Through
As long as it is not dark or winter, Shanshi Baolai still enjoys playing in this pavilion because it is well-ventilated and cool.
The two of them carried their book boxes directly to the pavilion, and the servants brought snacks and water. Then, they withdrew without following them.
Back in Longzhou, Bai Shanbao had servants following him wherever he went. Even when sleeping at night, there were servants on duty outside. After arriving at Qili Village, all the servants who used to accompany him were reassigned, except for a large prop placed beside him by Mrs. Liu.
At first, Bai Shanbao was not used to it, but during that time he was preoccupied with "struggling" with Manbao and Bailer, so he didn't pay much attention. By the time he noticed the mistake, he had already adapted to this change.
Moreover, Bailer does not have maids or servants following him around, yet he leads a luxurious life, correct?
However, in the eyes of Wei Zhi and several guards, the Bai family appeared somewhat shabby.
They were quite familiar with the Bai family's situation because they had Bai Qi back in Yizhou. Although they could not compare with the merits of people like the nobles and prestigious families such as the Wei, they were still considered part of the gentry. They owned fields and shops, and employed quite a few servants. Their decline did not seem justified.
While wandering in the garden, Wei Zhi stopped when he saw two children earnestly doing their homework at the stone table, and he did not disturb them.
He gestured to the guards to stay back and found a lush tree to sit under.
The guards stood in the nearby shadow, silently lost in thought.
Wei Zhi watched as the two children did their homework, checking each other's work when they finished, then switching back in a friendly manner and tidying up.
Wei Zhi was about to approach them when he noticed the two children taking out books and reading in the pavilion. They were nodding their heads as they read, working on a recitation task for the day.
The tree was situated beside the pavilion, surrounded by a cluster of roses. This positioning allowed Wei Zhi and the two children to remain hidden from view inside the pavilion, while Wei Zhi could still observe them.
He could also hear the children talking.
Perhaps because the text they had to recite was too long and complex, Bai Shanbao couldn't help but complain to Manbao, "It's all because of you…"
Manbao held the book in front of her, humming, "You are just not smart enough. Why blame me?"
"I can memorize faster than you!"
"I'm faster than you." If you don't believe me, watch," Manbao had already consulted her tutor. She was a bit smarter than she was last year. She asked her tutor, "Am I smarter than him now?"
The tutor did not answer.
Well, Manbao received the message.
She felt a bit aggrieved as her reading voice became louder; she had to memorize the text in front of him.
Just as she made a grand entrance, she caught a whiff of a scent. She sniffed, followed the scent, and saw Zheng approaching with a wooden platter accompanied by her maidservant.
Bai Shanbao also caught a whiff of the fragrance, causing both of them to forget their earlier bet and rush towards Zheng.
Zheng smiled and said, "The servant bought a ewe yesterday. It is currently lactating, and coincidentally, the steward brought back some ice from the county town today, so I had someone make two bowls of yogurt." "Try it and see if it's delicious."
Bai Shanbao nodded and set the book aside.
Bai Shanbao asked Manbao, "Have you ever had yogurt before?"
"Never."
"It's very delicious," he thought. He rarely got to eat it, so the taste left a deep impression on him. ###
Although Zheng cared for them, she dared not give them too much food because of the cold weather, so each of them only had a small bowl.
Bai Shanbao and Manbao enjoyed the yogurt. After they finished, Zheng gently reminded them, "After eating, focus on your studies." "No fighting or brawling, okay?"
The two children, despite being good friends, would often quarrel and even get into fights.
On several occasions, the son returned home with tears in his eyes, claiming that Manbao had bullied him. Zheng found out that the little girl had also returned home in tears.
Even though her son was not only a boy but also a year older and taller than the little girl, Zheng did not believe that Manbao could bully him. Most likely, both had gotten hurt in the scuffle, but she felt that, in general, it was Manbao who came off worse.
After every fight between the two children, Zheng felt a bit guilty.
After enjoying the delicious treat, Manbao felt good and agreed obediently. After Zheng left, the two of them picked up their books again. This time, they did not argue and sat obediently on the railing, swinging their legs while reciting.
Wei Zhi got up from the grass, walked over with his hands behind his back, and asked with a smile, "Do you know the meaning of this passage?"
Bai Shanbao replied, "Sir, you already explained it to us today, so of course we know."
"Once you understand the meaning, memorizing becomes easier." Come, let me teach you how to memorize." Wei Zhi, an imperial graduate, was extremely passionate about memorization.
Both Bai Shanbao and Manbao listened eagerly. While Wei Zhi might not match Mr. Zhuang in teaching ability, he surpassed him in terms of knowledge. Both Manbao and Bai Shanbao benefited greatly.
So much so that Manbao almost forgot to go home for dinner. When she realized the time, the head maid had to come find her, and only then did she realize it was getting late.
She then put her books away and told Bai Shanbao and Wei Zhi, "I have to go home for dinner now. After dinner, I'll come find you again." Please wait for me.
Bai Shanbao reassured her with a pat on his chest.
Wei Zhi smiled faintly, indicating that he would wait for her. He enjoyed spending time with the two children.
For two consecutive days, Wei Zhi spent his time either strolling around the fields or chatting with the villagers under the large banyan tree at the village entrance, in addition to having tea with Mrs. Liu daily. When Manbao and Bai Shanbao finished school, he would play with them.
His main priority was, of course, guiding the children in their studies.
On the third day, he hinted at his desire to return to the capital. After a period of silence, Mrs. Liu finally sent someone to the main hall.
The area around Bai's main hall was cleared, with only the large prop and Mrs. Liu guarding outside to ensure that no one could enter.
Throughout these three days, the more she got to know Wei Zhi, the more she trusted him. As a result, she was willing to take the risk.
So she asked him, "Can you bring the mastermind behind this to justice?"
Wei Zhi asked, "Do you have any evidence?"
"When the dam in Jianwei burst, did you not find anything?"
"I did find something," Wei Zhi knew what she was referring to but had to say, "but it's not possible to prove the guilt of everyone involved." For example, it is currently impossible for me to take any action against the King of Yizhou because I lack evidence incriminating him, despite the fact that you, I, and even the officials in the court do not believe he is innocent.