The Lucky Farmgirl

Zhao Liulang had been completely unaware of all this; quite some time had passed since the event, and his mother’s illness had been cured. The guilt and self-doubt in his heart had dissipated, so as soon as he received a letter from Bai Shan, he went to the study, stuffed a few medical books that the family’s aides had copied into his arms, and headed out.

Halfway there, he felt it inappropriate to carry them like that, so he called a Xiaosi, pressed the books to his chest, and said, "Go, find a nice-looking and seemingly expensive box to pack them in."

The Xiaosi looked at the books in his hands, puzzled. When did their Sixth Young Master start giving people books?

"What are you looking at? This is a token of apology for Divine Doctor Zhou Junior. Hurry and find a box."

"Alright!" the Xiaosi responded cheerfully, running to find the Sixth Mistress, and secured a very nice box to pack them in.

Zhao Liulang, with the box in hand, happily went to the Zhou Residence for a banquet.

But Bai Shan’s wine wasn’t that easy to drink? Especially since he wasn’t particularly fond of wine. If he’s willing to drink with you, it shows you’ve gained a lot of respect.

In the end, the box was left behind, and Zhao Liulang returned home with a look of shame and bewilderment to ask his father, "Father, because Zhou Man came to our house to treat a patient, were you and Zhou Man both impeached?"

State Duke Zhao looked at him curiously, "When did you become interested in court politics?"

Zhao Liulang replied, "Bai Shan told me."

"He’s quite well-informed," State Duke Zhao waved it off dismissively, "It’s nothing serious, it’s already past."

Even His Majesty didn’t care and was already preparing a rank for the household, so why mind such rumors?

But Zhao Liulang didn’t know, and State Duke Zhao didn’t intend to reveal the undisclosed matters to his son, so Zhao Liulang, full of guilt, said, "Father, this whole matter was originally our family’s fault; now being impeached is still because you are vying for the Minister of Ministry of War position..."

State Duke Zhao looked at him, "How did you know I was vying for the Minister of Ministry of War?"

Zhao Liulang said, "Bai Shan told me. Isn’t that so?"

State Duke Zhao: ... Yes, it is, but how does Bai Shan know if he’s not in court?

Even in court, only a few people know about it.

Minister Li’s illness wasn’t widely publicized, and after the New Year, he rarely attended court... but then again, he often took leave and didn’t attend court meetings in the past.

State Duke Zhao stared at his son for a while, then asked, "Oh, what did Bai Shan say?"

Zhao Liulang scratched his head, "He didn’t say much, only that Zhao Man is young, and being scolded this way for the first time makes it hard to retort. If she retorts, it might inevitably harm our family, like a rat damaging a jade vase, which is undesirable, so..."

Zhao Liulang whispered, "I feel that since this matter started because of us, and they’ve put up with such an annoying mouse, we can’t have no gesture at all."

State Duke Zhao understood now, frowning and pondering, he felt his son made a bit of sense.

Although he didn’t think a few idle words in court were worth noting, Zhou Man is, after all, a young girl, unlike him, with thick skin; thus, he nodded and said, "Okay, when she returns from the Imperial Villa, let your sister-in-law prepare a generous gift to send over as an apology."

The more State Duke Zhao thought about it, the more it seemed right. It would be a good time to mend the relationship to avoid future issues with getting help from the Imperial Hospital.

Zhao Liulang breathed a sigh of relief and immediately smiled, "Father, then you discuss this with elder brother or mother."

He, as a younger brother-in-law, should not be the one to ask his sister-in-law for something, especially since his relationship with Zhou Man is good. The last time because of this matter, several sisters-in-law in the family were punished, and their relationship worsened significantly.

State Duke Zhao was aware of this too. After nodding, he waved for him to leave. Seeing him turn away with delight, he suddenly remembered something and called out, "I’ve been meaning to talk to you. You’re not young anymore. I wanted you to take the Ming Classic exam this year, and you refused, so go to the Imperial Guards then. I’ll petition His Majesty for a favor, and you can start as a minor officer."

Zhao Liulang widened his eyes, looking at his father incredulously, "Me, joining the Imperial Guards?"

"What else?" State Duke Zhao glared at him, "Do you plan to take the Ming Classic exam next year, or shall I send you directly to the frontier? You surely won’t bring home a jinshi, will you?"

Zhao Liulang’s shoulders slumped, "Father, can’t I just stay at home? I’m still studying at Chongwen Pavilion."

"Shut up, how shameful is that, in a couple of years your son will be old enough to attend school, and you’re still studying at Chongwen Pavilion! What have you learned these three or four years? Bai Shan, who is much younger than you, has already earned a jinshi. Liu Huan, who started on the same path as you, not only earned a barony but also passed the Ming Classic exam. What have you accomplished?"

State Duke Zhao felt embarrassed, especially when facing Liu Hui. He didn’t even want to see Minister Liu’s old face yet had to see it daily.

Each time he saw it, he got upset. Just thinking about his son, who first was classmates with someone else’s grandson who passed as a jinshi and progressed smoothly, now a county magistrate in Yizhou City for four years, soon to return.

Then became classmates with their younger grandson, who also passed the Ming Classic exam, while his son first muddled through the Imperial Academy then the Chongwen Pavilion until this age, and still had no clear career path, was simply infuriating.

Zhao Liulang muttered, "I’m just a late bloomer."

State Duke Zhao exploded with fury, "Why don’t you bloom twenty years later, straight back into your mother’s womb? Among your brothers, you’re the least successful, at your age your older brothers were all making progress in the army. It’s Imperial Guards, frontier, or you take the Ming Classic exam, three choices, pick one!"

Is there even a choice?

It had to be the Imperial Guards.

Although he handled books every day, the words on the page merely passed through his mouth without ever entering his brain. Even when he held books and recited them, swaying, he never knew what he was reading, how could he pass an exam?

Going to the frontier...

There were no easy frontier posts in this world; better to stay in the capital. Even though he had to be on duty every day, at least he got two rest days every ten-day cycle, didn’t he?

On holidays, he could still have some fun, and anyhow still be with his brothers and friends.

Tearing up, Zhao Liulang made his choice, but still clung to a sliver of hope, "Father, today at the palace, Chongwen Pavilion rejected several people’s graduation requests; Bai Erlang hasn’t graduated yet either."

State Duke Zhao said, "Don’t worry, if you apply, Chongwen Pavilion will certainly agree. If they don’t, I’ll speak to Libationer Kong."

He didn’t need to; a few days later, when Zhao Liulang returned to school after his break, he only mentioned to Chongwen Pavilion, and they agreed, even allowing him to pack up and leave the palace immediately, making Bai Erlang, who had come to submit homework, envious.

Zhao Liulang, however, felt a bit upset, leaving right after Bai Erlang, and couldn’t help but mutter to him, "See, they practically couldn’t wait to kick me out, hmph, without me, there will be more people sleeping in their lessons in the future."

Bai Erlang sighed and said, "No, there’s hardly anyone left in the classes now."

They’re the only ones without pending exams, Yin Huo also joined to study. Bai Erlang resolved silently, this autumn, he must take the jinshi exam, and he must pass!

He too wanted to be done with studying at the palace!

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