The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 753 - 742: Mutual Praise

Chapter 753: Chapter 742: Mutual Praise

As night deepened, the cold wind grew sharper. Red lanterns were hung in the courtyard, and the soft moonlight sprinkled from the sky interwove with them to create a halo of light that fell gently on the figures below.

Bai Shan walked Manbao back to her courtyard, and as they stepped on their own shadows, both couldn’t help but look up at the moon. After admiring it, Manbao said, "Even an incomplete moon is quite beautiful."

Bai Shan nodded in agreement.

At the entrance to her courtyard, Bai Shan told her, "Get some rest early, tomorrow we’ll go out and have fun in the streets together."

Manbao nodded.

After she went inside, Bai Shan turned and made his way back to his own courtyard. Nanny Liu greeted him with a smile and a lantern. Bai Shan, noticing her, expressed his surprise, "Nanny, when did you arrive?"

Nanny Liu replied, "... Old Madam was worried, so she had me light your way, young master." Had he really just noticed her after she followed him all the way here?

Bai Shan, feeling slightly embarrassed, said, "Thank you, Nanny. I could have gone back on my own."

After speaking, he reached out to take the lantern from her hand.

Nanny Liu didn’t insist, so she handed the lantern to him and waited for him to walk away before she returned to the main house.

Daji was reporting to Old Madam Liu, recounting all that had happened while the young master was away and the news he had heard from Yizhou City.

Old Madam Liu nodded slightly, indicating he could leave.

Nanny Liu poured a cup of tea for her, smiling, "I’ve noticed that the young master has grown up and become more sensible. This time I’ve seen him, he seems to have lost a lot of his mischievousness."

Old Madam Liu smiled and nodded, "That’s why boys should travel and see the world. The more they see, the more mature and stable they become."

Pausing for a moment, Old Madam Liu then said, "Mr. Zhuang has also taught him well..."

She sighed, "There are some things that still require a father’s guidance. He doesn’t have a father, but fortunately, he has a good teacher."

Some of the events of the past few months, for instance, would probably have taken Bai Shan and the others many years to understand the tricks of, if Mr. Zhuang hadn’t explained them.

By then, who knows how many detours they might have taken.

And even she, in some matters, didn’t see as clearly as Mr. Zhuang.

Students are easy to come by, but a good teacher is hard to find, especially one willing to pass on all his knowledge.

Old Madam Liu said, "Tomorrow when we go to the streets, let’s see if we can find a suitable gift for Mr. Zhuang. We should buy something to celebrate the Winter Solstice for him."

Nanny Liu promptly bowed and responded with a "Yes."

Although the gifts for Bai Yu’s family had already been prepared, Old Madam Liu still wanted to browse through Yizhou City, longing to see the new fabrics, fashion styles, and jewelry.

Ms. Zheng also enjoyed shopping and, once they started, she clung to Manbao’s hand, enjoying trying clothes and jewelry on her.

She wanted to buy many things, but Manbao would only accept one set. If more gifts were forced upon her, she would simply buy gifts in return.

Ms. Zheng knew that Manbao wasn’t well-off and certainly couldn’t afford to buy clothes and jewelry so recklessly, so she just enjoyed trying them on her for fun.

She voiced her regret, "If only I had a daughter of my own."

Old Madam Liu shared the sentiment in silence; if her son had lived a few more years, they might not just have had a granddaughter, but perhaps more grandchildren.

Bai Shan and Bai Erlang stood at a distance. Upon hearing this, Bai Shan said, "Mother, if it pleases you, why not dress up Manbao just for fun? It’s all about enjoying the moment, isn’t it?"

Ms. Zheng found the idea tempting, but Manbao was not willing, "Bai Shan is fair and handsome, and with his hair in a topknot, no one recognizes him as a boy. Auntie Zheng could try garments on him instead..."

Bai Shan knew she was up to no good.

