The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 115 - 104: Awesome

Chapter 115: Chapter 104: Awesome

The Bai family’s residence was swiftly completed; at noon on the day of its completion, Manbao and her classmates didn’t eat at school but instead followed Bai Shanbao into the new house for their meal.

Old Madam Bai, Ms. Liu was exceptionally generous, hiring a cook from the county town and inviting many villagers to help, specifically arranging a day-long banquet.

All guests were welcomed to join the feast without the need for gifts.

As Qili Village’s most prominent figure, Mr. Zhuang was naturally on the invite list, and of course, Manbao and her classmates were called over as well.

From the village, everyone who could walk, from sixty-year-old women to babies old enough to eat solid food, all attended.

Of course, the villagers felt embarrassed to arrive empty-handed and brought gifts of varying sizes. Junior Ms. Qian and others who came to help declined the wages the Bai Family offered, and the village chief’s wife spoke on behalf of everyone to the servants distributing rewards, "In our village, during weddings and funerals, helping each other out is customary, and we’ve never seen any family give money for it. Now that your Old Madam has settled down in our village, she’s one of Qili Village’s own. It’s proper for neighbors to help each other."

Everyone hastily agreed, and Junior Ms. Qian added, "It’s only because the house that your Old Madam built is extraordinary that it took so many days to construct, which is why our men felt it was acceptable to take money. When my younger aunt returned home, she insisted on helping build your house, thinking it would only take a few days to finish."

"Yes, in a community, who doesn’t lend a hand when someone is building a house? It’s enough to provide food. Our men were already embarrassed to ask for wages; we just assist with cooking and cleaning, there’s no need for wages—please take it back, take it back."

The servants, clearly not anticipating this response, which was beyond their understanding, could only return with the rewards to report to the Old Madam and the ladies.

Ms. Zheng clearly hadn’t expected this either and asked, "The villagers of Qili are so simple. Mother, should we still give them the money?"

After pondering for a while, Ms. Liu said, "Since it’s their village custom, let’s not give it. Insisting on giving it would not only look bad but would also create distance."

Ms. Zheng expressed her amazement, "I never imagined a place where helpers wouldn’t take money. I remember in our clan, even distant relatives would be paid for helping out."

"Customs vary from place to place. We should adapt to local customs. Tell the kitchen to properly store any decent-looking leftovers and send them home with the women who helped."

The servant acknowledged the instruction.

Meanwhile, Manbao was climbing onto a tall chair, swinging her legs while sitting next to Bai Shanbao, curiously looking around. She saw many familiar faces, but not Fifth Brother and his friends, and sighed like an adult.

As the dishes hadn’t been served yet, everyone could only drink the water in their cups, so Bai Shanbao started a conversation with her, "Why the sigh? Are you still upset about the teacher saying we can’t write articles yet?"

"No."

"Then what’s it about?"

Manbao sighed and said, "My Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother didn’t come. They must have gone off to do business again. Looks like they won’t have the good fortune to enjoy today’s feast. I heard from my Second Sister-in-law that your family even prepared goose meat, and that the goose was this, this big."

Manbao gestured a large circle, to which Bai Shanbao replied, "Impossible, I’ve never seen a goose in my house."

"There’s no mistake, my Second Sister-in-law never lies." Manbao insisted, "You don’t believe me? Wait until the dishes arrive and you’ll see if the goose is as big as I said."

Bai Erlang heard their conversation drifting off-topic and couldn’t help but correct them lightheartedly, saying, "Weren’t we talking about how your Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother went to do business? We’ve all been attending school for several days now, why would they still go?"

"What does that have to do with us attending school? My Third Brother is serving as a soldier there; they surely have to go, otherwise, Third Brother would have to eat cold unleavened bread and drink cold water, how pitiful."

Having tried drinking cold water in the dead of winter himself, Bai Erlang shivered at the thought and commented, "Enduring that hardship isn’t worth it; it’s better to pay for a replacement in the army."

If it were before, Bai Erlang wouldn’t have understood such matters, but after tagging along with Manbao and the others, he returned home worrying about his own future in conscripted labor.

While it was quite an adventure there, the idea of digging all day didn’t appeal to him, so as soon as he got home, he asked his father about it and learned that his father had paid to avoid the service. Had that not been the case, his father would be serving now, and once his older brother came of age, it would likely be his turn.

Upon learning that money could be used in place of service, Bai Erlang felt pride swell within him. Though young and still learning, he knew that their family was the richest in the village, even the richest among several neighboring villages!

Manbao had discussed this with her family too, so she knew the reason and shook her head resolutely, "We don’t have enough money. Five taels of silver, that’s enough to get my Fifth Brother a wife."

Bai Erlang widened his eyes, "Five taels can get you a wife?"

"Yes, your father used the money for your older brother’s wife’s bride price for substitute service this year, next year it will probably be the money for you to get a wife," Manbao said thoughtfully, "I worry about what you’ll do if you can’t find a wife in the future."

Bai Shanbao covered his mouth and chuckled.

Bai Erlang was both shocked and scared; regardless of his young age, he knew a wife was a wonderful thing.

He jumped down from the chair and dashed towards his father, just as the kitchen staff began serving dishes, and a group of children immediately picked up their chopsticks in readiness.

After traveling and experiencing army life, Bai Shanbao was no longer picky about food; he now wanted to eat everything he saw.

Ms. Feng, the Second Sister-in-law, happened to be serving dishes and smiled at her young sister-in-law, placing the meat closer to where Manbao was seated.

A group of children exclaimed in awe, salivating over the meat in the bowl, but with the dishes yet to be fully served, no one moved.

Before coming, Mr. Zhuang had taught everyone proper dining etiquette, and knowing how to eat correctly as a guest.

Mr. Zhuang, seated at the main table in the great hall, looked out and saw that the students were behaving well and nodded in satisfaction.

Just as he felt pleased, Bai Erlang ran up and asked his father, also known as Old Master Bai, in an accusatory tone, "Dad, did you use the money for my bride price for substitute service?"

Old Master Bai: "..."

Manbao’s eyes were fixed tightly on the meat. To divert her attention, she whispered to Bai Shanbao beside her while eyeing the dish, "My Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother are very impressive, they made lots of money the day before yesterday and yesterday."

Bai Shanbao, never lacking in food, was still comparatively restrained, but seeing Manbao’s eagerness, he felt tempted as well and struggled to look away before asking her, "How much is lots and lots?"

"My Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother earned three hundred and sixty-eight wen, and they even got more than half a bag of wheat. My Second Brother almost made as much, but he earned two hundred and eighty-nine wen, and he brought back loads of wheat and rice. Aren’t they impressive?" Manbao said, "After we divide the money, I’m going to buy a goose to eat too."

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