Chapter 367: Chapter 190: Old Madam Shen_2
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The two daughters-in-law led the way, winding around the screen wall and turning left, passing through a moon cave gate, and entered a crossed courtyard.
At the door of the upper room of the crossed courtyard, maids were already in attendance. The two daughters-in-law asked them to wait at the door for a moment and went in to report their arrival. Shortly after, a maid lifted the curtain and invited them in.
Upon entering the side hall, they saw a dignified and luxurious lady sitting at the upper end. She appeared to be about forty years old, with a round face and a flat nose. Her eyebrows and eyes were quite ordinary, but her skin was fair and refined, which added to her beauty. Although the lady’s features were plain, she sat upright with a very dignified air, compelling people to overlook her looks.
Lian Manman guessed in her heart that this must be Old Madam Shen.
"Madam, the guests have arrived," a maid with an oval face said softly.
"Bring them in quickly," Old Madam Shen said as she put down the teacup in her hand and made a slight motion as if to rise and greet the guests.
By seniority, Old Madam Shen was of the same generation as Lian Shouxin, and moreover, she was older.
Lian Shouxin hurriedly took a few steps forward and bowed respectfully.
"I have the honor to meet my in-law," he said.
Lian Manman, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi also hurried to pay their respects to Old Madam Shen.
"Old Madam, this is my father, the fourth in rank in the Lian Family. My name is Lian Manman; this is my older brother Lian Jihong, and my younger brother Lian Jixian," Lian Manman curtsied and said crisply.
Old Madam Shen’s face broke into a smile, and she told them to dispense with formalities. Maids nearby came over and led them to their seats. Old Madam Shen then ordered servants to bring over hot tea and various pastries.
"I apologize for the intrusion. Please don’t take offense, Old Madam," Lian Shouxin said.
"Not at all; we are relatives and should visit each other often," Old Madam Shen replied.
Lian Manman sat next to Lian Shouxin, thinking to herself that based on their location, they must be in the front courtyard. It must have been because of Imperial Doctor Shi’s influence that Old Madam Shen was willing to come out from the inner residence to meet them here. They were brought here in Imperial Doctor Shi’s carriage; Old Madam Shen was from a branch of the Shen Family, while Imperial Doctor Shi had a direct marital connection with the main branch of the Shen Family and was also a very renowned and esteemed physician. In any case, Old Madam Shen would want to maintain decorum for Imperial Doctor Shi’s sake.
Looking at how Old Madam Shen was sizing them up, it was clear that she was trying to guess their purpose for coming, as well as their relationship with Imperial Doctor Shi.
Lian Manman wasn’t wrong—Old Madam Shen was indeed somewhat puzzled at this moment.
Just before, she was resting in the back hall when someone came to inform her that Imperial Doctor Shi had sent several people from the Lian Family to see her in his carriage. She wasn’t surprised that someone from the Lian Family would visit; having married a daughter-in-law from the countryside, whose father had several brothers who had not yet divided the household, she was mentally prepared for this kind of visit.
What surprised her was how the Lian Family could know Imperial Doctor Shi and even trouble him to send transportation. She was familiar with Imperial Doctor Shi’s character—he was not fond of socializing. This made everything all the more strange.
Regardless, since Imperial Doctor Shi had intervened, she was obligated to meet the visitors personally, no matter who they were, and to give them full respect.
This was the reason why she had come out from the inner quarters to the side hall to await the visitors.
"Fourth Old Master of the Lian Family, how’s the harvest this year?" Old Madam Shen asked with a smile. If Lian Shouxin had come to ask for relief funds, then she would initiate the conversation to make it easier for him to speak.
"Old Madam is considerate, the harvest this year is quite good," Lian Shouxin replied honestly.
"Old Madam, our visit this time is on behalf of my grandfather and grandmother, who sent us to pay our respects to you," Lian Manman said with a smile, "My grandfather told us that we, the Lian Family, rely on our own work for our living, and we must be steady and self-sufficient. We can’t expect to receive unearned blessings from heaven."
Old Madam Shen smiled and then her gaze landed on Lian Manman. This young girl was very clever; from her words, it seemed she wasn’t here to ask for relief funds!
So, they were merely here to pay their respects? Certainly not. Even as astute as Old Madam Shen was, she could not guess their intentions at the moment.
"You’re called Manman, a good name. How old are you this year?" Old Madam Shen asked Lian Manman.
"Thank you for asking, Old Madam, I am ten years old this year," Lian Manman answered with a smile, "We country folks aren’t well-spoken, I hope Old Madam won’t laugh at us. Before coming here, my grandfather instructed us with some words, and I have the best memory."
Old Madam Shen uttered an "oh," understanding that Lian Manman’s explanation signified that her words were on behalf of Old Master Lian. This became interesting. Of the Lian Family, she had only met Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu before, and had thought at the time that although the Lian Family was of tenant farmers’ origin, the two scholars they raised were both exceptionally handsome. Seeing the people from the Fourth Household of the Lian Family today, she realized that the good looks of the Lian Family were not exclusive to those two scholars.
"Xiao Chan, go and ask the Third Madam to come out," Old Madam Shen ordered.
The big maid with the oval face answered and went out.
Old Madam Shen conversed with Lian Manman while assessing the children of the Lian Family’s Fourth Household.
Although the three children had not yet grown up, just by looking at their eyebrows, eyes, and frames, one could judge that they would certainly be of remarkable appearance in the future. What she admired even more was that all three children had very clear and spirited eyes. They sat there with ease, which was indicative of good home education.
Especially the one speaking, the young girl named Lian Manman. At just ten years of age, her features were picturesque; even just her face suggested she would assuredly be a beauty when she grew up. Even more pleasing was her crisp voice and her demeanor neither servile nor overbearing, without any pretentiousness in her speech. Her rustic dialect, while unsophisticated, was neither coarse nor vulgar, but rather charmingly antiquated.
It’s just that she had not yet shot up in growth. Old Madam Shen also observed Lian Manman’s attire; she was wearing a small jacket with a yellow background and red flowers today, paired with a cotton skirt of the same color, and red cotton shoes on her feet. Both her clothing and shoes were embroidered with patterns of chubby cats chasing butterflies or rolling thread balls.
Looking at the stitches and embroidery, the child had a nimble hand and a loving mother.
It was just a pity; she had natural feet. At ten years old, starting foot binding might be too late.
After carefully observing Lian Manman’s feet, a subtle look of regret flashed through Old Madam Shen’s eyes, not easily noticed.
While they were discussing Old Master Lian’s health, she heard the maid report from outside, "The Third Madam has arrived."
Lian Manman turned her head and saw Lian Huahua entering, supported on the shoulders of two maids, and couldn’t help but be startled.
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