nodded.

After looking over all the items and putting them away, Lady Zhang asked about their situation in the county town.

Everyone talked one after another, recounting everything from the county town, eventually mentioning the visit to the Song Residence today.

"Huahua is not behaving at the Song Family? Oh, this is not a rare thing." Lady Zhang said just one sentence, then added, "Did the Song Family send things for his grandpa and grandma?"

"Yes, they did, it is still in the carriage outside, let’s send it over later." Lian Shouxin said.

"Oh right, the head of the family has returned," Lady Zhang said.

"We know, we saw Brother Erlang buying groceries on the road just now," Lian Manman said.

As they were speaking, Xiao Xi came in from outside to report that Lian Shouli had arrived.

"Said that the Old Master and Old Lady at the old house have invited Master and Eldest Master over for dinner," Xiao Xi reported.

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Here’s the second update. It’s nearing the end of the month, and we’re asking everyone for support with pink votes O(∩_∩)O

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Recommended completed book by Ruoyan: "The Brocade Screen Chronicles" light house fight farmland tale, about the long and short of family affairs and entanglements in a large mansion.

Book number: 1771214

Below is a direct link, click to go directly. (to be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly votes, your support is my greatest motivation.)