The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 263 - 252: Conversation

Chapter 263: Chapter 252: Conversation

As Wei Zhi and his attendant approached the window, they saw two children standing in front of their teacher, heads bowed, listening to a lecture. They couldn’t help but pause their steps.

After Mr. Zhuang had lectured them, he said, "Alright, go have your meal. After eating, review your lessons. Take a nap after digestion."

The two children bowed their heads in acknowledgement and then returned to their seats to eat.

Mr. Zhuang’s meals were prepared separately, and although similar to the children’s, his rice and dishes were served in separate bowls.

Mr. Zhuang also returned to his seat, then looked up to see the two figures standing outside the window; he appeared momentarily startled, but quickly got up to greet them.

Wei Zhi smiled slightly and walked to the door to pay his respects, "I am Wei Zhi from Julu. I hope my abrupt visit will be excused, sir."

At this time, Wei Zhi was dressed as a scholar, so naturally, Mr. Zhuang welcomed him warmly, laughing as he ushered him in, "My humble dwelling is cold and modest. I hope you do not mind, Mr. Wei."

After inviting Wei Zhi to sit, Mr. Zhuang turned to Manbao and Shanbao, saying, "Go to the kitchen and fetch another set of bowls and chopsticks."

Bai Shanbao had recognized Wei Zhi and, pulling Manbao along, they both scrambled up, performed a courteous bow, and ran to the kitchen to get the tableware.

Junior Ms. Qian never left leftover food. If there was extra, it was either divided among the students who hadn’t had their fill, or used to cook a very thin porridge that the children could drink in the afternoon for hydration.

After all, it was a sweltering summer, and the children would be thirsty after their post-nap lesson.

She only ate the crispy rice at the bottom of the pot. Because of this, not only was Bai Family pleased with her, but the parents of the other students were too. Consequently, there was naturally no leftover rice in the pot.

But upon hearing that Mr. Zhuang had a guest, Junior Ms. Qian thought briefly, then sent the children back, saying, "I’ll make some more vegetables and bake a few pancakes. I’ll bring them over to you in a little while. You guys go back and eat first."

There were no extra vegetables in the kitchen, so they needed to be picked from the garden. Junior Ms. Qian set the dough to rise before wiping her hands and going out to pick the vegetables.

Her movements were always quick and orderly.

She had the vegetables washed and cooking while she began preparing the pancakes. By the time she finished baking the pancakes, the vegetables were ready as well.

Although she wasn’t fully focused on preparing a single dish, the taste was undeniably good.

That’s when Junior Ms. Qian delivered the pancakes and dishes to Mr. Zhuang and his company.

Manbao and the others were squatting in the yard eating, simultaneously boiling water.

After glancing at them, Junior Ms. Qian quickly came out after delivering the food and approached the two children, "What are you doing?"

Manbao had just scraped the last bit of rice from the bottom of her bowl clean. Only after confirming not a single grain remained did she lift her small face and say, "Boiling water, to make tea."

Bai Shanbao ate slower, but still faster than when he was at home. He nodded in agreement but didn’t speak due to the food in his mouth.

Junior Ms. Qian glanced at the fire and asked, "Do you need help with that?"

Manbao shook her head, "No need, we can manage. Big sister, you should go back and rest."

Wei Zhi, with his keen ears, overheard and couldn’t resist turning to look outside. He asked, "Is that kitchen maid Young Lady Zhou’s sister-in-law?"

Mr. Zhuang nodded, looking perplexedly at Wei Zhi, "Why do you ask?"

Wei Zhi smiled, shaking his head, "No reason, just curious why Mr. Zhuang would take on a female disciple?"

Mr. Zhuang replied, "Disciples are not distinguished by gender, I take on students based on affinity."

Wei Zhi nodded, "But I assume this young lady must have some exceptional qualities? People were often praising her for her intelligence yesterday at Brother Bai’s place."

Mr. Zhuang smiled and said, "This child is indeed very clever, and also very filial and considerate."

Thus, my young disciple not only has talent, but also virtue.

Manbao and the others had finished preparing the tea and served it, along with a bowl for the attendant sitting behind Wei Zhi.

The attendant held the hot tea, not really wanting to drink it in the heat; he preferred water, especially chilled boiled water.

But Manbao didn’t have the ability to read minds and did not know his preferences. Adhering to the principle that all visitors were guests, she firmly handed him a bowl of tea.

Bai Shanbao, on the other hand, offered the tea to Mr. Zhuang and Wei Zhi. Then the two children went back to their places, each holding a bamboo tube filled with boiled water, sipping with satisfaction.

The study wasn’t large, so with the four of them there, their positions were such that Wei Zhi could converse with the children by merely turning his head.

He did not hesitate to do so, beckoning the children over and inquiring about the bamboo tubes, "Why aren’t you drinking tea?"

The tea doesn’t taste good...

Of course, Manbao and Bai Shanbao couldn’t say that, so they replied, "We are children and shouldn’t drink tea."

"Eh, why can’t children drink tea?"

Manbao explained, "Because we are still young. Drinking tea will keep us awake at night, and we still need to take our nap soon."

They had drunk tea before—secretly, of course—but it tasted dreadful, and it made them restless at night.

That made them dislike tea even more.

Wei Zhi, aware that tea was stimulating, understood they had tasted it when he saw their wrinkled little faces and their appearance of distaste. He couldn’t help but laugh out loud, asking, "Then what do you like to drink?"

Bai Shanbao replied, "I like drinking plum juice."

Manbao added, "Me too."

Wei Zhi then let the children sit down and began chatting with them, and Mr. Zhuang quietly enjoyed his tea without interrupting.

Their conversation moved from beverages to food, and from food to cultivation practices.

Manbao had started learning to work in the fields the previous year. Of course, she couldn’t do much farmwork, usually just handing or throwing things.

For instance, when planting vegetables, Junior Ms. Qian liked taking the shorter children with her. She would let each one place a seedling in a hole and follow behind to plant them.

However, Manbao was a quick learner; though she never planted personally, she knew how her sister-in-laws did it. Plus, Datou and Daya were not young anymore and would often recite precautions while working the land—essentially teaching them, so they would understand these planting techniques when they grew up.

Whether Datou and Daya had learned, Manbao didn’t know, but she remembered, albeit without mastering much. Still, she was able to recite what she knew to Wei Zhi.

Bai Shanbao felt the same way. Ever since planting ginger, he had become interested in growing crops. Besides discussing with Manbao, he would also converse with the gardener at home.

He thought yams were tasty and planned to get some seeds from Manbao next year to plant along the wall in the backyard. That way, the vines could climb directly onto the wall without needing a trellis.

Thus, the two children earnestly discussed farming matters with Wei Zhi, even the current situation of the crops in the village after a recent disaster, speaking with authority.

After all, they had accompanied County Magistrate Fu throughout his visit and had listened to the village chief and the elders lament their poverty to him.

Bai Shanbao might be an exception, but Manbao often heard about matters concerning the fields at home. The most common topic of discussion at the Zhou Family was always the work in the fields.

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