As expected, Grandpa Zhuo brought Zhuo Ming with him.

As soon as he arrived, Shen Yu felt uneasy, unsure whether to sit or stand. Niu Da sat beside her, holding Shen Yu's uneasy hand.

Niu Yong and Xiao Heng were sitting in the hall. They were supposed to go to school, but the headmaster said that Niu Shan Village School had produced five Juren (successful candidates in the imperial examinations), one from Zhao Family Village and the other from Qinglong County.

This is a cause for celebration, so the school has granted them an early holiday until next year, as the school also plans to upgrade its status to Niushan Academy and recruit some scholars to serve as teachers.

"I've not come to take your child away. I simply want to take Xiao Fubao to stay with me for a month. I've already submitted my application to the imperial court, and I'll be taking up my post in Ping'an County, Luzhou in a little over a month. I don't want to bring these younger generations with me."

Shen Yu calmed down after hearing these words.

Niu Da asked in surprise, "Luzhou? How come it's such a far place?"

Xiao Heng couldn't help but say, "That Ping'an County isn't peaceful at all."

Old Master Zhuo smiled and said:

"Thank you for reminding me, young friend. At my age, I only just passed the imperial examination. In terms of ranking, I'm nowhere near the position of magistrate of Ping'an County, especially since I came in last." "I'm neither as young and promising as you two, able to study at the Imperial Academy, nor as young as that successful candidate in the imperial examinations, nor am I like Master Mu, wealthy and powerful, and an only son."

"I am an old man with no parents to care for and no children to raise. To die in office at this age would be an honor."

"I've dedicated my whole life to the imperial examinations, working myself to the bone until this age. What have I been after? Nothing more than a chance to speak up for the people. If it weren't for the deaths of two county magistrates in Ping'an County, how could a mere scholar like me, a seventh-rank official, have gotten that position?"

"However, the position of magistrate of Ping'an County has been vacant for three years, and no one dares to take it. If I don't go, who will? If no one goes, won't the people of Ping'an County never see the light of day again?"

These words deeply moved everyone present.

Little Fu Bao peeked her head out from behind Niu Da and said in a clear voice, "Grandpa, then I'll stay with you for another month!"

She ran up to Grandpa Zhuo on her little legs, then turned and asked, "Daddy, Mommy, is it okay?"

Chen Yu and Niu Da nodded and said, "Of course."

Little Fu Bao said, "Daddy and Mommy, my sisters, my second uncle, my older brother, my eldest cousin, my second cousin, my master, and... In short, if you miss me, you can come to Haijia Village to see me."

Gu Yu and his young disciples, who were tired from practicing martial arts in the backyard, were resting when they heard what she said.

Gu Yu said:

"Even when you go to Haijia Village, you mustn't slack off. Otherwise, if you can't beat Xie Jinyan and get beaten up, I won't be responsible for you."

Little Fu Bao pouted: Bad Master, all you do is scare her!

Grandpa Zhuo picked up little Fu Bao and said, "I'll take a walk around your yard."

“Okay, we’ll go prepare the meal too. You can eat first, then go,” Chen Yu said to Niu Dadao.

There are servants at home, so they don't actually need to do it themselves. But Shen Yu finds it hard to let go of Xiao Fu Bao, who won't be home for a month.

Grandpa Zhuo held his granddaughter in his arms, just like he had held his eldest daughter when he was young. The birth of his eldest daughter brought him the joy of becoming a father for the first time.

Therefore, even after he had other children, including a son, he still preferred his eldest daughter more.

Little Fu Bao chattered excitedly, introducing her martial arts brothers practicing in the backyard, "Grandpa, that's my uncle's eldest cousin, that's my second cousin, and that's Sang Rong, the younger sister of the Sang family brother."

That's my aunt's cousin.

"This is Xie Jinyan, another disciple of my master, and a distant relative of my godfather." "That's my godfather's son, Ji Duo, and that's my godfather's daughter, Sister Ji Ying."

"Grandpa, that's a peach tree, and that's the osmanthus tree I planted. It's a pity the osmanthus tree hasn't grown yet. I can also fly, Grandpa, aren't I amazing?" Little Fu Bao said.

Actually, it was Xiang'er and Sangzhen Sangrong who helped with the planting; she was just in charge of directing.

Grandpa Zhuo was so happy he couldn't stop laughing: "Haha, haha, amazing, amazing!"

Xie Jinyan thought to himself: I've seen people brag before, but I've never seen anyone brag like this! Did you even plant that? Can you fly? You're crawling, aren't you?

"Grandpa Zhuo, there's a tree on the hill behind our house that's really powerful. Let's go make a wish to it, and wish that you can return home safely after your term is over, okay?" Little Fu Bao said.

Grandpa Zhuo laughed: "Hahaha, alright, it's your way."

Grandpa Zhuo has never believed in making wishes, but his granddaughter was happy to coax him, so praying for peace was no big deal.

Little Fu Bao fed Zhao Cai two gold leaves, saying, "Zhao Cai, Zhao Cai, please bless Grandpa Zhuo so he can take office safely and return home safely after his term ends."

【Little master, little lucky charm, little cutie, little darling, I'm a money tree, not a wishing tree! And I'm just a money tree, so if you want peace and safety, you shouldn't come to me!】

But Little Lucky couldn't hear, and broke off a branch of the lucky tree.

[Little master, it hurts! It hurts!]

"Lucky Tree, you are a tree with a spirit, so your branches must also have a spirit. Please bless Grandpa Zhuo!"

Zhao Cai wanted to cry.

However, her branches do indeed possess a certain spiritual quality.

After the meal, Xiao Fubao went to the Zhuo family home with Grandpa Zhuo.

The eldest son of the Zhuo family was a kind, honest, and upright man, but he didn't seem very bright. Because he had been farming for many years, he was tanned dark.

His wife, Cai, was very clever and managed everything inside and out perfectly; she was a master at it.

Old Master Zhuo's youngest son is named Zhuo Yimin, who is Zhuo Ming's biological father. His second wife's surname is Chen, and her name is Chen Damei.

Chen Damei came in while heavily pregnant.

A few years ago, they were so determined to separate from Old Master Zhuo and his eldest son that they took half of Old Master Zhuo's land and pigs, and even wanted half of the salary Old Master Zhuo received when he was a scholar and a teacher.

Grandpa Zhuo chose to live with his honest and upright eldest son.

These past few days, after learning that his father had won the lottery, he shamelessly wanted to have the whole family together again.

Chen Damei's son is only three years old. It's uncertain whether he can go to school, and even if he does, he might not make it.

The eldest son's children were all studying at the school in Niushan Village. Chen Damei believed that Old Master Zhuo would definitely think of promoting the eldest son's children first.

Old Master Zhuo wasn't very bright, but his children were just as clever as Cai's.

Moreover, the salary of a county magistrate is much better than that of a scholar or teacher. "Ten years as a county magistrate, one can earn 100,000 taels of silver."

Therefore, seeing that Grandpa Zhuo was now getting "benefits," Chen Damei wanted to get a share of the pie.