Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 600 - 600 601 Getting Beaten_1

Chapter 600: Chapter 601: Getting Beaten_1 Chapter 600: Chapter 601: Getting Beaten_1 Zhao Jiangshui then honestly said, “Actually, I came to seek advice from the master on some matters.”

Mr. Mo laughed and asked, “Are you a scholar? Have you taken the imperial examinations yet?”

“Last year, I just passed the provincial examinations and am waiting to go to the capital to attend the Autumn Examination at the end of this year.”

“Not bad, young man, at such a young age to pass the exams and become a Scholar, your future is bound to be limitless. Why do you need to seek me out specifically?”

“Learning is endless, I have come all the way because of your renown and wish to discuss scholarly matters with you.”

Mr. Mo looked at Zhao Jiangshui’s humble attitude and was quite satisfied; he dreaded those who, upon gaining some accolades, became arrogant and overconfident, truly frogs at the bottom of a well.

“Very well, ask your questions, and I will answer as best as I can.”

Tianniu listened quietly by the side, having read no small number of books herself. She understood their discussion and occasionally, when she heard some of Mr. Mo’s responses, was bold enough to express her doubts and offer her own perspectives. This surprised both Mr. Mo and Zhao Jiangshui. Despite her carefree appearance, she was not ignorant, and moreover, she was quite astute.

After a series of questions and answers, Zhao Jiangshui’s doubts were largely resolved, and he bowed gratefully, “Thank you, Master, for dispelling my confusion. The master is indeed as knowledgeable as they say. It’s just that I have another matter.”

“Speak,” replied Mr. Mo, who was still in a good mood for the first time despite not having had any drink; he was very pleased with these two young people.

“I have heard that you are skilled in physiognomy. I will be participating in the imperial examination at the end of the year, and I was wondering if you could see whether I might have a chance at winning an official title.”

Mr. Mo stroked his beard, smiling, “I see you have the makings of a Number One Scholar, but it seems you might also have to thank the heavens.”

Zhao Jiangshui was taken aback, “How so?”

Mr. Mo pointed at Tianniu, “If she were a boy, you’d have no chance at all!”

With a playful laugh, Tianniu said, “Then I’ll just dress up as a boy and take the examination!”

Zhao Jiangshui chuckled and humbly said, “Thank you for your guidance, Master.”

“There’s nothing to thank me for, I rarely meet two who catch my eye. Being able to relieve my boredom is quite nice,” Mr. Mo said, laughing.

It was not until dusk that Uncle Cai returned, dragging behind him a large alpaca, dead.

Tianniu and Zhao Jiangshui bid farewell to Mr. Mo and followed Uncle Cai down the mountain.

When it came time to part ways, Tianniu suddenly felt a sense of reluctance, “Zhao Jiangshui, where is your home? If I can come to see you in the future and bring you some fun things, would that be alright?”

She really could not think of any other excuse.

Zhao Jiangshui, remembering the incidents she had brought upon him that day, instinctively wanted to keep his distance, but considering that he indeed owed his visit to Mr. Mo to her, it didn’t seem right to refuse her.

“I live on Tongfu Street; Zhao’s Fruit Store is our family business. If you want to find me, just go there.”

Tianniu joyfully agreed, “That’s great!”

Zhao Jiangshui really couldn’t fathom what there was about revealing his address that made the girl so happy, but considering her usual odd behavior, he decided not to overthink it and walked away with a smile.

Tianniu felt as sweet as if her heart had been smeared with honey, bounding excitedly toward home. But the closer she got, the more anxious she became. Although she had anticipated a beating upon returning, actually facing the prospect made her quite nervous.

Deciding to be crafty, Tianniu skirted around her own home and sneaked into Muniang’s house instead, figuring that with Muniang’s protection, her mother would not be able to lay a hand on her!

It was a clever plan from Tianniu, but what she did not anticipate was that Madam Liu would be at Muniang’s house.

As soon as she entered the room, she was stunned, and it was that kind of dumbfounded shock.

Because Muniang had kept dinner for them, Mr. Zhao and his son as well as Mr. and Mrs. Liu were eating here that evening. They had just finished dinner when Tianniu came in, and facing a room full of people, Tianniu wished she could crawl into a hole.

Especially when she saw Madam Liu’s face, black as ink, she knew that was a harbinger of a beating!

It was Muniang who eased the tension, “Tianniu, did you just get back from the teaching nanny’s house?”

In front of the guests, she didn’t lose face, Mu really was the best!

“Yes, yes, yes!” Tianniu nodded repeatedly and then looked pitifully at Madam Liu, hoping she wouldn’t beat her in front of others—it would be so embarrassing.

Madam Liu, naturally aware that family scandals should not be publicized, didn’t make a scene but just glared at Tianniu as a warning, clearly signaling that she wouldn’t escape the beating today.

Tianniu’s scalp tingled, and her heart was on the verge of tears.

The atmosphere was a little weird, but Mr. Zhao really didn’t notice anything. Mrs. Lin had agreed to marry him, and he was so happy he couldn’t even find his bearings, let alone pay attention to these matters.

“Alright, dinner’s done, and we won’t stay long, so we’ll be heading out.”

Mr. Zhao stood up and took a deep look at Mrs. Lin before saying, “I, I, I’ll visit another day.”

Mrs. Lin turned away, flustered and annoyed, while Muniang chuckled, “I’ll be waiting then, Mr. Zhao. Take care on your way home.”

“Well, I’ll be off then.”

After seeing Mr. Zhao and his son off, Madam Liu’s face collapsed, and she went out to grab a thick fire poker to bring inside. Tianniu cried out and hid behind Muniang, “Mother, this stick is so thick, I, I, I can’t take it!”

Madam Liu raised the poker and bore down on Tianniu, “If you know you can’t take it, why did you dare climb over the wall and run off? Your courage is getting the better of you; I must whip you today!”

Tianniu moaned, “It was never this thick of a stick before, mother. Can’t you find a thinner one?”

Muniang didn’t know whether to cry or to laugh.

Madam Liu was furious, “You still have the nerve to speak! Who was the man who caught you outside the wall today? Where did you two run off to mess around?”

Tianniu was stunned, her footsteps halted, and Madam Liu’s hand came down hard on Tianniu’s back without restraint. Tianniu howled and collapsed.

Muniang quickly protected her, “Auntie, what are you doing? With such a thick stick, she can’t take it—she’s not a boy.”

Madam Liu panicked too, she had only intended to scare Tianniu, and hadn’t meant to actually hit her. She quickly threw the poker away, “Are you okay? Where does it hurt, let me see.”

Tianniu’s back had been struck heavily, a deep mark from the stick making even Madam Liu feel pained.

Tianniu trembled with pain but still said, “Mother, it’s not that he was waiting outside to take me away on purpose. It was an accident when I jumped over the wall; I landed on him.”

“What?!”

Not only Madam Liu, but even Muniang was caught between laughter and tears. What a huge misunderstanding this was.

But then, Tianniu’s next words were even more amusing.

“But, but, I think I’ve fallen for him,” Tianniu, always straightforward and unreserved, didn’t know how to hide her little girl’s thoughts. In front of her closest sister and mother, she naturally spoke them out, her voice carrying a hint of shyness.