The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 815 - 793 February 2 (Extra 8 - s as a reward for the book friend "Jinyiwei: Rongrong")

Chapter 815: Chapter 793 February 2 (Extra 8 Chapters as a reward for the book friend "Jinyiwei: Rongrong")

County Magistrate Tang finished writing the letter and sent it out. Then he started to look up files with Jiang Qi in the archive room. "We need to find an opportunity to visit Qili Village."

After thinking for a while, Jiang Qi said, "Four days from now will be the Dragon Raising Head festival. Next to Qili Village, Dali Village has a Taoist temple. Each year on the second day of the second lunar month, they hold a temple fair. Everyone goes up the mountain to pay respects to Taishang Laojun and Earth Deity. It will be very lively then. If you do not wish to draw attention, that would be a good time to go."

Thus, he didn’t even need to say it, for Jiang Qi understood that he wanted to keep things low-key and investigate quietly. County Magistrate Tang looked at him with a meaningful smile, nodded, and said, "That’s a good idea. We’ll go on the second day of the second month then."

As the day grew dark, the two of them had not found much, but County Magistrate Tang was not discouraged. He twisted his neck and stood up to rest in the back yard, planning to sleep early tonight.

Meanwhile, Manbao, squatting at the gate and looking up at the sky, confirmed that her fourth brother would not return today and turned back home.

Bai Shan saw that she could not even enjoy her meal and suggested, "The academy is closed on the second day of the second month. Why don’t we go home on the first day of the month?"

Manbao replied, "We only get three days off including the weekend. We’d only have one day at home, and that’s too much of a rush."

Mr. Zhuang, overhearing this, looked up at Manbao and noticed her despondent mood. After thinking it over, considering she was still a child and should not carry worries in her heart like him, he cheerfully suggested, "Then let’s ask the school for a couple more days off. I’ll go back with you. The temple fair in Dali Village lasts for two days; we can join in the festivities too."

Their spirits lifted at his words, and even Zhou Lijun couldn’t help but cheer softly.

Mr. Zhuang patted Manbao’s head, consoling her, "As you walk through this world, you will encounter many barriers. You might feel they are too high to cross at the moment, but if you endure and persevere, whether by climbing, crawling, or taking a detour, look back in a few years, and you’ll find those barriers weren’t so significant. There will always be tougher challenges ahead, and the hardships you’ve endured will become one of your most cherished memories."

Manbao asked, "Isn’t it good to have only joyful memories?"

"Joyful memories are fine, but if you have too many, you’ll start to forget them," Mr. Zhuang explained with a laugh. "Memories with obstacles are the most profound. They contain not only bitterness and sourness but also sweetness, and it’s because of the bitterness and sourness that the sweetness is especially profound."

The four at the table were all momentarily stunned, clearly struggling to grasp the concept.

The cook thought for a moment, recalling her own past, nodded, and said, "Mr. Zhuang is right. Now that I think about it, the first things that come to mind are the tough parts."

Bai Shan added, "The first thing I think about is being hit by Manbao."

Manbao retorted, "The first thing I think about is being hit by you."

Both turned their eyes towards Bai Erlang, who nervously glanced at Mr. Zhuang and whispered, "The first thing I think about is being sent out by Mr. to memorize texts as punishment."

Mr. Zhuang: ...

Lijun said, "The first thing I think about is when my great-aunt cooked a meal later, and my mother poured the food she made from my younger brother’s bowl into mine for me to eat. Then my grandmother took my bowl and pushed away the food, giving me more of what my great-aunt made."

Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly. "So you see, you all have many happy moments on ordinary days, but how many of those can you quickly recall?"

Manbao pondered.

After dinner, Bai Shan followed her and said, "Mr. is right. No matter what, you still have us. Your parents also love you dearly. What obstacle can’t you overcome?"

Manbao replied, "I don’t feel like I can’t overcome it; I’m just not very happy."

"It will be better once we return home."

Manbao nodded. She could ask her parents; her fourth brother might not say, but her parents might tell her. "I just don’t know if they’ll tell me."

"I’ll help you when the time comes."

Manbao felt much reassured and gave Bai Shan a warm smile.

In the eyes of the academy teachers, Bai Shan barely qualified as a good student, so taking leave wasn’t too difficult. After persistence over two days, the school official finally granted him a two-day leave to return to class on the sixth.

They took a break on the first day of the month, and early in the morning, they packed up and left the city to return home.

On the second day of the second month, the Dragon Raising Head marked the beginning of nature’s revival, with temple fairs held everywhere. The livelier counties even organized events. Naturally, the county magistrate, even if not attending, had to manage the affairs.

This year, with County Magistrate Yang absent from Luojiang County, there wouldn’t be an event.

However, in Huayang County, as it was part of Yizhou City, there were some activities. Although not grand, the reputation-conscious gentry and nobility would contribute something.

This year, County Magistrate Tang wasn’t in Yizhou City; the lieutenant and principal clerk hosted the duties, which wasn’t difficult since there were regulations to follow.

Still, Governor Ming couldn’t help but ask, "Zhihe hasn’t returned yet? Is he addicted to staying in Luojiang County?"

Lord Qi laughed and said, "He and County Magistrate Yang are close friends. I hear Yang does not excel in criminal matters, so maybe he wanted to take this opportunity to help sort out the county’s affairs."

Governor Ming laughed and said, "He hasn’t even sorted out his own county’s affairs. Where does he find the time? Besides, Heshu comes from the Yang family and is inherently proud. How could he possibly let him meddle in county affairs?"

Sensing the governor’s protection of County Magistrate Tang, Lord Qi smiled and didn’t pursue the topic further.

But Governor Ming wasn’t the only one concerned; even the Prince of Yizhou asked, "We haven’t seen County Magistrate Tang this year. Is he not in the city?"

Envoy Zhang was taken aback before laughing, "He must be on official business. Your Highness also knows, matters in the county office are trivial but require a lot of effort. And now, with spring planting approaching, he will be even busier."

The Prince of Yizhou remarked, "Indeed, I only knew that County Magistrate Tang loved to handle criminal cases and was not good at civil affairs. He had been in Huayang County for two years, and civil matters were always handled by Principal Clerk Ding. I didn’t expect that last year, he suddenly took over civil affairs and performed so well, obviously having studied a lot in his spare time."

Envoy Zhang gave an awkward smile; he had a part in last year’s scheme to allocate lands for refugees from various noble families of Yizhou.

The Prince of Yizhou seemed to realize this as well, and looking at Envoy Zhang, he said lightly, "It’s also because County Magistrate Tang comes from an illustrious family with a deep heritage, and with Lord Zhang and Governor Ming’s support, he managed to perform so well."

"This is all due to County Magistrate Tang’s outstanding capabilities, and Governor Ming’s love for talent. I am old, and those trivial matters are beyond me," which means, don’t hold any grudge against me; if you have to, blame them.

The Prince of Yizhou smiled. His inquiry was just out of curiosity, and he wasn’t really concerned about County Magistrate Tang’s whereabouts.

He raised his glass to Envoy Zhang, "This spring, I’m hosting a banquet to welcome friends from Shu. I invite Lord Zhang to join us for a drink. It’ll surely be enjoyable to discuss poetry and philosophy then."

Envoy Zhang naturally had no objections and raised his glass in agreement.

Spring, after all, was filled with one banquet after another, and he was well accustomed to it.