Chapter 1323: Chapter 1301: Return to the Village
The Zhuang household really wasn’t prepared. Mr. Zhuang might only stay at home for a few days throughout the year, so the room was always empty. When he suddenly returned, the room was cold and unfit for habitation.
Manbao and the others rolled up their sleeves and went inside to clean. They opened the doors and windows...
Sister-in-law Zhuang stared blankly as they took out the quilts, dusted them off, and spread them on the bed. Then they brought a brazier into the room to warm it.
Zhou Man took out a small pouch from her pocket and poured the herbs inside into the brazier. In no time, the room was filled with a medicinal fragrance.
These were herbs to repel insects and ward off filth. They had burned them frequently on their way back. Since the room hadn’t been lived in for a long time and lacked ventilation, it needed a thorough airing. The brazier could also drive away the cold and dampness in the room.
The three worked quickly, each taking on a task without waiting for Daji, who was outside, to help.
Zhuang Ji’an stood to the side, staring at them blankly. Once he realized what was happening, he immediately stepped forward to assist.
By the time Zhuang Dalang returned from the shop, the room had already been tidied. Manbao had lit two braziers in the room to chase away the cold. Afterward, the group retreated into the courtyard, where they greeted Zhuang Dalang with formal bows and exchanged pleasantries.
Every year, the Zhuang family received holiday gifts from three families in Qili Village. Their connection wasn’t particularly close, but it wasn’t distant either.
Having not seen them for a year, Zhuang Dalang thought his father’s three disciples had changed greatly, with a subtle air of refinement about them.
Thinking of the lively events in the county city more than two months ago, Zhuang Dalang grew even more courteous toward them. When he learned that his father’s carriage was behind, he decided to accompany them to the road to meet him.
He went into the kitchen and said to Sister-in-law Zhuang, "Cook the food until it’s soft and tender; Father doesn’t like eating anything too hard."
"Got it. You go ahead and meet him. Oh, take Ji’an with you."
They went to the main road leading to the county. Since Luojiang County only had one main road going through the city, it was the one they had to take.
The convoy had many items to carry, and entering the city required inspections, which delayed them considerably.
So, they simply stood by the roadside and waited. Bai Shan took the opportunity to ask about county affairs, "I heard that Captain Liu took over the role of County Magistrate. Have there been any changes in governance?"
Zhuang Dalang wasn’t keen on discussing the County Magistrate in the open street but didn’t refuse to answer. He merely lowered his voice and said, "The county is the same as it was under County Magistrate Yang; nothing has changed. However, it’s true that life has become harder for the subordinate clerks."
Zhuang Dalang worked as an accountant at the Zhang family’s grain store—not just for one store but as a head accountant for all of them. The county’s Principal Clerk Zhang belonged to the Zhang family, so Dalang was well-informed about such matters.
As they spoke, they suddenly heard the sound of carriages moving. Instinctively, they looked up and saw the convoy approaching the end of the street.
Mr. Zhuang’s carriage stopped at the road junction, and Zhuang Dalang immediately stepped forward to receive him.
Mr. Zhuang got off the carriage and exhaled deeply. "This old bag of bones is about to fall apart!"
Pushing away Dalang’s supporting hand, he moved about in place to loosen up before instructing Dalang to let the carriage proceed. "I brought back some things; make sure they’re unloaded and placed carefully. I’m going to bid farewell to Old Madam Liu."
Old Madam Liu also got off her carriage and exchanged greetings with Mr. Zhuang. The two were already familiar, so they didn’t engage in extended pleasantries. After a brief exchange, Mr. Zhuang turned to head home, refusing to sit in the carriage again and preferring to stroll in on foot.
Old Madam Liu turned to Bai Shan and the others and said, "Once you’ve escorted Mr. Zhuang home, hurry back—otherwise, the city gates will close."
Bai Shan acknowledged this.
Old Madam Liu and her companions proceeded ahead.
