The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 773 - 762: After the Exam

Chapter 773: Chapter 762: After the Exam

Manbao handed over the last of her finished test papers to Mr. Zhuang and stood beside him with her hands down, waiting for instructions.

Mr. Zhuang checked it over and, finding no issues, nodded, "That’s fine, you may go."

Manbao immediately bowed and scurried out. Bai Shan and Bai Erlang had been waiting for her outside. Seeing her dash out, they promptly said, "Hurry, hurry, we’re only waiting for you."

The year-end exam had ended, and everyone just needed to wait three days for the results. With the results in hand, they could all go home for the New Year celebration.

They wouldn’t report back until after the Lantern Festival.

Therefore, they decided to buy some New Year goods from Yizhou City and take them back home.

Bai Shan and the others had finished their exams the day before; Manbao was slightly later than them. As soon as she rushed out, the trio climbed into the carriage and urged Daji to speed up.

Bai Shan had been holding back for several days, and today he could finally discuss the exam questions with Manbao, speaking incessantly all the way.

Bai Erlang showed his disdain, "Can’t we just enjoy ourselves without all this talk about exams?"

Bai Shan retorted, "Is it because you don’t understand?"

"Who said I don’t understand? At most I just don’t know how to answer. It’s not like you did much better than me."

Curious, Manbao asked, "Are you going to take the entrance exam for the prefectural school next year?"

Bai Erlang, with feigned confidence, said, "I’d like to, but I don’t have a slot."

"No matter, once we get back, we can ask County Magistrate Yang to give you one," Manbao said. "After all, the County Governmental Office always has some extra slots every year. Given our relationship with County Magistrate Yang, it shouldn’t be hard to obtain one."

Bai Erlang replied, "...Can’t we talk about something cheerful when we’re out having fun?"

Bai Shan laughed heartily and suggested, "Then let’s talk about what we should buy later. Oh right, with the New Year coming, shouldn’t we send a gift to County Magistrate Tang?"

Manbao suggested, "Let’s wait until we’re back to send it, and then we can bring some local specialties for him."

The three of them embarked on a massive shopping spree, going from one street to the next, full of enthusiasm. Whether they were tired or not, Daji didn’t know, but he certainly felt weary.

While shopping, they could no longer ignore the hunger in their stomachs and decided to dine at a random restaurant.

Unluckily, they were near the County Governmental Office. Looking around, they chose a restaurant that looked decent and walked in.

As it happened, Bai Yu was there to invite County Magistrate Tang to a meal. With the New Year approaching, County Magistrate Tang was extremely busy, but it wouldn’t be polite to refuse all invitations, so he chose a nearby restaurant. Bai Ning accompanied them, and they took a private room.

Manbao and her group were entering when Bai Yu’s family was nearly finished eating, with Bai Yu engrossed in conversation with County Magistrate Tang.

The trio, along with a servant carrying their many purchases, climbed up the stairs. County Magistrate Tang on the second floor couldn’t help but look down and see them. Amused, he raised his hand to greet them, "Bai Shan, Zhou Man, Bai Cheng, come here."

Looking up to see County Magistrate Tang, Manbao also noticed the Bai family father and son next to him. She wasn’t keen on going over, but felt compelled to do so.

Carrying their goods, the three approached with neutral expressions and paid their respects to County Magistrate Tang and Bai Yu.

Bai Yu greeted them sternly, and County Magistrate Tang glanced over the Bai family father and son, smiling as he asked, "Where have you three been, carrying all those bags?"

Manbao replied, "We’ve been shopping for New Year goods. We’ll be going home for the New Year celebration in a few days."

County Magistrate Tang inquired with a smile, "What did you all buy?"

"Just some food and necessities."

Most of their purchases were left in the carriage because they were either too small or too precious, which they carried with them to prevent theft.

Having answered County Magistrate Tang, naturally, they had to greet Bai Yu.

County Magistrate Tang looked at the two parties with interest, and after Manbao and her group had paid their respects, he said with a smile, "Lord Bai, as I said, you worried too much. The case involving your son was just a matter of following the law, a routine matter. There’s no ill will intended, neither by me nor these youngsters, so Lord Bai need not be so cautious."

Bai Yu smiled awkwardly and nodded, "Lord Tang speaks truly."

County Magistrate Tang said with a smile, "It was merely a childish quarrel. But there have to be limits to such jokes. Bai Ning, from now on, you must change this habit of throwing things around in the streets."

Bai Ning bowed his head and acknowledged the reprimand.

After a while, County Magistrate Tang looked at him and smiled slightly.

Seeing his son without reaction, Bai Yu furrowed his brows and in a low voice chided, "What are you standing around for? Apologize to Bai Shan and the others immediately. You’re all cousins; is there anything you can’t discuss calmly? Must you resort to fighting and showing anger, disturbing County Magistrate Tang over such a trivial matter?"

Bai Yu scolded, "County Magistrate Tang deals with innumerable affairs daily and yet he has to sort out these petty issues of yours..."

"Oh, Lord Bai," County Magistrate Tang interjected with a smile, "there are no trivial matters to the people, and I’m just a County Magistrate. I don’t have national affairs to attend to; on the contrary, I deal with minor issues like someone losing a chicken or the Xi family’s water being spilled. So this situation fits right in with my duties."

"You’re too modest, County Magistrate Tang. Everyone knows you’re a pillar of the state, unrivaled in judicial wisdom..."

Manbao and her two junior brothers, along with Bai Ning, watched the two adults praise each other with a clear divide, as her stomach involuntarily growled twice.

No sooner had her stomach growled than Bai Erlang’s and Bai Shan’s followed suit; the trio calmly observed the two adults.

County Magistrate Tang cleared his throat, about to speak, when Bai Yu pointed to a nearby seat and laughed, "You should sit down and eat something; Lord Tang and I got caught up in conversation and forgot you haven’t had lunch yet."

Manbao felt that if they sat down to eat there, they would be uncomfortable.

So she glanced at her junior brothers and decisively said, "Thank you, Lord Bai, but we had already reserved a table and ordered dishes. We’ve been told that the specialty dish here is particularly delicious. Lord Bai, why don’t you join us for a bit more to eat?"

Bai Shan immediately agreed, "Yes, yes, Uncle, County Magistrate Tang, why don’t you come over and have a bit more with us?"

County Magistrate Tang had more work to do, so he declined, and of course, Bai Yu was even less likely to join. Therefore, Manbao and her companions excused themselves to go to their own table.

In the end, Bai Yu said, "Your family isn’t here, so come over to visit more often when you’re free. Your great-aunt has repeatedly mentioned she misses you."

Bai Shan cheerfully concurred, "We’ve been busy with the exams these past days, overwhelmed with work. When we have some free time, we will definitely visit great-aunt."

After that exchange, they paid their respects in round and squeezed past to find a secluded corner farthest from them. They summoned the waiter and whispered, "Bring us your specialty dish and a few of your best dishes, and make it quick..."

"And if anyone at the front desk asks, tell them we had already reserved it in advance."

The waiter had been listening the whole time and signaled his understanding, assuring them he would keep their secret.

Once the dishes arrived and County Magistrate Tang’s party had left, the three finally spoke freely.

"We’ve been so caught up with the exams these last few days we forgot to go to the County Governmental Office to ask about this matter. But today it seems County Magistrate Tang did indeed punish Bai Ning."

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