The gate of the second courtyard opened and closed, and the once bustling street returned to tranquility, with only the moonlight slowly climbing the branches and illuminating the entire city.
If someone were to look down, they would find that the crowded and narrow courtyards are usually bustling with activity, while the spacious and bright areas are unusually quiet.
The Jiang family's residence, specifically the courtyard of Old Madam Jiang.
Tan Yue respectfully reported, "The Third Miss has woken up, but she is very depressed and doesn't speak much. Even when Madam comforts her, she doesn't say a word."
"The eldest son threw a land deed at the eldest daughter, but she didn't want it and put it back, as if she was determined to have no connection with the Jiang family."
Old Madam Jiang kept her eyes closed and did not make any movement.
Tan Yue hesitated several times before asking, "Madam, are we really not going to bring Miss back?"
In the past, it was one thing to be clueless in the vast sea of people, but now that you've finally found her, can you really bear to watch her suffer outside, unseen and untouchable, and have to wipe away her tears alone?
Although there was a prior promise, human emotions are uncontrollable and cannot be guaranteed.
Tan Yue knew she was a little emotional and that she had overstepped her bounds, but she just couldn't understand it.
"I have made a mistake, please punish me, Madam, but I really can't understand it." The head maid knelt on both knees and bowed her head to beg for forgiveness.
She had expected a violent storm, but when a pair of hands reached out, she discovered that Old Madam Jiang had stood up at some point and was kindly and comfortingly helping her up.
"Good Tan Yue, the fact that you can think so much shows that you truly care about Nannan. The fact that you could see through the tricks at the entrance to the examination hall proves that you have grown rapidly over the years. If I go there in the future, I'm afraid I will have to trouble you to take good care of Nannan and help her solve her problems..."
Most women in the Dayu Dynasty married and had children at the age of sixteen or seventeen, and could become grandmothers in their early thirties. Jiang Chengyuan was seventeen years old this year, and Old Madam Jiang had reached the age of knowing one's destiny.
It may not sound like a big deal, but with the average life expectancy of the elderly being fifty years, there really aren't many years left to live.
Tan Yue's nose tingled, and she choked up as she said, "Grandma, please don't say such things. You are destined to live to be a hundred years old."
"Living to a hundred years old is a lie. The old man has been gone for so many years, it's time for me to go and find him." Madam Jiang patted Tan Yue's hand and took out a handkerchief for her. "As for Nannan coming home, it's only a matter of time."
Tan Yue's sobs stopped abruptly.
"In Fengjing, money and power are inseparable. Once you step into this vortex of power, whether it's to protect yourself or your family, you have to fight hard and strive to move forward."
"She's still young and doesn't understand how important the Jiang family is to her, but sooner or later... she will understand."
I just don't know if my body can wait that long.
As the moonlight deepened, Old Madam Jiang sat cross-legged in the ancestral hall, muttering to herself in front of the nearest memorial tablet.
They talked about the changes in the Jiang family over the years, their lost granddaughter, the future of the Jiang family, and how the old general fought for half his life, only to end up without a grandchild to inherit his legacy.
It's a pity that the man who died on the battlefield couldn't even reach out to wipe away her tears.
The night was quiet.
Until dawn.
When the bright light shines down on the earth again, hope returns on the playful wind, leaping on the shoulders of mankind and wandering into every corner of Fengjing City.
Today is the last day of the imperial examination. The students in the examination hall have put down their paper and pens, while their families in the examination hall are craning their necks to wait.
Jiang Sheng and his sister were also among them, still sitting in the carriage, still peeking through the curtain.
After repeatedly confirming that there were no Jiang family members around, Wen Zhiyun carefully lowered the curtain and said softly, "Sister, you can go and wait for your elder brother without worry."
"Okay, I'll go down once the examination hall gates open." Jiang Sheng also lowered her voice, acting like a thief.
Chang Yan couldn't help but chuckle.
After patiently waiting until dusk, the gates of the examination hall finally opened, and the yamen runners of Fengtian Prefecture stood guard on both sides with long swords.
Jiang Sheng hurriedly jumped off the carriage and squeezed to the front of the crowd, watching the students, who had broken free of their reins, emerge one by one, some ecstatic and some dejected.
At this moment, Xu Mo, who was as calm as still water, was easy to recognize.
He carried a bamboo basket, his steps were calm and composed. His blue cotton robe was a little wrinkled, but his hair was neatly tied up, and his spine was straight. Among the group of decadent students, he stood out like a crane among chickens.
“Big brother.” Jiang Sheng waved to him from afar.
Xu Mo turned his head and smiled faintly.
"Big brother, how did the exam go?" Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan poked their heads out from behind at the same time.
Before Xu Mo could answer, Qi Huai, looking haggard, complained from behind him, "I haven't been eating or sleeping well for the past nine days, and I haven't been able to perform even half as well as I usually do."
“That’s because you haven’t laid a good foundation.” Qi Yue squeezed in as well. “Brother Xu is different from you. He’s the top scholar from Anshui County.”
Throughout history, nine out of ten top-ranking scholars in the provincial examinations were guaranteed to become tribute students, and the remaining one could pass the examinations at most twice.
Qi Huai felt inferior and could only turn his gaze to An Jun, who was equally disheveled, and asked, "Brother An, how are you feeling right now?"
"It's alright, it's alright." An Jun considered carefully, "Overall, it's not too difficult, I should be about 70-80% confident."
Qi Huai was dumbfounded. We usually played together, but when it came to exams, I was the only one who really found it difficult.
I feel like I've been betrayed by two friends.
Jiang Sheng and his sister were already chattering around Xu Mo, their words full of concern.
Looking at Qi Yue, who only knew how to make sarcastic remarks, Qi Huai felt heartbroken. "What sins have I committed to have a sister like you... a brother like you?"
"Oh God, I also want a well-behaved and considerate younger brother and sister like Brother Xu."
Qi Yue glanced at Xu Mo and his sister, and for the first time, he felt no envy, but rather pity. He pulled Qi Huai over and whispered among himself, using the most concise language to explain the most complicated matters.
"What? You mean the Jiang family and Xu Mo's sister..." Qi Huai was shocked.
"Keep your voice down." Qi Yue glared at him.
Qi Huai quickly covered his mouth, but Xu Mo, who was next to him, had already noticed.
He told his younger siblings to take the bamboo basket and get on the bus first, then walked over himself, calm and brooking no argument, and asked, "What happened to my sister?"
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