"Just now, I saw him from afar, not convenient to speak. Otherwise, I was just thinking of sending someone to see if he is available and invite him over for a chat," Lian Shouxin said.

"Quickly invite him in," Lian Manman replied.

The steward went down, and in a short while, personally led Commander Zhang Qianhu inside. Lian Shouxin hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, Lady Zhang and Lian Manman did not avoid, everyone exchanged greetings and then took their seats as host and guest.

In the past two years, Commander Zhang Qianhu has been highly trusted by Shen Liu, and seeing his every move, he appeared more skilled and seasoned than before.

"...Sixth Master is tied up with matters in Border Town and won’t be back for the Midautumn Festival. He sent me home to deliver some things, and I came to the temple to offer incense... There are also some local specialties from Border Town that Sixth Master specifically instructed me to deliver here," Commander Zhang Qianhu said while handing over a gift list.

"...Sixth Master is too courteous,... and it’s troublesome for Commander to make this trip..." Lian Shouxin hurriedly responded.

The gift list was still handed to Lian Manman. She opened it and saw that it was indeed some specialties from Border Town, including several pounds of hazelnuts, pine nuts, and chestnuts, as well as a type of apple, slightly smaller than the usual ones, with a sweet and sour taste unique to Border Town. Other items include dried roe deer, venison jerky, dried fish, etc., all specialties from Border Town that are either not available elsewhere or not as fresh as those from Border Town.

Nowadays, gifts are exchanged between the Lian Family and the Shen Family during festive seasons. The Lian Family’s festival gifts have already been sent to Prefecture City, while the festive gifts from the Shen Family, due to Wu Lang and Xiao Qi being in Prefecture City, were sent to the house in Pine Tree Alley.

This particular gift was specially sent by Shen Liu. It was not mentioned as a festive gift, just some local specialties sent along when someone returned to deal with business.

It’s not the first time Shen Liu has done this. In recent years, the exchange between the Lian and Shen families has grown increasingly close, with Shen Liu occasionally sending someone specifically, which has become quite routine.

Looking at the gift list, Lian Manman already thought about what items to prepare to trouble Commander Zhang Qianhu to bring back for Shen Liu.

"Sixth Master won’t return for the festival, can he come back before the year-end?" Lian Manman asked Commander Zhang Qianhu.

"He is likely to find time to return early September, and before the year-end, he’ll also have to go to the capital..." Commander Zhang Qianhu quickly replied.

"Oh..." Lian Manman uttered. Shen Liu’s position is not easy to hold; throughout the year, he is entangled with various matters, finding it hard to have leisure.

"Sixth Master also sent a note for Fifth Master here," Commander Zhang Qianhu said, carefully pulling out an envelope from his sleeve.

The envelope containing the note was naturally handed to Lian Manman.

Lian Manman took the note but did not open it immediately. Wu Lang is currently in Prefecture City, as mentioned by Commander Zhang Qianhu earlier, he returned from Border Town and first stopped in Prefecture City, and only then came to Thirty Mile Camp with the Shen Family members. So, why was the note meant for Wu Lang delivered here? Was it forgotten while in Prefecture City?

Lian Manman decided not to look at the note but kept it aside.

"I’ll wait for my Fifth Brother to return before showing it to him," Lian Manman said.

Lady Zhang and Lian Manman inquired a bit about Shen Liu’s well-being before leaving the front hall, allowing Lian Shouxin and Commander Zhang Qianhu to continue their conversation.

The mother and daughter headed to the backyard to prepare dinner, knowing they would certainly host Commander Zhang Qianhu for dinner. Lian Manman also called the steward to ask how many arrived with Commander Zhang Qianhu to properly prepare a feast for the guests.

Then, the mother and daughter discussed what to bring back for Shen Liu, the thanking silver and gifts for Commander Zhang Qianhu, along with red envelopes and rewards for each of his accompanying entourage.

After arranging everything properly, Lian Manman returned to her room. She sat and thought for a while, then decided to take out Shen Liu’s note, cutting open the seal with scissors to retrieve a long slip from inside.

The letter paper used by Shen Liu was also custom-made, different from those Washed Flower Papers used by Shen Jin. Shen Liu’s paper lacked any delicate charm but was more sophisticated and expertly crafted. It was interwoven with subtle patterns of light gold and pale blue, and the paper emitted a faint sandalwood fragrance.

This paper was exclusive to Shen Liu, reportedly tailored by a special craftsman just for him.

Such stationary, one could say, served as a kind of authentication label representing Shen Liu.

The handwriting on the note was familiar to Lian Manman, being Shen Liu’s own penmanship.

The top of the note wasn’t inscribed with words, only two ink dots, with the first sentence reading "Seeing the words is as if meeting the person".

The letter was written in Shen Liu’s usual style, crisp and efficient, covering a few words about his current situation and mentioning the plan to return to Prefecture City in early September, at which time they could meet, among other things. At the end, he mentioned his liking for the clothing that Lady Zhang sent last time.

Lian Manman finished reading the note, sat dazed for a moment, then placed the letter into her cosmetic case for safekeeping.

This year, the family has prepared some winter clothing and warming items intended to be sent to Border Town. It seems some of these can be sent back with Commander Zhang Qianhu sooner, Lian Manman thought.

In the evening, accompanied by Master Qu, Commander Zhang Qianhu dined at the Lian family. The following day, Commander Zhang Qianhu departed with the Shen Family members. While Shen Family members headed back to Prefecture City, Commander Zhang Qianhu would separate mid-way and return directly to Border Town to report to Shen Liu.

On the fifteenth of August, Lian Manman, her family of three, plus Master Qu, had lunch together. Because it was a holiday, the school had already closed for two days; the other teacher and the accountant had returned home for the festival, Xiao Long and Xiao Hu were also taken home by Zhang Qingnian to celebrate, leaving only Master Qu to stay.

Though there was no extravagant celebration, come evening, the Lian family still invited people to admire the moon by the Lotus Pond.

...

Seeking pink. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)