The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 1941 - 1916: Exchanging Addresses

Lord Lu saw Zhou Man acknowledging Shangzhou as her hometown, and felt completely relieved, and began to talk happily with her.

After leaving, he couldn’t help but turn his head and say to Lord Zhen, "Such a clever and considerate person; it’s no wonder that the Empress and His Majesty, down to the Crown Prince and all ministers, admire her."

Lord Zhen nodded with a smile and asked, "Master, what about Ms. Xia from Hongtian Village..."

"In recent days, Zhou Man participated in literary meetings and only mentioned her homecoming to visit relatives. She spoke about Ms. Xia without any words of resentment. In that case, we don’t need to intervene," said Lord Lu, pausing before asking, "Has the clan member occupying her old residence moved out?"

"They’ve moved out; started moving yesterday. No matter how much stuff there is, it should be finished by tomorrow."

Lord Lu nodded in satisfaction, "It’s best if they can resolve it peacefully. It’s said that even a wise judge would struggle to settle family affairs. These matters between relatives are the worst for outsiders like us to interfere in."

Lord Zhen said, "Isn’t that true? Each side claims reason, yet both have reason. How are we to judge?" No matter the judgment, someone ends up complaining. Sometimes, even when they believe they are impartial, both sides might still hold grievances against them.

The two gentlemen whispered to each other for a few moments before getting ready to leave by carriage.

Before getting onto the carriage, Lord Lu glanced back at Mr. Zhuang and his four disciples who had escorted them to the door and were now being surrounded inside the tavern. He nodded approvingly and said, "Truly, the younger generation is remarkable."

Lord Zhen nodded in mutual understanding. Just now, hearing Bai Shan and others discuss scholarship with the literati downstairs, even the accompanying academic officials joined. Bai Shan could handle six or seven pieces of them, demonstrating his ability.

He is only about sixteen years old this year. Such maturity at this age promises a bright future.

And Zhou Man, though she is female, is equally impressive. It’s no wonder she can become an imperial doctor and also serve as a scribe at Chongwen Pavilion. Her abilities extend beyond medicine.

Surrounded in the center, Zhou Man and the others felt it had been another exhausting day. In front of them lay paper and pens for the debates. When they came across something they didn’t understand, they’d ask for references, jot down notes, then briefly summarize their viewpoints and look up books for further study once home.

As they departed, the literary and poetry gatherings came to an end. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

A dozen or so students and scholars crowded around, asking Bai Shan and Bai Erlang for their address, hoping to exchange letters in the future.

They actually wanted Zhou Man’s address as well, but since she is a woman, they hesitated. However, upon hearing that she lives together with Bai Shan and Bai Er, they felt knowing Bai Shan’s address would also give them Zhou Man’s.

Thus, they clung to Bai Shan for the address.

Bai Shan gave it to them since he wanted to cultivate good relationships and see if he could borrow books he hadn’t read from them.

He thought he’d read enough but realized on this trip that even Chongwen Pavilion’s collection wasn’t sufficient, not to mention he hadn’t explored much of it yet.

Bai Shan not only warmly shared his address but also carefully noted down theirs. Back at the inn, he circled the names on his list. Beside him, Manbao pointed out, "That Young Master Wen has a copy of the ’Yaoshun Records,’ which I’ve neither seen nor heard of before."

Bai Shan asked while circling names, "How do you know this?"

"He mentioned it himself. He said the ’Yaoshun Records’ includes a section on the Yellow Emperor’s hundred-grain harvest records. I wanted to borrow it, but being unfamiliar, I didn’t feel comfortable asking." Books are valuable assets, and aside from sharing among the three of them, borrowing from others requires caution. Either relationships must be especially close to test the waters, or equally important books must be offered for exchange, otherwise borrowing is difficult.

Manbao said, "First note it down. Once we exchange letters and get familiar, we can offer a book to him in trade for borrowing."

Bai Shan circled another name, carefully recording the information of those he’d exchanged addresses with. He put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long breath, "Are we heading to Hongtian Village tomorrow? Is the teacher coming? We don’t have many days of vacation left, do we? I want to go home."

Bai Erlang had long wished to return; he came for leisure, not to study, yet his trip turned into an academic journey far more intense than at Chongwen Pavilion.

Why did he come? he thought.

Bai Erlang looked at Manbao.

Manbao counted on her fingers and said, "Soon, soon, we’ll set out early tomorrow. Our carriage is fast; we should arrive around mid-morning, provided Ms. Xia cooperates, it should be resolved in one day."

"What do you plan to do with those two plots of land?"

Manbao chuckled, "One plot is rented by the clan leader for cultivation. We’ll directly use it for establishing a clan school, urging them to start the school quickly. However, I still want the year’s rent for both plots; we’ll inspect the fields later, and during the summer and autumn harvest, I’ll ask my eldest brother and Fifth Brother to collect the rent."

Bai Shan raised his eyebrows, and Manbao explained, "And we’ll also check on the house and how the clan school is being set up."

"Why insist on them running the clan school? Later, they might produce talents who could oppose you."

Bai Shan gave him a sidelong glance and asked, "How many years have you studied books?"

Bai Erlang counted on his fingers, but Bai Shan said, "No need to count. Not including the enlightenment provided by your uncle before you entered school, it’s been eleven years, right?"

Bai Erlang immediately corrected, "No, it’s twelve years!"

Bai Shan, uninterested in disputing over one or two years, said, "Fine, twelve years. When do you think you can pass the official exams? In three years, or five years?"

Bai Erlang counted on his fingers again, weighing, "Three years should be possible, though not very confident, and aren’t you planning to study travel to Gaochang? Let’s say five years, less pressure."

Bai Shan and Manbao burst out laughing.

Bai Shan simply sat cross-legged in his chair, "That adds up to seventeen years, right? We have plenty of books and a good teacher, making the path smooth and easy. In contrast, others might take at least seventeen years, or even a lifetime. What’s there to fear?"

Manbao said, "Seventeen years from now, I might not even be an official anymore, and as I haven’t harmed them, what grievance would lead them to hold a grudge for seventeen years?"

Bai Erlang glanced at her, then at Bai Shan, hesitating, "You’re being generous? Truly giving Ms. Xia such a good deal?"

Bai Shan held back a laugh and nodded, "Indeed, we’re as beautiful inside as we are outside."

Manbao nodded repeatedly and blinked wide eyes at Bai Erlang.

Bai Erlang, skeptical of them, impatiently demanded, "Come on, what’s the real trick here?"

Bai Shan shook his head, "Our temper is getting better, yet yours seems to worsen?"

Manbao said, "Our temper has recently grown indeed."

Bai Erlang glared at them. Staying up late, engaging in high-intensity study for three days; anyone would become irritable.

Bai Shan finally ceased teasing him and explained with a smile, "Ms. Xia isn’t very well-off. Running a clan school might not show immediate effects, but in three to five years, there might be insufficient support. By then, they’ll naturally focus elsewhere, relieving Manbao from trouble."