The entire lantern market was like a winding dragon of lights, and they were walking on its back. Sitting on horseback, Lian Manman’s gaze moved away from the lanterns on either side and fell on Shen Liu’s back.
The clamor of the crowd seed to gradually fade away, leaving only the street filled with lights, the snowflakes filling the sky, and the silhouette in front of her. At this mont, in this scene, Lian Manman suddenly wished this road of the lantern market could be longer.
No matter what, may people live long and well, Lian Manman secretly prayed.
The lantern market street in Prefecture City was naturally not short, but eventually, everyone reached the end of the lantern market, and by then, the snow had beco heavier, seemingly falling in clusters.
Although everyone felt a bit unsatisfied, they had no choice but to ride back to the mansion.
Lian Manman family bid farewell to Shen Liu, and apart from the person who led the family’s horse, Shen Liu also sent several other people to escort them ho. When they arrived ho, those people took the horses back, except for the big black horse Shen Liu gave to Lian Manman, which stayed, along with the sturdy woman who led Lian Manman’s horse.
The steward ca rushing to report, saying that just now, when the coachman ca back with the carriage, he also brought a man back.
"... Said it was sent by Sixth Master Shen to take care of the horses..." The steward, although temporarily keeping the man, was still in a fog at that mont.
However, the woman who led the horse ca over and saluted Lian Manman.
"I am Zhao, and my husband is Sun, called Big Sun. My husband and I used to take care of Sixth Master Shen’s horses. The Sixth Master instructed to send us to the young lady to take care of the horse, and from now on, we’ll follow the young lady’s orders in everything."
Lian Manman quickly had soone call Big Sun over. The couple then saluted Lian Manman and handed over their servitude contracts. Lian Manman had no choice but to accept them. It seed that Shen Liu had prepared this gift quite thoroughly.
It was already late at night, so Lian Manman didn’t ask the couple too many questions, but instructed the steward to arrange accommodations for them, and also prepared the stable for the big black horse. Once everything was settled, Aunt Zhou from the kitchen brought so midnight snacks.
The family was a bit hungry, so they sat around and started eating.
"Dad, Mom, Brother, Sister, I want to learn how to ride a horse too." Xiao Qi, after taking a bite of the snack, said enthusiastically, "Riding on horseback to see the lanterns today was really fun. It was even better than last ti when we watched the lanterns from the Nine-layered Pagoda. I want to learn how to ride a horse too."
"Horses aren’t as stable as mules; I was worried while sitting in the carriage earlier." Lady Zhang said worriedly, "Xiao Qi, you’re still young, wait a few years."
The so-called waiting a few years was sothing parents often said to put off certain requests from their children. It was actually just a delaying tactic many parents naturally beca adept at using. Usually, when they said this, it ant that even after a few years, they wouldn’t agree to the child’s request.
"The horse we were riding on was a trained military horse, obedient and not easily startled, plus soone was leading it, so it wasn’t dangerous." Lian Shouxin said.
Lady Zhang gave Lian Shouxin a glare, blaming him for undermining her. However, what Lian Shouxin said did indeed reassure her a lot.
"Sixth Master gave Manman a horse; that’s quite a generous gift." Lady Zhang said, "Manman, why didn’t you refuse a bit earlier, why did you accept it so readily?"
"Mom, Sixth Master genuinely wanted to give it to . If I had refused on purpose, he might have been unhappy." Lian Manman said, "Besides, I really wanted a horse."
"Sixth Master’s temperant, indeed, is quite sothing." Lian Shouxin said.
"We didn’t take his horse for nothing." Lian Manman added, "I’ve thought it through; what I said in the small study shouldn’t go to waste. When we return ho, we should get things ready and put in so effort."
"That’s a good idea." Wu Lang nodded.
Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang also nodded.
Xiao Qi blinked his big eyes and picked out a red bean pastry to give to Lian Manman, trying to please her.
"Sister, here you go, I know you love this." Xiao Qi’s large eyes curved into crescent moons as he spoke to Lian Manman.
Lian Manman glanced at Xiao Qi. Generally, whenever Xiao Qi acted all endearing and well-behaved, he had sothing to ask of her. Pondering for a mont over what Xiao Qi might ask of her at this ti, Lian Manman deliberately pretended not to see the pastry Xiao Qi held out, picked another one, and took small bites, ignoring Xiao Qi who held up the pastry with watery eyes, looking pitiful.
Seeing that Lian Manman ignored him, Xiao Qi took a bite of the red bean pastry in his hand and scooted closer to Lian Manman. He wouldn’t give up so easily, and he was confident that Lian Manman would eventually agree.
Lian Manman continued having her snack, while thinking about horse keeping in the future. Keeping a horse, especially a warhorse like the black one, was quite an expense. However, of course, such an expense wasn’t much for them nowadays. Shen Liu also sent two horse keepers, which was a great thing. In the future, acquiring a couple more horses wouldn’t be a worry as there wouldn’t be a lack of caretakers.
As Lian Manman thought of this, she rembered what Xiao Qi had said earlier.
"By the way, why didn’t we see Xiao Jiu today?" Lian Manman asked.
"He was still there when we were watching the lanterns at the Phoenix Tower, but later soone called him away, saying that the Shen family’s elder master was looking for him. Brother Xiao Jiu wasn’t done having fun and was a bit unhappy." Xiao Qi replied, then lowered his voice, leaning towards Lian Manman’s ear, "Sister, Brother Xiao Jiu was complaining in secret, saying why should they order him around when they already don’t want him anymore?"
...
It’s the 23rd, asking for pink votes O(∩_∩)O (To be continued. If you like this work, welco to visit Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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