Chapter 60 - 60 49 Apology

Words : 1586 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

60: Chapter 49: Apology 60: Chapter 49: Apology “Indeed, your Fifth Granduncle was excellent at his scholarly pursuits, and even in his capacity as an official, he was impressive. At such a young age, he went to the capital and became an Imperial Censor. It’s a pity that he was injured by a stray arrow during the late Emperor’s eastern campaign and sacrificed his life. As for your Old Zhou and Qi’er’s generation, there’s even less need to talk about it. Ask your Old Zhou what his studies amounted to?” Old Master Bai, with a sense of shame, lowered his head. “But Bai Qi was indeed a promising student. At just a young age, he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi. If it wasn’t for his ill fate, it would now be we who might be seeking favor with their family,” Mrs. Bai said. “Don’t look at Shanbao’s young age now, but he has already shown his difference. How old is he this year? He has already memorized ‘The Analects’ in its entirety. Ask your son, does he know how to recite the first chapter of ‘The Analects’?” Bai Erlang immediately shrank his head and said nothing. Mrs. Bai continued, “Even if we don’t consider these losses and gains, just thinking about affection,” she grasped Old Master Bai’s hand, tears falling, “she’s not only your aunt by marriage, but also your blood aunt. She and I, as cousins, grew up together, under the same grandparents. Now, among the brothers and sisters still living, it is only us few. You should think of it as taking care of your maternal family as well, giving her and her grandchildren your wholehearted devotion.” These words, though spoken to Old Master Bai, were clearly directed at Mrs. Bai. Mrs. Bai hurriedly knelt down to admit her fault, saying, “Mother, rest assured, from now on, my husband and I will definitely take good care of Aunt and our younger siblings.” She then turned her head and scolded Bai Erlang, “Erlang, from now on, you are not allowed to bully your cousin anymore. If I hear about you bullying him again, I, I...” Mrs. Bai clenched her teeth, “I will surely beat you.” Bai Erlang pursed his lips, and under his father’s stern gaze, did not dare cry, feeling that his bottom was very sore. After the family of four cleared the air, they wiped away their tears and returned to their respective rooms. It so happened that the steward who went to the Zhou family to deliver the compensatory gifts had returned. He reported to Old Master Bai, “...we sent a bottle of medicinal wine specially for treating sprains and injuries, two pieces of meat, two fish, and two packets of pastries. Old Zhou was very easy to talk with and kept saying the child is fine, only a bit bruised here and there, and a little rest should be all that’s needed.” Old Master Bai then scolded his disappointing son once more before saying, “She’s a girl, as long as there are no scars left on her body, it’s fine.” The steward then bowed his head and said, “That should not happen. I glanced at the Zhou family’s young mistress, the injury on her body is not visible, but her forehead is just a bit swollen, no wounds.” Old Master Bai then waved his hand to dismiss him. Meanwhile, at the Zhou family, Manbao and the other children were crouching in the courtyard, observing the two pieces of meat, two fish, and two packets of pastries they had received, with everyone unable to help but swallow their saliva. Datou and the others were incredibly envious, “The little auntie is really different, she even gets meat and fish sent to her for fighting.” Daya emphasized, “And pastries too!” Manbao touched her forehead and said, “Otherwise, should we find a chance to pick another fight with Bai Er?” Old Zhou, overhearing this, almost couldn’t resist smacking his daughter on the head, but then remembered that she was injured and hitting her head could possibly make her dumber, so he settled for a verbal reprimand, “Don’t talk nonsense, is fighting fun for you? Not to mention you’re smaller than the other party and you could only be beaten. Such a thing you’ve instigated, yet you still want people to send gifts? Where is such good fortune?” Old Zhou said, “If the Bai family asks us to send a compensatory gift in return, our family couldn’t afford to give two pieces of meat and two fish like that.” Manbao felt regretful for a moment, then looking at the pastries, her mouth watered. She immediately threw herself into her eldest sister-in-law’s arms, acting