The Lucky Farmgirl

Shopkeeper Zheng arrived in front and saw the guests, then remembered something important. He turned to Manbao and said, "Oh, Imperial Doctor Zhou, I was just about to tell you this. Zheng Gu has taken a liking to a girl in Luozhou, and after the New Year, I’ll send someone to propose. What do you think of this?"

Manbao was dazed, "What can I think?"

Then she exclaimed, "Ah, Zheng Gu is getting married? Yes, he should marry. He’s already of age, and if he doesn’t marry soon, it’ll be even more difficult."

Shopkeeper Zheng nodded in agreement. However, those from families in the medical field often married late, with many marrying at twenty-four or twenty-five, so his son wasn’t particularly late after all, it seemed just right.

Shopkeeper Zheng comforted himself inwardly.

Manbao then remembered Zheng Shao, "Zheng Shao isn’t young anymore either. Why is there no news?"

Shopkeeper Zheng replied, "His parents are clueless, so perhaps they haven’t made arrangements for him."

Zheng Shao was honest and dull. It was precisely this trait that made Shopkeeper Zheng choose him as a medicine boy under Manbao. But with such a personality, he wasn’t very favored at home, especially when he had a clever and considerate younger brother.

Now, his brother’s children were almost old enough to buy wine themselves, yet he hadn’t even gotten engaged.

Manbao thought for a moment and became distressed. She not only had to worry about the marriages of her nieces and nephews but also her apprentice’s weddings. How busy she was.

But she was only busy in her mind for a moment. When she heard the lively commotion up ahead, she immediately ran over to join the fun.

Shopkeeper Zheng simply shook his head.

Bai Shan and the others were playing in a throwing game.

Zhou SiLang had his hands gathered as he leaned to the side watching. When Bai Shan hit eight arrows, everyone started cheering, prompting Zhou SiLang to step forward saying, "Let me try."

Bai Erlang handed him the arrows in his hand. Zhou SiLang aimed, threw the first arrow, which fell off, and the second arrow brushed the mouth of the bottle and fell. Everyone unceremoniously let out a "boo," but Zhou SiLang squinted and threw the third arrow, and then, each subsequent arrow went in.

In one go, he threw all ten arrows from Liu Huan’s hand, leaving everyone dumbfounded, cheering, and handing him all their arrows to see how many he could get in.

Zhou SiLang threw one arrow after another inside. Sometimes even when the bottle was almost full, he could still get an arrow in, astounding everyone.

Zhou SiLang shook his head triumphantly and said, "This is easier than when we used to shoot birds as kids."

Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang were eager to try too, as they had been led by Zhou SiLang since childhood and were also good at shooting birds.

Watching the fun from the side, Doctor Ding couldn’t help but whisper to Doctor Tao, "The Zhou Family might not be anything else, but they definitely used to be a force in the village."

Look at this mess.

Doctor Tao chuckled.

Manbao squeezed in, also stirred by competitiveness, and grabbed some arrows, lining up to join in.

Bai Shan stood beside her, smiling as he asked, "What did Shopkeeper Zheng want from you?"

"The matter of medicinal herbs and arranging marriages for my apprentices," Manbao summed up in one sentence, then said wryly, "Zheng Gu’s marriage is settled, but Zheng Shao’s isn’t. I’m finding myself burdened with more and more tasks."

Bai Shan chuckled, "You brought it upon yourself. Big Brother and the others didn’t tell you to arrange marriages for Lixue and them; you took it upon yourself. But compared to Lixue, Zheng Shao’s marriage should be simpler."

"Why?"

"Because he can already support a family," Bai Shan said. "He’s currently the head of the local medical bureau in Xiangzhou, albeit in a lower ninth-grade position, receiving imperial pay. Though minimal, it’s enough to support a family and earns respect, so arranging a marriage shouldn’t be difficult."

It’s much easier than when he was a medicine boy.

In contrast, Zhou Lixue and the others are harder.

Bai Shan and Zhou Ligu, along with them, were still studying. If they can pass the Ming Classic exam next year, it’ll be easier to arrange a marriage. If not, it’s uncertain if they can arrange better marriages than Zhou Lichong and Zhou Liwei.

Let’s not mention Zhou Liru, who’s still studying and a young lady too. According to Manbao’s plan, she still has to study at the imperial medical bureau for another two years before she can graduate. Even after graduation and starting work, she still needs to keep studying.

Bai Shan thought of this and subconsciously looked at Liu Huan, who was laughing happily with Zhou SiLang and the others. Turning to Manbao, he said, "Don’t you think Liu Huan is suitable?"

Manbao turned her head to look, "Because he is easy-going?"

Bai Shan smiled lightly and said, "Easy-going people have fewer rules, and Liru is suited for those with fewer rules." Just like Manbao.

If she encountered a family that particularly adhered to rules, measuring every word and action, she would struggle.

Manbao said, "Liu Huan doesn’t represent the Liu Family. Marriage is about the union of two surnames, not just the suitability of two individuals."

If the family backgrounds clash, they would end up spending a lot of energy on family matters, which wouldn’t be good for Liru.

And the Liu Family’s status is too high.

Facing their family, the Zhou Family would feel inferior.

Bai Shan smiled and said, "I met Minister Liu’s wife at Grandmother’s today. Coincidentally, Third Sister and Liru were also there, and all the Liu surname people were gathered together."

His eyes sparkled like stars as he laughed, "Mrs. Liu asked when Third Sister could become an imperial doctor and inquired about Liru’s studies. As I left, I overheard Mrs. Liu saying to Liu Huan with disappointment, wishing he had half the ambition and diligence of the two ladies."

Manbao was slightly stunned, then fell into contemplation.

Bai Shan looked at Manbao smugly and, feeling confident, took all her arrows and handed them all to Bai Erlang, who was still jeering Liu Huan, before taking her hand and leading her aside to whisper.

Bai Erlang held the arrows in confusion and turned to look at them, but Yin Huo pushed his face back, "Don’t look, they’re whispering as a couple."

Bai Erlang snorted lightly, then turned back without disturbing them.

Bai Shan led Manbao out of the corridor, slowly heading toward the back garden. He said, "Status grows stronger with alliances. Because you married Third Sister, Zhou Family men have built a foundation for matrimonial alliances in the capital. Manbao, have you thought that someday the Zhou Family could become a noble, perhaps even a distinguished family?"

Manbao laughed, "Lord Wei is currently the Prime Minister, yet he calls himself a family from humble beginnings."

Bai Shan: "And what about three generations from now?"

He said: "Lord Wei has three sons, one married to the Cui Family, another soon to wed a princess. Three generations later, who would still call the Wei Family humble?"

Manbao was silent.

Bai Shan said, "Before you, the Zhou Family was common; after you, it became humble. Now, those studying like Lixue, if they can serve as officials and advance in politics, they will solidify the humble status. Even if they don’t reach Lord Wei’s stature, there’s a chance within five or six generations to join the nobles."

The distinguished family emerges from generations of noble accumulation.

Manbao turned to look at him and whispered, "Then have you envisioned the future of the Bai Family?"

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