The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 501 - 490: Benefits

Chapter 501: Chapter 490: Benefits

Zhou Erlang had initially wanted to keep Sanya at home for a few years until she, like her sister Erya, had learned both books before sending her to school so that she could come back home after studying for two years.

But Sanya, early in the morning, found out that Fourth Son was also going to school, leaving only her, the fifth, and sixth at home. Turning to look at her two male cousins, one could only stand by holding onto an adult’s leg for support, while the other had just learned to sit up straight and couldn’t help but open his mouth whenever he looked up at people—and then the drool would start to flow...

Disgusted, Sanya clung to her father’s arm, twisting and turning, insisting that she also wanted to go to school.

Zhou Erlang, his head aching from her pestering him and with Second Son causing mischief by his side, agreed.

He always felt that Second Son wasn’t very bright; his cleverness seemed to have all been bestowed upon Erya and Sanya. So, turning to look at his youngest daughter, he gritted his teeth and agreed.

Manbao had previously copied a Thousand Character Classic and The Analects for them, but now they were still six books short, which was no small number.

Because they had already studied both books, Mr. Zhuang, their teacher, would not know how to teach them, especially if both books were needed at the same time.

So, both books had to be copied.

Manbao ground some ink and first looked up sorrowfully at the sky, only to see the ceiling instead of the blue sky. Then he turned to look outside for a glimpse of the blue sky before lowering his head to start writing.

Bai Shanbao and Bai Erlang had practiced their handwriting a lot, but copying a book so meticulously was their first time. Even though Manbao no longer required their handwriting to be neat, as they wrote, they still made a few mistakes.

After less than half an hour, Bai Erlang, annoyed, threw down his brush, saying, "I’m not copying anymore, I don’t want to earn this money, you guys have fun on your own."

Having said that, he ran off.

Bai Shanbao didn’t want to play anymore either. Just as he was about to put down his brush, he met Manbao’s sparkling gaze. His hand paused, and he set aside the sheet he had made a mistake on, sighing, "I also think this isn’t fun, let’s do something else."

"No, if you’re not going to play, forget it, I’ll copy by myself."

Bai Shanbao felt she was somewhat wronged and found it even harder to put down the brush. So, he muttered a few words of resignation and settled down to copy books with her in the study.

They rested for a while in the middle and also played for a while, but once back in the study, they continued to copy.

The entire study fell quiet, as if they were the only two in the entire courtyard.

Daji sat in a corner of the study warming himself by the brazier, occasionally lifting his head to glance at them.

Bai Shanbao felt that he had never written so many characters in one day, so when it was time for the evening meal, his hand felt stiff.

Ms. Liu couldn’t help but glance at him several times, to which Bai Shanbao complained, "Grandmother, tomorrow could you ask Daji to tell Manbao that I won’t be at home, that I’ve gone out to make New Year’s visits, okay?"

"Our family only has your father’s cousin, where are you going to make New Year’s visits? What’s got into you?"

Bai Shanbao explained the matter of Manbao hiring them to copy books, saying, "Copying books is not fun at all, and it’s not just one book; it’s the same content back and forth. I’ve almost memorized it all by heart."

"If you’ve already memorized it all by heart, why do you still need to look at the book when copying? And why are there still mistakes? Clearly, you haven’t memorized it yet," Ms. Liu said. "Having no mistakes when copying books is the most basic requirement. Although Manbao does not ask for your handwriting to be neat or the paper to be tidy, you should still be attentive."

"I had thought about having you try copying books when you got a bit older because it’s very useful for your future civil service exams," Ms. Liu continued, "You have the same temperament as your father, both somewhat impatient. But during the exams, examiners value clean copy work, a good handwriting gives you an edge, neat handwriting gives you another edge, but if you have mistakes, that’s more than losing an edge."

Ms. Zheng vigorously nodded, whispering, "Your father said that he had copied books for two or three years for his civil service exams."

"Exactly, I was thinking of waiting until you were a bit older to decide, but now that you’ve taken Manbao’s business, you’ve given your word. When you give your word, how can you not keep it?"

Bai Shanbao widened his eyes, asking, "Does everyone participating in the civil service exams have to copy books?"

Ms. Liu laughed, "I don’t know about others, but your father did because he couldn’t settle down, he was hasty and impatient when writing. His handwriting wasn’t attractive, and he always made mistakes."

Ms. Liu looked at her grandson, smiling faintly.

What she didn’t say was that Bai Shanbao was actually naughtier than his father, but strangely, he was not as restless. Surprisingly, his writing wasn’t bad.

But still, it wasn’t calm enough, was it?

His temperament still needed more polishing. Look at how mischievous Manbao used to be, but the older he got, the less naughty he became.

Ms. Liu smiled faintly, firmly insisting that her grandson honor his promise and help Manbao finish copying the books.

Seeing that his grandmother wouldn’t take his side, Bai Shanbao could only sigh with resignation.

After copying for three days, Bai Shanbao discovered that his mistakes were indeed fewer and fewer, and his handwriting was becoming more proper.

He had studied both books for several years already and could still recite them from memory, but they had become somewhat unfamiliar. Now, after copying them once, he slowly remembered them again.

By the time he copied them the second and third time, he hardly looked at the textbooks and just calmed his mind, reciting silently as he continued writing. His speed also increased considerably.

Ms. Liu watched, nodding her head without stop. She quietly left from the window of the study and then took her daughters-in-law to visit Old Master Bai’s wife for their usual chats.

Just as she left the house, she saw Bai Er leading a bunch of kids running past her toward a nearby hill, heading for the mountain with loud shouts.

Xiaos, Bai Erlang’s servant, followed close behind, running wildly. Ms. Liu listened carefully and heard someone had caught a rhizomys on the mountain, and they were also going to catch one.

Ms. Liu shook her head with a smile and on her way to Bai Family’s house, also looked for Old Master Bai to tell him about Shanbao and Manbao copying books.

She laughed, saying, "Ziqi had to copy books for two years for the civil service exams to ensure his papers were tidy and free from errors. I didn’t expect Shanbao to be even better than his father. I guess it’s because the books they’re copying are simple, and they have studied them before. Shanbao told me that Erlang also agreed to copy with them, so why haven’t I seen him come by today?"

Upon hearing this, Old Master Bai immediately ordered his servant to bring Bai Erlang back.

When Bai Erlang was dragged back from the mountain, he was as angry as a porcupine, and if he could breathe fire, he might have spewed a flame with a single breath.

But as soon as he saw his father, Bai Erlang’s anger deflated.

Old Master Bai asked him, "I heard Shanbao and Manbao are copying books, and you promised to join them, so why didn’t you go today?"

Bai Erlang mumbled, "Copying books isn’t fun."

"Nonsense, copying books... can it be fun? Whether it’s fun or not, you have to copy!" Old Master Bai felt that in this regard, his youngest son was too much like him. To prevent him from making the same mistakes, Old Master Bai decided to go there himself and supervise him.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.