Chapter 37 - 37 26 Peaceful Conscience

Words : 1478 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

37: Chapter 26 Peaceful Conscience 37: Chapter 26 Peaceful Conscience The little girl inside the carriage, hearing the lively conversation below, lifted the curtain to look at Manbao. Seeing that she was even younger, she beckoned and said, “Come over and keep me company with some chatter.” Manbao ran up immediately and glanced at the horse wagging its tail before asking, “May I touch your horse?” The little girl was clearly taken aback by the request, but after hesitating for a moment, she nodded, “If you like, go ahead and touch it.” Manbao ran to the front to pet the horse while the little girl’s attention shifted forward. She said, “Why don’t you come up and talk to me in the carriage?” The coachman was about to pick up Manbao when Wulang, who had been watching the situation, quickly stepped in to block him, pulling Manbao behind him, “There’s no need for her to climb aboard; we can talk just like this. What’s the need to get on?” The servant frowned, “Do you know who our miss is? Your sister being spoken to by her is an honor for your family.” Wulang couldn’t have cared less as he retorted, “Who knows if you’re not up to no good? We can talk like this across the carriage, or else have your miss come down.” Turning around, he then coaxed Manbao, “Little sister, let’s go back. We’ll all chat with you.” The servant was annoyed by these words, but the little girl inside the carriage didn’t mind, seemingly impressed by Wulang’s protective stance toward his sister. She lifted the curtain and sat on the carriage shaft, looking no much older than Manbao. Curiously staring at Manbao, she asked, “Did you pick all these flowers on the mountain yourself?” Manbao replied, “They weren’t picked by me, but by my niece and my second niece. I just picked a few.” The little girl smiled, “Some of these flowers are indeed interesting, even nicer than the ones we cultivate at home.” Wulang couldn’t help but say, “That’s nothing special. Wait ’til next spring when the mountain is covered in blooms, that’s when you see lots of flowers.” No child dislikes flowers, especially not a little girl. She couldn’t resist the thought, “I wonder if you could help me dig up some pretty flowers next year? I’d like to try and plant one at home.” Wulang was reluctant to agree. It was a long trip from the village to the county town, and now there were even fees for entering the city... Yet Manbao, who shared the same hobby as Keke, was delighted and nodded eagerly, “Sure, I’ll dig them up for you. Where’s your house?” The servant beside her hesitated and held back his words. The little girl said, “My home is right behind the County Governmental Office. It’s very easy to find. Just ask for the Second Miss of the Fu Family.” This was the first friend Manbao had made outside, and so she was particularly happy. “My surname is Zhou. My parents all call me Manbao.” “Manbao,” Second Miss Fu said with a smile, “your name sounds lovely. My nickname is Wenyun.” Manbao complimented in return, “Your name is also very nice.” Fu Wenyun inquired, “The candy is tasty. Did you make it yourself, or did you buy it?” After thinking for a moment, Manbao said, “My friend helped me buy it.” Fu Wenyun asked, “Where can I buy some? I want to buy some too.” Manbao replied, “Then you can buy from me, two pieces for one wen (unit of currency).” Fu Wenyun hesitated for a moment before nodding, “Then, I’ll buy a lot. A hundred pieces.” “I don’t have them right now. I have to go home and get them. Can I have my brother deliver them to you tomorrow?” Manbao planned to go to school the next day, and having seen the county town, she felt her horizons had broadened and didn’t want to return any time soon. Fu Wenyun nodded and then asked, “Should I pay a deposit?” Manbao was surprised, “Is a deposit necessary? Well, then give it.” Not just the servant but even Fu Wenyun were momentarily choked up. The little girl paused, glanced at the servant with a troubled look on his face, and he repeatedly looked at Fu Wenyun. Finding no way out since Fu Wenyun insisted, the servant had no choice but to give Manbao ten wen, saying, “Young Lady Zhou, our master is the county magistrate. Tomorrow when you come, just knock on the side door behind the County Governmental Office and ask for the Second Miss.” It was no surprise the servant needed to stress their status; given their earlier reactions, even after the miss mentioned her home was behind the County Governmental Office and that her surname was Fu, they showed no sign of recognition, obviously unaware. That made sense, really—just a bunch of unsophisticated country folks, and young at that; it’d be strange if they did understand. As expected, upon finishing her statement, she saw a hint of nervousness and panic on Zhou Wulang’s face, while Manbao looked like she had an epiphany, yet she didn’t show any fear, just curiously asking Fu Wenyun, “Does your dad happen to be exceptionally fair-skinned?” Fu Wenyun failed to follow her line of thought, but still nodded, “Yes, my dad has fair skin.” No wonder the entry fee increased by one wen. Hmph, Keke was right; pale-faced people are deceitful. Manbao felt the payment she had just accepted was too little, but since she had already agreed, it didn’t seem right to change the price now. She decided next time Fu Wenyun bought candy from her, she would raise the price. That was an idea she had borrowed from associating with the county magistrate. Having made that decision, Manbao’s spirits lifted again, and she eagerly recommended her candy to Fu Wenyun, “My candy is very, very sweet. I have tried so many kinds, and none are as delicious as mine.” The servant sneered after a glance at the clothes Manbao and Zhou Wulang were wearing, “You’ve had a lot of candy?” Manbao didn’t catch her sarcasm, but Zhou Wulang wasn’t foolish. Although intimidated by their being county magistrate’s people, the sight of his sister being scorned still provoked his anger, “Of course, my sister has been eating candy since she was young, at least one piece every day, never missing a day. Tell me, in all the neighboring villages, which child has had more candy than my sister?” Fu Wenyun and the servant were taken aback. Fu Wenyun was the first to look at Manbao’s teeth, asking, “Are your teeth still good?” “Yes,” Manbao opened her mouth to show her, saying, “I take good care of them, rinsing my mouth every morning and night. My friend told me that this way I won’t get cavities.” Fu Wenyun felt she was different from other children, knowing quite a lot unexpectedly. Fu Wenyun said, “I often eat candy, too, but my teeth have started hurting a little, so my mother doesn’t let me have too much...” The two children chattered about anything and everything, with Manbao even sharing about a particularly beautiful rooster she had seen that day. Zhou Wulang couldn’t help but interrupt their conversation, “Manbao, the flower baskets are ready.” The servant also breathed a sigh of relief, quickly saying, “Miss, we should be going back now.” Both Manbao and Fu Wenyun looked a bit regretful at having to part ways, casting reluctant glances at each other. Feeling slightly guilty, Manbao asked, “Sister Fu, did you earn the money you spent, or does it belong to your dad?” “Of course, it’s my dad’s,” Fu Wenyun explained, “I’m still little, I can’t make money yet.” So Manbao’s conscience was at ease once again. Hmm, she was earning the bad magistrate’s money, not Sister Fu’s money. Manbao happily waved goodbye, “I’ll help you put the flower baskets on the carriage.” With twenty-four flower baskets amounting to one hundred twenty wen, while Zhou Wulang and the others were still breaking a sweat counting on their fingers, Manbao had already done the math. The servant looked at Manbao in surprise, counted out the money, and only after the carriage had gone some distance did the servant say to Fu Wenyun, “Miss, that little mistress from the Zhou Family is so clever. She worked out sums that even her brother couldn’t figure out in no time.” Fu Wenyun nodded in agreement, “She is very smart, she knows quite a lot.”

Chapter 37 - 37 26 Peaceful Conscience

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