From Yingzi’s father’s repeated behavior, it’s clear that he’s also a troublemaker. He doesn’t understand proper manners or etiquette at all. Reasoning with soone like that is just impossible.
"The Old Master doesn’t bring it up because he probably thinks it’s a bad topic to discuss. The Old Master values his reputation—how could this kind of thing be ntioned?" Lian Shouxin added, "Anyway, as long as we know it ourselves, we don’t need to show him any kindness. We just won’t acknowledge this kinship, and that’s that."
These words made sense—clearly, Lian Shouxin understood the Old Master Lian quite well.
"Mom, you see my dad now—he understands everything so well! It must be because he’s learned so many characters. Mom, you shouldn’t always be caught up in work either. When you have so free ti, why don’t you learn a couple of characters too?" Lian Manman teased playfully.
When Lian Manman suggested she learn to read and write, Lady Zhang clearly felt intimidated.
"With your dad and the several of you around, why would I need to learn? If I have the ti, wouldn’t it be better for to sew sothing for you all? Oh right, Manman, don’t you have so cookbook written by a scholar or sothing? If you’re free, why don’t you talk through it? That’s sothing I can learn—I can make so nice dishes for you all after studying that. It’d be more useful than if I spent a whole day failing to recognize even one big character, wouldn’t it?"
Lian Shouxin, Lian Manman, and Lian Zhizhi couldn’t help but stifle their laughter.
When it cos to learning to read and write, it really is a matter of talent. Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang are about the sa age, but while Lady Zhang is clever and skillful with her hands, she struggles particularly with academics. On the other hand, Lian Shouxin is noticeably better at it than Lady Zhang.
"The Old Lian Family has a knack for reading," Lady Zhang murmured softly.
In this era, scholars held highly esteed social status. When the Zhang Family and the Lian Family were matchmaking their children, aside from Zhang Qingshan and the Old Master Lian knowing and trusting each other’s character and family background, there was indeed another key reason—the Lian Family was seen as a family of scholars. Not only could the Old Master teach himself to write beautiful characters, but back then, Lian Shouren had also passed the Scholar exam. The Zhang Family felt confident that the Lian Family could produce educated individuals.
Once the topic was dropped, the family chatted for a while but didn’t bring it up again. Lian Shouxin, feeling excited after Lady Zhang ntioned the cookbook, brought up the ti they hosted Shen Liu and prepared food.
"Speaking of the dishes made from those recipes," Lian Shouxin said, "they tasted great and looked quite refined—but they’re just too delicate. It’s not as satisfying as eating big pieces of fish and at, which are much more flavorful. With the spread we made for Sixth Master that day, if we were to serve that to soone on an ordinary day, they’d probably criticize us as soon as they walked out the door. But Sixth Master loved it."
"That’s sothing I understand," Lady Zhang said with a laugh. "Didn’t Manman say it herself—different people should be treated differently. We farm folks value big fish and big at, but Sixth Master’s tastes aren’t the sa as ours."
"Mom, the Lotus Leaf Stead Chicken you made that day was truly delicious, and the stead fish was perfectly seasoned too," Lian Manman praised Lady Zhang.
Lady Zhang looked a bit proud.
"Of course, when it cos to reading and writing, I’m no good. But as for cooking, don’t even ntion that I have recipes—I could learn sothing just by watching soone make it once and co close to achieving the sa! Do you all love the chicken and fish? When Wu Lang cos back from Prefecture City, we’ll slaughter another chicken. As for fish, we have plenty on hand. I’ll make it again then, just for you all."
"Great, Mom! Let’s settle on that," Lian Manman said with a laugh.
"Wu Lang went to Prefecture City today, and he probably won’t get there until after dark. It’s so far away—I wonder if he’ll be comfortable with the accommodations, and there’s the exam too..." Lady Zhang’s thoughts wandered once again to Wu Lang, who was far away in Prefecture City.
"Mom, don’t worry. My brother knows how to take care of himself. Besides, there’s Brother Youheng and his classmates too," Lian Manman reassured Lady Zhang.
"Yes, your brother has always been mature and responsible—he doesn’t cause worry." Lady Zhang sighed.
...
The weather was growing warr, and as April approached its end, May ca into view—it would soon be ti for the Dragon Boat Festival. The lotus leaves in the Lotus Pond had grown thick and dense, evoking thoughts of the poem "Green Leaves Across the Lotus Pond."
With Wu Lang away from ho, Mr. Loo often brought Xiao Qi over, where long-term workers lived in shelters near the pond. Seeing this, Lian Shouxin decided to build a pavilion next to the Lotus Pond, allowing Mr. Loo to sit there and enjoy tea while admiring the scenery of the pond or teaching Xiao Qi lessons.
The fish in the pond were growing splendidly. Already, inns from town and wealthy households from neighboring villages were inquiring about when fresh fish would be available for sale and for what price.
The crops in the fields had sprouted too. Lian Manman had gone to inspect them herself, paying particular attention to the wheat field. Thanks to the fertile soil and ample spring rain this year, the wheat seedlings were uniformly thriving. The long-term workers had already weeded once, and other crops like corn, sorghum, millet, and peanuts were also doing well.
In May, Lian Manman’s family beca busy preparing for the Dragon Boat Festival. Lady Zhang’s ntions of Wu Lang grew even more frequent.
The Prefecture Examination was held in late April, lasting three sessions. Judging from Wu Lang’s travel schedule, he should be back any day now.
In the afternoon, Lady Zhang, her daughters, Lady Zhao, Lian Yeye, and two won hired to help were all in the shop wrapping zongzi. This year, Lian’s was selling zongzi for a few days, just like last year.
"It’s already the second day—why isn’t he back yet? He said he’d make it in ti for the festival," Lady Zhang muttered again.
"Mom, it’s only the second day—there’s still three days left. My brother will definitely co back," Lian Manman said with a laugh.
While they were talking, the sound of a carriage was heard from outside. Lady Zhang instinctively stood up and looked outside.
"Ah, Manman, look—isn’t that your brother coming back?" Lady Zhang exclaid.
At the sa ti, Xiao Qi’s cheerful voice could be heard from outside.
"Dad, Mom, Sister—Brother’s back! He passed the exam again!"
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Here’s the second update. It’s the end of the month—asking for pink tickets, recomndations, and official subscriptions.
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Ruoyan’s completed farming-thed novel recomndation:
Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Fully completed with extras—click for fast access)
Synopsis: Reincarnated as a wronged, abandoned wife with a child, she builds a sweet life with a frugal but devoted man. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welco to support it on Qidian with recomndation votes or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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