The only person in Fengjing could address Zheng Ruqian in this way.
It was Xu Mo, who had surpassed Zheng Lao Er since childhood and possessed the aura of an older brother regardless of age.
Like his younger brother and sister, he also appeared at the entrance of Tianjie Street, but not to check on the business of Jiuzhenfang, but for another scheme.
Besides him, there was Qi Huai, and An Jun, who was confined to Fengjing.
Calling it a restriction is a bit of an exaggeration, but An Jun really didn't dare to leave Fengjing, let alone return to his hometown to visit his parents, for fear of "accidentally" dying on the road.
There's an old saying that goes, "The more dangerous the place, the safer it is."
An Jun deeply agreed.
For the unknown, Fengjing was a den of dragons and tigers, a place full of thorns and dangers.
But for someone like An Jun who had shown his face before the imperial family, Fengjing, with its numerous patrolling soldiers, mutual suspicion among aristocratic families, and many spies, was surprisingly safe.
Everyone knows he is An Jun, everyone knows the imperial family protected him, and everyone also knows that if something happens to him, the powerful families will have no way to explain themselves.
That's why An Jun could appear at the entrance of Tianjie Street waving a folding fan, and even drool over the roasted chestnuts, saying, "They smell sweet and fragrant, and they must taste divine."
Qi Huai laughed from the side, "Brother An, if you like it, just tell Brother Xu. This is his family's shop."
An Jun stared intently at Xu Mo, but was immediately blinded by his servant's clothes and quickly turned his head away.
The Minister of Rites helped An Jun, and Qi Huai was naturally grouped with An Jun, so traveling together was not a problem.
But Xu Mo was different. He had no background or father to rely on, so he could only disguise himself as a servant of the Qi family for protection.
An Jun wanted to eat roasted chestnuts, but was afraid that Xu Mo's identity would be exposed, so he simply hummed to the air, "I really want to eat roasted chestnuts, I really want to eat roasted chestnuts."
It's as if reciting it like that will make chestnuts fall from the sky.
Xu Mo suppressed a laugh and continued to perform his duties as a servant.
An Jun muttered for a while, and seeing that the roasted chestnuts really wouldn't fall, he changed to a mournful tone, "Brother Xu, you don't give me roasted chestnuts now, but if I get sick and bedridden in the future, remember to bring me roasted chestnuts when you come to visit me."
After saying this, she covered her face with her fan, forcing herself to appear aggrieved.
I never would have guessed that the impoverished, headstrong student had such an interesting side.
Qi Huai was laughing so hard his shoulders were shaking. He was about to make a joke when he caught sight of his target out of the corner of his eye, and his spirits immediately lifted.
They weren't there to make people laugh, nor were they there for roasted chestnuts.
It was for the person Xu Mo had been holding a grudge against for many years.
Zhu Zhi.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the emperor stripped Zhu Zhi of his title of Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations). Although the Zhu family was not criticized, they must have felt extremely embarrassed, and their attitude towards Zhu Zhi cooled down. It is said that they are not having an easy time.
However, for Xu Mo, it's still a long way off.
He wanted Zhu Zhi to be expelled from the Zhu family, for the Zhu family to cease being Zhu Zhi's protector, and for Zhu Zhi to be reduced to a state of destitution, forced to fight for food with pigs and dogs, sleep in beggar's heaps, and have both his legs broken, leaving him unable to live or die.
Now, the Zhu family has abandoned Zhu Zhi because of the cheating in the imperial examinations, and they are just one push away from completely discarding him.
Xu Mo stood in the crowd, exchanged a glance with Zhu Sihuan next to Zhu Zhi, and then quickly lowered his head.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, at the gates of the imperial city, he had already outlined the ending for Zhu Zhi. The reason he waited until the tenth day to make his move was simply to find more helpers.
An Jun was one, Qi Huai was one, and Zhu Sihuan was one too.
"Brother Xu, Brother An, the people have arrived," Qi Huai reminded them in a low voice. "You can get ready."
Xu Mo, being a servant, was unable to respond.
An Jun suddenly perked up, staring intently at Zhu Zhi, his heart filled with hatred.
Xu Mo and Zhu Zhi's hatred stemmed from their parents' hatred, which began in Xieyang County and stretched to Fengjing; it was a gentle and long-lasting hatred.
An Jun's hatred for Zhu Zhi stemmed from the fact that the scholar was robbed, and even after being brought back, he never took his hat off; it was a brutal and straightforward hatred.
When all the hatred gathers in the stream, they arrive at the same destination by different paths, they coincide without prior agreement.
“Brother Xu, Brother Qi,” An Jun said in a deep voice, “watch me.”
After saying that, it charged straight ahead.
Right now.
Zhu Zhizheng frowned in annoyance, not understanding why his nephew Zhu Sihuan, a member of a collateral branch, insisted on inviting him out. The latter's status had risen due to his marriage alliance with the Tao family, while he, a member of the direct line, was in an awkward position because he had lost his status as a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations).
With the tide turning and the tide rising, even though Zhu Zhi looked down on Zhu Sihuan, he accepted his invitation.
"Third Uncle, I heard there's a new shop that opened at the entrance of Tianjie Street. They sell roasted chestnuts. Sihuan saw you were bored, so I specially invited you to try them." Zhu Sihuan said with a flattering smile.
Zhu Zhi became even more disdainful, "No wonder you're from a small, insignificant family raised by a collateral branch. You're so concerned about mere pastries. The Zhu family has everything, more than enough for you to eat."
Zhu Sihuan appeared obsequious on the surface, but inwardly he sneered.
After finally squeezing into the crowd and seeing the long queue, Zhu Zhi became irritable again. "You want me to stand in line? I'm a direct descendant of the Zhu family, you want me to stand in line?"
"I'll go, I'll go." Zhu Sihuan nodded and bowed. "Third Uncle, I'll go."
After saying that, he stood at the very end of the line, leaving Zhu Zhi standing alone in the crowded throng.
It happened in the blink of an eye.
An Jun charged forward with all his might, deliberately bending his elbow and bumping it into Zhu Zhi's stomach.
Zhu Zhi, who had been looking impatient, visibly changed his expression. His big eyes seemed to pop out of their sockets, and his mouth, covered with a small mustache, opened wide, almost as if he were about to stick his tongue out and play a hanged ghost in the Peking Opera.
With a "thud," the two fell to the ground.
The surrounding people quickly moved away, afraid of getting involved in any trouble, which also cleared out a space.
"Ouch, ouch!" Zhu Zhi was nearly dead. When he came to his senses, he became furious. "Who is it? Who is trying to murder me? Guards, report to the authorities and arrest him!"
An Jun stood up in a panic, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, it was I who slipped and hurt you, I'm so sorry, young master."
The two men locked eyes; An Jun looked timid and hesitant, while Zhu Zhi's expression was a mixture of anger and scrutiny.
Xu Mo pondered this glance for a long time.
He wanted An Jun to apologize on the surface, but in reality to provoke Zhu Zhi and force him to lose his composure.
But on second thought, this tactic was far too simplistic. Even if Zhu Zhi wasn't a genius, he was certainly not stupid. If he really sensed something was wrong, it would be their loss.
In the end, his choice to make An Jun cower and reveal the cowardice of ordinary people would only encourage the evil intentions of the powerful.
Because in the eyes of aristocratic families, ordinary people are easy to bully and easy to get rid of.
He made the right choice.
After staring at each other, Zhu Zhi flew into a rage, convinced that An Jun was a powerless commoner. The long-suppressed emotions and the pain in his stomach drove him to swing his fists wildly.
Every move hits the face, every sound is crisp and clear.
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