The Qi family may not be considered a first-rate family in Fengjing, but at least one of them is a second-rank official, so the rank of their carriage is quite impressive.
Jiang Sheng sat on a plain brocade cushion, her arms resting on a small square table. Out of politeness, she did not touch anything on the table, but she imagined there must be quite a few pastries and drinks.
"This carriage is so comfortable," she remarked. "It's even more comfortable than Brother Fufeng's carriage."
Xu Mo chuckled.
That's natural. Even the most prestigious royal families in Anshui County are just commonplace in Fengjing, you could find them everywhere.
If Wang Fufeng were in good health and passed the imperial examinations from a young age to a high-ranking official, there might be a chance for him to revitalize his family.
But God just can't stand anything too perfect.
Thinking of that delicate and graceful young man, Xu Mo sighed inwardly and decided to pick up his pen and write his third letter since arriving in Fengjing.
The letter mentioned the recent imperial examination cheating scandal, his own changing feelings, and the different growth of his siblings.
Once the new stamp is affixed, it is handed over to a familiar merchant to take back to Anshui County, along with a small reward.
After more than half a month, the young man who had finished dealing with matters at the Prince of Anshui’s mansion would use his eyes to see the ways of the world in Fengjing and witness the ups and downs of officialdom.
Finally, he clutched the letter to his chest, revealing a smile of envy and longing that had finally been answered.
We soon arrived at the second courtyard.
Although other people's carriages are comfortable, they don't belong to you. Jiang Sheng could only touch them a couple of times cautiously before following Xu Mo off the carriage.
Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan jumped down one after another, and Jiang Si took the carriage back to the Qi family.
"Where's Jiang San? Didn't he come back a long time ago?" Jiang Sheng asked curiously, peeking out.
Xu Mo was equally puzzled.
Chang Yan pursed his lips and said calmly, "I'll have him take care of something."
As long as they didn't get lost.
Jiang Sheng knew that Fifth Brother was mysterious and cunning. He would say what he wanted to say and not say what he didn't want to say.
Anyway, everyone knows that Fifth Brother won't hurt them.
The chubby little girl lifted her skirt and rushed into the courtyard, shouting for another bowl of dumplings.
Xu Mo slowed his pace slightly and gave the fifth brother a meaningful look. "The fifth brother has grown up and has started to keep things from his older brothers."
Back then, Chang Yan repeatedly told Xu Mo not to hold back and not to deceive him under the guise of protection.
As a result, it happened to him.
Faced with his elder brother's questioning, even Chang Yan, who was cunning and resourceful, felt guilty.
Unfortunately, he couldn't bring himself to say it, so he could only glance at the small medicine box by the door and give a shy smile, "Brother, this is a one-time thing, there will never be a next time."
Xu Mo snorted, said nothing, and flung his sleeves into the courtyard.
This is the default setting.
Chang Yan stood at the door, shaking his head with a helpless smile, just about to bolt the door.
Suddenly, the sound of a horse-drawn carriage came from outside.
Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. If it weren't for the incident involving the "ghostwriter," all the people of Fengjing would be gathered at home celebrating together.
Even high-ranking officials who have ascended to the throne should be home by now.
Who would pass by the two-courtyard house on the first day of the Lunar New Year? Could it be that the second brother, who has been traveling, has returned?
Speculation is one thing, but seeing is believing.
Changyan turned his head and saw a dusty, dilapidated carriage, a thin, exhausted horse, and three people sitting crookedly on top of each other, their eyes half-closed.
The two on the left and right are the Gao brothers, and the one in the very middle is none other than their beloved second brother.
The bolt in his hand fell onto his foot, hitting his toes without him even noticing.
As the tall Wanle stopped the carriage, Changyan turned his head and uttered the loudest voice he had ever uttered, "Second Brother is back."
"Thump."
"thump."
"Bang!"
Three sounds rang out.
Jiang Sheng was the first to rush forward; the hem of her new dress was wet, probably from spilling a bowl.
Wen Zhiyun followed closely behind, with light yellow powder on his chest, which must have been from spilled wound medicine from the medicine box.
Xu Mo was the most composed, but his steps were also hurried, and large patches of dark ink could be vaguely seen on his sleeves.
A quick calculation reveals that Zheng Lao Er has been gone for nearly two months without sending back a single message.
Although he often traveled abroad, although he boasted of his extensive experience, and although he had the Gao brothers with him, in his family's eyes, he was still just a fourteen-year-old boy.
Before the New Year, Jiang Sheng would always stand on tiptoe and eagerly wait, rushing over each time she heard the sound of the carriage, only to be disappointed again and again.
On New Year's Eve, Xu Mo was still pondering whether he should personally go to Henan County to look for the person.
Even Wen Zhiyun asked timidly several times, "Second brother won't have gotten into trouble outside, will he?"
Now, with Changyan's voice, everyone's hearts were at ease.
Jiang Sheng, the most cheerful and lively, lifted her skirt and exclaimed, "That rascal, Second Brother! I told him to come back for the New Year earlier, but he insisted on coming back on New Year's Day. We didn't even get to eat dumplings on New Year's Eve..."
The rest of the words were left unsaid.
The little girl stood frozen in place after seeing the three dusty figures on the rumpled carriage.
Zheng Ruqian has traveled far before, so everyone should be prepared that he will be a little thinner and suffer a bit when he comes back.
Who would have thought that the once robust young man with a broad face and large mouth would become so thin that he was just skin and bones?
His cheeks were deeply sunken, his broad chin had become sharp, his eye sockets were extremely sunken, and his lips were pale with layers of dead skin, making him no less than Wang Fufeng who had given up on himself.
Wang Fufeng was always sickly, while Zheng Ruqian was lively, fair-skinned and plump.
What exactly did her second brother suffer during those two months away?
Jiang Sheng's eyes reddened, her nose stung, and countless tingling sensations spread from her throat, making her unable to speak.
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