The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 854 - 832: Let’s Watch Together

Chapter 854: Chapter 832: Let’s Watch Together

Zhou Silang could not put his mind at ease, so he squatted in the courtyard watching Manbao go into the study room for her lesson with Mr. Zhuang. After finishing her class, she still sat at her desk diligently working on her homework.

It wasn’t until it was almost time for Bai Shan and the others to finish school that Daji was preparing to go to the government school to pick them up, and Manbao finally put away her books and homework, stood up, and bowed to bid Mr. Zhuang farewell.

Mr. Zhuang stopped her and said, "Manbao, there are many injustices in this world, and you will encounter many more in the future. I hope that no matter what happens, you do not forget the initial purpose of your studies. I won’t pursue the matter of yesterday, but from now on, you are not allowed to ask for leave from the pharmacy or from me for financial reasons, do you understand?"

Manbao looked down and responded, unable to help but look up at Mr. Zhuang, "Teacher, aren’t you going to ask why we hate the Prince of Yizhou’s estate?"

Mr. Zhuang shook his head and said, "If you want to tell your teacher, you may speak, but if you do not wish to, then there is no need to say anything."

He continued, "You have grown up and can handle your own affairs now."

Manbao felt a slight sting in her eyes, blinked away the sensation, nodded in response, and, bowing, backed out of the room.

Mr. Zhuang watched her return to her room, pick up the two paintings from yesterday, and leave.

Manbao climbed into the carriage and said to Daji, "Let’s go pick up Bai Er first."

Daji agreed.

Bai Erlang also wanted to know how Manbao planned to sell so many peony flowers from their home, so he declined invites from Qi Jue and the others, climbed into the carriage, and headed to the government school with Manbao.

The two of them climbed over the wall into the school and found Bai Shan and others in the apricot grove.

Wei Ting, having heard from Bai Shan that Manbao was coming today and was somewhat skeptical, believed it when he saw her. Sitting on the mat, he waved excitedly at Manbao and Bai Er, and when they approached, he got up to greet them, "You really did come. Ever since Bai Shan could borrow books, you two seldom come here."

Manbao and Bai Er greeted everyone and sat down next to Bai Shan. Manbao found a moment to respond, "Climbing walls is tiring. If some books can be borrowed, it’s better to read them at home."

Wei Ting laughed and asked, "Then what brings you here today?"

Manbao said, "I have something to ask you."

She took out the two paintings from her bosom to show them, speaking frankly, "I heard your parents and grandparents are fond of peonies, so following the principle of not letting benefits slip to outsiders, I thought I’d ask if your family is interested in buying any."

Everyone looked down at the paintings, which featured vivid depictions of Yaohuang and moutan peony flowers.

Unable to hold back his amazement, Wei Ting exclaimed, "So besides being a doctor, you also sell flowers?"

Manbao nodded and asked, "Are you interested?"

Wei Ting hesitated for a moment before saying, "I am, actually. My grandmother also loves peonies, but these look to be of such good quality that I’m afraid I may not afford them."

"I have pure white peonies for only sixteen taels each."

Wei Ting asked, "Solid-colored ones?"

Manbao nodded.

Wei Ting blinked and chuckled, "That would be too much of a steal from you."

Manbao shook her head with a smile, "Not at all; I have twenty pots of them."

The as-yet undecided crowd: ...

Ji Hao, who had been sitting silently to the side, couldn’t help but raise his head to look at Manbao, then reached for the moutan peony painting, asking, "How much for this pot of moutan peony?"

Manbao glanced at it and smiled, "It depends on how much Young Master Ji is willing to offer; the highest bidder will get it."

"Hey, hey, hey, so you’re doing an auction here today?" Jiao Yong looked from one to another, "We haven’t even seen the flowers yet."

Manbao nodded, "Correct, you should indeed go and look at the flowers; I’ve only come today to pass on the message."

Ji Hao looked at her and asked, "Are you in need of money?"

Before Manbao could respond, Bai Shan interjected, "She isn’t."

Manbao agreed, "Not at this moment."

She had already grasped a bit of the edge of earning money, and even if she were to be short on cash, trading flowers would be enough. So, it seemed she really wasn’t short on money.

Ji Hao then kept the painting and asked, "Then why bother with such business?"

Manbao frowned and asked him, "Are you interested in buying or not? If not, give me back the painting; I need to show it to others. Bai Shan only made one copy for me."

Ji Hao stiffened and asked, "This wasn’t painted by you?"

"I am not as good an artist as Bai Shan, but rest assured, his painting isn’t as good as my flowers. The real thing is better looking than the painting."

Wei Ting and the others couldn’t help but bow their heads to stifle laughter.

Bai Shan didn’t mind because what she said was true.

Ji Hao threw the painting back to her and stood up, "My mother also adores peonies; keep that pot of moutan peony for her."

Manbao responded, "Have someone from your family come with the money to see the flowers at my place tomorrow. If the deal is agreed upon, they can take it back then."

Ji Hao left without a word of whether he heard or not, and Manbao turned to the others, who laughed and said, "We could take a look at your white peonies for sixteen taels. Speaking of which, you have so many of them; can’t you give us a discount?"

"Sixteen taels is the minimum."

The others scoffed and complained, "We’re supposed to be friends but you’re not even cutting us a deal."

Manbao asked, "Do you want to go see the flowers at my place?"

"I have no problem; I’m already living outside this year."

"I’m living outside too..."

"During the New Year, I earned my father some face, and with a single mention from my grandmother, he rented a place for me outside... I’m living outside too..."

...

Then, everyone turned to look at Wei Ting, the only one who hadn’t spoken yet.

Wei Ting said indignantly, "Why look at me like that? So what if I’m still living in the school this year? It means I can sleep in a little longer than you fellows."

But this also meant that only Wei Ting needed to climb over the wall with them to get out, while the others could walk out the front gate without any trouble.

Ji Hao had left at an unknown time, and when Jiao Yong and the others couldn’t find him, they went on their way, standing outside the front gate with Bai Shan waiting for Wei Ting and the others.

Manbao located the wood ladder they had hidden at the edge of the apricot trees, and after helping Wei Ting climb up, put it away. She then jumped directly onto the wall with Bai Erlang, perched on the wall to give Wei Ting a hand, sighed, and asked, "How long will it take me to practice to be like you both?"

"Just keep at it; ten days to half a month, really, it’s not difficult."

Manbao skillfully jumped off the wall and climbed into the carriage. The other two followed suit and jumped down.

As a truant, Wei Ting naturally could not be seen near the government school, so he obediently stayed in the carriage, looking at Manbao across from him, "Ji Hao came back after the New Year to resume his studies."

Manbao nodded.

Wei Ting coughed lightly and continued, "Because he also studied at home, he’s still studying with us this academic year."

Manbao looked puzzled at him, not understanding what this had to do with her.

Wei Ting sighed and explained, "Ji Hao has always wanted to thank you in person. After all, you saved his life last year."