The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 1921 - 1896: Passing the Buck

The old lady looked at her daughter-in-law suspiciously, "Really?"

"Really!" Aunt Fan emphasized, "They really look alike, especially the face looks like Mr. Zhou, and the person is petite just like Lady Xin..."

"Alright, alright," the old lady frowned, "Since they have returned, why don’t they just come over directly?"

Aunt Fan swallowed and lowered her voice, "Mom, do you think that Mr. Zhou and Lady Xin... are no longer around? Otherwise, why would they let a child inquire everywhere? They haven’t appeared for so many years."

After Xia Xin and Zhou Yin left, they never came back. There were all kinds of speculations among the neighbors. Many believed something might have happened to the two; but some thought the couple forgot their roots and never returned; others felt something was amiss since the Xia family’s property was still here. Zhou Yin sold two plots of land when he left, but left three, not to mention a shop and a house.

How could the couple just disappear without handling matters?

Some suspected Zhou Yin was a fraud, tricking Xia Xin away, unsure of what the home was like.

Aunt Fan had many more things to say, but her mother-in-law had already shot her a glare, asking, "Where is the person now?"

Aunt Fan was stunned for a moment, then said, "They went to the Chief’s house, I gave them directions."

The old lady, upon hearing this, frowned, "Why did you let them go to the Chief’s house first? They should have gone to Xia Rui’s house first."

Aunt Fan slapped her thigh, "Oh no, I forgot."

The old lady turned and walked away. Aunt Fan eagerly wanted to follow. The old lady originally did not want to take her, but since she had seen the person, she had to bring her along.

"Mom, should we go to the Chief’s house or Xia Rui’s house?"

"Go to Xia Rui’s house. They should have already entered by now. We have no relations there, what are we going to the Chief’s house for?"

At this time, Manbao and the others were sitting in the Chief’s house drinking tea, hearing Bai Shan wants to find Xia Yan. He then looked at the three with wide eyes, finally settling his gaze on Zhou Man, and asked with a smile, "I wonder what relationship you three have with Xia Yan?"

Bai Shan looked at Manbao.

Manbao put down the teacup and smiled, "My mother’s name is Xin, the only daughter of Mr. Xia."

Even though he had already speculated, upon hearing Zhou Man’s confirmation, the Chief was still surprised, then asked, "Why didn’t your father and mother come?"

He said, "It’s been many years since we met, and we don’t know if they are well."

Manbao and Bai Shan exchanged a glance, then said, "My father and mother are no longer with us, so I came to seek relatives."

The Chief sighed, "But your grandparents also passed away a long time ago. It was your parents who buried them. Didn’t they tell you?"

Bai Shan raised his eyebrows, turned to look at Manbao, who happened to be looking at him too.

Bai Shan shook his head slightly, and Manbao smiled and said, "I know, I just thought there are still some relatives at home worth reaching out to, even if they are distant, so I wanted to ask the Chief."

The Chief smiled, "The young lady’s sentiments are appreciated, but it seems there aren’t many relatives from the Xia family left. I don’t know much. Perhaps you could ask the Xia clan?"

Manbao nodded with a smile and asked, "Does the Chief know where my grandparents’ grave is? I’d like to pay my respects."

In Shangzhou, Zhou Yin was seen as an adopted son-in-law, so the Xia couple was considered Zhou Man’s grandparents, not her maternal grandparents.

The Chief shook his head regretfully, "I really don’t know, you will still need to ask the Xia clan."

Manbao did not press further, nodded slightly, and then asked, "Who is the current head of the Xia clan, and where does he live?"

"Cultivated Talent Xia seems to be from Hongtian Village, but moved to the city after becoming a talent. I’m not familiar with Hongtian Village. Perhaps you should inquire there."

Manbao smiled and agreed, thanked him, and casually asked, "Is Hongtian Village far from the city?"

The Chief laughed, "Not close. It’s better if the young lady sets off early tomorrow morning."

Manbao nodded with a smile, bid farewell to the Chief, and left.

After receiving their horses from Daji, the three paid respects to the Chief who saw them off, then mounted their horses and departed.

The Chief’s eyes showed a slight glint when he saw the horses they were riding, and he smiled as he watched them leave.

Once they were a distance away, Bai Erlang snorted derisively.

Bai Shan and Manbao both glanced at him, indicating for him to keep it to himself, then said, "Shall we go to the County Governmental Office?"

Manbao nodded, "They should be at the office now as well. It’s a pity we left in a hurry and didn’t bring any gifts for the county magistrate."

Bai Shan looked toward Daji.

Daji urged his horse forward, pulled out two invitation cards from his coat, and handed them to Bai Shan.

Bai Shan passed them to Manbao, "Shall we use my card or yours?"

Manbao thought for a moment and then said, "Let’s use mine. I’m the main party involved, and I should be quite well-known too."

Bai Shan is quite renowned among the scholarly circles now, and his reputation likely surpasses Zhou Man’s due to his history of being "upright and unyielding, not fearing the powerful" and his "pure and filial" behavior, along with his experience as a reader at the Chongwen Pavilion. In others’ eyes, he seems like a shining future star.

But his influence lies in the future, while Manbao’s influence is in the present. Regardless of whether others acknowledge her as an official, her official status is undeniable. She is also favored by the Crown Prince, and she can speak to the Emperor, so even if she isn’t a star, she’s a significant figure with a substantial presence.

Bai Shan took her card and handed it back to Daji, "Have someone deliver it to the County Governmental Office first; we’ll be there shortly."

Daji agreed and sent another guard ahead with the invitation card. They rode their horses leisurely behind, discussing things along the way.

"That Chief clearly has some bias, likely has ties with the people currently living in your family home," Bai Shan said, "It has been fourteen years, and things have changed. The land and house deeds your father put away would likely have benefited someone by now. Those who took what didn’t belong to them may not want to give it back. Do you want to reclaim them entirely?"

Manbao thought for a moment, then said, "I need to first find my grandparents’ grave and assess the situation. If someone has been paying respects over the past fourteen years, it’s only right for me to give them something. But if... if something belongs to me, I will naturally take it back."

Bai Shan said, "I noticed that my uncle seems not to want to stay in Shangzhou any longer. He hasn’t even mentioned the house and land deeds along the way."

Given Old Zhou’s character, this is quite strange.

Manbao coughed lightly and then whispered, "My father actually mumbled to my mother, he’s feeling a bit anxious now but also somewhat guilty."

Manbao didn’t initially know, but perhaps because Keke often scans things, it got a bit annoying, so it let Manbao know.

She said, "My father doesn’t want me to change my surname."