The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 676 - 665: Can’t Afford to Mess with Anyone

Chapter 676: Chapter 665: Can’t Afford to Mess with Anyone

Bai Shan sighed and said, "Who knew that not long after I had left, I heard the neighing of a horse. When I turned back, I saw Ji Hao’s horse running out like a mad thing, heading straight for a nearby woods. Then I saw Ji Hao teetering on the horse, probably lost his grip, and fell off. Unfortunately, one of his feet got caught. I instinctively chased after..."

Speaking of which, Ji Hao’s horsemanship was good; when he fell off, he managed to turn to one side, so he didn’t land on his head or neck, but rather dragged along on one side of his body.

Bai Shan chased after him, dismounted the carriage, and Daji, who naturally followed to protect him on horseback when Bai Shan unhooked the horse, Bai Shan then asked him to help rescue the person.

Ji Hao’s horse ran a long distance with Ji Hao still attached. During the run, it brushed against some tree branches. Then Daji caught up, chopped off the stirrup trapping Ji Hao’s foot with his knife, dismounted to save him, Bai Shan arrived a bit earlier than Wei Ting, and it was because he reached out to cover the wound to stem the bleeding that he got blood all over himself.

As for what happened before the horse bolted, only Wei Ting, who was with Ji Hao at the time, can say.

Consequently, County Magistrate Tang looked towards Wei Ting.

Wei Ting said, "It all started over the issue at the Spring Breeze Pavilion: they had an argument again. They had a horse race, and Ying Wenhai lost. It was agreed that the loser would dismount and apologize, but who knew he would whip Ji Hao’s horse directly. Ji Hao was unprepared and thus fell off."

County Magistrate Tang asked indifferently, "What did they say during this period?"

Wei Ting opened his mouth but said nothing.

Manbao said, "He has not been spouting nonsense again, has he?"

Wei Ting remained silent.

County Magistrate Tang then hummed and looked at Manbao, "How come you’re also here?"

Manbao was displeased and said, "Why can’t I be here? I played a big part today."

She then explained how she helped to stop the bleeding.

After a moment of silence, County Magistrate Tang asked, "So do you have a good understanding of Ji Hao’s injuries?"

"Quite," she replied. "Although I did not touch his leg, I inspected and felt the pulse of his upper body, including his head."

"Then tell me, what are his chances of surviving?"

Wei Ting was startled, can one even ask such a question?

Manbao fell silent, having never been asked such a question before, she was very cautious. After considering all aspects, she said, "Thirty percent, perhaps."

"Thirty percent?" Wei Ting nearly jumped up. "Didn’t you say that he would be fine if he made it through three days?"

Manbao nodded gravely, "The chance of him getting through these three days is also only thirty percent."

"But the bleeding has stopped..." Wei Ting’s eyes reddened again.

Manbao was silent before she added, "Some people can die from a poorly treated poke to the finger, whereas his abdominal wound was so large. We’ve been working on it for such a long time. Though we cleaned everything with boiling water and tried to use saline to clean as much as possible...bacteria can’t be completely killed off."

Wei Ting’s tears began to fall.

Curious, County Magistrate Tang looked at Manbao, "What are bacteria?"

"Things that can cause a wound to become infected and fester," she explained.

County Magistrate Tang stroked his chin, "It’s a good name. Then, if he survives, what are the chances that he will be able to live a complete and intact life?"

"Seventy to eighty percent," Manbao calculated and replied: "The royal physician felt his leg and said it was only broken, not shattered. But what the break looks like, I don’t know."

County Magistrate Tang nodded, indicating he understood.

He turned to leave, but stopped after a moment’s thought, and said to Wei Ting, "You and the scribe return to the County Governmental Office to make a record. Afterwards, I will have someone send you home. I think you should stay at the school and not go out for the time being until the case is closed."

Wei Ting knew County Magistrate Tang meant well and bowed in agreement.

Seeing him standing there motionless, County Magistrate Tang said, "What are you waiting for? Let’s go."

Wei Ting blinked, glanced at Bai Shan and Manbao standing to the side, and took his leave.

Once he was far enough away, County Magistrate Tang then took a detailed look at the young man and woman and sighed, "I don’t know if your luck is good or bad, how did you get involved in such a situation?"

The two blinked back in puzzlement.

County Magistrate Tang continued, "Do you know who Ji Hao is?"

Bai Shan said, "...A member of the third rank, fifty-third in the mid-year exams."

County Magistrate Tang slapped his forehead and said, "Ji Hao is the grandson of Ji Songyuan, the current Right Chancellor, and the Ji Family is also a prominent clan in Yizhou. Three years ago, Old Madam Ji moved back home due to ill health and homesickness, and now only Ji Hao’s mother and child are by her side, so Old Madam Ji is very fond of Ji Hao. The Chancellor also likes him because he’s a filial grandchild. Do you both understand now?"

"What about the Ying Family?"

With a sigh, County Magistrate Tang said, "The Prince of Yizhou’s wife is Ying Wenhai’s maternal aunt, his mother’s family, the Pei clan, is a prominent family in Yuzhou, and his maternal uncle Pei Ze holds the position of Censor in the capital."

Bai Shan and Manbao looked at him with sympathetic faces.

Realizing they understood, County Magistrate Tang did not delve further into the complex relationships between the two families, but said instead, "This time, both of you participated in saving him, which is a good thing. Neither the Ji nor the Ying Family will trouble you over this."

"If Ji Hao lives, all will be well, but if he dies," County Magistrate Tang lowered his voice, "all the witness statements and testimonials will be key in determining culpability, and you will both be implicated, especially since both of you appeared at the most critical moment."

Bai Shan and Manbao’s mouths gaped open.

County Magistrate Tang suggested, "If you can, leave Yizhou City for now, go back home or travel abroad to study. I can speak to the school’s superintendent to request extended leave for you."

Bai Shan turned to Manbao with a look and said, "We need to discuss this with our teacher."

"You should consult with Mr. Zhuang," County Magistrate Tang said, "Think about it carefully. I am not too worried about the Ji Family, but I am afraid the Ying Family might change their statements because of you..."

Bai Shan and Manbao acknowledged, bowed in thanks, and left.

Daji followed behind, fetching their horse, attaching it to the cart, and took them back home.

Zhou SiLang and Zhou Lijun had been waiting by the cart for a while. When they saw them coming, they picked up the basket they had packed signaling everything was ready.

Manbao and Bai Shan rode back in the cart that Daji drove, both somewhat silent. Manbao asked, "Shall we leave?"

Bai Shan replied, "I don’t want to leave, so let’s still ask our teacher."

Manbao nodded.

Covered in blood, they returned home, to the shock of Mr. Zhuang, Bai Erlang, and the cook, especially Aunt Rong. She checked Bai Shan thoroughly to make sure he was not hurt before she breathed a sigh of relief. Then she immediately said, "We need to boil some mugwort for bathing to dispel the bad luck. Wait here, I will go and heat the water."

Mr. Zhuang also put his mind at ease, then said, "Come inside."

The two followed him into the study and recounted the day’s events. Bai Erlang listened with bewildered expression, "That Ji family’s young master is truly reckless. Wasn’t he just cut last