Additional Chapter, asking for pink votes.
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Shen Liu looked at Lian Manman, feeling a bit puzzled. This little girl, upon entering, kept sneaking glances at his face with curious eyes, then seed lost in thought. He didn’t really believe there was sothing odd on his face, but Lian Manman’s strange behavior was perplexing. It was worth noting that Lian Manman had never acted like this in front of him before.
"How could it be?" Lian Manman noticed Shen Liu’s slightly raised eyebrow with a questioning look, realizing her sneaky glances had been noticed. "Sixth Master looks especially well today. It seems everything has been going smoothly lately."
Lian Manman quickly flattered Shen Liu, although she wasn’t entirely insincere. Shen Liu did indeed look well today, and he seed to be in a particularly good mood.
Shen Liu heard Lian Manman’s words and his gaze towards her unconsciously carried a trace of smile.
"Things going smoothly? It’s just a rare bit of leisure," Shen Liu replied.
Two maidservants entered with tea and snacks, then quietly withdrew. Lian Manman noticed Cai Xiu still serving outside the door, while the ones who ca in to serve tea and snacks were two other tall maidservants in long gowns.
It seed the maidservants in Shen Liu’s room had very clear divisions of labor, Lian Manman thought.
"Sixth Brother, why don’t you stay here a few more days? It’s peaceful and the climate is nice. Fifth Sister also said the water here is excellent, not worse than the spring water we use for tea at ho," Shen Qian said at this ti.
Early sumr is one of the most pleasant tis of the year at Thirty Mile Camp. Lian Manman also really liked this ti; the weather had ward but was not yet hot. Besides this season, she also liked autumn.
Late spring, early sumr, and mid-autumn are the best seasons in Thirty Mile Camp.
"...If you like the water here, just instruct them to send so ho regularly," Shen Liu did not imdiately respond to Shen Qian’s words, taking a sip of tea before speaking slowly.
Shen Qian chuckled twice, then slightly turned his body, facing away from Lian Manman, and winked towards Shen Liu who was behind the desk.
Shen Liu took another sip of tea, ignoring Shen Qian’s antics.
Shen Qian raised his hand to touch his nose, coughed dryly twice, and lowered his head.
"With Mr. Loo not around, Manman, whom are you studying with now? Has the family appointed you a teacher?" Shen Liu put down his teacup, not looking at Shen Qian, but asking Lian Manman instead.
"Studying with Mr. Loo, I’ve learned most of the characters and read a few books," Lian Manman inford Shen Liu, "I don’t need to take the civil service exams like my brothers, just reading books I like in my free ti. I wouldn’t say it’s for gaining knowledge, it’s just leisure."
"Very good." Shen Liu nodded approvingly, greatly endorsing Lian Manman’s remark about learning from reading. "Reading so books is extrely beneficial for you. But don’t overdo it and beco a female pedant."
It was rare for Shen Liu to talk this way, so Lian Manman couldn’t help but chuckle.
Shen Qian again turned his body away from Lian Manman, casting an almost plaintive look at Shen Liu.
The corners of Shen Liu’s mouth slightly curled up.
"Manman, if you have nothing else to do, why not co every day with Xiao Qi to learn a bit from Master Chu too?" Shen Liu suggested.
Lian Manman was a little puzzled, as Shen Liu’s previous and current statents contradicted each other, not sure what he ant.
"Thank you, Sixth Master. If I have any questions, I would indeed like to consult Master Chu," Lian Manman replied.
"Hmm." Shen Liu nodded, glanced at the Self-Ringing Clock in the corner, "The Chinese hour is not early, you should be off to class."
Lian Manman, Xiao Qi, and Shen Qian all stood up.
"Sixth Master, should I take Xiao Qi there?" Lian Manman asked. Bringing Xiao Qi to study naturally ant escorting him to the place, checking the study environnt at Xiao Shan Ju, and more importantly, she wanted to et Master Chu to thank him in person.
"Go ahead." Shen Liu nodded, picking up a letter on the desk.
Standing there, Lian Manman saw a red seal on the letter; it seed to be an official docunt. Although he ntioned rare leisure, it was only relative. Bringing siblings for a brief stay at Nian Garden ant he had not imdiately returned, yet he still handled official business. No wonder he was unwilling to answer Shen Qian’s suggestion for him to stay longer.
Upon leaving Evergreen Garden, walking southwest, bypassing an artificial hill, and crossing a Stone Arch Bridge, was Xiao Shan Ju where Shen Qian lived. Xiao Shan Ju nestled by the mountain, offered a serene and tranquil environnt. Unlike the splendor and elegance of Lotus Pavilion and Evergreen Garden, its construction and furnishing emphasized rustic simplicity, akin to an hermitage.
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