Capítulo 1642: Chapter 1617: Joyful

Early the next morning, aside from Old Master Bai’s family and the Cheng Family, everyone else had packed their things, harnessed the horses, and were ready to head out.

Of course, Bai Erlang was not considered part of Old Master Bai’s group.

Old Master Bai and Cheng Dalang stood at the gate, watching their lively, cheerful departure. The two in-laws exchanged glances, both inexplicably wanting to sigh.

Although Yongzhou is very close to the capital, so close that officials, students, and young nobles from the capital often ride to Yongzhou for vacations during breaks, Manbao and her group had never been there.

After passing through the East City Gate and onto the bustling highway, Manbao tightened her veil hat and galloped off ahead. Bai Shan also covered his mouth and nose with a cloth, spurring his horse to catch up.

Bai Erlang shouted, “Wait for me!”

Just as he opened his mouth, dust flew up from an oncoming carriage, directly into his mouth. Annoyed, Bai Erlang spat a few times and also covered his mouth and nose with a cloth before spurring his horse to chase the two.

Only then did Daji lead two guards to pursue the three.

Bai Shuping also came along with Zhou Lixue and Zhou Ligu, even his mother was going to Yongzhou for fun, only his elder brother couldn’t come because he was still training at the security office.

Martial training is different from studying; the latter has holidays, but his brother’s training does not, and essentially aside from New Year’s, he never leaves the security office.

Unless he completes his training and can independently take missions.

Bai Shuping lifted the curtain, and he and Zhou Lixue watched the flow of traffic and bustling people outside, with dust covering their faces. He let down the curtain, saying, “Sure is lively.”

Zhou Lixue said, “The capital is the biggest and busiest city I’ve ever seen.”

Zhou Ligu said, “…Third Brother, you’ve only seen a few cities, and the capital is the nation’s capital, naturally the biggest and busiest.”

Old Zhou also pulled back the curtain, looking outside. Unlike the children who disliked the dust, he paid no mind to it, speaking directly to Zhou Dalang amidst the dust, “As long as Yongzhou has more than half the people of the capital, it won’t be hard to find people to farm. Besides, the capital isn’t far from Yongzhou; if they can’t find people to farm there, they can come here to find.”

Zhou Dalang looked at the people coming and going on the highway, asking, “Dad, do you see anyone who looks like they might farm?”

Old Zhou just stared outside without speaking.

Old Madam Liu was cheerfully chatting with Ms. Qian, “Yongzhou is cooler than the capital, and living on an estate is even more refreshing, just right to avoid the autumn heat. Many fruits are planted in the fields; we can invite you to pick them.”

Ms. Qian smiled and agreed.

At the sound of horses’ hooves, Ms. Qian lifted the curtain and saw Manbao riding swiftly away like the wind, with Bai Shan closely following. After a while, Bai Erlang finally caught up, and she half-lowered the curtain, saying to Old Madam Liu, “Manbao is getting more mischievous. Sometimes, watching her ride makes me anxious.”

Old Madam Liu chuckled, “The kids have been busy these past months. Now they finally have some free time, let them enjoy it. Their riding skills are taught by Daji; even if they’re not perfect, they won’t be too bad, especially since Daji is always with them.”

Ms. Meng happened to be sitting nearby and smiled awkwardly at these words.

Old Madam Liu was thoughtful, taking care of everyone in the carriage, and Ms. Qian was also a person who handled things smoothly; the two chatted harmoniously, creating a great atmosphere.

Technically her status warranted conversation with Ms. Zheng, but she got along better with Old Madam Liu, and Junior Ms. Qian, although a generation lower than Ms. Zheng, conversed more freely, mainly because they were the same age and shared more topics.

Ms. Meng naturally chatted with Junior Ms. Qian and Ms. Zheng.

Lijun and Liru were also leaving the capital for the first time to go to Yongzhou, chatting excitedly by the carriage window along the way.

Everyone laughed and talked, and within half a day, they arrived at the Bai Family’s estate.

The estate manager had already received the news last night and instructed people early in the morning to sweep the courtyards and rooms to welcome the masters and guests.

Old Madam Liu greeted them to settle in. Being in the countryside, the estate had limited rooms, so many people had to share accommodations.

But no one minded; everyone present had endured hard times before. Would this be tougher than sleeping outside on the way from the village to the capital?

Manbao stayed with Lijun and Liru, Bai Shan shared with Bai Erlang, and everyone settled into their rooms.

Once their luggage was placed, they immediately ran off to the estate’s orchard.

The fields had been harvested, leaving them empty and barren, except for some trellised melons and the nearby orchard.

Manbao and the group ran into the orchard to look at the fruit trees, as it was the season for eating jujubes and there were also late pears.

A group of youngsters immediately clamored, shouting, “Look, these green jujubes are ready to eat.”

“They look quite big; I wonder how they taste.”

Manbao immediately jumped up, grabbed a low-hanging branch, picked one, and said, “Let me taste it for you.”

Everyone watched her as she took a bite, her eyes brightening, her face unable to hide her happiness. Without needing her to speak, Bai Shan instantly said, “It’s sweet; quickly, find a pole to knock them down.”

Everyone ran in a rush, grabbed poles from the estate, and those who couldn’t get a pole found a long stick. They gathered under the tree to knock down the jujubes.

After just two hits, Bai Shan and others couldn’t help but feel pained, “Go easier, you guys.”

Zhou Lijun kicked off her shoes, rolled up her sleeves, saying, “Why bother knocking? Wait, I’ll climb the tree to pick them.”

Zhou Lixue immediately dropped his pole, “Second Sister, I’ll join you.”

So he also took off his shoes and climbed up the tree behind Zhou Lijun.

Manbao looked at them, then looked down at her own shoes, and turned to Bai Shan, whispering, “Shouldn’t one be more dignified after becoming an official?”

Bai Shan, already taking off his shoes, said, “Only our own people are here; no one knows you’ve become an official.”

Manbao thought that made sense, immediately took off her shoes, and climbed up a tree with Bai Shan, which had particularly many fruits.

Bai Erlang climbed too. His tree-climbing skills, though not as good as Bai Shan and Zhou Man’s, were not much worse than Zhou Lixue’s.

Everyone climbed up the trees, starting to pick the biggest and ripest jujubes to toss down, while Zhou Ligu and others gathered them.

Bai Shuping’s mouth hung open, only recovering after a long time. He turned to ask Zhou Ligu, “Young Master, I mean, how come Bai Shan and your aunt can climb trees?”

“What’s the big deal? They can swim too,” Zhou Ligu replied, “They learned when I was very young, taught by my Fourth Uncle. Because of that, my grandpa chased and beat him once.”

Bai Shuping said, “My elder brother can’t even climb trees.”

Because Bai Bo’an was forced from a young age to follow the scholarly path, even though he was stronger and liked activities, he didn’t dare to do mischievous things like this.

Didn’t expect the young masters could do it.