The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 930 - 909 Renting a Courtyard

Chapter 930: Chapter 909 Renting a Courtyard

Within the city gates, vehicles were not allowed to linger for long, so while Liu Gui was leading the way, he said, "Young Master, the people renting our family’s other courtyard can’t move out at the moment. They have a contract, and they’ve lived there for three or four years—it wouldn’t be right just to force them out. So right next to the courtyard you rented from us, I’ve rented a large estate. It’s closer to the Imperial Academy, it’s just that..."

Bai Shan saw him stop speaking and asked, "Just what?"

"It’s just that it’s more expensive."

And it wasn’t just a little more expensive—it was much too expensive.

This year, Bai Zhi had earned his place in four subjects at the Calligraphy School through his own efforts. He was not willing to live within the school, and like his younger brother Bai Erlang, he had never suffered any discomfort in his living situation before and naturally wasn’t inclined to stay in the school, where he’d even have to fetch his own water for washing and manage his clothes and the like.

So, he rented a small courtyard outside, which he shared with a classmate, just enough space to accommodate them and their servants.

The houses around the Imperial Academy were mostly rented to scholars, and since the Imperial Academy was in the inner city, these houses were in great demand and naturally expensive.

Not only were they expensive, but they were also small. Calling it a large estate was a bit of a stretch; in reality, it was just a small, two-entry courtyard. It was a tight fit for so many people. Old Madam Liu and the others would surely need to find another place when they came to Beijing, but they still had some time before their arrival, so it was manageable.

Several carts stopped one after another in the alley. Bai Dalang had taken the day off specifically to wait at home, and upon seeing his younger brother being the first to jump down from the cart, he couldn’t help but laugh and quickly stepped forward to pat his shoulder, "We’ve finally waited for your arrival."

When Bai Erlang turned and saw his brother, he also joyfully pounced on him, and they hugged each other, "Brother, is the capital fun?"

Bai Dalang grinned, "It’s fun."

As he finished speaking, he saw a stepping stool being placed down from another cart, and Zhou Liulang lifted the curtain to help Mr. Zhuang alight. He hurried over to offer his support to Mr. Zhuang.

Once Mr. Zhuang was steadied on the ground, Bai Dalang stepped back respectfully and saluted, "Mr. Zhuang, good health to you!"

Mr. Zhuang nodded with satisfaction, stroking his beard and smiling, "I’ve long heard from your father that you got into the Calligraphy School?"

Bai Dalang couldn’t help but break into a grin and nodded vigorously, "It is all thanks to your instruction."

Mr. Zhuang patted his shoulder and said, "It was your own hard work."

Bai Shan and Manbao also got out of their cart and, after exchanging formal greetings with everyone, they had Daji and the others move their belongings inside.

Bai Dalang, several years their senior, embodied the role of an older brother, taking the lead to enter his own courtyard, "Rest here first, and once your belongings are properly arranged, then move on."

Knowing that Mr. Zhuang was getting on in years and did not have much energy, he first took Mr. Zhuang to his room to rest, serving hot drinks and some pastries before going to talk to Bai Shan and the other two.

"Father’s letter was vague, just saying that you received imperial favor and could study at the Imperial Academy, but why did you receive this favor?"

After taking a sip of hot tea, Bai Shan finally said, "It’s because my father is a loyal and meritorious servant to the country, so the court gave our family two places at the Academy."

Bai Dalang’s mouth fell open in surprise. He had spent little time at home and wasn’t aware of this development.

Then he looked at Bai Erlang with envy in his eyes, "Erlang, you’re really quite lucky."

Bai Erlang nodded modestly, "It’s alright, just average, really."

Bai Dalang felt like punching him especially at that moment, but he quickly remembered the serious matter at hand, "You’ll need to report to the Imperial Academy. In recent days, there have already been scholars who have received the grace edict arriving. I’ve heard in the Calligraphy School that about forty scholars will enter the Imperial Academy this time. Since it’s by imperial favor, the academic levels will vary. The Academy will issue an exam, and the results will determine which school you’ll attend."

