Upon arriving in Xiangjiang, one must visit the Shen Manor.
This was the arrangent made by Lin Nianhe after a long talk with Mr. Lin throughout the night.
She brought many gifts, including a blue and white porcelain tea set, silk shawls, a braided silk headband, and a pair of late Qing dynasty Ru kiln vases.
She took care of every mber of the Shen family, both young and old.
Yet she was still shocked.
Nobody told her that Elder Shen’s wife could set up a mahjong table!
Lin Nianhe glanced resentfully at Shen Yu, her lips unmoving, and whisperingly asked, "Uncle Shen, are you setting up?"
Seeing all the charming ladies around the room, she almost thought she had traveled back to the Republic era.
She finally understood what Hongzun ant by "the grandmas"; they were not just any grandmas, but genuinely, real grandmas.
Shen Yu chuckled softly and replied, "I didn’t initially plan to let them et you, but my father said since we’re all family, it’s good to let you et them. It would prevent any embarrassing monts when you’re out. Especially since both of my sisters are abroad, it would be inconvenient for you without female hosts."
In the past, concubines were not supposed to appear at these gatherings.
But now, those strict rules are gone... no, there are simply not as many concubines anymore.
Lin Nianhe looked at them, wanting badly to grab so sunflower seeds and snack on them while watching the grand drama of a wealthy family’s backyard battles.
But, there were no seeds.
The ladies were too lazy to quarrel behind closed doors, especially with a guest present.
They started fussing over Lin Nianhe, saying how beautiful Miss Lin was, suggesting that she should rest after her exhausting journey, even presenting six handso or delicate or masculine young n to accompany Lin Nianhe for a shopping spree.
Of course, if Lin Nianhe liked, taking one along was also perfectly fine.
Lin Nianhe was dumbfounded: "Is this... a test for ?"
Giving a woman a man?
Six at once?
This would be quite sensational even in the entire realm of ti travelers.
Shen Yu obviously didn’t know that the mothers were even prepared to offer n, and she couldn’t hold herself back, spitting out her coffee laughing.
"Cough cough... Fifth Mother, please don’t joke. Ah He is engaged," Shen Yu emphasized intently, "to the Su family, to Su Yuncheng."
Who knows what experiences Fifth Madam had gone through, she waved her hand carelessly: "It’s okay if she has, he isn’t in Xiangjiang anyway. Miss Lin, don’t feel burdened, it’s just carrying a bag. It’s chaotic now in Xiangjiang; it wouldn’t be good if you went out without anyone accompanying you!"
Lin Nianhe: "..."
Her reasoning was compelling.
Hard to refuse.
She said, "Thank you, Fifth Grandma. But really, there’s no need. I’m just here to have fun and relax. I’m not on an official mission; who would bother ?"
Lin Nianhe’s tone was light, and though she was speaking to Fifth Mother, the underlying ssage was clear.
Shen Yu listened by the side, smiling but remaining silent.
"Alright, stop the fuss."
A deep voice ca from the stairway.
Elder Shen, leaning on a cane, walked down the stairs slowly.
He wore a slight smile, an amiable expression that was unfamiliar to Hongzun.
The old gentleman had changed into a dark red traditional Chinese garnt with a golden ’longevity’ character pattern, his silvery hair neatly combed. The cane in his hand had neither dragon head carvings nor a fashionable design, looking like a random twig picked off a tree.
But considering its polished patina, it was probably huanghuali wood.
He was old, yet his steps were steady; he didn’t need anyone’s support.
He walked straight to Lin Nianhe, smiling and extending his hand warmly, "Sorry to have kept you waiting. I’m old, so even changing clothes takes a long ti."
In fact, Elder Shen didn’t want to delay.
However, when Hongzun and Nianhe left the hotel, he forgot to call ho, resulting in everyone only knowing once they had reached the outskirts of Shen Manor.
Nianhe, with her well-mannered deanor, shook hands with him: "Grandpa Shen, hello, my na is Lin Nianhe. My parents asked to extend their greetings to you."
"Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts," Elder Shen said as he led Nianhe to sit on the sofa and quickly had a maid bring tea and snacks.
After Elder Shen arrived, the ladies all fell silent, standing by and listening, appearing rather bored.
"I wanted to et you even a couple of years ago," Elder Shen said, "but my health hasn’t been the best."
Nianhe expressed her concern at the right mont: "Are you feeling better now?"
"Much better," Elder Shen, like the kind and gentle elder of the village, chatted with Nianhe, "How are your parents’ health?"
"They are well, thank you for your concern."
Elder Shen nodded slightly, then sighed with a sowhat pensive look, "I t your grandfather twice before, once in Shanghai and once in Xiangjiang... Although we weren’t on the sa path, we had the sa ideals, and ultimately our paths converge in the end."
Nianhe smiled slightly and nodded gently.
In those years, the Shen family indeed made contributions, and before coming to Xiangjiang, Comrade Old Lin especially recounted these events to her, and ntioned the current situation in Xiangjiang.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t dare to visit the Shen family right after stepping off the plane.
Now, Elder Shen’s recollections certainly indicated a stance.
The elderly man seed to foresee a future; he was forging a good bond, creating a presumably unfavorable path for his own future.
Watching him, Nianhe suddenly felt that the look in the old man’s eyes was filled with weariness.
It was the fatigue of tirelessly striving for the future of a large family.
Nianhe slightly bowed her head in a soft smile, leaned forward to refill Elder Shen’s tea: "We need not dwell on past affairs; simply speaking of recent years, the ’Lan’ brand collaboration has made Shen family a remarkably good partner for ."
Nianhe hadn’t even offered the teacup when Elder Shen took it himself, downing it like a drink in one gulp: "Ah He, as long as the Shen family exists, coming to Xiangjiang will be just like coming ho for you. No matter the situation, if the juniors can’t handle it, Grandpa will take care of it."
Elder Shen looked at Nianhe, his eyes bright and resolute.
Nianhe returned a smile, blinking her eyes, clear and innocent.
Unspoken understanding, not needing further elaboration.
Nianhe casually pointed at the clothes prepared by the grandmothers: "If that’s what you say, I won’t be shy. I really like the clothes the grandmas picked, can I take them all?"
"Hahaha, of course!"
Everyone knew Nianhe didn’t need more clothes, but to them, what she accepted wasn’t just clothes, but a gesture showing alignnt with the Shen family.
Of course, their support wasn’t only towards Nianhe; she was simply a public interdiary.
The Shen family hospitably hosted her, invited Nianhe to stay after dinner, but Nianhe said she ca with a delegation and must stay in the hotel.
So—
Fifth Madam switched two young n with different styles, to drive Nianhe.
Nianhe: "..."
It’s so tough.
Really tough.
This unprecedented challenge unsettled Student Xiao Lin; as soon she returned to the hotel, she phoned 88 courtyard, chattering a storm to Wang Shui about the severe and difficult test she faced.
After her chattering, Wang Shui remained silent for a long while.
Nianhe asked with a husky voice: "What’s wrong? Should I tell Fifth Grandma to bring all eight back for you?"
On the other end, Sister Shui seed to be enduring a severe test too, she quietly and subdued responded: "I... Did I not tell you, Su Yuncheng is sitting right in front of right now?"
Nianhe: "..."
Nianhe: "...!"
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