The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 754 - 743: Crossing Swords

Chapter 754: Chapter 743: Crossing Swords

Everyone came to Qixia Temple to join the hustle and bustle, and incidentally to get acquainted with more people.

Old Master Bai, like Mr. Zhuang, came here with his eldest son for the same purpose; as literati, that’s what they do: they talk, and if they find rapport, they give a business card and pay a visit afterward.

Manbao, Bai Shan, and Bai Erlang didn’t have that many thoughts in mind; they happily paid their respects to Taishang Laojun and other deities enshrined in the temple, then went to the back mountain to enjoy the cool breeze, underwent some questioning from various elders, left their names with them, and then descended the mountain.

It was still early at the moment, so they went directly back to the Bai Manor on Huanxi Street to change their clothes, then headed to the Bai Family on Kangxue Street.

The signboard of the Yan Residence had already been replaced with the words "Bai Residence." Bai Shan was the first to jump out of the carriage, then reached out to help Manbao before assisting his mother and grandmother down.

Everyone looked up at the signboard together, and Manbao whispered, "The lettering is not as good as the one on the Yan Residence."

Bai Shan nodded, and Old Madam Liu coughed lightly, prompting them to immediately restrain their expressions.

From the carriage behind, the Bai Family father and sons also alighted. Old Master Bai, leading his two sons, slightly bowed to invite Old Madam Liu to go ahead, as servants presented their two families’ invitation cards.

The steward at the door who was greeting guests opened the invitations, recognized them as family, and did not dare to neglect them. He quickly called someone over and whispered, "Go inform the master quickly, the Bai Family from Luojiang County and the Old Madam from the fourth branch of the ancestral home have arrived."

Full of curiosity, Manbao followed alongside Bai Shan, walking inside following the servant.

As for the Yan Residence... oh no, it’s Bai Residence now, the three of them were very familiar with its view and layout, having wandered around inside and out more than once.

But walking inside this time felt quite different, especially since the houses had all been refurbished.

The rooms they used to be able to barge into were now closed, or if they were open, the furniture like tables and chairs inside was laid out neatly. If it weren’t for the familiar layout, they would have thought they had gone to a new place.

Manbao looked around curiously. They had not gone far when Old Master Bai and Bai Zhi were intercepted by a young man who had come to meet them and led them to Bai Yu.

Meanwhile, a nanny-like servant came over to greet Old Madam Liu, smiling and saying the Old Madam was waiting for them in the back yard and was also eager to see the young masters.

Old Madam Liu smiled faintly and motioned for Bai Erlang, Bai Shan, and the rest to follow her to the backyard.

They were late in arriving, and the great hall in the backyard, where guests waited, was packed with many people, all bustling with activity.

Because of the cold, curtains hung over the doors. From afar, as they were seen approaching, maids lifted the curtains.

Upon entering the room, Manbao immediately felt a warm air. In front were screens, and beyond were spacious rooms lined with chairs, which were currently full of people.

There were about twenty people sitting or standing around the room, creating a bustling scene. Once they entered, the gathering quieted slightly.

The Old Madam seated in the middle, upon seeing Old Madam Liu, immediately stood up to greet her, "Sister-in-law, I have been looking forward to your visit for a long time."

Old Madam Liu held her hand and called out "Sister," then introduced Bai Shan and the others, "This is your Great-Aunt. You’ve been too young to meet her before, but now that you have seen her, why aren’t you coming forward to pay your respects?"

On the evening two days ago, Old Madam Liu had told them that this Old Madam’s maiden name was Zuo.

A maid brought three cushions over. Old Madam Liu held onto Manbao while Bai Shan and Bai Cheng knelt down to pay their respects to Old Madam Zuo.

Old Madam Zuo smiled and had people help the two children to their feet, praised them, and then gave each of them a red envelope before turning her attention to Manbao standing beside Old Madam Liu.

Old Madam Liu held Manbao’s hand and said with a smile, "This is a child from our lifelong friends’ family. She is also studying in Yizhou City. She was bored over the winter break, so I brought her out for some fun. Manbao, greet Old Madam Zuo."

Manbao stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Old Madam Zuo with a smile.

Old Madam Liu held her small hand and said cheerfully, "What a lovely child, no need for such formality. Since you are from a family with longtime connections to us, call me Great-Aunt just like the others."

Manbao looked at Old Madam Liu before calling out, "Great-Aunt, hello."

"Good, good, good. Here, for our first meeting, this is from your Great-Aunt."

She gave Manbao a red envelope just like the one given to Bai Shan and the others.

Manbao accepted it with a smile.

Having finished their greetings on this side, they then proceeded to meet the other guests. The elderly lady sitting next to Old Madam Zuo was Auntie Qiao, who had married into the Qiao Family. She was acquainted with Old Madam Liu, and upon seeing them finish their greetings, she approached with a smile, "I haven’t seen sister-in-law for a long time. You look as robust as ever."

Old Madam Liu replied with a smile, "Sister, you look very hearty yourself."

A servant brought chairs over, and Old Madam Liu sat down with the younger family members, including Ms.Zheng, standing behind her.

Old Madam Qiao also returned to her seat and then pointed at Bai Shan with mild reproach, "You really are something. The child is so young, and you let him endure so much hardship. Now that he has been accepted to the prefectural school, why don’t you send him home instead of having him rent a room outside? Those unaware would think that I, as his grand-aunt, have been particularly hard on my great-nephew."

Old Madam Liu said with a twinkling smile, "I, of course, know sister is kind. But this child, just like his father, is very mischievous. I was worried he would be a nuisance if he were to go to the estate. Moreover, he did not come here to study alone; he also needed to serve his master."

Old Madam Liu replied, "Mr. Zhuang is a man of high character and doesn’t wish to be tangled up in worldly affairs. We also have a separate residence in the city, but the master did not want to stay there. His student certainly can’t enjoy privileges alone. So, I let them be."

Old Madam Qiao blurted out, "Even so, he should make occasional visits so that I, as his grand-aunt, can see him from time to time."

While people in the room continued their own conversations, they also pricked up their ears to listen to their exchange. Old Madam Liu’s smile slightly faded, but her expression remained unchanged. Her words, however, took on a sharp edge, and she said with a light laugh, "Sister seems to misunderstand him. The child is mischievous yet still knows his manners. On the Double Ninth Festival, he even asked if he should visit his grand-aunt."

"I said, ’The Double Ninth is an important festival, and your grand-aunt must be busy. Who has the time to entertain a child? Nevertheless, the courtesy must not be neglected. Prepare a gift for the Double Ninth Festival along with a greeting card. If your grand-aunt has time, she will see you. If not, you would have done your duty.’" Old Madam Liu smiled as she picked up the tea cup that had just been served, sipped it, and then asked with a smile, "Don’t you know about this, sister?"

Old Madam Qiao forced a smile and said, "I really didn’t know. The servants at home are becoming more and more negligent."

Old Madam Liu nodded with a smile, "I guessed so. When the child first came to Yizhou City, he sent invitations for every subsequent festival that passed."

The smile on Old Madam Qiao’s face became more strained. Old Madam Zuo immediately changed the subject, "Sister-in-law, are you planning to stay in Yizhou City for a long time? After all, your child is studying here."