The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 788 - 777: Lamp Mountain

Chapter 788: Chapter 777: Lamp Mountain

Bai Shan snorted and turned his head away, and Manbao also snorted, turning to the other side.

Bai Erlang wasn’t worried at all, knowing that they would be fine on their own soon enough.

Outside, Daji driving the cart wasn’t concerned either. He had his eyes half-closed from the beginning, allowing the horse to trot leisurely forward, not showing any sign of impatience.

Upon reaching the county town, Daji found a spot to park the cart, and the three of them strolled down the main street with their hands clasped behind their backs, full of swagger.

It was now evening, and all the shops along the street had hung up their lanterns. Wealthy local gentry and merchants had even created lantern displays together, taking up prime positions. As night fell, these displays would be lit up, illuminating the entire county town.

As Manbao and her companions walked by at this moment, they only saw the lanterns, which wasn’t particularly shocking. However, the townspeople walking along the street were deeply impressed, feeling that this year’s Lantern Festival was particularly lively.

"I counted them, a total of nine lantern displays. If they light them up tonight, it would look so beautiful."

"There are indeed more lanterns than in previous years. I heard that the County Governmental Office has also made one, Old Master Zhang’s family made one, and Old Master Liu’s family made the most impressive two, aiming for pairs."

Manbao and her company sat in the teahouse, listening with great interest to the gossip. It didn’t take long for the topic to shift to people they knew.

"Speaking of wealthy families in Luojiang County, the Bai Family from White Horse Pass town is certainly one of them, but how come we’ve never seen them make a lantern display?"

"Maybe they’re stingy?"

"I wouldn’t say so. Look at how Old Master Bai has donated money every year for bridge and ditch repairs in the county. Last year during the winter solstice, he even donated cotton clothes and quilts to the poor in the county." Someone said, "I work in the County Governmental Office as a clerk, and I’ve secretly calculated that in the whole county, excluding our county lord, Old Master Zhang is the one who does the most good deeds every year, followed by Old Master Bai."

"So Old Master Bai is also rich, why doesn’t he make a lantern display then?"

"Old Master Bai doesn’t come to the county town for the Lantern Festival. Why would he spend so much money on a lantern display for nothing?"

Bai Shan and Manbao both stared at Bai Erlang. Bai Er then lowered his voice and said, "My dad makes a lantern display in Mianzhou City every year, but he didn’t make one this year."

Curious, Manbao asked, "Why not?"

"Because my eldest brother will be going to the capital to take the exams at the start of the year. He’s no longer in Mianzhou, so whom would we be making a display for?" Bai Erlang said softly, "My dad said once my brother gets into the Imperial Academy, he’ll have one made in the capital in the future. That’s going to cost even more."

Bai Erlang had never worried about money, but after hearing his father mention it so often, he had started to pay more attention. He said to the two, "My dad says we only see these lanterns once a year, and after this one view, the lanterns become useless, with the money spent gone like water. Therefore, the spending must be justified. With my brother studying at the prefectural school, he had a lantern display made in Mianzhou City so that people wouldn’t look down on him. With my brother in the capital, we’d make one for him there so outsiders would know that our family is not incompetent and wouldn’t dare to bully him."

"When I eventually pass the exams for Yizhou Prefecture School, my dad will also have a lantern display lit for me in Yizhou City..."

Manbao asked, "Do you want your dad to light a lantern display for you?"

"Not really," Bai Erlang whispered. "The lantern display my family makes is average. I’d have to stay by the display afterward. I’d rather go see others’ displays."

Manbao and Bai Shan both sighed in relief, giving him a thumbs-up and praising, "That’s the right way to think."

Bai Erlang chuckled sheepishly, scratching his head, and said softly, "Mainly, I don’t think I’ll be able to pass the Yizhou Prefecture School exam."

After a moment of serious thought, Bai Shan said, "It’s still possible to pass; you just might need to study for an additional two years."

Bai Erlang’s eyes lit up as he asked, "Really?"

Bai Shan nodded but looked worrisome, "But in two years, I should have earned the spot to go to the capital for the exam. By then, you’ll have to choose between attending prefectural school or continuing to study with our teacher."

Bai Erlang paused and then became angry, "How do you know you’ll be going to the capital?"

Manbao chuckled, "That’s called confidence."

"Why does the teacher necessarily have to go with you to the capital? I’m also the teacher’s student, the youngest one. Can’t the teacher stay with me in Yizhou City?"

"Because it’s two against one; we are more than you. The minority has to follow the majority, so the teacher is definitely going to the capital with us."

Bai Erlang was stunned for a moment and then looked toward Manbao, "Can’t you just not go to the capital? It’s so far away. You might not even make it back home once a year."

"How could she possibly not go?" Bai Shan said.

"Why does she have to go?"

Bai Shan was bewildered, "She has to go..."

As for why she must go...

Bai Shan scratched his head. Wasn’t this a certainty? Why was there a need for a reason?

Bai Shan turned to Manbao.

But Manbao was deep in thought until she finally asked, "There must be many plants, insects, fish, birds, and beasts in the capital that I’ve never seen, right?"

Bai Shan nodded, while Bai Erlang shook his head.

Keke said, "Go, host."

Manbao then pumped her little fists, declaring, "I’m going!"

Bai Shan flashed a broad smile, triumphantly raising his eyebrows at Bai Erlang, much to his annoyance.

Manbao said to Bai Erlang, "Are you silly? After spending three years in Yizhou City, having played in all the places, why not take a trip to the capital? With the teacher accompanying us, studying won’t be a problem."

"If there’s anything you don’t understand, I, your Senior Brother, can also teach you. I’ve studied all these subjects in the prefectural school, and I know how the teachers give lectures," Bai Shan said.

Not to be outdone, Manbao immediately added, "I, your Senior Sister, can also teach you. I’ve read so many extracurricular books. What would you like to learn?"

Although they meant well, Bai Erlang just felt annoyed and turned his head away, ignoring them.

Manbao and Bai Shan glanced at each other, giggling like two little squirrels, then each took one of his arms, dragging him up, "Come on, don’t be angry. Let’s go have some fun. There’s still plenty of time before it gets dark. How about we first take a look at the County Governmental Office’s lantern display, then find a good spot in the restaurant to sit down."

"What’s the point of looking now when the lanterns aren’t even lit?" Bai Erlang didn’t want to move, saying, "Let’s just go directly to the restaurant to secure a spot, to avoid the rush later."

But the county town, unlike Yizhou City, didn’t have many people who would go out to play and then reserve a spot in a restaurant. Even as dusk approached, there were still plenty of empty tables.

Even the prime tables and private rooms were available.

Delighted, the three of them peeked into several rooms before choosing one with the best view, handing over the money for teas and refreshments right away.

The young waiter was very pleased to take the money and left.

Bai Shan pushed open the window and looked out for a long time, laughing, "This spot is great; it almost captures half the street and can see several lantern displays."