Lian Manman couldn’t help but lighten her steps, moving closer to the private room’s entrance, peering inside through the crack in the door.

There weren’t many people at the table, Steward Zhong had taken the seat of honor with Shopkeeper Wang in the next honored seat, Old Master Lian had taken the main seat to accompany, followed by Lian Shouren, Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi, along with the tavern’s Shopkeeper Wang and Wu Yugui.

Standing at the door, Lian Manman was directly opposite Old Master Lian, Lian Shouren, and Lian Shouxin, and could also see the side face of Steward Zhong. The banquet had already been underway for some time; it seemed Lian Shouren had drunk quite a bit, his cheeks glowing red, as he shared amusing occurrences from his studies, and everyone listened with smiles on their faces.

Perhaps encouraged by everyone’s attitude, Lian Shouren stood up again to toast Steward Zhong.

Lian Manman sized up the smile on Lian Shouren’s face and his back bent nearly past forty-five degrees, and recalled how Lian Shouren had accompanied the stewards from the Song Residence and Song Hailong just a few days ago. She laughed inwardly; so Scholar Lian always acted like this before the servants of the wealthy families.

However, Lian Manman’s laughter soon faded away.

As everyone chatted and laughed, Steward Zhong subtly steered the conversation from Lian Xiuxiu’s studies to the fields and farm work, even inquiring how Lian Shouxin’s harvest had been that year. Lian Shouxin had barely responded when Lian Shouren took over the conversation.

Time and again, Lian Shouren interrupted Lian Shouxin, as if he was the host of the banquet.

Lian Manman seethed with silent anger. It was one thing for Lian Shouren to want to stand out, but to repeatedly interrupt Lian Shouxin was a clear slight, diminishing his face in front of everyone.

Lian Shouxin’s face already showed a hint of embarrassment, and Old Master Lian’s smile had also faded somewhat, but he said nothing.

This visit of Lian Shouren was undoubtedly intended to forge a connection with Steward Zhong, and if he could thereby climb up to the Shen Family, then all the better. But was this how one made connections? What did he take Lian Shouxin for?

Lian Shouxin was kind-hearted and soft, considering the stature of Old Master Lian, as well as Lian Shouren’s status as an elder brother, so he was willing to be accommodating. But Lian Manman did not have such a good temper.

Feeling agitated, Lian Manman wanted to push the door open and say a few words right there and then, but on second thought, she drew back her hand. She tiptoed down the stairs, where she bumped into a young waiter at the staircase.

"Miss, who are you looking for?" the young waiter asked Lian Manman.

Lian Manman sized up the young waiter, who looked to be merely thirteen or fourteen years old and somewhat unfamiliar, suggesting he didn’t recognize her. Given her frequent visits to Yue Lai Tavern these days, he must be new here.

"Young man, may I trouble you with something?" Lian Manman asked sweetly with a smile.

"What is it?" the young waiter scratched his head, looking a bit flushed.

"Young man, could you go to that room?" Lian Manman pointed towards the private room she had been observing, "Find a Scholar named Lian and tell him that someone from the county has come for him, and he needs to go there immediately."

"Is that all? Why don’t you tell him yourself?" the young waiter asked, puzzled.

"There are too many people inside, and I’m scared." Lian Manman feigned shyness.

The young waiter figured that the private room must be full of male guests and a young girl, bashful and timid, would be hesitant to go inside to find someone. He was immediately filled with chivalrous spirit.

"Alright, I’ll go and tell him for you." the young waiter puffed up his chest.

"Wait a minute," Lian Manman called out to the young waiter again, "Young man, when you get him out, tell him that the gentleman said it’s a matter of great importance and cannot be delayed. The gentleman is waiting for him on Temple...Street, and he must hurry over there quickly."

"Okay." The young waiter agreed.

"Thank you, young man." Lian Manman took out a few copper coins from her purse and placed them in the young waiter’s hand, then quickly descended the stairs.

After turning the corner of the staircase, Lian Manman paused, glancing upstairs to see the young waiter heading towards the private room. She then slowly ascended the stairs, and once the young waiter knocked on the door and entered the private room, she quickly moved behind a screen in the corridor, concealing herself.

Before long, the young waiter and Lian Shouren came out of the private room, one after the other.

Lian Manman nodded to herself; receiving word that someone from the county was looking for him, Lian Shouren would surely come out.

"Who’s looking for me?" Lian Shouren looked around but saw no one, so he asked the young waiter.

"A young girl passed the message, saying that the gentleman had urgent matters to discuss with you, and it couldn’t be delayed, or else it could lead to trouble." the young waiter said.

"Where is the gentleman?" Lian Shouren hurriedly asked.

"The gentleman is waiting for you on Temple...Street." the young waiter said.