The Lucky Farmgirl

Old Master Bai had raised Bai Erlang for fourteen years, but had never enjoyed such treatment himself. It was impossible not to feel a bit bitter, but since the person in question was his son’s mentor, his bitterness was completely unjustified.

He cleared his throat and entered the courtyard to greet Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang eagerly rose to welcome him and sent three disciples to serve tea to Old Master Bai and County Magistrate Yang.

However, the men did not talk for long, as Mr. Zhuang knew that County Magistrate Yang was there to see Bai Shan and Manbao, so after a few polite remarks, he allowed Manbao and others to accompany County Magistrate Yang.

Bai Erlang was about to follow when Old Master Bai suddenly called out to him, "Erlang, you stay here; I need to discuss your studies with your mentor."

Bai Erlang, anxious, replied, "Then ask away, but I’ll go and talk to Lord Yang first."

"Are you proud of your studies enough to join Lord Yang? Come here, I’m asking you, did you cause any trouble during your trip to Yizhou City?"

Reluctantly, Bai Erlang started searching for his homework. Just then, Mr. Zhuang, who had initially been sipping tea, suddenly looked up at him and said, "Erlang, bring out the essay you wrote the other day and show it to your father."

Bai Shan and Manbao simultaneously turned to give him a significant look, and Bai Erlang could only reluctantly fetch his homework and hand it over with a sulky face.

Mr. Zhuang and Old Master Bai laughed, "Look at this essay, the boy has made quite a lot of progress, stronger than at the beginning of the year. I was actually planning to push him for the next two months to try in the prefectural school; he might even get in."

Though Old Master Bai wasn’t very scholarly in his youth, his ability to appreciate literature was still present. His son’s essay was indeed well-written, even better than his own when he was fourteen.