The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 862 - 340: Inquiring

Chapter 862: Chapter 340: Inquiring

County Magistrate Tang sent some people out to stroll around, but they couldn’t pry out any news. He thought for a while, then went to the back courtyard and had two loyal servants go out to gather some intelligence from the Prince of Yizhou’s mansion.

The maids bowed and accepted the order, went out to gather news for County Magistrate Tang, and that evening, they were secretly called into Madam Tang’s room for a discussion.

Maid A said, "He asked us to find out about today’s flower viewing event, to understand the whole story from beginning to end."

Maid B said, "He also wanted us to find out what the Prince of Yizhou and his consort had eaten these past few days, when they had left the house, and what the young princes were playing with in the mansion."

Madam Tang slightly furrowed her brow, "He had you find out about all this?"

The two maids bowed and replied in unison, "Yes."

Madam Tang pursed her lips slightly, then asked, "So did you find out anything?"

"Some things were difficult to inquire about, but we managed to learn a few details," replied Maid A after a pause. "After the consort returned to the mansion, she flew into a great rage. Not only was Manager Chen beaten with twenty planks, but I also heard he’s been demoted to working in the villa. For the next year or two, the consort probably doesn’t want to see him again."

Madam Tang let out a snort of mockery, "She fails to govern her own household servants strictly, and now she throws a temper tantrum. Anything else?"

"It’s impossible to know the exact routines of the Prince and Princess, but these past few days, the Prince has been leaving the house every day at the time of Si and not returning until the time of Xu. The young princes have been keen on archery these days, looking forward to hunting in the spring when the festival comes around."

"What was the lord’s reaction after hearing this?"

Maid B nervously said, "The lord had no particular reaction, just asked us to leave."

Madam Tang frowned and then waved her hand for them to withdraw.

The workaholic County Magistrate Tang was still in his study, and as soon as Madam Tang pushed the door and entered, he hurriedly stuffed the letter in his hand into a drawer and looked up at her with a smile, asking, "What brings you here?"

"What, have you done something shameful that you don’t want me to see?"

County Magistrate Tang rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on, "Look at you, here you go again."

Madam Tang let out a cold hmph, walked over, and sat directly in his lap. Then she reached out to pull open the drawer, but County Magistrate Tang pushed her hand away, preventing her from opening it.

His expression darkened slightly as he said sternly, "Rouniang, this is an official matter."

Madam Tang looked at him for a long while before withdrawing her hand, then asked, "Is inquiring about the Prince of Yizhou’s private affairs also official business?"

County Magistrate Tang knew he couldn’t hide it from her and said, "I was just thinking about discussing it with you. How about we transfer those two maids to my front courtyard? I have tasks for them."

After a moment of silence, Madam Tang spoke seriously, "Husband, I never interfere with your official duties, but now I can’t help but ask, are you getting involved in the imperial court’s strife?"

County Magistrate Tang replied irritably, "Have I nothing better to do? I am not engaged in the Emperor’s affairs, only the government’s."

Madam Tang breathed a slight sigh of relief, "Then why do you need to investigate the Prince of Yizhou?"

County Magistrate Tang glanced at her and said, "The Prince of Yizhou is a member of the imperial family, but he is also a subject of Great Jin."

Only then did Madam Tang refrain from asking further. After considering for a moment, she nodded and said, "Fine. I’ll send the people over to you. I’ll instruct them to go to the front courtyard and await your orders."

County Magistrate Tang was satisfied.

Madam Tang immediately said, "What about my sense of justice?"

County Magistrate Tang said, "I’ll handle it after I finish my matters tomorrow afternoon."

Madam Tang hummed, "I want to come with you."

Manbao was in high spirits all day long, and the next day was just as good. She hummed songs on her way to the pharmacy and sounded even sweeter when treating patients, lifting the spirits of those who were feeling down.

Seeing her with a basket on her back, cheerfully greeting them before skipping away with a song, Shopkeeper Zheng turned to Doctor Ji and remarked, "This is quite rare, hasn’t been this lively in a long time."

Doctor Ji smiled, "Joy puts a spring in one’s step, doesn’t it?"

"Wonder what the happy occasion is."

Doctor Ji, being older, lacked the curiosity of his younger days. He smiled and moved on from that topic, saying to Shopkeeper Zheng, "Old Master Guan outside the city has had a relapse of his headache. I’ve visited him for two days, and it seems to be getting progressively worse. I’m thinking of taking Manbao with me tomorrow to have a look."

Shopkeeper Zheng hesitated, "Can Manbao cure it?"

Doctor Ji shook his head, "No, I want her to observe the condition. Cough cough, although I haven’t been able to cure Old Master Guan’s illness, I’ve managed to maintain his condition for eight years. I intend to dig out the old prescriptions for her to learn."

Shopkeeper Zheng realized, this was planning to have Manbao learn about the illness while Old Master Guan was still alive.

With a soft cough and a touch of sadness, Shopkeeper Zheng asked, "Is Old Master Guan..."

"Getting worse. He almost didn’t make it through this winter, and this summer looks to be challenging." And after summer, there’s still winter to contend with.

For someone seriously ill, especially the elderly, summer and winter are significant hurdles—if they make it through, they often gain another six months of life.

At this moment, Manbao was oblivious to all of this. She bounded home to continue her studies, having only finished half of her homework when County Magistrate Tang and Madam Tang paid a visit.

They encountered Bai Shan and Bai Erlang just coming home from school at the gate.

Hearing the commotion, Manbao and Mr. Zhuang stood at the study door and looked outside, then saw the group bustling in.

County Magistrate Tang, accompanied by Madam Tang, came forward to greet Mr. Zhuang, who had intended to invite them to the main hall to sit, but seeing they were already at the study’s entrance, he stepped aside to let them in.

Upon entering, the couple admired the neatly arranged three small desks and chairs with a large one in the center, flanked by rows of bookshelves—it was a delightful sight.

The couple found seats, and Manbao went to make tea for them.

This was Madam Tang’s first visit to their study, and fatefully, she sat right where Manbao’s half-finished homework was placed. She glanced at the progressing assignment and then looked up to Manbao, who was serving tea, and asked, "Did you write this?"

A bit embarrassed, Manbao nodded, "I haven’t finished it yet."

Madam Tang then leafed through a book on the table, taking note of the detailed annotations, and couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

County Magistrate Tang was discussing playing chess with Mr. Zhuang. Because Manbao had brought tea, the conversation naturally shifted to the topic of tea.

With County Magistrate Tang wanting to play chess with Mr. Zhuang, and not wanting to disturb them, Manbao and the others stepped out and told the cook, "Looks like County Magistrate Tang and his wife will be dining here tonight, best to prepare some extra ingredients."

The cook was a tad anxious, "Master Zhou Si and the others have left, so our provisions are a bit low. Where can we buy more at this hour?"

Not only would the cook buy groceries, but Zhou Silang often brought home good ingredients when he went shopping, so they were never short of food.

However, Zhou Silang and Zhou Lijun were now back home helping with farm work, and the cook bought only what was needed, just enough with a little extra. As County Magistrate Tang and Madam Tang were honoured guests, it wouldn’t do to neglect them.

The cook suggested, "To get good vegetables now, we’d have to head to the big market."

Bai Shan said, "Let Daji go; we can help you at home, what’s the rush?"

Better not. Those three young masters entering the kitchen would just be adding to the chaos.

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