The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 1993 - 1968: Gratitude

Old Master Bai brought plenty of local produce when he came from Qili Village, especially Zhou ErLang, who packed several jars of the bamboo shoots he had peeled and pickled this spring.

Junior Ms.Qian now took a handful of bamboo shoots from the jar, sliced beef for stewing, and when it was almost done, she added the sliced bamboo shoots to stir-fry it together, and then stew it a bit more.

Then she turned to roll out the noodles.

She cooked the noodles, scooped them into bowls, and added a handful of greens to each bowl, then ladled a spoonful of sauce over the top. Before long, everyone had a bowl of noodles in front of them.

Manbao immediately started to mix the noodles and encouraged everyone to eat quickly and not stand on ceremony...

Bai Shan and Bai Erlang naturally didn’t hold back. They mixed and started eating, and after finishing one bowl, couldn’t resist having another.

Yin Huo, with a weak stomach, also couldn’t resist finishing his bowl. Indeed, as Zhou Man said, once you taste it, you can’t forget it.

Only then did he vaguely understand why State Duke Su liked beef so much; it was indeed delicious.

While they had simple noodles, Old Zhou was dining with Old Master Bai, accompanying the Ministry of Rites officials and Gu Zhong for a particularly lavish lunch.

When sending off the Ministry of Rites officials, he still felt unsatisfied, but once back in his own courtyard, he was greeted by a special aroma.

He couldn’t help but ask, "What’s that delicious smell?"

Manbao poked her head out from the kitchen and said, "Dad, you’re back. Our sister-in-law is stewing some bones for us."

Old Zhou rubbed his belly and approached, asking, "Old Master Bai’s house has so much delicious food, why did you start cooking on your own here?"

Bai Erlang nodded repeatedly, inviting everyone, "You all can come to my house for dinner. My father is in a good mood and must have had many delicious dishes prepared."

Manbao then asked, "Dad, did the Ministry of Rites officials mention a tentative wedding date?"

Old Zhou replied, "They didn’t say, I heard we have to wait for another princess to get married first. It sounds like it will be in two or three years. But they did ask whether Old Master Bai plans to live in the Princess’ mansion or buy another house in the capital."

Old Zhou couldn’t help but glance at Bai Erlang and said, "Actually, it’s quite nice for our families to live together; there’s no need to buy another house. Once the Princess moves in, the mansion will be even more spacious."

The main benefit has been the convenience of the three families doing many things together, reducing expenses, and everyone living together has fostered closeness.

Especially now that Old Master Bai is related to the emperor through marriage.

Old Zhou wasn’t sure if Old Master Bai felt dizzy, but he certainly did. The thought that Old Master Bai was the emperor’s relative and that he lived with the emperor’s relative, not to mention the fact that he’s also related to Old Master Bai, made him feel a bit dizzy.

His daughter’s husband’s cousin equals his daughter’s relative, which equals his relative, and thus connected, he’s also related to the emperor.

Old Zhou never imagined he’d have such moments, it took him a while to calm down until Bai Shan and Yin Huo retired to rest in their own courtyard.

He called Manbao and asked, "When we return to the village, if I say I’m related to the emperor’s kin, will the officials hold me accountable?"

Manbao thought for a moment and said, "Probably not, everyone has a few poor relatives."

Old Zhou found this sensible, but he still retorted, "Our family isn’t poor anymore."

Seeing her father so delighted by the prospect of being related to the emperor, Manbao remembered her intention to resign from her official position, felt conflicted but decided not to mention it for now. She stood up, patted her clothes, and said, "Dad, you rest for a while, I’ll go check on the teacher."

Bai Shan and the others were at the teacher’s place too, as Old Master Bai didn’t want to see the children today. He finally regained his composure and realized he had been overly excited and embarrassed earlier.

Mrs.Bai, on the other hand, didn’t mind, sitting beside him and chatting away, "... I heard Princess Mingda is the daughter of the emperor and empress, the most favored among the princesses. How much dowry do you think we need to match her?"

She continued, "Should we buy another house in the capital? We can’t have the entire family living in the Princess’ mansion. I don’t mind, but I’m worried it might be uncomfortable for Erlang, what if the Imperial Family accuses him of freeloading?"

Talking about it, Mrs.Bai started to worry again, "I wonder if the princess is easy to get along with, will she bully Erlang in the future?"

Old Master Bai said, "You’re worrying too much. Didn’t Erlang say they’re friends? You’ve met her already; she seems gentle, doesn’t she?"

"But isn’t it true that a princess from the imperial family would be imposing?"

Old Master Bai replied, "However imposing she may be, she’s your daughter-in-law after all, and must observe decorum. Don’t be too humble; that would embarrass Erlang."

"You’re not being humble. Why were you dizzy today?"

Old Master Bai: "I... I was just happy, happy that Erlang can actually get married."

In truth, Old Master Bai still felt a bit lost; he was very self-aware. Although he came from the Bai Family, considered a collateral branch of a noble family, his father died early, and the human complexity he has seen since childhood is no less than Bai Qi.

Why did he opt to settle in the remote Qili Village despite owning considerable farmland and properties?

Apart from the fact that the land in Qili Village indeed had good feng shui, it’s also to avoid certain people.

People say a single log can’t prop up a house, his grandfather separated their branch from the main family, and it was all single-blooded until he had two sons.

Though the main family couldn’t intervene in their affairs, during holidays they always found excuses like refurbishing the ancestral hall or supporting widows in the clan to ask for money;

Not only the main family but also some officials in the region could find excuses to visit and ask for money.

Old Master Bai had no grand ambitions; he knew he wouldn’t pass the official exams. So, he simply brought his family to Qili Village, to avoid external troubles, occasionally socializing, maintaining a relationship with the outside world at a reasonable distance.

He always thought their branch might establish themselves in the county probably after Dalang, as for Erlang, he was satisfied as long as Erlang could peacefully be a farmer.

Especially since the boy was quite mischievous when young.

Old Master Bai didn’t expect such a mischievous boy would catch the emperor’s eye and elevate their family to a whole new level. He swallowed hard and said, "We really should thank Mr. Zhuang."

Mrs.Bai nodded, "We should indeed thank Mr. Zhuang, earlier we were lucky that Mr. Zhuang helped calm things down and prevented any mistakes."

Old Master Bai glanced at her and said, "We should also thank Zhou Man and Shanbao. Didn’t my brother-in-law send a piece of Lantian jade? Why not divide it into four pieces and give each of them a jade pendant."

Mrs.Bai paused, and asked, "Didn’t you plan to use it for gifts to make a name for Dalang? You said he needed to make a reputation for the imperial exams."

Old Master Bai said, "No need now, let’s give it to the kids."

After all, being the emperor’s kin, does he still need to use a piece of jade to curry favors and make a name?