Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 615 - 316 Courtesy_2

Apart from these three gifts, this year’s Dragon Boat Festival saw Lian Manman’s family having to prepare an additional one.

"How should we arrange for Scholar Wang’s gift?" Lady Zhang discussed with everyone. Scholar Wang’s Family in Thirty Mile Camp had a good reputation, although they rarely interacted with others except for a few close relatives. Before the Lian Family split, there was no contact with Scholar Wang’s Family. After the separation, specifically since Lian’s moved their shop, they began to have dealings with Scholar Wang’s Family.

Given the wealth of Scholar Wang’s Family, if Lian Manman’s family sent too extravagant a gift, it would strain their finances; yet sending something too modest might not make it through the door of Scholar Wang’s Family.

"Just send the usual," Lian Manman thought for a moment before saying. She did not want to fawn over Scholar Wang’s Family; maintaining simple contact was enough.

But one should not underestimate the importance of maintaining this relationship, as it could save them a lot of trouble. The saying goes: ’A local official is not as good as the one currently in charge.’ As a local gentry, Scholar Wang held considerable influence.

However, Lian Manman’s family’s shop did not need to rely on Scholar Wang. Therefore, the gift should not be too lavish, but it also should not be too light.

"...Five types of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), five of each type, plus two baskets of fresh vegetables and two small jars of grape wine," Lian Manman thought for a moment and said. It was a simple and common exchange, similar to what was given to the Wu Family and Wang Youheng, but with two fewer sachets than what was sent to the Wu Family, and two fewer pairs of shoes compared to the Wang Youheng family’s share.

Sachets and shoes could not be sent indiscriminately; Lian Manman’s family was not that close to Scholar Wang’s Family.

After a family discussion, it was settled like that.

...

After the Zhang Family’s festival gift was sent, on the second market day, Zhang Qingshan had someone bring back a basket of apricots for Lian Manman’s family. As for Scholar Wang’s Family, it was still Lian Shouxin who delivered the gift. Scholar Wang invited Lian Shouxin to dine with them and also sent a return gift.

A bolt of bright red silk and a pair of official kiln porcelain vases with the design of peonies signifying wealth.

These two items would stand out even among officials and the gentry and were even more exquisite and rare in the households of tenant farmers.

The Steward who came with the return gift also mentioned the fresh vegetables Lian Shouxin had sent, saying that both Scholar Wang and his wife enjoyed them immensely.

"We don’t have these around here, it’s commendable of you to have such wide-reaching capabilities," he said.

Lian Shouxin was not foolish and immediately took up the conversation, mentioning that if Scholar Wang’s Family still wanted more, they just had to say the word, and the Lian Family would pick the freshest vegetables from their garden and send them right over.

The Steward thus left very happily.

Lady Zhang, admiring the beautiful porcelain vases, excitedly placed them in the inner room of the new shop, only to become so attached after a day that she wanted to put them away.

"When our new house is finished this autumn, we’ll put them there," Lady Zhang said.

Lian Manman stopped her mother with a smile.

"Mother, since they’re already displayed here, let’s just keep them up," Lian Manman said, "Mother, you find these exotic now, but in the future, we’ll surely have no shortage of such items, and even better things will be plentiful."

Eventually, they wouldn’t need anyone to gift them; they’d be able to purchase such items themselves. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Wu Lang also nodded, thinking that the vases looked good where they were placed.

"Mother, even my brother agrees. As long as my brother does well in the imperial examinations, are you worried that people won’t send you fine things?" Lian Manman said with a laugh.

"Exactly!" With Lian Manman’s words, Lady Zhang was even happier.

"Brother, you must work harder. Mother is counting on you," Lian Manman turned and smiled at Wu Lang, "Did you finish the essay Mr. Loo assigned you today?"

"Almost, I’ll copy it out right now and take it to the teacher for review," Wu Lang replied, hurrying off.

"Your brother knows to work hard by himself, he doesn’t need prodding, that’s a relief," Lady Zhang said, her heart aching for her son.

"Mother, I’m just giving him a reminder, it’s called ’motivation,’ not ’nagging,’" Lian Manman laughed, "Ah, Xiao Qi got hit with the teacher’s paddle yesterday."

Lady Zhang’s face became complicated for a moment.

"I’ll go pick some vegetables and add an extra dish for Mr. Loo tonight," Lady Zhang said, then she too went outside.

Lian Manman smiled to herself in the room. Like any ordinary mother, Lady Zhang’s heart ached for her children. But she knew not to spoil them, so regarding how strictly Mr. Loo taught Wu Lang and Xiao Qi, she always bore it without saying a word. However, a mother’s heart always wished to treat Mr. Loo with more generosity, hoping he would go easier on Wu Lang and Xiao Qi when wielding the paddle.

What Zhang didn’t know was that her actions led to the exact opposite result.

Because Lady Zhang didn’t say anything, her anxious expression when her sons were being punished, followed by the extra food she provided, moved Mr. Loo greatly. He decided to repay this by doubling his attentiveness. Hence, he became even more dedicated and, of course, stricter with Wu Lang and Xiao Qi. When the paddle came into play, it was wielded with earnestness, never simply raised high and brought down lightly.

...

Three days before the Dragon Boat Festival, Lian’s started selling zongzi.

The zongzi from Lian’s were each two taels in weight, more not less. Yellow rice zongzi were three Wen Money each, glutinous rice zongzi were four Wen Money each, glutinous rice zongzi with red dates were nine Wen Money for two, and fresh meat or salted egg yolk zongzi were five Wen Money each.

Many people who came to the shop for breakfast bought zongzi to eat and also took a couple back for snacks. Yellow rice and glutinous rice zongzi were equally popular, but the fresh meat and salted egg yolk zongzi were the first to sell out.

Due to the festival, the shop was busier than usual, but the shop assistants were all very happy; given that it was a holiday, Lian’s provided them with benefits.

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Posting the third update, asking for pink votes. 260 votes will unlock the fourth update.

Yesterday the pink votes were powerful, thank you for your support. Today’s the weekend, hoping the pink votes continue going strong. Ruoyan will be diving down to write, hopefully to come up with the fourth update, and to see an even fiercer torrent of pink votes.

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Ruoyan’s completed farming novel recommendation:

Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Complete with extras) (The link is below; click to go directly there)

Summary: Transmigrated as a woman falsely accused of losing her chastity, carrying a little bun, together with her economically savvy partner, sweet life unfolds. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to vote on Qidian.com for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)