spoiled, “Eldest sister-in-law, let’s open up the pastries and eat them.” Although she wasn’t too fond of sweets, she did enjoy pastries. She had just smelled them, and they were so fragrant. Junior Ms. Qian did not hesitate, asking for her mother-in-law’s opinion. After Ms. Qian nodded in agreement, she opened one packet, giving two pieces to Manbao first before handing out one piece to each of the other children, and then wrapped up the rest intending to gradually give them to Manbao. But Manbao, with a twinkle in her eye, pushed the two pieces of pastry into the hands of her mother and father, then looked at her sister-in-law eagerly. With no other choice, Junior Ms. Qian handed her another two pieces. Grinning, Manbao repeated the process, giving the pastries to her two sisters-in-law, and then continued to eye Junior Ms. Qian. Seeing that both of her co-sisters-in-law had received some, an annoyed Junior Ms. Qian unfolded the oil paper and stuffed the remaining two pieces to Manbao, “There, no more left!” Manbao then brought a piece to Junior Ms. Qian’s lips, her voice sweet, “Eldest sister-in-law, have some too, I just smelled it, and it seems really tasty.” Junior Ms. Qian’s irritation vanished immediately, and she couldn’t help but laugh, “You’re so clever.” Ms. He, without consuming her own piece of pastry, laughed from the side, “Manbao is different when it comes to her sister-in-law; our pastry didn’t make it to our lips.” Ms. Feng joined in humorously, “After all, she was raised on our eldest sister-in-law’s milk.” Junior Ms. Qian was somewhat proud but remained modest in her response, “This child treats everyone in the family the same. Her sweet words are as if coated with honey; none of the other children combined can compare to her.” Thus stood the three sisters-in-law, mutually praising each other while Ms. Qian, seated to the side, instructed, “Cut up the meat and stir-fry it. Our home has no well, so we cannot keep it raw. Only when it’s fully cooked can it be preserved for a longer period.” She continued, “Although dinner has already been made, take some of it out to stir-fry with vegetables. Manbao has been injured and needs to be nourished.” The three daughters-in-law did not dare linger any longer to chat, promptly agreeing and each going to their tasks. Instead of eating the pastries, they casually passed them to their husbands to enjoy. Of course, Zhou Dalang and the others were not foolish enough to eat them right away, and instead, they kept them in their rooms to share again with their little families at night. Ms. Qian also called her daughter to her side, offering her the pastries with a smile, and gently touched the injury on her forehead, “Eat quickly, the faster you eat, the quicker your injury will heal.” Manbao pushed the pastries back, “Mother, you eat.” Ms. Qian shook her head, “I’m taking medicine now, and it’s not good to eat pastries. You eat, go on.” Manbao didn’t question this, for she knew her mother had dietary restrictions and couldn’t eat many things. Delighted, Manbao took a bite of the pastry and cheerfully went off to play with Zhou Wulang and the others. Old Zhou, sitting nearby, broke off a large chunk of his pastry and gave it to his wife. Ms. Qian smiled and this time, did not refuse. Manbao was particularly interested in the day’s happenings in the county town and eagerly asked about it. Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang, feeling that they had witnessed the wide world today, relished being the center of attention among their brothers and nephews, feeling a surge of pride as they vividly recounted the day’s events. Ever since there were incidents of adults being kidnapped in their region, all the villages had agreed upon certain rules for going into town. For those from the same village, needless to say, the village was only so large. If someone planned to go to the county town the next day, they would shout out, and anyone else interested would agree to meet by the village entrance at an appointed time. If no one else was going, then they’d proceed on their own. Even the time they set off had its own customs. Zhou Wulang said, “The best time to reach the county town is in the early morning. Since everyone’s pace is more or less the same, people work backward from the county town in their timing. So everyone from the various villages who wants to join up knows when to wait at the village entrance.”

Chapter 60 - 60 49 Apology

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