The family was in conversation when a young maid came in to report that a representative from Lord Du’s mansion from the Provincial Administration Commissioner had come to deliver gifts and was already waiting at the front. Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang hurriedly got up and went to the front. Knowing that the visitor was Lord Du’s son, who was also young and a scholar, they took Xiao Qi along. Although Xiao Qi was young, he had already begun learning from his father and brothers about hosting guests and visiting friends.

Since there were no women coming, Lian Manman and Lady Zhang weren’t concerned and continued sitting on the kang, discussing the Double Ninth Festival gifts for each household. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

When coming from Thirty Mile Camp, considering the upcoming Double Ninth Festival, Lian Manman had already prepared a gift list and brought many local products to give as gifts.

After a while, Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang hadn’t returned, and the young maid kept coming in to report. It turned out several more families had come with gifts, some who had sent invitations before and some who hadn’t. This time, besides bringing gifts, they also brought invitations, scheduling days for banquets and operas.

Those who came from outside delivered the gifts, and Wu Lang had someone accept them at the front, and then sent the gift lists to the back yard for Lady Zhang and Lian Manman to review. After seeing them, Lian Manman had an idea; some were kept for personal use, and others were either sealed in storage or had other uses.

In this way, they were busy the entire morning, and by noon, the family finally had a moment to continue discussing the matters left unfinished from that morning.

Having received gifts from various families, it was time for the festival gifts they prepared for others to also be delivered one by one. Some needed Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang to deliver personally, while others could be sent by the steward.

The first gift to be delivered was for the Shen family, which necessitated a personal delivery.

"I sent someone early to inquire, and Sixth Master hasn’t returned home yet. They say he’s on the road and won’t be back until the day after tomorrow," Wu Lang said.

"Since we’re already here, there’s no need to wait for Sixth Master to return. We should send the gift first. Once Sixth Master returns, either he will summon us, or we can send an invitation to visit," Lian Manman said.

Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi planned to visit, while Lian Manman and Lady Zhang would also visit the Shen Mansion to see the First Lady and Grandma Shen San and other ladies.

"That’s reasonable," Wu Lang nodded, "Shall we prepare the banquet without waiting?"

"Yes, the same," Lian Manman nodded in agreement, "Although Sixth Master isn’t home, Xiao Jiu should be around, along with Third Master Shen and others. Once Sixth Master returns, depending on when he’s available, we can invite them separately, which is also good."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

After a discussion, they set a day for the banquet with opera entertainment and hurried to send gifts and invitations everywhere. Some required personal visits from Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang, which were also arranged in advance. Another continuous stream of festival and congratulatory gifts kept arriving, all handled by the stewards. The family had lunch, took a rest, then changed clothes, and with various gifts, headed to the Shen Mansion in a carriage.

The invitations had been sent in advance, so when they arrived at the entrance, a steward greeted them and led them inside. Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi were escorted to the main study in the front courtyard to meet Third Master of the Shen Family and Shen Qian, and later they would meet Master Chu. Meanwhile, Lian Manman and Lady Zhang were escorted directly through the Second Gate.

As Lian Manman stepped down from the sedan chair, she immediately saw Grandma Shen San accompanied by her two daughters, Shen Yi and Shen Shi, along with several maids and wives, who had come to greet them.

"Knowing you would come, my two girls and I have been eagerly waiting!" Grandma Shen San stepped forward with Shen Yi and Shen Shi.

The hosts and guests met, exchanged pleasantries and laughter as they entered the courtyard, and once indoors, they formally exchanged greetings again, the guests and hosts taking their seats.

Grandma Shen San and Lady Zhang faced each other on the kang, while Lian Manman, along with Shen Yi and Shen Shi, sat in a row of chairs next to the kang. Apart from Shen Liu, Xiao Jiu, and Shen Jin, Lian Manman was most familiar with Shen Yi and Shen Shi, who were close in age, and having met frequently over the last two years, had become very good friends.

The maids brought in tea and snacks, and after some courteous exchanges, Lady Zhang inquired about the absence of the First Lady.

"...She went with the First Master to his post," Grandma Shen San replied.

Lian Manman quickly gave Lady Zhang a subtle hint with her eyes, and Lady Zhang responded with an "Oh," and didn’t pursue the matter further.

Having interacted frequently with the female members of the Shen family, it was unclear whether someone intentionally informed her, but bits and pieces of the Shen Mansion’s secrets reached Lian Manman’s ears. As Lian Manman understood it, although many branches of the Shen family existed, the only one living in the large house within Prefecture City was the main branch, currently led by Shen Liu.