Old Madam Liu watched them bicker with amusement, then her eyes landed on a set of pearl jewelry and immediately pointed it out to the shopkeeper, "Bring that over for me to see."

"Yes."

The pearl jewelry set was delicate and cute, perfect for lively young girls. Old Madam Liu beckoned Manbao over, pinned a pearl flower on the edge of her hair bun, and it actually looked rather charming.

Old Madam Liu exclaimed, "This one is lovely. Fetch the bronze mirror and let her see. Young girls should dress lively. You always used just a red cord in your hair; it’s too plain."

Manbao looked down at it and found it indeed beautiful.

Old Madam Liu took the pearl flower back from Manbao and handed it to the shopkeeper, smiling, "Wrap up the whole set. Come, let’s look at the others."

Old Madam Liu also bought Ms. Zheng a set of ruby jewelry, got herself some gold ornaments, and even Bai Shan and Bai Erlang received some jade pieces. Having satisfied their shopping, they all headed home.

Not long after they arrived, Old Master Bai showed up. He had come from a different place, so he had not traveled with Old Madam Liu and the rest. The banquet was the following day, so he had to arrive regardless, and he did not come alone—his eldest son was with him.

He said with a beaming smile, "Dalang has been recommended by their teacher and will go to the capital for examinations after the New Year. If he can get into the Imperial Academy, good; if not, I plan to find him a private school in the capital to study temporarily, and he can try again next year."

Old Madam Liu was delighted, "Bai Zhi is so accomplished?"

Stoically standing by, Bai Zhi modestly greeted, "Great-Aunt is too kind. Cousin Bai Shan is even more accomplished than I am; at such a young age, he was accepted into the prefectural school. I heard from my father that Cousin Bai Shan has now advanced to the first class."

Bai Shan naturally replied with humility.

Bai Erlang, feeling his teeth ache from the exchange, whispered to Manbao, "We’re all family here, why the need for such formality? It makes me want to sleep."

Manbao nodded in full agreement, yet remained eagerly attentive, thinking it was good to learn. Maybe she would use it tomorrow.

Indeed, they did use these polite phrases early the next morning.

Mr. Zhuang planned to take his three disciples to the excitement of the incense offerings at Qixia Temple, and Old Master Bai naturally brought his eldest son along. They weren’t the only ones; there were many scholars who also brought their students, sons, or grandsons to join in the hubbub.

The path leading up to Qixia Temple was crowded with people, scholars in wide-sleeved robes being the majority.

As they met along the way, both acquaintances and strangers would nod and exchange greetings. And when they came across someone they knew well, the scene became quite lively.

Mr. Zhuang was well acquainted with many people, so quite a few caught hold of Bai Shan and Manbao and praised them profusely.

Mr. Zhuang would then return the appreciation, and in doing so, the praised students would naturally modestly demur, leading Manbao to join Bai Shan in making rounds of deep bows and modestly deflecting the praise back.

Although they had never met the brother on the opposite side, let alone heard of him before that day, praising his looks, demeanor, and scholarship was never amiss.

Mr. Zhuang, having accepted the praise on behalf of his students, then brought out Bai Zhi. After all, Bai Zhi was his first pupil in Qili Village. It was Old Master Bai who had sought Mr. Zhuang for Bai Zhi’s education. Bai Zhi took the path laid out by Mr. Zhuang for his prefectural school examinations and had kept in touch through correspondence, seeking counsel on various topics.

Even though he hadn’t formally become a disciple, in Mr. Zhuang’s view, Manbao and the rest should still call him Senior Brother.

Learning that Bai Zhi had secured a recommendation to take the Imperial Academy examinations at his age, every acquaintance they met on the road, whether sincerely or pretentiously, offered praise for Bai Zhi.

Then Mr. Zhuang seized the opportunity to showcase his younger students as well. After each disciple had received their share of compliments, Mr. Zhuang finally led them contentedly up to Qixia Temple.