Old Huang and the others busily greeted them, with Lian Shouxin leading Wu Lang and Xiao Qi to greet them as well.
As the carriage procession approached, Lady Zhang, Lian Zhizhi, Lian Manman, Lady Zhao, Lian Yeye, and all the employees of Lian’s stood neatly to salute the carriage in the middle of the procession.
The caravan did not stop. Instead, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a hand extended out to wave at them.
Standing by the roadside, not only did Lian Manman’s family salute the carriage, but the abbot and a group of monks from the temple also ca out, along with the Lizheng and elders of Thirty Mile Camp, including Scholar Wang and his son.
The procession quickly passed by Lian’s, followed by Scholar Wang and his son, the Lizheng, the abbot, and others along behind. They intended to follow to the foot of the mountain in case Shen Liu had any instructions. Lian Shouxin also followed them.
However, Wu Lang and Xiao Qi did not go with Lian Shouxin.
At the back of the Shen family’s procession, there were several large carts loaded with saplings. One of these carts, after passing Lian’s, did not follow the procession up the mountain; instead, it turned off the official road and onto the Bluestone Road leading to Lian Manman’s family courtyard.
Wu Lang and Xiao Qi followed behind that cart.
Lian Manman knew sothing must be up, so she asked Lady Zhang to return and arrange things at the shop while she and Lian Zhizhi hurried ho through a shortcut.
By the ti Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi arrived, the carriage had already entered the courtyard. Two neatly dressed servants jumped down from the cart and bowed to Lian Manman and the others.
"Brother, Xiao Qi, what is this..." Lian Manman asked in confusion.
"... Steward Zhong just said that Sixth Master and Ninth Master sent this to our family." Wu Lang whispered to Lian Manman, "They said these two servants are here to help us plant the trees."
The cart was neatly tied with several saplings—not freshly cultivated young trees, but seemingly matured ones.
One of the servants, seemingly well-acquainted with plants, pointed to the saplings and explained to Lian Manman and the others.
"These four are persimmon trees, and these four are Xifu Crabapples. Sixth Master and Ninth Master picked these from the saplings being sent up the mountain and had us specially deliver them. Please instruct us, young master and young ladies, where to plant these trees so we can start working."
It turned out the saplings were from Shen Liu and Shen Jiu, and Lian Manman finally understood.
"There’s no rush to plant the saplings. Please, gentlen, co inside for tea and refreshnts first." Lian Manman said, "Did Sixth Master co, and Ninth Master as well?"
"Both masters have co." The servant replied with a smile.
Lian Manman thought of the hand that had just extended from the carriage curtain—was it really Fatty Shen’s hand?!
Wu Lang and Xiao Qi led the two servants to a small room by the kitchen for tea and snacks, while Lian Manman and Lian Zhizhi went to the front hall to tidy up carefully; by then, Lady Zhang had returned.
Since the saplings were delivered, Shen Liu and Shen Jiu would likely co over soon.
No, they would definitely co over. Lian Manman thought, she almost forgot; how could Shen Liu and Shen Jiu not visit after paying respects to the imperial archway?
Lian Manman tidied the front hall again, then hurried with Lady Zhang, carrying seat cushions out from the courtyard and heading to the archway. Sure enough, after a short while, she saw soone riding a horse from the Bluestone Road next to the shop. Behind this person were several servants leading horses, with Lian Shouxin at the front guiding him.
As they neared the archway, a servant stepped up to help the person dismount, and everyone gathered around as they approached.
When the person ca closer, Lian Manman couldn’t help but blink.
Fatty Shen? He seed to have changed a bit in appearance.
He was taller, his round belly had shrunk quite a bit, his forrly chubby face wasn’t as puffy, and even his previously narrow, line-like eyes seed bigger.
Fatty Shen had actually slimd down and grown taller!
Having slimd down, he was no longer the plump Fatty Shen, and his features were more defined. Lian Manman then realized that Fatty Shen’s eyes even had a slight upward tilt at the corners.
It turns out Fatty Shen actually had quite a proper look, which greatly surprised Lian Manman, while also stirring a bit of discomfort in her heart.
No, Fatty Shen, it’s not right for you to grow like this, Lian Manman thought to herself as she laid the seat cushions in front of the archway, glancing at Fatty Shen as she did. Fatty Shen should continue developing in a roundabout way, why does he have to grow outward?
A round and chubby Fatty Shen is more amusing.
This is what Lian Manman thought in her heart, but she didn’t show it on her face at all. She was still sensible enough, knowing deep down that thinking this way wasn’t right and wasn’t fair to Fatty Shen.
Shen Qian perford a kowtow ceremony in front of the archway, and the few servants who accompanied him also bowed to the archway from behind. Only then did Shen Qian rise and smile at Lian Manman.
"Manman." From the mont Shen Qian had dismounted to the mont he kowtowed, every movent was proper and composed with undeniable grace. However, as he approached Lian Manman, his steps were sowhat hurried, and the smile on his face brought back the image of the original Fatty Shen.
The unfamiliarity caused by Shen Qian’s growth vanished all at once.
However, since there were several servants beside him, Lian Manman still followed the etiquette, giving Shen Qian a formal bow.
Shen Qian returned the salute by cupping his fists.
Inviting Shen Qian into the front hall, Lian Manman served tea and snacks, and Shen Qian dismissed the few attendants who had followed him inside.
"You all leave, I don’t need you to attend to here."
Without the presence of Shen family’s attendants, the atmosphere around Lian Manman changed instantly, becoming lively. Even though earlier movents and conversations were subtle, now, even standing silently, there was a vibrant energy.
"Little Fatty, how did you slim down?" Lian Manman asked as she handed the tea to Fatty Shen.
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Presenting the second update of the month, requesting pink votes, recomndations, and official subscriptions.
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Recomndation for the completed farming story by Ruoyan:
Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Complete with Main Text and Extras) (Click the direct link below to reach it)
Synopsis: Travel back in ti as a woman wrongly accused of losing her chastity, with a small bun in tow, living a sweet life with an economically viable man. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for recomndations and monthly tickets on the Qidian platform (qidian); your support is my greatest motivation.)
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