Manbao and Bai Erlang helped Mr. Zhuang back to the Zhuang household. After drinking some hot tea, Mr. Zhuang waved them off with a dismissive gesture and said, "Alright, head home now—any later, and it’ll be dark."
The three dashed off, calling as they went, "Teacher, we’ll come visit you in a few days!"
Mr. Zhuang waved his hand and then turned to look at Zhuang Ji’an, smiling as he beckoned. "Come here and let Grandfather take a look at you."
Zhuang Ji’an was very fond of his grandfather, who always bought him all sorts of delicious treats and fun toys, so he walked over cheerfully.
Manbao and the others ran off to Qian’s Restaurant, where Zhou Wulang had just arrived with a cart to pick them up. After loading everyone, they headed home together.
Junior Ms. Qian saw Manbao riding a horse and was both proud and worried, fearing she might fall off. From inside the cart, she waved at Manbao and called, "Manbao, come sit in the cart—it’s too cold outside."
Zhou Wulang hunched his shoulders on the driver’s seat and said, "Sister-in-law, she’s not afraid of the cold. She rode halfway back on horseback; let her ride. This cart can’t hold so many people anyway."
San Tou watched enviously from the cart and leaned out to call to Manbao, "Little Aunt, I want to ride too."
Manbao replied, "But my Chiji is still young—it can’t carry two people. Try asking Daji for a ride."
San Tou looked backward at Daji but then refused, saying, "Never mind, I’ll wait till we get home. Little Aunt, will you let me ride your horse then?"
Manbao said, "I can teach you how to ride."
Sanya immediately chimed in, "I want to ride a horse too!"
San Tou pushed her aside and said, "You’re too young to ride a horse."
Sanya complained to Junior Ms. Qian, "Auntie, Third Brother is bullying me again."
Junior Ms. Qian glared at San Tou and gave him a slap, "Don’t bully your sister."
San Tou looked aggrieved and stopped sitting inside the cart, instead crawling out to sit beside Zhou Wulang.
Manbao and the others ran ahead laughing, leaving San Tou full of envy and frustration.
Zhou Wulang found it amusing. Since San Tou and Manbao were the same age and he had helped raise San Tou as a child, the two were close. Nudging San Tou’s shoulder, he said, "What now? Your mother only scolded you once and you’re upset?"
San Tou mumbled softly, "She scolds me all the time."
Zhou Wulang didn’t believe him, so San Tou muttered quietly, "Fifth Uncle, you don’t understand. Nowadays, the family doesn’t favor us anymore—they’re starting to favor Third Sister."
Zhou Wulang was puzzled, "Why?"
"Because soon, Third Sister will be the only girl in the family," he explained, "Big Sister is getting married, Second Sister is in the capital, and Fourth Aunt just had another little brother. Soon, Third Sister will be the only one left, so the family has started spoiling her."
San Tou spoke with conviction, but Zhou Wulang didn’t quite believe him. After all, if they were truly spoiling Sanya, why would she still have to help out at the restaurant?
Clearly, she wasn’t being overly pampered.
Since Old Madam Liu and her group had gone ahead, they arrived at Qili Village first. By the time Manbao and the others returned on horseback, a crowd had already gathered at the village entrance to watch the commotion, with Old Zhou standing in the forefront.
Old Zhou’s eyesight was excellent. Squinting into the dusky twilight, he eagerly spotted Manbao leading the way on horseback down the small path toward the village. Slapping his thigh with delight, he exclaimed, "Ah, it’s Manbao, riding that horse—do you see her?"
The village head beside him nodded repeatedly, "I see, I see."
Old Zhou puffed up with pride, grinning from ear to ear as he declared to the crowd, "That’s my daughter—my daughter!"
The crowd: ... Of course, we know she’s your daughter.
Wait, no—that’s not your actual daughter!
Just as someone was about to point out the discrepancy, Manbao galloped up. As she reached the front of the crowd, she pulled her horse to a halt, leaped off, and launched herself at Old Zhou, shouting, "Dad—!"