The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 756 - 745: Finally Seen

Chapter 756: Chapter 745: Finally Seen

The Bai Family’s eldest daughter, Bai Jiashi, turned fourteen this year. Today, she was the host for the young ladies who came, and had just had the snacks prepared by the kitchen put out when she turned to see a little girl standing outside the pavilion with a look of curiosity on her face, while one of her family’s Little Girls stood behind her.

Seeing this, Bai Jiashi knew she must be a new guest and hence approached Manbao with an appropriately gracious smile, saying, "This little sister is...?"

The Little Girl immediately replied in a low voice, "This is Miss Zhou, who came with Old Madam from the fourth branch of the old residence."

Bai Jiashi was momentarily puzzled—the Old Madam from the fourth branch, that would be her great-aunt, wouldn’t it? But wasn’t that great-aunt’s surname Liu?

The next aunt seemed to be surnamed Zheng; how come this visitor’s surname was Zhou?

Nevertheless, she quickly recovered and, holding Manbao’s hand, she smiled and said, "I’m the oldest at home. My full name is Jiashi. What’s little sister’s name?"

Manbao smiled and said, "I’m eighth in the order of birth at home, my name is simply Man. Sister can just call me Zhou Man."

"Sister Man," Bai Jiashi found herself a title and, holding her hand, said, "Come on, let me introduce you to everyone."

Bai Jiashi’s family had just moved to Yizhou City and she wasn’t very familiar with the ladies of Yizhou, so for this occasion, they had asked the Qiao Family’s cousins to help out.

However, they didn’t know Manbao either, so aside from the Bai sisters, everyone in the pavilion was quite indifferent toward her.

Manbao didn’t mind and settled herself down on a stone bench with Bai Jiashi, starting to nibble on the snacks spread out on the stone table.

After talking with Manbao for a while, Bai Jiashi busied herself with entertaining the other refined guests to the point of being overwhelmed, and Manbao, watching her, felt tired on her behalf.

Finally, when Bai Jiashi had a chance to take a break, Manbao casually poured her a cup of tea.

Bai Jiashi gave Manbao a grateful look, took a sip of her tea, and then spoke in a low voice, "I forgot to ask my sister, do you live with our Great-Aunt in Luojiang County?"

Manbao said, "My family is in Luojiang County, but I’m currently studying in Yizhou City with my teacher."

Bai Jiashi was astonished, "You’re studying?"

Manbao nodded, her curiosity piqued, "Sister, don’t you study?"

Bai Jiashi replied somewhat sheepishly, "I do study a bit. I’ve learned a few characters and read books like ’Lessons for Women’ and ’Strong Women.’ But I’ve finished all of those and lately I’ve been learning needlework, so I don’t read that often anymore."

Manbao expressed her sympathy, "I have many books. If sister would like to read, I can lend some to you."

The Bai Family certainly wasn’t short of books. Not to mention her father was an official, even her two brothers were studying. However, Bai Jiashi still appreciated the gesture and said with a smile, "When I find a book I wish to read, I’ll go find my sister. By the way, where do you live?"

Manbao immediately grinned from ear to ear and pointed toward a distant wall, saying, "I live just over there."

Bai Jiashi turned to look and her mouth fell open slightly. After a moment, she said, "So we’re neighbors?"

Manbao affirmed, "Yes, Sister. If you ever need me in the future, just knock on that wall, and I’ll hear you."

Bai Jiashi nearly broke into a sweat and chuckled, "I think it might be better to send you a card."

While Manbao found that bothersome, she knew it was proper etiquette and nodded, "If sister sends me an invitation, I’ll definitely come. You can also come to my house to play whenever you have time."

Bai Jiashi nodded, "Alright."

As they were speaking, a maid came to invite them, "...the banquet is about to begin, the lady asks the young mistresses to come to the front for the meal."

Bai Jiashi, holding Manbao’s hand, stood up and warmly invited everyone to the banquet.

The feast in the front and the backyards was separate; once Bai Shan and the others were taken to the front, they didn’t come back, and instead ate and drank with Old Master Bai and Bai Zhi in the front.

The banquet in the backyard was set up in a spacious pavilion; Manbao had been there before, but at that time the pavilion looked dim and dark, unlike now, where tables and chairs filled the space along with screens for privacy, bustling with activity that made the place look lively.

A procession of young ladies entered in turn, adding to the already bustling pavilion.

Manbao glanced around and was about to go sit by Old Madam Liu when Old Madam Zuo, seated at the head table, graciously suggested, "Let the girls sit by themselves. They’re young and will enjoy their own company while we elders have our own conversation, which is more comfortable."

Old Madam Liu also nodded from a distance to acknowledge Manbao.

Guided by Bai Jiashi’s lead, Manbao took a seat at the end table.

Everyone in the pavilion took their respective seats according to their station; naturally, Old Madam Zuo and her group occupied the head table. There were five tables in total, with the two in the center occupied by the younger wives and the last two filled with groups of little girls.

Next to Manbao sat a little girl around seven or eight years old, which caught her attention repeatedly.

After all, it was not often that she saw girls younger than her, behaving so maturely and composedly.

Bai Jiashi also took a seat at the last table alongside her guests. As the servants continously served dishes, the pavilion quieted down somewhat, and everyone watched the elders conversing at the head table.

Second Madam Ji was also seated at the head table. Although she was young, her status was high. Among all the relatives present that day, she held the highest position, so she sat to the left of Old Madam Zuo, with Old Madam Liu seated further down.

With Bai Shan and Ji Hao as a common topic, they found much to talk about.

A young madam seated opposite listened for a while before she couldn’t help but look up at Old Madam Liu and with a smile, she asked, "Is this lady the grandmother of young master Bai Shan?"

Old Madam Liu glanced at her, recognizing her status, and confirmed with a smile, "Indeed, I am. Old Madam has seen Madam Tang before."

Madam Tang bowed slightly, "I hardly deserve such notice. It’s just that my husband often mentions young master Bai, hence my curiosity. Speaking of which, I heard that a young lady often accompanies the young master. Is she here today?"

Caught off guard but smiling, Old Madam Liu said, "Madam must be speaking of Manbao, that’s Shanbao’s Senior Sister. Nanny Liu, please bring Manbao here."

Nanny Liu went to fetch Manbao from the last table.

During this moment, Old Madam Liu explained to the Old Madams and Madams seated there: "Don’t let her young age fool you, she’s quite clever. She was the first to join Mr. Zhuang’s tutelage, so she’s Shanbao’s Senior Sister."

Once Manbao came forward and performed her greetings, Old Madam Zuo praised her with great regard, "You can tell she’s a smart child."

Second Madam Ji also nodded, "Especially skilled in medicine. It was she who saved my son’s life back then."

Manbao replied diplomatically, "Second Madam is too kind with her words. I only assisted Physician Fan and Doctor Ji a little."

Madam Tang looked at Manbao intently, captivated by her clear eyes and round, tender face. Joy erupted in her heart and she immediately took hold of her soft hand, exclaiming with a smile, "Indeed, she looks very clever, and not just that—she’s also pretty. Seeing her plump and soft like this makes me want to have a daughter all over again."

"If Madam Tang has a daughter, then she’ll have the perfect pair of a son and a daughter."

"I’ve heard there’s a custom of ’inducing good fortune’ among common folk. Madam Tang is so fond of her, why not take her as your daughter? Maybe she will bring you another daughter."