The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 826 - 804 Different Ideals III (Happy Birthday and One-Month Celebration to Zhao Moyan and Her Little Princess)

Chapter 826: Chapter 804 Different Ideals III (Happy Birthday and One-Month Celebration to Zhao Moyan and Her Little Princess)

Manbao led County Magistrate Tang left and right, twisting and turning, until County Magistrate Tang sensed something amiss. He looked back and realized that at some point, they had left the Daoist temple far behind.

He looked at Manbao in surprise, "We’ve left the Daoist temple?"

Manbao nodded, "Just ahead is the new vegetable garden cultivated by Taoist Shouqing and the others. If you go around it and walk up a bit further, there’s a large protruding rock that offers a particularly good view. Those outside don’t know about it."

County Magistrate Tang then asked, "How do you all know about it?"

Bai Shan said, "We’re familiar with the young Daoist priests in the temple; they’ve brought us here to play."

County Magistrate Tang followed them, seeing nothing but assorted trees and shrubs along the way. But after they passed through a cave and walked up the mountain road for a dozen steps or so, the path ahead suddenly opened up. Stepping out, they found themselves on a massive rock that stretched outward, and from atop, one could see fields stretching far into the distance, remarkably spacious.

Under the blue sky and white clouds, the view was utterly refreshing to behold.

County Magistrate Tang stood and took in the view for a while, then turned to look in the other direction. He found that the vegetable garden they had been in earlier was out of sight, but from this vantage point, the garden was clearly visible; thus, any approaching person could be spotted at a glance.

Indeed, it was an excellent place for chatting and sharing secrets.

County Magistrate Tang lifted his robes and sat down cross-legged, sighing, "What a pity, lacking a seat, three straw mats, and a pot of fine tea."

Manbao and Bai Shan each found a spot to sit and responded, "You do know how to enjoy life a little too much. This is a place for spiritual practice; simplicity is best. Bringing so many things is burdensome, and afterward, you have to pack them up again—how cumbersome."

County Magistrate Tang pointed toward Mingli and Daji who were standing to the side, "Not cumbersome at all, they are here."

After settling on the rock and straightening his robes, County Magistrate Tang smiled and said, "Alright, now let us talk frankly and openly."

County Magistrate Tang did not ask Mingli to leave, as he was his confidant, and by the same token, he wouldn’t ask Daji to leave either.

He knew that Daji’s presence meant reliability, even over Mingli’s. Thus, if he could trust Bai Shan enough to share these inner thoughts with him, he could naturally let Daji hear them.

Though they were without tea, County Magistrate Tang was still very engaged in conversation and asked them, "Are we friends?"

Manbao and Bai Shan nodded together.

County Magistrate Tang laughed and then queried, "Then, are you friends with Yang Heshu?"

The two nodded again.

County Magistrate Tang asked, "Do you think I’m a better friend, or is Yang Heshu a better one?"

Manbao started to get uncomfortable, "Lord Tang, both you and Lord Yang are our friends. Why make such a comparison?"

"Yeah, I wouldn’t ask Manbao if I’m better, or if Bai Er is," Bai Shan added.

County Magistrate Tang said, "I’m testing your feelings and wisdom, understand?"

Feeling currently in need of their favor, Manbao hesitated to speak the unvarnished truth and thus said, "In my heart, you’re both the same."

County Magistrate Tang bluntly declared, "That sounds fake. What about you?"

He then turned to look at Bai Shan.

Manbao also looked at Bai Shan.

After pondering for a moment, Bai Shan said, "I prefer the company of County Magistrate Yang. It’s like being bathed in the spring breeze."

County Magistrate Tang, curious, asked, "And what about with me?"

Bai Shan looked at him for a long time without speaking.

County Magistrate Tang urged, "Go on, say it. I don’t mind."

Bai Shan weighed his words carefully, "Speaking with Lord Tang, I can’t help but find things to refute."

Manbao suppressed a laugh, while County Magistrate Tang glanced at her and said to Bai Shan, "Your perception is accurate. So, you’ve decided that Yang Heshu is a better friend than me?"

It was then that Bai Shan seriously said, "Lord Tang, what I said was sincere. I think it’s not possible to compare friends. Even though Manbao is smarter than Bai Er, and I get along with Manbao better, as friends, they are both the same and different in their way, and I wouldn’t compare them."

Manbao nodded again and again.

County Magistrate Tang then sighed, "Now I understand why Zhangbo made friends with you so easily."

He paused before returning to the main point, "So, you fully believe what Old Madam told you?"

The pair nodded together, with Bai Shan adding, "Grandmother wouldn’t lie to us."

"Do you think everything the Old Madam knows is true?"

The pair fell silent.

County Magistrate Tang stated, "I don’t believe it."

He propped himself up with his hand, slightly lifting his chin as he looked at them, "Or rather, the Old Madam must have concealed some crucial matter. For example, why is the Old Madam so cautiously fearful, and someone is still watching your family?"

"The old case from twelve years ago does sound significant, but it was before the dike at Qianwei Weir broke," County Magistrate Tang said. "Four years ago, the Qianwei Weir dike broke. Three years ago, a large swath of officials from top to bottom in Yizhou Prefecture were held accountable. The military governor was exiled, Governor Yan was beheaded, and his entire family was also exiled. In total, sixteen officials who Lord Wei had found to have embezzled funds for the Qianwei Weir repairs were executed."

"Out of these sixteen, all but the Prince of Yizhou, who should have been held accountable, were indeed held accountable," County Magistrate Tang continued. "Lord Wei didn’t have concrete evidence to prove that the Prince of Yizhou had been the mastermind behind the embezzlement, so he could only trouble the prince based on surveillance and some confessions. Do you know why your grandmother obtained the account books but didn’t submit them to the court?"

Bai Shan unhappily said, "Because the emperor had already chastised the Prince of Yizhou for the Qianwei Weir incident and confiscated a district of his fiefdom. Bringing the account books forward would only rake up old issues, and even if my father’s murder case was implicated, it would probably fall on the already deceased Governor Yan. At the most, the Prince of Yizhou would be reprimanded again."

County Magistrate Tang nodded, "Correct. The Prince of Yizhou is the empress dowager’s youngest son, the current emperor’s own brother. How grave do you think a crime would have to be to hold him accountable?"

Bai Shan fell silent.

Manbao also remained quiet for a good while, "So this matter is just going to be left unresolved? Then do my parents and Bai Shan’s father, as well as all those who died wrongfully back then, die in vain?"

County Magistrate Tang sighed, "Of course not. At the very least, we must uncover the truth of what happened back then so their grievances can be redressed, especially your parents. You deserve to honor them openly."

County Magistrate Tang paused, then continued, "I do not know if County Magistrate Bai and the others from Shu County were sacrificed because of the Qianwei Weir incident, but I’m certain your parents were innocent."

Bai Shan became unhappy, "Why don’t you believe in my father?"

County Magistrate Tang explained, "Because the Zhou couple were just helpful passers-by, but your father was actually involved in the whole incident. Unless I can obtain more information and evidence, I’m not going to reach a definitive conclusion."

County Magistrate Tang added, "This is also what I wanted to discuss with you. Working with me on this case, the questions I raise may make you uncomfortable, especially you, Bai Shan, because the one being suspected is your close relative. That’s why I don’t like it when people with familial ties get directly involved with an investigation, but you two are an exception."

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