The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 654 - 643: Copying Books

Chapter 654: Chapter 643: Copying Books

Manbao whispered, "Do you have the ’Commentary on the Water Classic’?"

"The third floor is full of some very precious books, and I don’t have the privilege to go up there, not even to see the catalogue, so..." Bai Shan spread his hands and looked towards Manbao.

Manbao understood and, following Bai Shan’s lead, arrived in front of a row of bookshelves. He whispered, "Look, perhaps the book you want to copy is among these."

Manbao then broke free from Bai Shan’s hand and stepped between the bookshelves, reaching out to touch the neatly arranged books.

She had seen many of these books in bookshops before, though she had only flipped through a few, and not read the others.

But she wanted to buy them all; she just didn’t dare spend so much money.

The price of just one of these books was not cheap.

Manbao walked along the bookshelf, reviewing all the titles, and ultimately, without moving to the second row of shelves, she took a book and looked towards Bai Shan with sparkling eyes.

Bai Shan then smiled at her and took her hand, leading her to sit at a table and chairs not far from the window they had crawled through.

The light there wasn’t very good, and it was secluded; unless it was a busy time, rarely did anyone come to take a place there.

Bai Shan put his book basket on the table and lowered his voice, "You can use my pen, ink, paper, and inkstone."

Manbao opened the book basket. Books were not allowed to be brought into the Book Collection Tower, but pens, ink, paper, and inkstones were, while other things could be stored at the entrance.

She took out Bai Shan’s writing materials and lowered her voice, "When I come again tomorrow, I’ll bring my own."

Bai Shan nodded.

Bai Erlang, with Wei Chen’s help, had also made his way to a row of bookshelves that interested him. The two of them huddled together, whispering, and then each picked out a book.

The two exchanged a glance and couldn’t help but chuckle to themselves.

Wei Chen also came over and winked at Bai Shan, "My ice treat."

"I’ll go get it for you."

Bai Shan left them and went out to buy the ice treat.

Manbao was already engrossed in the book she held, while Wei Chen glanced at the cover and curled his lip. What was so interesting about that kind of book?

Manbao read a few pages before she began to write, copying from the book. This would make the process faster and avoid any confusion or delays.

In the end, Wei Chen sat on the grass outside the Book Collection Tower, finishing two servings of ice treats before going back in to continue perusing the miscellany he had selected.

Manbao had copied a stack of documents just as the tower’s attendant rang the first bell to close the tower. It was then that she reluctantly packed away her writings and replaced the book where she had found it.

Manbao put the documents and various items into Bai Shan’s book basket, and then she and Bai Erlang climbed out through the back window when the second closing bell rang.

Bai Shan left the tower through the main gate, accompanied by Wei Chen.

Mr. Wu, who was responsible for managing the Book Collection Tower, checked their book basket and let them pass.

The four of them arrived at the base of the west wall. Wei Chen’s face turned red with exertion as he let the two step on him to climb the fence. He felt as if he had been conned. "I won’t do this again. It was just for two ice treats. Not only did I let you climb down on me, but I also let you climb up on me. If this happens a few more times, what’ll become of my shoulders?"

"Besides," Wei Chen said somewhat unhappily, "this is something a servant does."

"What are you talking about," Bai Shan said. "The three of us also frequently clamber up and down. If it weren’t for the fact we’re not tall enough..."

"That’s because you’re too bad at it. In the school, there are others about your height who can spring up the wall and leap down safely without any issues whatsoever."

Upon hearing this, the three turned their gaze toward Daji, who stood silently behind them.

Daji said nothing, simply leaping into the air. He didn’t even touch the wall but flew right over it, landing steadily on the other side.

This wall was much lower than that of the Yan Family’s, otherwise, students wouldn’t be able to climb over it.

Manbao and Bai Erlang sat atop the wall, watching him soar into the air, and as he crossed over the top and landed on the ground, their mouths hung open in awe.

Although it wasn’t the first time they had seen Daji show off his impressive flying skills, this perspective was new to them, and they couldn’t help but be astounded.

After their amazement, Manbao properly swung her other leg over the wall and jumped down onto a pile of straw, crawling off it onto the ground.

Bai Erlang did the same, brushed off the straw from their clothes, tidied themselves up, and then climbed into the carriage, which Daji began to drive straight ahead, turning around and circling half of the academy before returning to the main gate, where Bai Shan was waiting with the book basket.

As soon as Bai Shan was aboard the carriage, Manbao and Bai Erlang frantically made faces at him.

Bai Shan understood their meaning, nodded at them, and then looked outside, "We’ll talk about it when we’re back outside."

As soon as they returned to the small courtyard, Manbao, without even bothering to sort through the documents she had copied that day, ran into the kitchen and poured a cup of hot tea for Daji, earnestly saying, "Daji, you’ve worked hard today."

Bai Shan brought Daji a plate of pastries, "Here’s your favorite osmanthus cake, for you to enjoy."

Bai Erlang then said, "Daji, you’ve been picking me up and dropping me off at school. Once Mid-Autumn Festival arrives, I’ll give you a big red envelope."

Zhou Silang, who had also just returned home, watched this flurry of activity without hurrying to feed the horses. He leaned against the wall, observing their eagerness to please Daji.

Even the busy cook couldn’t help but glance sideways at the commotion.

Zhou Lijun asked directly, "Miss, are you asking Daji for a favor?"

Manbao grinned sheepishly at Daji, and Bai Erlang also chuckled at him before the two turned their heads towards Bai Shan.

Bai Shan too, smiling wide, said to Daji, "Daji, can you teach us how to climb walls?"

Zhou Lijun’s mouth dropped open in surprise, and Zhou Si stood up straighter, asking, "What’s that story? Why climb walls when there’s a perfectly good road?"

Daji picked up a piece of the pastry and bit into it, then drank half a cup of tea before responding with his eyes downcast, "I’ll do as Mr. Zhuang says."

Manbao and the others instinctively looked towards the study, only to realize that Mr. Zhuang had stood at the doorway at some point, watching them quietly.

The three felt a sudden nervousness and immediately stood up to bow respectfully.

Mr. Zhuang’s gaze fell on Bai Shan’s book basket, and he gestured, "Bring it here for me to see."

Bai Shan, carrying the basket, stepped forward. Mr. Zhuang opened it, looked past the books, and directly picked up the stack of documents at the bottom.

The handwriting was clearly Manbao’s; Mr. Zhuang perused the documents and nodded slightly before turning his gaze to Bai Erlang to ask, "What book did you read today?"

Bai Erlang was on tenterhooks, reluctantly admitting, "I, I read a travelogue."

"What was its title?"

Bai Erlang stole a glance at Manbao beside him, unable to continue the pretense, and quietly said, "I read the ’Spring River Travelogue’."

While Manbao and Bai Shan didn’t think there was anything amiss, Mr. Zhuang’s brow furrowed, "Such fabricated travelogues are not worth reading. If you want to read travelogues, I can recommend a few to you."