The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 888 - 866 Arrangement

Chapter 888: Chapter 866 Arrangement

County Magistrate Tang knew that these two had never endured much hardship since they were young and feared they wouldn’t be able to restrain their tempers and might cause trouble. Therefore, he said, "As long as you don’t leave Luojiang County, and don’t intentionally go before him, he won’t be able to do anything to you."

Manbao and Bai Shan pondered, considering what excuse to use for returning, and what they should do after going back.

Mingli brought over a large food box.

It contained not only vegetables and soup but also two plates of snacks.

Seeing County Magistrate Tang watching, Mingli explained, "The madam heard that Young Master Shan and Miss Man had come and asked me to take some extra from the kitchen."

County Magistrate Tang nodded and said to the two, "Eat quickly, after you finish, I’ll have Mingli take you back."

Bai Shan refused, "We have Daji."

County Magistrate Tang shook his head, "Still, let Mingli accompany you part of the way. Tomorrow, don’t go to the government school either. In a moment, I’ll send someone to Luojiang County, at full gallop. The person should be back by tomorrow. Then you can pack your things and leave, and I’ll arrange for someone to escort you."

Bai Shan exchanged a glance with Manbao and could only agree, "We need to take Mr. Zhuang and Bai Eryi back with us."

County Magistrate Tang then said with a smile, "Of course, if you’re going back, then everyone should return. Don’t leave any family or friends here."

Manbao grew restless and quickly finished the food in her bowl, "I still need to go find my Sixth Brother."

County Magistrate Tang waved them off.

Zhou Liulang had been working as an assistant cook at Zhiwei Restaurant, only occasionally managing to stealthily learn some cooking skills. Because Zhou Silang had rented a house from the Xiao Family across the street, Zhou Liulang would sometimes stay there, but when the restaurant was busy, he would stay there.

It was now spring, a time for renewal, and it seemed people’s appetites had also increased. Recently, the restaurant had seen a lot of customers, so Zhou Liulang had not been back for several days.

So, when a fellow worker came forward to say his sister was looking for him, he immediately wiped his hands, informed the head chef, and rushed out, "Manbao, why have you come?"

Manbao took his hand and said, "Sixth Brother, there’s an emergency at home. We need to go back. Can you ask the manager for a long leave? We’ll return home either tomorrow or the day after."

Zhou Liulang was stunned and asked, "What’s happened that’s so urgent?"

Manbao replied, "I’ll tell you when we get home."

Zhou Liulang insisted, "No, you must tell me first what has happened. Is it trouble with someone in the family? Who is it, dad, mom, or the elder brothers? Oh no, is it the eldest sister, is she about to have her baby?"

Manbao said, "...She’s only a bit over five months pregnant, how could she be giving birth? Stop guessing wildly, go ask for leave first, and I’ll tell you once we’re back."

Zhou Liulang quickly went to ask his employer for leave.

It was already past lunchtime, and the restaurant wasn’t very busy anymore, so the employer had time to deal with it. Seeing Zhou Liulang’s whole family waiting anxiously outside, he knew something serious had happened at home.

After a moment of thought, he agreed, "Alright, you go back first. When you return, you can still work for me here."

Then he ordered someone to fetch some money, "Here’s your salary, and the extra is from me. I don’t know what’s happening in your family, but whatever it is, you’ll need money now. I don’t have much to give, but I want to help as much as I can."

Zhou Liulang was so moved he kept bowing, "Thank you, Boss, thank you, Boss."

The employer nodded slightly, letting Zhou Liulang go.

Zhou Liulang went to the back to pack his belongings and threw them onto the carriage, then he pushed Manbao and Bai Shan onto the carriage. He climbed up quickly and then stared at Manbao, asking, "Alright, no more outsiders here, can you tell me now?"

Manbao then leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Sixth Brother, the Prince of Yizhou might have discovered mine and Shanbao’s identities."

Zhou Liulang jumped in fright and swallowed hard, asking, "How, how did he find out?"

Manbao expressed her annoyance, "It’s all our own stupidity, our own doing to walk into this mess."

Sixth Brother couldn’t help stomping his foot, "You guys are too bold, aren’t you? Erlang and I just vouched for you to our father, saying you were so clever that you wouldn’t be discovered, yet you ended up delivering yourselves into the situation."

Manbao replied, "That’s why we have to go home."

"Is going home going to solve anything?" Zhou Liulang asked anxiously, "Shouldn’t we be packing our belongings and fleeing for our lives, like the storytellers say, to the ends of the earth and the far reaches of the sea?"

Bai Shan interjected, "...There’s no need, just staying in Qili Village will do."

"Really? But he’s a prince. If he finds out we are there, won’t he send someone to capture us?"

"He wouldn’t dare. Luojiang County isn’t his fief; that’s County Magistrate Yang’s turf."

"Is the county magistrate more powerful than a prince?" Zhou Liulang appeared quite skeptical of County Magistrate Yang.

Manbao then said, "Sixth Brother, County Magistrate Yang’s family is very influential. Even the emperor has to step aside for them, he wouldn’t dare cause chaos by killing people recklessly in Luojiang County."

Zhou Liulang was amazed, "The county magistrate is that powerful?"

Manbao and Bai Shan nodded together; before, they did not know that County Magistrate Yang hailed from the distinguished Yang family of Huayin.

But having learned this, they didn’t feel much different about it.

After bringing Zhou Liulang back home, they found that Bai Erlang had not yet returned from school, but Mr. Zhuang had just come back from teaching at the academy. Seeing Bai Shan, who was supposed to attend the official school, appearing in the courtyard, Mr. Zhuang fell silent for a moment.

He thought to himself, had he been turning a blind eye too often lately, to the point that they thought he was blind?

Confronted with Mr. Zhuang’s gaze, Manbao and Bai Shan bowed their heads and stepped forward to confess their wrongdoing.

Looking at Zhou Liulang, who stood in the courtyard watching them anxiously, Mr. Zhuang turned and entered his study, saying, "Come in."

The two immediately followed him and upon entering, knelt down obediently.

Mr. Zhuang sat behind his desk and looked down at them for a while before asking, "Did you skip school?"

Bai Shan responded softly, "Yes."

"And the reason?" Mr. Zhuang inquired.

Bai Shan replied in a soft voice, "Stomachache."

Mr. Zhuang’s gaze shifted slightly, now staring at Manbao, "Who issued the sick report?"

Getting leave from the official school was much more challenging than from a normal academy; you couldn’t just say you were ill and have it accepted, you needed a doctor’s diagnosis and a prescription, complete with the name of the pharmacy.

If the school grew suspicious and checked with the pharmacy, and the claim proved false, there would be consequences.

Of course, cases like this were rare, as even the teachers at the official school turned a blind eye, not verifying such excuses as long as the students didn’t go too far.

But Mr. Zhuang was also very angry, he said sternly, "You two are becoming quite something, able to fabricate your own sick reports now. What’s the point of going to school? You might as well just stay home, study when you feel like it, and don’t when you don’t."

Kneeling on the ground, Bai Shan and Manbao honestly admitted their fault, "Teacher, we were wrong."

Mr. Zhuang became even angrier, "At least you know how to use words to stop me," thinking that Bai Erlang was better for talking back now and then; he could vent his anger that way and punish them more severely.

Mr. Zhuang took a deep breath and asked, "What did you skip class for?"

The two exchanged awkward glances, unable to come up with any good excuses. Mainly because they could withhold the truth or keep secrets but they couldn’t lie to their teacher. After hesitating for a while, they simply said, "Teacher, we might need to go home for some time."

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