Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 709 - 363: The Supreme Courtesy_2

Lian Shouxin’s voice grew softer.

Lian Manman chuckled to herself, suspecting that Lady Zhou was not just unhappy but very unhappy. It was likely that Lady Zhou had scolded Lian Shouxin again.

"Mother, my grandpa said my dad is now strong enough to carry the Zao Pit Gate on his shoulders, and he’s absolutely right," Lian Manman whispered to Lady Zhang, "If this were before, just one glare from Granny would have my dad saying nothing, submitting to whatever Granny said."

Lady Zhang gave Lian Shouxin a glance and couldn’t help but smile.

"Dad, don’t listen to Granny pretend to be poor. Remember the day of the family split? Didn’t you watch as my second uncle searched through my eldest uncle’s chest and found several pieces of fine cloth that were presentable? And before that, right after my eldest uncle returned from the county town, Granny searched my eldest uncle’s wife’s chest and also found several pieces of cloth... Just taking out two would be enough for a respectable gift," said Lian Manman.

"It seems nothing can be hidden from you," Lady Zhang said, laughing as Lian Manman knew these details so well. "I’m afraid Granny is just too reluctant to give any away, wanting to save it all for her old maid."

"Well, that’s beyond our control," Lian Manman replied.

For instance, even though they disliked Lady Gu, they still contributed to the gift for the Song Family when she went into the city, but this time, gifting a congratulatory present to Scholar Wang’s Family was absolutely out of the question for them.

In a flash, it was the day for Wang Youhuai’s wedding. Wang Youhuai’s bride came from Zhou Family in Yian County, about a hundred miles from Thirty Mile Camp. The Zhou Family of Yian County was also a prominent household, with ancestors who had served as fourth-rank court officials. The current family members were pursuing scholarly careers, a fitting match for Scholar Wang’s Family.

The wedding of Scholar Wang’s Family, matched with such prestige on the bride’s side, promised an exceptionally grand and bustling celebration. People even from other villages came early to gawk and join the excitement.

From the Lian Family, Old Master Lian, Lian Shouren, and Lian Shouxin, all three gentlemen were to attend the feast, leaving the ladies and children at home.

Lian Yeye had some free time today and came over to find Lian Manman.

"Sister Manman, let’s go see the festivities as well. I heard that the bride’s dowry is enormous," Lian Yeye said to Lian Manman.

Lian Manman, keen to have some fun herself, immediately agreed.

"Sis, I want to go too," Xiao Qi overheard and came running over. Since it was his day off from private school, and after finishing his assignments—Wu Lang continued to bury his head in his books—Xiao Qi became restless.

"Alright, let’s go take a look and come straight back," said Lian Manman.

After informing Lady Zhang, the three children set off toward Scholar Wang’s home. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Due to the Wang Family’s wedding day, the village was much busier than usual—many people stood in the streets, and like Lian Manman and the others, headed toward the Wang Family to catch a closer glimpse of the revelry.

Passing through the grove, they saw the grand shadow wall at the entrance of the Wang Family. The timing for Lian Manman and the others was impeccable. The bride’s palanquin had just arrived, and they heard someone shout, "The auspicious time has arrived," followed by the crackling noise of firecrackers which sounded like thunder, as the grand red bridal palanquin was carried into the gate.

The group of older children pressed forward, eager to get a clearer view.

"I see it, I saw the bride’s foot," one child shouted.

Lian Manman couldn’t help but laugh. The palanquin had been carried into the outer courtyard, and the bride hadn’t even alighted yet. She was unlikely to come out until after entering the inner courtyard. At this point, it was impossible to even catch a glimpse of the bride’s dress. These little rascals were entertaining themselves, calling out with such excitement.

The gang of children pushed forward, as if they wished to follow right into the courtyard. The Wang Family’s servants were already at the door, blocking them. Soon after, a robust granny, wearing festive red and green clothes and carrying a small winnowing basket under her arm, came out from inside.

The children were instantly thrilled.

"The lucky money is being distributed, the lucky money is coming!" they exclaimed as they jostled to get to the front.

Indeed, the granny made her way to the entrance, holding the winnowing basket in her hands.

"You little monkeys, back up a bit," she exclaimed.

The children, fearing a delay in the distribution of the lucky money, obediently retreated a couple of steps—but only a couple, as none of them were willing to move back any further.

After the granny cursed the "little monkeys" with a laugh, she started to utter auspicious phrases and tossed the copper coins from the basket like a scattering rain.

The group of children screamed and shouted as they scrambled to pick up the coins.

Lian Manman didn’t join the scramble and held Xiao Qi back as well, fearing that he could get hurt by some of the bigger kids.

"There must be less than two hundred coins," Lian Manman remarked, simply observing the falling rain of coins. Counting coins daily had made her proficient in estimating quantities without needing to count them individually.

Throwing over a hundred coins as wedding lucky money, Scholar Wang was indeed being generous compared to others in the village.

After the scramble for coins ended, some children gradually dispersed, while others didn’t leave and peeked curiously into the courtyard. A servant came over to shoo them aside, making way for guests arriving with gifts to enter.

While inside sounded exceptionally lively with music and drums, Lian Manman was in no hurry to leave. She was craning her neck to peer into the courtyard when she saw a young man dressed in a vermilion gold-patterned robe and short pink boots crossing the yard, gesturing to a servant and whispering a few words.

The servant nodded and left through the gate.

As the young man turned to go back in, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at Lian Manman.

"Brother Youheng, Brother Youheng has spotted us," Xiao Qi giggled.

The young man was indeed Wang Youheng.

***......****

Here’s an update, seeking roses, seeking a spot on the leaderboard. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it, offer your monthly tickets, and your support is my greatest motivation.)