The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 622 - 611: Startled Escape (Added for the reward from the book friend "Al Pacino")

Chapter 622: Chapter 611: Startled Escape (Added for the reward from the book friend "Al Pacino")

They hadn’t had their evening meal yet when they returned from doing their laundry. Manbao and Bai Shanbao ran into the kitchen one after the other, each grabbing four steamed buns from the steamer and leaving.

The cook opened her mouth to say something but ultimately decided not to stop them. However, she was puzzled to see them still hungrily devouring steamed buns during dinner, wondering since when the young master and Miss Man had such hearty appetites.

After nightfall, when everyone had retired to their rooms, Manbao tiptoed into the kitchen carrying a small bundle and stuffed it into the cupboard where leftover pastries were still kept from earlier that evening.

Manbao closed the cupboard and quietly snuck back, with Bai Shan keeping watch at the window. Seeing her scurry over like a guilty thief, he couldn’t help but break into a grin.

Manbao waved her fist at him and ran back to her room.

Daji, who hadn’t noticed their little scheme, had already prepared his bed and sat down to meditate. He wanted to see if that person would come again tonight.

If they did come, he would have to find a way to scare them off.

Even if they didn’t harbor much malice towards them, he absolutely wouldn’t allow this danger to linger around them. He had already been too lenient the previous night.

Zhou SiLang hummed a tune on his way back and, seeing him sitting cross-legged, asked, "Are you practicing martial arts?"

"Meditating, calming the mind."

Zhou SiLang was stunned, "You? Unsettled? What’s on your mind? A wife? Oh, right, did you get married?"

Daji: ...

He closed his eyes, ignoring Zhou SiLang.

Zhou SiLang scratched his head, not understanding what was so difficult to answer about his question.

Eager to catch a glimpse of the mysterious person in black, Bai Shan stayed on his bed, not quite asleep.

But he waited in vain and eventually succumbed to sleep. The night passed without incident.

When Bai Shan awoke, he was still a bit groggy. He sat on his bed for a while before realizing that he hadn’t heard any noise. Could it be the person didn’t come last night?

With that thought, Bai Shanbao immediately threw off his covers, jumped out of bed, and ran directly to the kitchen across the way.

Aunt Rong, who always prepared their breakfast, was the earliest riser in the household. Surprised to see the young master rush in wearing only his underclothes, she asked, "Young Master, are you hungry?"

Bai Shanbao mumbled an affirmative and pulled open the cupboard, only to find that the small bundle and pastries were all gone.

Aunt Rong leaned in for a look, complaining, "Daji really can eat a lot. There were plenty of pastries left over last night, and he’s eaten them all. Young Master, if you’re hungry, shall I quickly boil an egg for you? It’s faster."

Bai Shanbao closed the cupboard, "No need, I’m not hungry anymore."

He ran out, just in time to see Zhou Lijun leaving the house. Bai Shanbao stood at the doorway and asked, "Is Manbao awake?"

"Miss?" Zhou Lijun glanced inside and answered, "No, what’s up?"

Bai Shanbao pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "Nothing, I’ll come find her later."

With that, he went back to change his clothes.

Manbao hadn’t slept well the night before, so she got up even later today. She lazed in bed for quite a while before Bai Shanbao knocked on her window twice, finally coaxing her out of bed.

Looking listless, Manbao tidied up quickly and then hunkered down with Bai Shanbao in a corner of the courtyard, ostensibly to water the flowers and plants, but really to have a secret conversation.

Daji couldn’t help but glance at them.

"Did that person come again last night?"

"Of course, they did," Manbao glanced at him, "I knew you wouldn’t have noticed."

Truth was, if it weren’t for Keke’s reminder, she wouldn’t have noticed either.

Last night she had waited a long time, nearly falling asleep, thinking the person wouldn’t come. Yet she was woken up by Keke in the middle of the night.

She had quietly risen and peered out the window to see, and not only did she see the "thief," but she also saw Daji.

Manbao leaned close to Bai Shanbao’s ear and whispered, "Last night Daji got up too, and he even opened the door and came out, but he didn’t speak or stop the person. It was so strange."

Manbao and Bai Shanbao didn’t believe for a second that Daji hadn’t noticed the person; after all, he was Daji, capable of climbing rooftops to fight with someone.

Speculating, Manbao said, "I think Daji knew about the person from the night before last."

Bai Shanbao blinked and looked at Manbao, "Could you have gotten it wrong, and the person eating the pastries in the kitchen was Daji?"

Manbao: ...

Bai Shanbao quickly discounted his own theory, "But that’s not possible, right? The night before last is one thing, but last night we left a small bundle in there with not only steamed buns but also medicine."

Manbao whispered, "I’m sure I wasn’t mistaken, someone was there. They whooshed straight over to the wall."

"Was it at the Yan Residence?"

Manbao, "That’s not impossible. The Yan Residence is large, abandoned, and hiding there would be too easy. Speaking of which, did the officials ever search the Yan Residence?"

The two exchanged a look of realization. Indeed, there had been no commotion at the Yan Residence; did that mean it hadn’t been searched?

Manbao was at a loss for words, "If it were me, I’d definitely choose such a place to hide too. Why wouldn’t they search it?"

Bai Shanbao, "Did that person notice Daji?"

"The noise of opening the door was so loud, of course, they noticed," Manbao said. "That’s why I think they won’t come again tonight."

After some thought, Bai Shanbao understood Daji’s reasoning and nodded, "That’s for the best. If that person really is an assassin, it’s far too dangerous."

It wasn’t just a matter of their personal safety, but the trouble that might follow them was even more perilous.

They absolutely couldn’t afford to be associated with assassins.

In fact, the person who came last night was also bewildered. Upon opening the cupboard and discovering the small bundle and peeking inside to find steamed buns and medicine, he knew he had been discovered by the household.

His heart racing, he didn’t have time to think further. Coupled with the sound of a door opening from outside, he instinctively swept away all the pastries in the cupboard and made his escape.

He had no time to arrange a false scene like the previous night.

The person in black left swiftly, not heading immediately back to his hideout but instead hid first. Having waited half the night without being pursued, he then stealthily returned.

He was one of the two escaped assassins. With the Second Young Master seriously injured and the city gates closed, they had no choice but to stay hidden.

Back at his hideout, upon opening the bundle, he carefully examined the powders and herbs inside and found nothing amiss.

The Second Young Master glanced at them and asked, "What kind of people live in that household?"

"I’ve eavesdropped by the corner; it’s a scholar’s family, with one of the sons studying at the prefectural school."

"The prefectural school," the Second Young Master chuckled softly, "That must be a very clever one. You went there only once and he guessed your identity."

"So, Second Young Master, should we..."

"Leave the stuff, let’s find a new place," the Second Young Master dictated, "Although they may not report us, it’s still better to be cautious."