Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 456 - 454: Leisurely Hours

By the end of October, the weather had gradually cooled, but the afternoon sun was still warm.

Lin Wanwan was reclining on the Imperial Concubine Couch in the side room, with a small food tray in front of her, holding peeled dried shrimp.

Lin Wanwan was watching the medical book in her hands while taking bites of dried shrimp. The shrimp was tight and firm, salty with a hint of sweetness, offering a unique taste.

The dried shrimp at the manor was sun-dried on bright sunny days, excellently seasoned. The batch of dried shrimp in front of Lin Wanwan was a prime grade, and once you started eating, you couldn’t stop.

The dried shrimp that Lin Wanwan enjoyed was made from live shrimps caught from the pristine sea of the Great Tang a thousand years ago, but the book she read was not a Tang-era book without punctuation, but a modern re-edited version of ancient medical books.

At home, no one would touch her books, so she didn’t worry about them being disturbed.

In the Great Tang, books were sacred and precious objects; servants dared not touch them, and Qingyu, who was playful and disliked reading, became stressed when faced with books and words, and thus kept her distance.

After Lin Wanwan finished reading, she would lock the book away, resting easy. Her collection of modern books was housed in a wooden box that inside, was a modern safe, inaccessible to anyone.

In the afternoon, after distributing the funds, the noisy little children at home were asleep, and Lin Wanwan laid back leisurely, eating shrimp while studying, feeling quite at ease.

Hong Yan was busy with needlework far below the window; there was no dedicated embroideress at home, so most of Lin Wanwan and Qingyu’s clothing was sewn by Yun Shang and Hong Yan.

Lin Wanwan had mentioned before that they needn’t toil unnecessarily, for she now had a silk shop in Xiaoxi Town selling ready-to-wear apparel; having them made by the shop embroiderers worked just as well.

Yet Hong Yan and Yun Shang insisted on personally sewing clothing for Lin Wanwan and her daughter, and Lin Wanwan let them proceed, appreciating their heartfelt intention.

As Lin Wanwan reached into the dish again, she realized the last peeled shrimp had already been eaten.

Sitting on a low stool, Hong Yan lifted her head and smiled at Lin Wanwan: "Lady, would you like more? I can peel some for you."

Though Lin Wanwan was still a bit unsatisfied, after thinking, she shook her head and said, "No need, moderation is key. What time is it now?"

Hong Yan replied, "Three quarters past noon, still early."

"Then it’s not early, is there no activity at the pier yet?"

Just as she posed the question, a flurry of footsteps sounded on the corridor outside, followed by Sun Chuyao’s voice: "Lady, freshly slaughtered lamb has been delivered, should we bring it home first?"

Lin Wanwan responded, "No need to bring it inside; move it right to the beachfront, the roasted lamb banquet can start preparations."

"Understood!"

Sun Chuyao received the directive and promptly retreated.

Lin Wanwan stood up, and Hong Yan quickly set aside her work, coming over to assist her lightly. As for Lin Wanwan’s book, she would not touch it.

Having finished the shrimp, Lin Wanwan no longer felt like reading medical books; after all, they’re not novels that capture your interest as easily! It’s better to set aside the book and practice the lute for a while.

She took the medical book back to her study, opened the cabinet, and put it away, then glanced outside at the weather, musing to herself, "I wonder when Xiao Chong will arrive."

Today’s banquet after distributing funds was Lin Wanwan’s long-arranged plan.

She didn’t invite the few noble ladies from town who were regular guests, as invitations involved too much etiquette, and she wasn’t keen on preparation. But of course, she invited foodie cousin Xiao Chong.

Though Xiao Chong was of noble status, his behavior was rather carefree and unrestrained, not one for traditional etiquette.

The invitation was sent to the County Government yesterday, and he replied, saying he’d arrive today. However, it seemed he might arrive quite late.

Mao County was currently in the midst of the autumn harvest; farmers had been busy for a year, looking forward to this month’s yield. Once the harvest concluded, taxes and labor duties were close behind.

Xiao Chong would become even busier, as even though subordinates assist in tasks, it all ultimately needs to be reported to him.

The County Magistrate in the Great Tang has plenty of duties, overseeing and handling various responsibilities.

Today’s weather was truly wonderful, bright and sunny, with gentle sea breezes. Compared to the early month’s heat, it was now the most comfortable time for coastal families.

The Lin Family Manor’s fishing boats set out late due to distributing funds but were back relatively early.

Lin Wanwan now had little interest in transporting seafood, sending deliveries to Jie Yuting only once every two or three days. So ordinarily, most caught fish would first be sold to fish vendors at the South Pier, only bringing Lin Wanwan the largest and fattest.

But today, with the fishing boat returning so early, clearly, it didn’t visit the South Pier since it had just opened its market.

Turns out today, the Clan Leader had ordered, asking them to bring fresh seafood back for the evening banquet side dishes.

Although Lin Wanwan mentioned treating the entire clan to a roasted lamb feast, it wasn’t to have all thirty of her sheep consumed. The Clan Leader had planned ahead, ensuring seafood was included; the more seafood everyone ate, the less meat they’d eat.

Yet the Clan Leader was destined for disappointment, as the youth in the clan had little interest in seafood.

Day after day they ate it, who would relish it anymore? Fish meat was barely acceptable; still, it couldn’t compare to lamb meat. Just think of the fragrant, juicy roasted lamb that melts in the mouth with a sprinkle of salt—a mouthwatering thought!

Nonetheless, no one dared defy the Clan Leader, even Village Lady Wanwan had to heed his words, and none of them would dare cross him.

Seafood, they would cook it; whether they ate it or not, who cared once the party started! Anyway, whoever wished to eat seafood could, while they would have the meat!

Berthing the boat, those returning from the sea busied themselves unloading the day’s catch. From afar, they could see Sun Chuyao leading a group of servants, setting up the roasting pit near the beach, with a heap of white lamb meat, enticingly tempting everyone’s heart.

Gazing upon those lambs made the fishy smell of seafood seem heavier; they didn’t want to linger over it.

"Quick, quick, quick! Let’s hurry up and help Brother Sun and them later."

"Yes, let’s hurry!"

The school bell rang "clang clang clang" as classes ended, the school doors opened, and kids raced out like wild horses.

Eagle-eyed Lin Tiezhu and others noticed the activity by the sea: "Wow wow wow! They’re setting up at the beach with lamb! We’ll have roasted lamb tonight!"

"Everybody, head over!"

No wonder they skipped labor class today—it’s because there’s a feast tonight!

Excited children dashed toward the shoreline, but were reprimanded by a few remaining elderly folks at the manor: "Slow down, slow down. Go home and change out of your scholar robes; don’t mess them up!"

It’s a night of bonfire parties; sparks aren’t discerning, and should they jump onto clothing, it would break your heart!

To those at Lin Family Manor, the scholar robes of children were their finest clothes, not easily swapped when visiting relatives, and proudly worn.