At the second watch of the night, she requested pink.
***......***
After a bout of laughter, Lian Manman finally sat down to write a letter. In the letter, she detailed how they had planted sweet potatoes following the incident with the corn and how they had discovered the high yield of sweet potatoes, listing her estimated production. Of course, in her heart, she specifically emphasized that the sweet potatoes had co from the Wang Family of Youheng.
After finishing, Lian Manman handed the letter to Wang Youheng for review.
Wang Youheng read the letter, nodded, and said no more.
The Wang Family naturally had extensive connections, but operating in Liaodong Prefecture, they couldn’t overstep the Shen Family. The Wang Family had dealings with the Shen Family too, and Imperial Doctor Wang had visited the Shen Mansion several tis to take the pulse of its elderly matriarch. Of course, his choice of the Shen Family was also for the sake of considering Lian Manman.
To be honest, from all aspects, the Shen Family was the inevitable choice. That’s why he said he could make the decision himself without needing to go ho and consult with his family.
Lian Manman showed the letter to Wu Lang and Xiao Qi, then sealed it in an envelope. With ti to spare, she planned to deliver the letter to Imperial Doctor Shi’s residence right away.
"I’ll accompany you," Youheng offered.
Upon leaving the study, Wang Youheng asked Shopkeeper Wang to select the best sweet potatoes brought by Lian Manman and packed them into a small basket.
"It’s always better to let people see the actual product," Youheng said.
Lian Manman did not stand on ceremony with Youheng.
"Brother Youheng, when I return, I’ll send over more sweet potatoes," Lian Manman replied.
Wang Youheng was about to order a carriage prepared, but Lian Manman stopped him.
"Brother Youheng, it’s only a short walk; we can just go on foot. It won’t take much effort," she said.
"That sounds good," Youheng laughed, not calling for the carriage but instead requested the shop assistants to bring two oil-paper umbrellas.
"Brother Youheng, why take an umbrella? It’s not even raining," Xiao Qi asked.
The children of tenant farming families weren’t so particular; they could play happily in the winter’s north wind or under the sumr’s hot sun. Oil-paper umbrellas were a rarity used only for sheltering from rain—they had no concept of using them for shade.
"The sun is rather harsh; it’s better to cover up a bit," Youheng said, handing an umbrella to Wu Lang while opening his own to shelter Lian Manman’s head.
Wu Lang also opened his paper umbrella, covering himself and Xiao Qi underneath. Xiao Qi wasn’t afraid of the sun, but the shade from the umbrella was amusing.
Opening the paper umbrella overhead, Lian Manman experienced a mont of surprise, followed by a smile—Youheng was indeed a considerate man.
They chose a quiet alleyway and, since it wasn’t a market day, there were few pedestrians. The old cobblestone path, washed clean by rains from the previous days, appeared exceptionally tidy. Weeds stubbornly sprouted from the stones, and occasionally, a couple of small, yellow wildflowers greeted passersby with smiling faces. Beneath the large trees on both sides of the alley, a few people were enjoying the shade.
The air was filled with the aroma of flowers and grass, as well as the scent of als wafting from a household kitchen, the faint sll of soap from newly laundered clothes hung to dry, the sudden loud crying of a naughty child, followed by barking from the neighbor’s dog, a man’s reprimand, then an old woman’s scolding and consoling, before silence ensued.
The genuine, tangible sounds and slls of life were comforting.
A knowing smile appeared on Lian Manman’s face.
Glancing down, Youheng saw the smile on Lian Manman’s face, the green silk ribbons of her hair arranged in twin buns, and the hem of her green skirt dancing like a butterfly in the flowerbeds with her light footsteps.
Seemingly influenced by Lian Manman’s joyful mood, Youheng’s smile grew gentler. He shifted the umbrella in his hand to fully cover the petite figure of Lian Manman in the shade.
They soon arrived at Imperial Doctor Shi’s house, where a steward invited them in for tea. Lian Manman handed over both the sweet potatoes and the letter to the steward.
The steward, having received a reward after delivering a letter for Lian Manman last ti, and even having Shen Liu personally speak to him, was eager to assist when Lian Manman ca again with a letter to send.
"Miss Lian, rest assured, I will deliver this letter to the Sixth Master imdiately," the steward assured her.
Setting out now, one could travel at night and reach the Prefecture City by dawn.
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