The Lucky Farmgirl

Old Master Bai was successfully convinced and immediately went to discuss with Old Zhou about borrowing a house for hosting the wedding banquet.

Old Zhou had no objections at all; hosting a banquet before Manbao’s wedding as a rehearsal sounded great!

So he happily agreed, even holding Old Master Bai’s hand and saying, "Neighbors should help each other, no need to be formal. It’s perfect timing, as I have a lot of people in my house right now, and a few kids are on break these days. Just tell them if you need anything done from your side, don’t hesitate."

In Qili Village, borrowing tables, chairs, and utensils for banquets was common practice. If the house wasn’t big enough, they’d set up on the road. If the road wasn’t smooth enough, they’d use a brother’s house. If no brothers were around, they’d go to an uncle’s. If that wasn’t possible, they’d go to a neighbor’s. It was all standard procedure and well within Old Zhou’s understanding.

Especially for such a joyous occasion as passing the imperial exams; the Zhou Family was eager to share in the joy, hoping that if it worked, his own studying children might also pass the exams next year.

Having received the endorsement from the Zhou Family, Old Master Bai immediately took out money to prepare things.

The celebration for passing the imperial examinations was different from other banquets; it could be arranged in just two to three days. Naturally, it should be held while the good fortune was fresh, unlike Bai Shan’s promotion when they kept delaying again and again.

The Feng Family obviously had the same idea.

As good days are identical, some conflicts arose when choosing the date.

But it wasn’t an issue; people could send presents without attending, or spend the morning here and the afternoon there. If not working, one could attend five banquets in a day.

Zhao Liulang had a vast circle of friends. Of course, he couldn’t attend all five; he managed four, just like County Magistrate Tang.

After the lively banquets, the princess’s marriage proposal could be brought up.

The Ministry of Rites came to propose, and Old Master Bai perked up, immediately taking his two sons to discuss.

The Ministry of Rites had chosen an auspicious day: next year’s Flower Festival was deemed a good day.

But Old Master Bai keenly noticed another date above, the eighth of February, which also seemed promising, mainly because it was sooner.

The Ministry of Rites explained, "This date is set for Princess Changyu. Princess Changyu is older, so she will marry first."

Actually, the emperor wanted both daughters to marry on the Flower Festival, but Wei Zhi refused, and other ministers also opposed it, thinking it broke protocol. Hence, the emperor compromised with a five-day difference for his daughters’ weddings.

Just a matter of front and back foot.

Once the date was set, the Ministry of Rites brought the Bai Family to inspect the Princess’s mansion, which would be their wedding venue. Of course, the furnishings inside would be prepared by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Public Works, but Bai Family’s opinions could be considered to some extent.

The Ministry of Rites thoughtfully pointed next door, "That is Princess Changyu’s mansion."

Bai Erlang could imagine how lively his family would be in the future. He nodded, still more intrigued by Mingda’s princess mansion, considering he’d be living there for quite some time should nothing unexpected happen.

Leaving the princess mansion, Old Master Bai held his son’s hand, saying, "Erlang, don’t worry. When we return, I’ll check Changqing Alley to see if there’s a courtyard left to buy; no matter how expensive, I’ll buy you a small courtyard. In future, if you and the princess argue, you can stay in your own little courtyard."

Bai Erlang replied, "Dad, houses in the capital are getting more expensive. Even in Changqing Alley, a two-entry small courtyard costs over three thousand taels now. If you feel troubled, just give me the money."

He continued, "If the princess and I argue, I can go to Zhou Man or Bai Shan, and if that’s not enough, there’s my big brother. I have many places to go."

Old Master Bai dropped his hand, "You will be a prince consort, how can you be so humble?"

"This isn’t humbleness, it’s frugal," Bai Erlang said, "Frugality is a virtue. Buying a house where I won’t live seems wasteful. For a temporary place to stay, it also can’t be rented out, and would require staff to manage, all costing more money."

Mrs. Bai couldn’t help but be wide-eyed and then heart-stricken, almost tearing up, "My son, how much hardship have you endured these years? You never cared about money before; you’d spend whatever you had. Now it’s come to this level of frugality..."

Mrs. Bai was heartbroken.

Old Master Bai said, "That’s because he wasn’t spending his own money. He was boastful only in the village, but are there really places to spend much in Qili Village? Hanging around a market in Dali Village with a string of copper coins makes him a boss, what’s your heartache? By nature, he’s simply this way."

Bai Erlang retorted, "This is inherently kind; what’s bad about that?"

Old Master Bai countered, "I see you’ve learned this from Shanbao."

"You just said I’m naturally this way."

Old Master Bai raised his hand to smack him, "More and more talkative, I’ll tell your teacher to let him punish you."

Bai Erlang remained silent.

Old Master Bai, firm and resolute, waved his hand, "I will buy it if I say so; we can’t afford a big house, but surely a small house is within our means?"

Bai Erlang was very curious, "Dad, my peers from the Imperial Academy always say it’s hard to live large in the capital; many are still living at the Imperial Academy or renting outside. Do we really have that much money, buying one house after another?"

Old Master Bai felt somewhat proud, lightly raising his chin, "We don’t have an abundance of things, but buying a courtyard in the capital for you and your big brother each is doable."

"But our family has villas in Mianzhou too..."

"Hey, those villas aren’t worth much; two or three hundred can get a three-entry courtyard. Besides, I didn’t buy them; your grandfather did..."

Back then, Old Master Bai moved to Qili Village due to disputes in Mianzhou, targeted over farmland and business, and conflicts with Mianzhou’s governor. That’s why he settled in Qili Village.

But that governor didn’t stay long, getting demoted within two years due to corruption and bribery charges. He was later demoted several times and it’s uncertain whether he still holds office.

However, by then, Old Master Bai had settled in Qili Village, and both he, his mother, and his wife found countryside living quite pleasant, aside from inconvenient commuting and some boredom. It was much more comfortable than Mianzhou. With Qili Village’s simple customs, he never considered moving, truly settling down.

Despite living in Qili Village, he had substantial property.

Not only was he one of the top three landowners in Luojiang County, uh, now it’s two.

He also owned quite a bit of land and shops in Mianzhou, and though not making much money yearly, he spent sparingly over the past twenty years.

He always saved money for his children.

Buying two houses is comfortably within the budget.

Not only could he buy houses, but other things for his younger son’s dowry, oh, no, betrothal gift.

On this aspect, he and Old Zhou shared a common view, as concerning betrothal gifts, land was the first thing that came to his mind.

Being a landlord from childhood, and still one now, Old Master Bai believed having land meant having status, money, and power; thus, land was essential.

When preparing Bai Erlang’s betrothal gift, the first thing he thought of was land.

However, he didn’t just start buying now. Since arriving in the capital, he’d been inquiring around, even in Yongzhou, like Old Zhou, acquiring suitable lands in batches.

Yeah, he bought much more than Old Zhou.

He divided these land contracts nicely, showing Bai Erlang, "See, what are houses? They’re not worth much; the truly valuable ones are these lands."

Bai Erlang gaped, reaching out to fiddle with the land contracts, asking, "Dad, are these all mine?"

Old Master Bai slapped his hand away, "Of course not, half are your big brother’s."

He added, "The Ministry of Rites specifically advised us not to prepare too much betrothal gift, saying it must conform to ceremonial standards."

Though Old Master Bai didn’t understand why marrying a princess required less betrothal gift, since the Ministry hinted so strongly, he could only comply.

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