The Lucky Farmgirl

The people coming to pick up others were too many, directly blocking the road in front of the royal estate. Bai Shan and the others came out a bit late, and when they arrived, they were stuck on the road, barely inching forward to the royal estate entrance, blocked two hundred meters away.

Manbao carried her medical kit and squeezed out, handed it to Daji, grabbed Bai Shan’s outstretched hand, and hopped onto the carriage with a gentle leap.

Bai Shan pulled her into the carriage, took the medical kit from Daji and placed it inside before saying to her, "I knew there would be many people today, but I didn’t expect so many."

Manbao glanced out the car window, "It’s understandable that they’re worried."

Bai Shan nodded, "Not to mention them, even His Majesty was worried."

He said, "Recently, every day His Majesty summoned Director Xiao for questioning. Lord Wei and Lord Tang were also present. Only after Director Xiao reported everything was normal would they leave the palace in peace."

Manbao asked curiously, "Are you at court every day now?"

Bai Shan shook his head, "Every three to five days we have duties at the Hanlin Academy. Only when His Majesty specifically summons do we go."

As academic editors, typically they read and revise books. These new academic editors cannot revise books yet; they can only serve the elders, check data, and write some annotations.

More often, they transcribe official documents, archive previous old memorials, and submit them to the historians for record keeping.

These are routine tasks. Non-routine tasks involve being summoned by the emperor to organize memorials, draft edicts, or accompany him in reading, governance, or playing chess.

Yes, an academic editor’s duty includes accompanying the emperor in reading and playing chess, just like the Chongwen Pavilion is for the prince.

Bai Shan is currently the most frequently summoned editor in the Hanlin Academy, and he has already become acquainted with all officials above fourth rank in the capital.

No choice, as these people often report to the emperor and are the most frequent attendees of small court assemblies. Bai Shan sees them daily; it’s hard not to become familiar.

Because of this, now the entire court knows Bai Shan’s promising future. Didn’t you see everyone’s additional warmth towards Zhou Man when picking up people today?

Manbao was quite pleased, patting his shoulder, "Keep up the good work. By the way, can you take a few days off?"

Bai Shan asked, "What for?"

"You and Bai Er should get vaccinated with the cowpox. That way we’ll be safer when traveling far."

Bai Shan said, "That’s not just a few days’ time."

At least twelve or thirteen days.

Bai Shan thought for a moment and said, "I need to check with my superior."

Bai Shan was a bit awkward, blushing slightly, "But I’ve already taken a long leave, so it’d be difficult to take more later."

Manbao asked curiously, "Why did you take a long leave?"

Bai Shan looked up at her and said, "My grandmother had three dates calculated. Your parents have already chosen October 8th for the marriage. I’ll definitely need to take a long leave then."

Manbao was momentarily stunned, her heart racing, "Is it really that soon?"

Bai Shan replied, "It’s not too soon; the date should have been set earlier."

Manbao’s cheeks flushed as she steadied herself to ask, "Is it really set for that day?"

Bai Shan nodded affirmatively and whispered, "You should also inform Director Xiao in advance, so in October he can free your schedule."

Manbao nodded with a red face, suddenly feeling a bit elated and strange—is she really about to get married?

Manbao muttered, "Less than three months."

Bai Shan nodded.

Old Madam Liu set three dates. One was on August 23rd, which is closer, but Old Zhou chose October 8th to appear more reserved. Although preparations were long finished, they couldn’t hurry Manbao’s marriage too abruptly, could they?

The reason Old Madam Liu waited until now to have dates calculated was to await the reply from Longzhou.

Bai Shan whispered to Manbao, "Recently, someone came from Longzhou."

He contained his joy, saying, "They returned the ancestral property that was previously taken from my family, claiming that since I was young at the time, the family took over management."

Bai Shan snorted, "They claimed they feared my mother could not stay long, so she wouldn’t take the property if she remarried. Humph, not that my mother would remarry, but even if she did, my grandmother was still here. How could they make decisions for me?"

Manbao asked, "All returned?"

Bai Shan nodded, "Some couldn’t be returned, so they compensated with properties elsewhere. It’s all well. Besides those, they sent some assets, claiming it’s the family’s wedding gift for me—I’m to come of age next year and should establish a family. They meant to re-establish ties."

He said, "Grandmother used those funds, added some, and bought a two-entry courtyard in Changqing Alley, slightly smaller than Dalang’s current residence."

Bai Dalang’s current residence is where Manbao and the others rented before, including the yard and a small garden on the side. The courtyard Old Madam Liu bought has a smaller garden, but it faces south, thus offering great sunlight and spacious rooms. Old Madam Liu liked it immediately.

Moreover, houses in the capital are easy to sell and hard to buy. This house had been searched for since last year, and it took queueing until those ahead decided to pass to reach her. She bought it right away.

However, they hadn’t settled the payment, waiting for the funds from Longzhou.

Bai Shan said, "Do you want to take a look? Grandmother said our wedding will be held there, and after the three-day return to the bride’s home, we’ll move back to the Zhou Residence."

Manbao’s eyes lit up, nodding repeatedly, "Sure, sure, just the two of us?"

"No," Bai Shan was a bit annoyed, "Bai Er and Yin Huo went earlier. The place isn’t far from Dalang’s yard, so they’re all there."

Manbao was slightly disappointed as well.

Instead of going home, they went directly to Changqing Alley.

Changqing Alley has three consecutive alleys, connected by small lanes. The courtyard chosen by Old Madam Liu is at the alley entrance, behind Bai Dalang’s residence. Its rear faces a large street, with two gates, and a decent-sized back gate leading to the garden. For convenience, the gatehouse by the garden can house people or park carriages.

Despite being small, the courtyard was well-equipped, suitable for the two of them.

Manbao liked it very much.

Bai Shan had visited it before. Even upon revisiting, he couldn’t help but rejoice, appreciating the peace amidst the bustle.

He held Manbao’s hand, guiding her through the back entrance, pointed at the flower beds in the garden, and said, "You always manage to get some rare flowers and plants; the big garden at the Zhou Residence is too busy for planting. You can plant them here."

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