The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 890 - 868 Alliance

Chapter 890: Chapter 868 Alliance

Old Master Bai had raised Bai Erlang for fourteen years, but had never enjoyed such treatment himself. It was impossible not to feel a bit bitter, but since the person in question was his son’s mentor, his bitterness was completely unjustified.

He cleared his throat and entered the courtyard to greet Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang eagerly rose to welcome him and sent three disciples to serve tea to Old Master Bai and County Magistrate Yang.

However, the men did not talk for long, as Mr. Zhuang knew that County Magistrate Yang was there to see Bai Shan and Manbao, so after a few polite remarks, he allowed Manbao and others to accompany County Magistrate Yang.

Bai Erlang was about to follow when Old Master Bai suddenly called out to him, "Erlang, you stay here; I need to discuss your studies with your mentor."

Bai Erlang, anxious, replied, "Then ask away, but I’ll go and talk to Lord Yang first."

"Are you proud of your studies enough to join Lord Yang? Come here, I’m asking you, did you cause any trouble during your trip to Yizhou City?"

Reluctantly, Bai Erlang started searching for his homework. Just then, Mr. Zhuang, who had initially been sipping tea, suddenly looked up at him and said, "Erlang, bring out the essay you wrote the other day and show it to your father."

Bai Shan and Manbao simultaneously turned to give him a significant look, and Bai Erlang could only reluctantly fetch his homework and hand it over with a sulky face.

Mr. Zhuang and Old Master Bai laughed, "Look at this essay, the boy has made quite a lot of progress, stronger than at the beginning of the year. I was actually planning to push him for the next two months to try in the prefectural school; he might even get in."

Though Old Master Bai wasn’t very scholarly in his youth, his ability to appreciate literature was still present. His son’s essay was indeed well-written, even better than his own when he was fourteen.

Old Master Bai finally had a smile on his face.

Bai Erlang also felt pleased being praised, not feeling so uncomfortable anymore.

Bai Shan and others did not stay in Bai Manor but led County Magistrate Yang back to their own home.

Nanny Liu was watching the movers at the front gate and hurried forward when she saw her young master bringing County Magistrate Yang over.

Bai Shan said, "Nanny, I can’t pay respect to Grandmother and Mother just yet. Could you apologize on my behalf? I have important matters to discuss with County Magistrate Yang."

"Yes, yes, go ahead—I’ll have the servants bring some refreshments for you."

Bai Shan’s study had been kept tidy and airy, so entering it was not uncomfortable. He invited County Magistrate Yang to sit down, and after the servants brought in some refreshments and withdrew, he then turned to County Magistrate Yang and asked, "Lord Yang, what brings you around this time?"

County Magistrate Yang, who had been casually browsing through the bookshelves, found a spot to sit down and smiled, "Busy spring. I’ve been down to the villages promoting education on farming mulberry trees. Just today, I happened to pass by Qili Village—what are the odds?"

Bai Shan remarked dryly, "Quite the coincidence indeed."

County Magistrate Yang then dusted off his robe and said, "Alright, let’s talk business now. Come on, let’s discuss in detail—how did it happen that within just over a month after I left, you ended up as mortal enemies with the biggest officials, the richest authorities, the most powerful forces in Yizhou City, no, in all of Jiannan?"

Manbao and Bai Shan both hung their heads.

After a moment, Bai Shan felt something was amiss and looked up, "This wasn’t our doing, right? It seems more like old grudges from the past."

Manbao also came to his senses and exclaimed, "Plus, we didn’t know anything at the start—it was you who asked County Magistrate Tang to investigate!"

Bai Shan, quick to react, stared at Lord Yang, "Yes, County Magistrate Tang started investigating Manbao, then Uncle Zhou Yin and that’s what linked to my father’s case..."

Both looked at County Magistrate Yang as if he were the instigator of all their troubles.

County Magistrate Yang was left speechless for a long while.

After another pause, he waved his hand and said, "Well, let’s set that aside for now. What have you uncovered in your investigation?"

Bai Shan said, "My father was definitely murdered by the Prince of Yizhou. Erji is a witness; he mentioned that the Prince of Yizhou had hired many private soldiers, and even County Magistrate Tang knows this."

Not only County Magistrate Tang knew, but Yang Heshu had known it all along.

At that time, Tang He had just left Erji and had immediately written him a letter, even urging him to inform his family as if worrying they wouldn’t get involved.

But was it not he who had started this whole affair? And weren’t the two key deceased figures found within Luojiang County? Could he really escape involvement?

Even if he could escape, County Magistrate Yang would not have begun investigating Manbao if he had not been harbouring doubts.

After a moment of silence, County Magistrate Yang asked, "A witness alone is not enough—what about the critical evidence? Where are the items that County Magistrate Bai took away?"

Manbao and Bai Shan turned their heads to look behind the house, where the Great Tiger Mountain loomed.

County Magistrate Yang knew this too. He sat up straight and said, "Go and do it. Take some people there tomorrow, and I will secretly send some additional help. You must find that item."

The item that had kept the Prince of Yizhou concerned for over ten years was evidently critical evidence. Yang Heshu remarked, "Once you find it, this case might be turned around, and you both might be able to live openly in this world; otherwise, you’ll have to hide in Qili Village for a lifetime."

"No, if I am removed from my position, then I fear you won’t even be able to hide in Qili Village." Not everyone had the courage or the means to stand up against the Prince of Yizhou.

With this thought, Yang Heshu couldn’t help but scrutinize the two, remarking, "You both are quite lucky."

Bai Shan said, "Of course, Manbao is a fairy descended to earth after all."

Manbao: ...

Yang Heshu: ...

Unable to suppress a chuckle, he shook his head and said, "Alright, let’s see if your luck continues to hold. Manbao, go and pray to your Heaven Master to help you quickly find the evidence."

Manbao decided to stay in the mountains after heading in, determined to have Keke help comb through every inch of land, "So finding the item could really turn the case around?"

"Once you find it, the rest is beyond your control," County Magistrate Yang explained, "By then, your job is to keep up with us and save your lives; the rest is for the court officials to handle."

Bai Shan asked, "Isn’t that you guys?"

Yang Heshu shook his head, "We just run errands, find some certifications and physical evidence, and write up some documents. The real front runners will be the court officials."

Yang Heshu looked meaningfully at them, "Like Lord Wei, whom your grandmother knows."

This return to the capital, he had personally met the strictly impartial Lord Wei. Although from humble origins and frequently in conflict with the noble families, for this particular matter, both sides stood together.

Though not explicitly stated, they were now in an alliance.

Originally, the emperor had been planning to revise the Clan Record due to Lord Wei Zhi’s involvement, but this matter got delayed—which was good for their noble families, given the Court had been quarreling over the Clan Record for almost half a year.

Of course, Yang Heshu wouldn’t discuss these political matters with the two youths, at least not for now.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.