The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 787 - 776: Exhortation

Chapter 787: Chapter 776: Exhortation

Manbao defended herself, "I’m treating sickness, of course, I have to ask in detail and also be thorough with my instructions."

Junior Ms. Qian nursed a headache, "Will your future husband be able to tolerate you?"

Manbao cheerfully replied, "It’ll be fine as long as my husband enjoys talking too."

Third Son said, "Then that’s it, when you come back to your parents’ house, it’ll be just the two of you talking non-stop."

Manbao stretched out her foot to kick him, but Third Son quickly hopped away, and the two of them laughed and played as they ran to the very front.

This year, Bai Erlang also had to visit his uncle’s house for New Year’s greetings, having decided to leave on the fifth day and stay there for two nights, returning on the seventh. Therefore, everyone agreed to visit Mr. Zhuang in the county seat on the third day.

Since Mr. Zhuang had relieved himself of his teaching duties, Manbao and the others now had to go to the Zhuang Family in the county seat to offer New Year’s greetings.

The Zhuang Family was accustomed to setting aside a day each year to entertain them. Manbao and her friends knew their way well, carrying gifts for New Year’s greetings, paying respects to the teacher, staying for a meal, then taking a red envelope and leaving after saying goodbye.

Because they were going into the county seat to offer greetings, they had woken up a bit early. As soon as Manbao climbed onto the carriage, she felt sleepy, yawned, and found a comfortable position to rest her head.

Bai Shan sat next to her and asked, "Do you feel there’s anything different about paying New Year’s visits this year?"

Bai Erlang inquired, "What’s different?"

Manbao let out a big yawn, almost enough to bring tears to her eyes, and said, "Yes, this year my sister-in-law has been exceptionally warm to me."

Bai Shan also nodded, "I also think she’s been very warm to you, but why is that?"

Bai Erlang and Bai Shan turned to look at her together. With her eyes half-closed, Manbao said, "Because I’m a girl, and when I’m out and about, surely I take care of teacher a bit more. So, my sister-in-law is grateful to me."

Bai Erlang then exclaimed, "That’s not it at all, clearly, I take care of teacher even more."

Bai Shan was about to speak, but he couldn’t help laughing with Manbao. Nevertheless, he didn’t pursue the subject further but asked, "Did we agree to come to the county seat together for the Lantern Festival?"

Manbao nodded and snuggled into a corner to get comfortable.

Then everyone went home quietly.

The Lantern Festival was somewhat different from the New Year celebrations. That day, County Magistrate Yang ordered the city gates to be opened. From the morning of the fourteenth day, the gates were wide open and would not close until the sixteenth of the first month.

Thus, even villagers living in the countryside could come to the county seat to join the festivities, as long as there were enough people, walking at night was not to be feared.

However, old men like Old Zhou would not go. He preferred staying at home with his wife and children, gathered around the stove for a secure celebration, rather than going out in the cold wind.

But this year, Old Zhou would find it impossible to have his wife and children huddling around the stove because even Zhou Dalang and Zhou Sanlang decided to take their families into the city for the excitement, not to mention everyone else.

Still, Wulang, Second Son, and Third Son, were all still young, especially Third Son, who could only be held at this time, so the three of them were left behind.

Their parents, heeding Manbao’s advice, were particularly wicked. After playing with them around noontime and not letting them sleep, they ate an early supper in the afternoon and then put them to bed.

The children, not having slept at noon, fell asleep almost as soon as they were put to bed, without any fuss.

Then the whole family set out, Manbao joining them up to the village entrance, where Bai Shan and others waited for her in the carriage, which had a chicken cage hanging at its rear.

Junior Ms. Qian, knowing the three got along well and with Daji there, said with particular relief, "You go play with them; we’ll follow on our own."

"Then I’m off, I’ll wait for you guys in the county seat."

Zhou SiLang said, "No, your fourth brother-in-law and I won’t be joining you."

