The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 661 - 650: Busted (Added for rewards from the book friend "Imperial Guard: Rong Rong")

Chapter 661: Chapter 650: Busted (Added for rewards from the book friend "Imperial Guard: Rong Rong")

County Magistrate Tang heaved a silent sigh of relief and, without changing his expression, glanced at the lotus pond.

It appeared that those people knew their place; they had picked the lotus heads but had not left the pond a complete mess. Otherwise, it would have been immediately obvious that the pond had been vandalized...

County Magistrate Tang’s face darkened bit by bit, and he hurried after Landlord Bai.

The bailiffs trailing behind County Magistrate Tang didn’t share his intelligence, but unlike him, this one had just escorted the servants from Landlord Bai’s household to inspect the property two days prior. He remembered the pond was full of lotus heads at that time.

But now...

He kept looking back, feeling that the lotus heads in the pond seemed much fewer than before...

Landlord Bai reached a disorderly patch and furrowed his brow slightly, pointing to a few plots and asking, "Is this where the thief planted vegetables?"

"Exactly."

Landlord Bai looked around the area, ascertaining the position of the plots before shaking his head slightly, "Such a waste of natural beauty. I suppose any of the original flowers and plants plucked from the ground would be worth more than these vegetables, yes?"

County Magistrate Tang chuckled, "For the simple folks from the countryside, it is normal not to recognize the true value."

Landlord Bai sighed for a moment, circled around a few trees and walked out. He examined the height of the backyard wall and nodded slightly, "This height is acceptable. Has the collapsed section been walled up?"

"It has been walled up. If the Landlord is not at ease, we could have it broken down and rebuilt," said County Magistrate Tang as he led him to see the wall adjacent to the Xiao Family’s property.

Landlord Bai pressed his hand against it, satisfied for the most part, but since he planned to settle down long-term, he decided to dismantle it and have it rebuilt.

"I’ve heard that beyond this wall there’s quite a large hole?"

County Magistrate Tang then smiled and led him to see the hole which had already been blocked, saying, "The hole opens out into a wide alley, which I’ve had bricked up."

Landlord Bai nodded slightly, took another look at the garden, and turning back to County Magistrate Tang, smiled and said, "Let’s go and take a look elsewhere."

"Why don’t we just follow this path here and then loop back from behind to the front?" suggested County Magistrate Tang.

Landlord Bai had no interest in revisiting the areas he had already been, so he nodded in agreement.

County Magistrate Tang breathed another silent sigh of relief and smiled as he followed.

That afternoon, after County Magistrate Tang finished dealing with the official documents at hand, he stood up, stretching his back, and said, "Prepare the carriage, we are going to Kangxue Street."

The bailiff waiting outside kowtowed and hurriedly went to pass on the message, then ran back eagerly asking, "Your Honor, are you going to the prefectural school?"

"Why would I go to the prefectural school?"

"Hehehe, this servant thought perhaps you were going to inquire about the case at Spring Breeze Pavilion."

"It was just some students fighting at Spring Breeze Pavilion, what’s there to inquire about?" County Magistrate Tang, who had changed into casual attire and taken a folding fan, snapped open the fan and fanned himself as he spoke, "I am going to catch three little thieves."

"With all due respect, Your Honor, why would you need to personally handle some petty thieves? Just give the word, and we will catch them for you," the bailiff offered.

County Magistrate Tang smacked the bailiff on the head with his fan and said, "Don’t try to flatter if you can’t do it properly, I will handle it myself."

The magistrate’s carriage was already waiting outside. County Magistrate Tang looked up to gauge the sun’s position in the sky. Once inside the carriage, he ordered, "Take me to Mr. Zhuang’s place on Kangxue Street. The school should have let out by now; the little thieves should all be there."

The carriage set off, but upon arrival, County Magistrate Tang came up empty-handed. Curious, he asked the cook who had come to open the door, "I understand Mr. Zhuang being at Dazhi Academy to give lectures, but why isn’t your young master coming home after school?"

The cook replied, "The young master is studying at the prefectural school. These days, he comes back late."

How dubious.

County Magistrate Tang did not believe that with their daily school attendance, coming home late would still allow them to steal lotus heads from next door. Unless it wasn’t them who stole it...

County Magistrate Tang furrowed his brow but still shook his head; it was impossible that it wasn’t them. If they were not the culprits, then he would chew the whole lotus head and swallow it whole.

County Magistrate Tang turned and boarded the carriage again, saying, "Let’s go to the prefectural school."

County Magistrate Tang might not have a pass for the prefectural school, but it would not be hard for him to gain entry.

By this time, the school had let out, and there were far fewer students inside. Most of the day-students had left, and even those who didn’t go home would go out to play.

Only a few students remained, either playing, studying, or visiting the Book Collection Tower.

County Magistrate Tang, guided by memory, headed straight to Class Jia San and saw that there were still three students inside. He knocked on the door and inquired, "Do any of you gentlemen know where Bai Shan is?"

The three students, absorbed in their studies, looked up to see County Magistrate Tang. Unfamiliar with him but meeting a friendly demeanor, they answered, "Perhaps he’s gone to the Book Collection Tower?"

County Magistrate Tang thanked them and made his way toward the Book Collection Tower.

Meeting many students along the way, County Magistrate Tang was reminded of his own student years. With a heavy sigh, he suddenly didn’t feel so rushed to find Bai Shan anymore.

He leisurely fanned himself as he strolled around the academy grounds, naturally making his way towards the Book Collection Tower.

It had been years since he was a student; back then, he was keen on becoming an official and making his mark. Now, however...

County Magistrate Tang sighed, deeply missing his student days, even the incidents where he was tricked by Yang Heshu had become somewhat pleasant memories.

Lost in thought, he suddenly heard a commotion, including a few familiar voices. County Magistrate Tang couldn’t help but pause, turning towards the source of the noise.

He walked past several trees and saw Bai Shan. County Magistrate Tang couldn’t help raising his eyebrows; what a coincidence, he had just been looking for him.

About to approach, he saw Bai Shanbao aggressively ask, "Are you going to move or not?"

County Magistrate Tang paused as he paid closer attention and realized they were standing in two groups, the atmosphere tense; the person with his back to him was unrecognizable, and it was unclear whether or not he was familiar.

But the person standing on Bai Shanbao’s side...

County Magistrate Tang blinked a few times to be sure his eyes were not deceiving him, then calmed down, deciding not to hurry forward.

The person standing in front of Bai Shan said firmly, "No!"

Bai Shan’s gaze turned cold, and after stepping back twice, he lifted his chin and asked, "So are we going to fight then?"

County Magistrate Tang was taken aback by his defiant demeanor. The opposition seemed equally rattled by Bai Shan, the scenario not going according to any expected script. Shouldn’t you retort and then start an argument with me?

Before he could finish the thought, Bai Shan’s fist was already flying toward his opponent’s face...

Wei Chen could only exclaim in panic, "Don’t..."

Though Bai Shan was a bit shorter, his punch still landed squarely on the other’s face. The guy staggered back a couple of steps, livid, and yelled, "Guys, help me... ow!"

Manbao didn’t even wait for him to finish speaking, directly kicking his shin and causing him to buckle, nearly falling over. No, he did indeed fall over because right after that slight wobble, Bai Shan gave him a push in the chest, sending him sprawling on his back.

Their cooperation was spot-on. A series of motions executed within mere moments; the few bystanders and even the worldly County Magistrate Tang couldn’t help but be surprised.

Then, he couldn’t hold back a smile curling about his lips.