After a whole day of traveling, everyone was tired, so they made brief arrangents and then returned to their rooms to rest. Although it was their own house, since it was their first ti coming to Prefecture City and their first ti in this house, the environnt was still unfamiliar. Therefore, Lian Manman lay on the bed but did not fall asleep imdiately.
It was already late autumn, with the night especially carrying a chill. The climate in Shen City was not significantly different from Thirty Mile Camp, as the distance between the two places was still less than two hundred miles. Wrapped in a newly sun-dried cotton quilt, Lian Manman thought about her ho in Thirty Mile Camp for a while, then pondered their developnt in Prefecture City.
It was only after she ca up with so ideas that Lian Manman gradually fell asleep.
The next day, Lian Manman’s biological clock, which she had developed over the years, woke her up early as usual. Outside the room, several maidservants had gotten up even earlier than Lian Manman. After washing up with their assistance and changing clothes, Aunt Zhao ca to greet her, asking where she wanted to have breakfast — should she go to the front hall to eat with the family, or have a table set up in the backyard to eat alone.
In wealthy families with many mbers, it’s common for them to eat separately. Lian Manman’s family could have done so a long ti ago, but none of them ever considered doing it.
It might be more convenient to eat alone in one’s own yard or room, but they still preferred having the family gathered around one table, eating warmly together.
Perhaps in the future, when Wu Lang and Xiao Qi each get married and have a bunch of children, and those children marry and have their own children, they might eat separately due to the sheer number of people. But that would be in a very distant future, Lian Manman thought. For now, they couldn’t accept the idea of eating separately.
"Go to the front hall to eat," Lian Manman told Aunt Zhao.
Lian Manman’s family, along with Mr. Loo, all had the habit of rising early. Lian Manman was actually the last to get up among them. Lian Shouxin didn’t need to be ntioned; it’s the diligent habit of a farr. Mr. Loo, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi all needed to get up early to study.
Lian Manman got up and went to the front hall, watching the attendants set up a table full of breakfast. Soon, Lian Shouxin, Mr. Loo, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi arrived as well. After exchanging greetings, they sat down to eat.
After the al, Wu Lang and Lian Manman discussed things and first sent soone to deliver a visiting card to the Shen Mansion while instructing others to prepare the carriage. A group of them then headed to the roast duck shop.
The restaurant Wu Lang had rented was located on the busiest Guangju Street in Shen City. It’s a three-story pavilion made of brick and wood, with upturned eaves and angular corners, resembling Shen City’s gate towers and corner towers. Not just this restaurant, but ever since entering the city yesterday, Lian Manman had noticed many buildings in Shen City were in this style.
And after looking this morning, Lian Manman further noticed that the architectural style in Shen City was quite uniform, without much variation. Lian Manman thought this might be because Shen City was originally built as a fort, a military stronghold, so many buildings were constructed by the governnt and military.
Wu Lang seed to notice Lian Manman’s question and told her that these uniformly styled buildings in the city were all modeled after the Shen Family’s Phoenix Tower.
"...You’ll know when you visit them," Wu Lang told Lian Manman.
After leasing the restaurant, it underwent renovation and transformation, especially the facade, which adopted the brightest, most festive, and opulent colors — red, gold, and blue. Even amidst the surrounding hustle and bustle, it stood out exceptionally, looking grand.
The renovation and transformation plans were finalized with Lian Manman’s help, and now seeing the actual results, she felt very satisfied.
The group got off the carriage, and Shopkeeper Chen had already brought several attendants to welco them at the door, and they walked into the restaurant surrounded by everyone.
Inside the restaurant, the tables and chairs were already set up. The first floor had open seating, while the second and third floors consisted of private rooms. Lian Manman examined all three floors, went into the kitchen and warehouse, and found everything in order, feeling very pleased.
Finally, they all sat down in the accounting room, and Shopkeeper Chen directed soone to serve tea and snacks.
"Is everything ready? Is anything missing?" Lian Manman asked Shopkeeper Chen.
"Everything is ready, Miss," Shopkeeper Chen replied with a smile.
Everything was prepared, aning they were just waiting for an auspicious day to open.
"...Our Lian’s buns have gradually earned a reputation. The Lian’s Restaurant in the county town benefited from this reputation. When Lian’s Departnt Store opened, we all contributed in various ways, Shopkeeper Chen you should also know. Now, for our roast duck shop, although it has made so commotion with the recent renovations, it’s still far from enough."
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