He looked at Bai Erlang, "As for you, Fifth Brother, I’m not worried. Among these forty-some people, getting into the Calligraphy School wouldn’t be too bad. But you, don’t end up being assigned to mathematics."

Bai Shan said, "Mathematics wouldn’t be bad, you could enter the Ministry of Revenue in the future."

But Manbao shook her head after glancing at Bai Erlang, "He won’t make it into mathematics or calligraphy. If he can’t get into the Calligraphy School, he’d better go to the School of Law."

Bai Erlang was indignant, "I may have had difficulty entering the Imperial Academy among a thousand candidates, but surely I can make it into one of the Four Schools with just over forty people?"

"It depends on the scholarship of the others," Bai Shan said, "There are always higher skies above the skies, and people beyond people. What if these forty or so people are all exceptionally talented?"

Bai Dalang also nodded, "After all, they are descendants of meritorious officials, so their family conditions shouldn’t be too poor. Having studied and practiced martial arts since childhood, they should not be too far behind."

Bai Shan asked, "Big brother, could you possibly find out who will be entering the academy this time?"

"I need to go back to the school and inquire with my classmates." He said embarrassedly, "I’ve only recently arrived in the capital; I’m not very well-informed yet."

Bai Shan expressed understanding.

"However, most of the new students are descendants of military generals, with a strong martial spirit. When you study with them, you must be careful not to quarrel or fight, understand?"

The three of them couldn’t help nodding repeatedly, while Bai Shan was somewhat worried, "Do they all know kung fu?"

If a fight were to break out unwittingly, wouldn’t they be at a great disadvantage?

"The children of martial families should all know some, shouldn’t they?"

Bai Shan was deeply troubled.

Daji believed their thinking was very bad and couldn’t help saying, "Young Master, we are going to the Imperial Academy to study, not to fight."

Manbao, "What if a fight happens by accident?"

Bai Dalang cleared his throat and said, "Fighting is forbidden within the school. Those who brawl severely could be expelled."

Manbao then advised Bai Shan and Bai Erlang, "If you are bullied, just endure it. We risked so much to come to the capital just to study and become officials. You must not be expelled."

Bai Dalang asked, "What risks did you take?"

The three coughed and said nothing.

Bai Dalang didn’t mind, assuming they were just referring to the hardships of the long journey.

What other risks could there be for children of this age?

Nonetheless, he affirmed Manbao’s words, "Manbao is right. This place is not like our home. Out here, keep your temper in check and do not quarrel or come to blows with anyone."

Beside him, Manbao nodded repeatedly.

Bai Dalang hesitated for a moment, but then heartfeltly advised her, "Manbao, the same goes for you."

Manbao, who was halfway through nodding, froze, and said, "I never quarrel or fight with anyone."

Bai Shan and Bai Erlang scoffed in unison, casting disdainful glances her way.

Bai Dalang chided them, "You see, attitudes like yours can easily provoke conflicts, and that is wrong. It needs to change."

Bai Shan and Bai Erlang exchanged a smile towards Manbao and, under Bai Dalang’s stern gaze, apologized to her.

While the four were causing a stir, their belongings had already been moved in, and they needed to go and organize their own rooms.

Zhou Lijun was going to share a room with Manbao, and the two were still separated by a screen down the middle. Manbao took out her books to arrange them, and Zhou Lijun came over to help, "Young Mistress, shouldn’t our family pay half of the rent?"

Manbao nodded, "I have already arranged with Bai Shan and Bai Er that we will pay for this part ourselves. You just live here with peace of mind."

Zhou Lijun breathed a sigh of relief, "Fifth Uncle and Sixth Uncle were just saying that the rent here is really expensive; I wonder how much money the shop will have to make."