Zhou WuLang said, "Neither will I, no need to wait for us."

Meanwhile, Datou and his friends had already made plans in the village to go to the county seat together to play, and they wouldn’t be joining us. Only the younger ones like Second Son, because there’s still the danger of getting kidnapped, had to stick with their parents.

But Brother Zhou and the others had their own plans and didn’t intend to take Manbao along. So he said, "Go and have fun by yourself. Didn’t you say you’d be back tonight? If you don’t want to come back, just stay overnight at the shop. Your sister-in-law and I will wait for you there."

Junior Ms. Qian nodded, "Whether you’re returning home or staying in the county city, you’ve got to let us know at the end of the day, so we don’t worry."

Manbao agreed.

It was only then that Junior Ms. Qian cautioned the older children, "Even though you can go to the county city to have fun, you must not stay out too late, do you understand?"

The children simply nodded their heads.

Junior Ms. Qian continued to fret, "No matter what you do, it’s important to stay harmonious. Tonight there will be a lot of people, and you mustn’t get into arguments or fights. If something happens, step back, yield a little, got it?"

Datou replied, "Mom, that’s not what you used to say. You told us to stand up for ourselves..."

Zhou Dalang smacked him on the head, "When your mom’s talking, you listen quietly. What’s with all the backtalk? Usually, it’s about standing up for yourself, but while you’re out having fun tonight, and it’s only for one night with so many people coming and going, what if you encounter someone quick-tempered and get into a fight? Won’t you be suffering for nothing?"

Zhou ErLang also nodded and took the opportunity to remind Second Son, "That’s right. You won’t lose a piece of flesh by stepping back this time. Don’t be contentious while you’re out."

Being soft in the village may lead to being bullied even more because of your meekness.

Everyone turned to look at Manbao and the other two still standing by the carriage, saying, "Manbao, you have to do the same. Don’t get into fights."

"I understand, Brother and sister-in-law," Manbao, who had been enthusiastically watching, suddenly felt guilty and quickly climbed onto the carriage and sat down, "Well, let’s be off."

The Zhou family waved at them leisurely, slowly following behind the carriage.

They had plenty of time anyway, as the county city wouldn’t get lively until it got dark.

The children were all going to the county city for the Lantern Festival at night for the first time and were incredibly excited about it, especially Second Son, Silang, and Sanya. The three youngsters had never even seen the county city at night and were even more full of anticipation.

Manbao, who had climbed onto the carriage, was also looking forward to it. Although she knew that Luojiang County wouldn’t be as lively as Yizhou City at night, she was still eager.

Bai Shan looked at her and chuckled, "Just remember what your brother and sister-in-law said, you can’t get into fights."

Manbao retorted, "You’re more hot-tempered than I am."

"Nonsense, I’ve always been steady and never fought anyone," he claimed.

Manbao and Bai Erlang just quietly watched him.

Feeling a little embarrassed but maintaining a serious expression, Bai Shan insisted, "I’m serious, you know by my reputation at the school. I’ve been isolated and bullied, but did I ever fight them?"

Unconvinced, Manbao asked, "Then why did you fight with me?"

"That’s because you hit me first."

Manbao thought back carefully and denied it, "No, that’s not true. For example, the last time with Bai Ning, it was you who started it."

Bai Erlang also remembered, "Right, you were the first to strike."

Manbao continued searching her memory, "And there was that summer when I was six, by the riverbank, it was you who hit me first and you even cut my arm."

After thinking it over, Bai Shan finally remembered, "That was because you snatched the pebble I found in the river. I had picked it up."

"I didn’t snatch it, I was just looking..."

As the two seemed about to squabble again, Bai Erlang couldn’t help but stretch out his hand between them and said, "Stop arguing! Brother Zhou already told us to step back. Can’t you both give a little? What if you fight and the carriage turns over? If you need to argue, do it after getting off."

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