The Lucky Farmgirl

Since she knew the news in advance, Manbao got up very early the next day, woke up early, washed early, dressed in her official attire early, and then obediently sat at the dining table waiting for breakfast.

Junior Ms.Qian saw her get up so early for the first time, first incredulously looked at the dark sky outside, then went to check the hourglass in the main room. Manbao immediately said, "Sister-in-law, don’t bother, I purposely got up early."

She said with a serious face, "I haven’t attended the court assembly for a long time; it’s rare to attend once, so naturally, I have to get up early to prepare."

Junior Ms.Qian didn’t know about her impending award, felt it made sense, and nodded.

She asked, "Do you want pancakes or noodles?"

Manbao then hesitated, "Do I have to choose?"

She wanted to choose both.

Junior Ms.Qian laughed, "I originally planned to cook a bowl of noodles for you, but I didn’t know you were coming back yesterday, so I didn’t prepare the sauce in advance. I thought of chopping some minced meat for the noodles, and I haven’t rolled the noodles yet. How about I make you pancakes directly?"

Manbao said sternly, "Sister-in-law, I’m not in a rush; I’d rather have noodles."

Junior Ms.Qian calculated the time and felt it was enough, so she went to roll the noodles.

She first fried the minced meat with oil, then added water to cook the noodles, and finally added the minced meat with some salt, soy sauce, and vinegar, mixing it well, making it very tasty.

Junior Ms.Qian reminded her, "Don’t drink too much noodle broth."

It’s said that leaving the court assembly early to use the restroom is not allowed, so those attending morning court don’t eat soupy dishes.

Junior Ms.Qian cooked two bowls and took one bowl through the main hall to give to Mr. Zhuang.

Coincidentally, the Bai Family also brought food for Mr. Zhuang, mostly buns and pancakes; Mr. Zhuang liked Junior Ms.Qian’s noodles very much, so he shared half of the buns, pancakes, and eggs with Manbao.

Manbao finally accepted only one egg, and the rest ended up in Old Zhou’s stomach, who had just gotten up and washed.

Old Zhou was also curious, "Why did you get up so early today?"

He was planning to get up early to wake his daughter, as she usually needed him to wake her up each time she attended the court assembly.

Manbao suppressed her excitement and said to her father, "I haven’t seen the Emperor for a long time; I’ve missed him."

"You should miss him," Old Zhou felt positively about the Emperor, especially after returning from his farm work on the estate and seeing vast fields; he couldn’t help liking the Emperor, so he said, "When you enter the palace to see the Emperor, extend my greetings to him."

Manbao nodded, "No problem."

Father and daughter chatted while eating until Mr. Zhuang was ready; then, the teacher and student headed to the morning court assembly. At this time, Bai Shan had just gotten up, quickly washed, and came over wearing just a robe to see them off. He said to Manbao, "Behave at the court today, don’t engage in verbal conflict; if someone scolds you, just pretend you didn’t hear."

Old Zhou, standing on the side, wasn’t happy about that, and said, "That’s not right; wouldn’t you be scolded for nothing? Manbao, does someone scold you at the court? Seriously, a group of grown men bullying a little girl?"

Manbao hadn’t spoken yet when Mr. Zhuang glanced at Bai Shan with an unpleasant expression and said, "Is this how you teach people?"

After saying that, Bai Shan turned to Manbao and said, "It’s common to have disputes with officials at court; no need to argue over momentary gains."

He said, "Different understandings of the future, different political views, different interests—all lead to disputes. If you rebut every single thing needle against awn, what’s the difference from arguing at the marketplace over weights and measures?"

"Officials must learn to express their views and also learn to consider and accept others’ views, rebutting those they don’t agree with and humbly accepting good advice. That’s the correct path."

Mr. Zhuang finished speaking, casting another glance at Bai Shan.

Bai Shan immediately said, "I understand, sir, I’ll never act impulsively again, just thinking of rebutting others."

Mr. Zhuang nodded in satisfaction, then said to Manbao, "Though today’s a good day for you, it’s indeed best not to argue with anyone. Director Xiao reported to the palace yesterday; if the Emperor has questions today, Director Xiao will answer them. Remember, although you are a compiler at Chongwen Pavilion, you’re also an assistant minister at the Imperial Hospital; you have superiors above you."

So don’t speak out of turn.

Other times might be fine, but today you need to be steady.

Mr. Zhuang gave Manbao a look, and the teacher and student got into the carriage together.

Once their carriage went far, Old Zhou finally realized and asked, "What’s the good news today?"

Without a decree, Bai Shan naturally couldn’t tell Old Zhou, so he smiled at Old Zhou and turned to run, "Eldest Uncle Zhou will find out soon enough."

Old Zhou couldn’t catch him.

Manbao and Mr. Zhuang arrived early; when they reached Taiji Hall, only a few officials had arrived inside.

All were of not very high rank, greeted each other, and then shrank their heads into their positions and sat down.

In April, the mornings were still a bit cold.

Manbao took out a hand warmer from her sleeve and gave it to Mr. Zhuang, then found her position and sat down, looking around.

Once the sky starts to brighten, it does so quickly; in a few moments, the light outside grew brighter, finally shining into the hall, and Manbao saw the first ray of sunrise.

Then a lot of officials came pouring in from outside, including Director Xiao, who was in front and to the side of Manbao, not far away.

After greeting the people in front, behind, on their left, and right, they sat down to wait for the Emperor’s arrival.

County Magistrate Tang hurried in, and before he reached his spot, he noticed Zhou Man, gave a little "Huh," and said, "How come Director Xiao didn’t give you a day off and let you attend the court assembly?"

Manbao thought, since there’s an award today, how could she miss seeing it herself?

County Magistrate Guo arrived a step later than County Magistrate Tang, maintaining an elegant manner, though his breath was also a bit heavy—the Taiji Hall was a bit far from the palace gate.

Upon seeing Manbao, he was also a little surprised, then greeted her as usual, "Lord Zhou is here too."

Greeting them from the shore, finally having the chance to talk about them, "Lord Tang and Lord Guo arrived a little late today."

County Magistrate Tang and County Magistrate Guo both pursed their lips simultaneously, having sat in the same place for so many years; this was always what they said to her.

They decided not to be petty and quarrel, and after greeting each other, they sat in their positions.

But just as their bottoms touched the mat, the sound of cleansing whips came from outside—oops, they had to stand again.

As they stood, the voice of the chamberlain loudly announced from outside: The Emperor is coming—

After the civil and military officials stood neatly, they waited until the Emperor reached his seat and sat down. They all faced the Emperor, bowing deeply, and saluted, saying, "Greetings to the Emperor; may the Emperor be blessed with peace."

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