The Farmer's Daughter is the Favorite of the Family

After the fifteenth day, the New Year festivities came to an end. In Xu Family Village, life has returned to normal. Children went back to school, and everything seemed just like before.

......

Time flew by like the wind. The plum blossoms in the Xu family courtyard had bloomed three times since then...

"Miss, can I come with you this time? You're taking Cui Zhu along, but I'm your personal maid! I want to serve you too." A girl dressed in light green pleaded, her long eyebrows and bright eyes framed by porcelain-fair skin.

"Fuqiu, I didn't say I wouldn't take you with me. It's still early! My departure isn't tomorrow."

Qibao sat before the bronze mirror, letting Fuqiu brush her hair.

As Qibao gazed into the mirror, she saw her sleepy eyes were still hazy. Her oval face glowed with a healthy pinkish hue, and her large eyes sparkled with life. At ten years old, she was already much taller than most girls her age—probably around five feet tall.

"That's wonderful! I just know the eldest young master will pass this time!" Fuqiu said, her eyes twinkling with admiration.

Qibao's eyes flashed, she could tell what Fuqiu was thinking. At that age, every girl has dreams of love.

Xu Wenwu had already passed the imperial examination for xiucai—the first rank—in his very first attempt, securing top honors once again. This feat had truly shaken Hua Gate Town to its core, especially considering Big Brother had been only twelve at the time.

It is very rare for a twelve-year-old scholar to still be the first in the ranking.

Over the past two years, the Xu family doorstep had been worn down by countless matchmakers' feet.

Qibao asked straight to the point: "Fuqiu, do you like big brother?"

Fuqiu's eyes flickered with panic: "M-Miss, I... Your servant..." Before she could finish, she dropped to her knees.

She knew Miss Qibao was perceptive, her feelings must have been obvious.

Qibao helped her up: "I know you best. It's normal for someone your age to have a crush. Just tell me the truth!"

Fuqiu gritted her teeth: "Miss, I do admire the eldest young master. But don't worry, I wouldn't do anything inappropriate. I won't have any improper thoughts about him."

"I understand." Qibao said: "You've been with me for several years now. I know what kind of person you are. Come on, let's go. Grandma and everyone else are waiting in the main hall for breakfast!"

Fuqiu replied: "Yes, Miss."

The two entered the front hall. Their brothers had been staying in town recently and hadn't returned yet.

Seeing Qibao enter, Mrs. Wang said with a smile: "Qibao, I had Jinyi make your favorite vegetable and meat congee. Come here, it's ready and not too hot to eat now."

Qibao replied helplessly: "Grandma, I can do it myself. I have hands and feet. Why should you serve me?"

Mrs. Wang asked: "Can't I even serve my granddaughter a bowl of congee?"

The old man chimed in: "All right, sit down and eat already!"

While drinking his congee, Big Uncle Xu mentioned: "Father, we're building the last house in the village. From now on, everyone will live more comfortably."

The old man agreed: "Yes, I thought with so many people helping, it would be done in two years. Surprisingly, it took over three years to finish everything."

Qibao explained: "If they bought materials, two years might've been enough. But since they gathered wood from the mountains themselves, taking longer is understandable."

Mrs. Zhang expressed her concern: "I don't know why, but I'm feeling very anxious. If this tourist village fails, won't all our work these past years be wasted?"

Qibao spoke up: "Even if we fail, it won't be a total loss. Every family will have new houses to live in—no more cramped earthen huts. That alone is a good thing."

The old man nodded: "Mm, Qibao's right. Our goal is to help everyone get richer together. Even if this plan doesn't work out, I'm sure they'll understand."

Second Uncle Xu exclaimed: "That's right! When Wenwu goes to Qingyun Town this year for his exams. Who do you think should go with him?"

Grandpa explained: "Wenwu is going to take the imperial examination this time, so we can't be careless. Students from all the towns and cities in Qingyun City will take the exam. Think about it, who can take the imperial examination is not talented? For Wenwu, I have discussed with Qibao this time, and I will take Qibao and the eldest with me. What do you think?"

Mrs. Zhang hesitated before asking: "Father, um... could I come too? As Wenwu's mother, I know his habits best. Let me go too so I can look after him."

"Good idea." said Grandpa: "Then both of you husband and wife will join us."

The others hadn't been to Qingyun Town yet, and in their hearts they also wanted to go and see what the town looks like, but this time the trip wasn't for fun and games, it was for the purpose of doing business, and they couldn't add to the chaos.

"Father." Second Uncle Xu said: "with Wenwu's knowledge, he'll definitely pass this time."

The old man replied: "Don't say that in front of him. You're just adding pressure. He's only been sleeping for less than four hours each night lately. If it wasn't for Qibao's miraculous water, his body wouldn't be able to handle it."

Mrs. Wang sighed: "Wenwu is putting too much pressure on himself. Sometimes I want him to rest more, but he won't listen. He says he's the eldest grandson and needs to set an example for his younger brothers."

The old man added: "Hard work pays off. Even if he doesn't pass this time, there's no regret. Wenwu is only fifteen. He can try again next year. It's not like we can't afford it."

"Father, I have never understood why the teacher of Wenwu wanted Wenwu to try to take the imperial examination two years ago. Why didn't you agree?" Uncle Xu said.

The old man explained: "I know the tutor thinks highly of Wenwu, but at the time, he was still young—only thirteen. Taking the juren exam at such a young age is rare. If he failed, people would make fun of him. And even if he passed, have you thought about what a thirteen-year-old juren would mean? That's why I decided to let Wenwu wait two more years."

Everyone else present found his reasoning sound.

After dinner, Qibao stepped out of her home. Xu Family Village had changed a lot in three years. Everyone now lived in wooden houses, and the old ones had all been torn down.

Pretty wildflowers grew around each house, and rose vines climbed up bamboo fences. Inside, chickens and ducks pecked for food.

Even the village paths were lined with colorful flowers and green plants. This was everywhere you looked in Xujia Village—it was truly beautiful.

A circle of willow trees surrounded both the fish pond and shrimp pond. When a gentle breeze blew, the willow branches swayed on the water like a girl's soft hair.

Qibao admired the village she'd helped build over the past three years. She was very satisfied. Although she only gave ideas from behind the scenes, she'd personally picked out every plant that had been added, so she felt connected to them.

As she walked along, many villagers greeted her warmly. They didn't just feel grateful toward the Xu family—they treated them like their own relatives.

Qibao no longer needed to go to school to learn embroidery. Her skills were already so good that even Mrs. Qian was amazed by them.

When Qibao arrived at her family's winery, she saw her grandfather carrying a basket of freshly picked grapes from the vineyard. She hurried over to help.

Old Man Lin smiled warmly upon seeing Qibao: "Qibao, what brings you here?"

"I've told you before, Grandpa." Qibao said gently: "You're not as young as you used to be. Let the younger ones handle heavy work like this. You could strain your back if you're not careful."

"All right, all right." Old Man Lin agreed: "I'll leave it to them next time."