It's no wonder everyone is surprised; since the siblings reunited, they have been inseparable for the past four years.
From the beginning of Xu Mo's journey from taking the imperial examination for children to taking the county-level examination for scholars, and then to becoming a provincial-level scholar, he interspersed his time with opening workshops, renting houses, and hiring people.
All six siblings were involved in almost every crucial decision.
There was only one exception: Fang Laosan, who went to the frontier.
In Jiang Sheng's mind, since it was such an important event as her eldest brother taking the imperial examination, her second brother should have been waiting anxiously at the entrance of the examination hall for her eldest brother to come out.
But Zheng Ruqian just patted her head and said softly, "Silly Jiang Sheng, when people get older, time becomes more precious. Even if I'm not at the entrance of the examination hall, my elder brother can still become the top scholar. If I don't go to the business in the north, the goods can't be transported back."
“Yes, yes.” Wang Xiaosong, who was also carrying a bundle, nodded frantically, only to be pulled into a corner by his younger sister, Wang Xiaozhu.
“But…” Jiang Sheng twisted the hem of her clothes with both hands, “But Second Brother has only been back for a short time, and he’s going on another long trip. I can’t bear to leave you.”
They're siblings who grew up together, so how come they suddenly became so busy that their feet barely touched the ground?
Are those days of close intimacy destined to become nothing more than memories?
Seeing Jiang Sheng's increasingly aggrieved expression, her round eyes brimming with tears, Zheng Ruqian sighed, a rare occurrence for him. "Actually, I came here to see if we could open up the northern border route, so it would be easier to send things to Lao San in the future..."
The rest of the words were left unsaid.
Because in his line of sight, Jiang Sheng's expression changed from aggrieved to shocked, then to astonished, and finally she turned away in ecstasy.
Despite being a chubby little girl, she was surprisingly agile as she lifted her skirt. She rushed into the yard with great speed and quickly brought out the sausages and cured meats that Aunt Zhang was preparing for the next meal, as well as the Jiuzhenfang pastries that she had secretly hidden away, along with a few short shirts for spring and autumn, and more than a dozen pairs of cloth shoes with thousand-layer soles.
Lifting the carriage curtain revealed that it contained quite a lot of things, and everything was included.
Zheng Ruqian proudly raised his chin, "I'm going to the northern frontier, how could I not bring something back for Lao San? I've been thinking of going ahead of you for a while now."
Jiang Sheng glared at him, then turned around and carried all the things she had prepared upstairs. "It's not enough. Bring some more. Third Brother is short of food and clothing outside, so it's always good to bring more."
After saying that, he turned around and went back into the yard.
Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan had somehow followed along, eagerly rummaging through all the durable items.
It's all because the carriage was too small; it couldn't fit the whole courtyard.
Zheng Ruqian inhaled the chilly January air, feeling somewhat helpless. "Jiang Sheng, weren't you just reluctant to part with me?"
"Yes, I'm reluctant to part with him, but I'm even more reluctant to part with my third brother. He must not be eating or dressing well while he's away for the New Year." The little girl said earnestly, "I hope my second brother arrives soon and sends our greetings to my third brother for us."
Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan nodded in unison, their eyes filled with eagerness.
It's clear that everyone misses Fang Heng.
Even Xu Mo coughed twice, pulled out a letter from his pocket, and said with emotion, "I wrote to the third brother a long time ago, but I still haven't found the traveler from Fengjing to the northern frontier. I might as well give it to you. Thank you for your hard work."
After saying that, he didn't forget to pat him on the shoulder.
Zheng Ruqian was indignant, but he still took the envelope and hid it tightly in his bosom.
After finally managing to pack everything in, Jiang Sheng clapped her hands and said happily, "I hope Third Brother will be happy to see these things."
Zheng Ruqian hummed as he sat on the carriage shaft, completely oblivious to the sadness of parting.
But he still had to tell Jiang Sheng, "From now on, Jiuzhenfang and the workshop will all be handed over to you."
"Don't worry, Second Brother." Jiang Sheng waved her hand, a tear glistening in the corner of her eye.
Zheng Ruqian finally sat back in the carriage, satisfied.
Wang Xiaosong pulled on the reins, grinned at Wang Xiaozhu, and galloped off into the distance.
Choosing the transportation route meant that Zheng Ruqian had to travel between the northeast and the west, and could no longer stay at home.
Fortunately, no matter when they return, there will always be someone waiting at home.
As the two were immersed in the emotions of parting, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from behind them, accompanied by two urgent calls, "Second Young Master, Second Young Master, wait!"
Wang Xiaosong immediately brought the carriage to a stop.
Zheng Ruqian stuck his head out and saw Jiang San and Jiang Si grinning foolishly, along with the huge bundles in their arms.
"Second Young Master, we've also prepared some things for our brothers. Please take them with you," Jiang San said softly as he dismounted.
Jiang Si scratched his head, "The land acquisition was a bit rushed, I hope the brothers won't mind."
Why would I mind?
The gifts, transported from afar, are all heartfelt sentiments, not to mention the countless longings of loved ones they carry.
Despite the limited space behind him, Zheng Ruqian still managed to make room and arrange the two large bundles.
The carriage took off again, heading towards the distant northern frontier.
Jiang San and Jiang Si waved their hands in unison, choking back tears as they said, "Please tell them, Second Young Master, that we miss them."
I really, really want to.
If people take away objects, let the wind carry away their thoughts and deliver them to their loved ones.
Jiang San and Jiang Si stood there for a long time until the carriage disappeared from sight before returning to the second courtyard.
The host siblings were still there. Upon seeing the two of them, Jiang Sheng asked anxiously, "Did you catch up? Did you take the things?"
"I've taken it, thank you for reminding me, young lady," Jiang San and Jiang Si said sincerely.
Jiang Sheng waved her hand, "It's because Second Brother is too tight-lipped. He only revealed the news today. I don't know if the things he packed are enough for Third Brother to eat and use."
Xu Mo stood by, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. He wanted to tell his sister that the military camp had everything they needed, but then he remembered that it was all from his family and swallowed his words.
The Imperial College had already started its semester. He glanced at the sun, picked up his writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and left.
Just as Zheng Ruqian said, everyone has grown up and has their own things to do. It's impossible to be like before, snuggling together, laughing and playing, and spending every day together.
The eldest brother had to go to school, the second brother had to do business, and the third brother had to earn military merits; everyone was busy.
Fortunately, she still had her fourth and fifth brothers.
Jiang Sheng sniffed and moved closer to her two older brothers, only to find them whispering to each other, their eyes gleaming with a hint of malice.
"Does it have to be now? That might not be a good idea," Wen Zhiyun said timidly.
Chang Yan remained calm and composed, saying, "Fourth Brother, you can't go wrong by trusting me. We can make money and continue to subsidize the poor. Isn't that a good thing?"
“Okay…that’s great.” Wen Zhiyun steeled her heart and gritted her teeth. “Then I’ll do as you say.”
The two finally hit it off, summoned Jiang San and Jiang Si, and got into the carriage to set off.
Jiang Sheng suddenly appeared from the side, nimbly climbed onto the carriage shaft, and grinned, "Where are Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother going? Let's go together."
Changyan had already noticed his younger sister tiptoeing around, but he sat upright without saying a word.
Wen Zhiyun, on the other hand, was startled and panicked like a little rabbit, "We...we...we're going to the clinic."
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