Yao Siqing's heart suddenly felt heavy.
It's very congested and the air quality is terrible.
"How can you be so sensible?" She reached out and gently touched Jiang Sheng's cheek. "Don't be so sensible, okay? You can be a little willful."
Because of Madam Jiang's guilt, the Jiang family will help Jiang Sheng regardless of whether she returns or not.
But because of her kindness, her insight, and her gratitude, she took the initiative to go back.
Finally, Yao Siqing hugged Jiang Sheng tightly and said with emotion, "Every time I see you, I always think that if my own sister were still alive, would she be as clever and bright as you, as cute and adorable?"
"It's better not to be too round," Jiang Sheng said, lifting her face, which was red from the pressure. "Did something happen to Sister Yao's sister?"
“She was born with congenital defects and died just two days after birth.” Yao Siqing let go of her. “If she had survived, she would be the same age as you now.”
So all that affection must have some element of transference.
Jiang Sheng comforted her eloquently, "Sister, don't be sad. We will meet again if we are destined to. Just like I was lost for eleven years, but I still met you all."
Yao Siqing chuckled and took the opportunity to ruffle her little buns a couple of times. "Going back to the Jiang family is no problem, but have you thought about how to tell your brothers?"
Jiang Sheng's expression froze, and she subconsciously glanced at the entrance of Fengtian Prefecture.
Lord Dou left at some point, and Qi Huai'an Jun and the others also left, leaving only the three older brothers standing neatly across the street, their expressions a mixture of bitterness and complexity.
Jiang Sheng's heart suddenly sank.
"Oh dear, oh dear," Yao Siqing shook her head from the side, "It seems a bit tricky. Don't blame your sister for being disloyal; you'd better face it yourself at this time."
After saying that, he ran away in a flash.
The personal maid almost couldn't catch up.
Jiang Sheng's lips twitched, but she still lowered her head and leaned closer.
From Xu Mo to Wen Zhiyun, and then to Chang Yan, the three boys had serious expressions and didn't say a word.
Normally by this time, they would have already crowded around calling her "little sister" this and "little sister" that.
Jiang Sheng felt increasingly guilty and asked hesitantly, "Big brother, fourth brother, fifth brother, have you finished discussing it?"
Xu Mo remained silent.
Wen Zhiyun wanted to speak, but Chang Yan tugged at her sleeve and made her close her mouth again.
After a long pause, Xu Mo said softly, "Jiang Sheng, I don't need you to go back to the Jiang family for me, nor do I need you to beg the Jiang family for my help."
It should be them protecting their sister, not the other way around.
“But we have no other powerful families to turn to for help,” Jiang Sheng murmured. “Brother, the top scholar title is yours; we can’t let the Fang family take it away from us.”
“Who said there isn’t one?” Xu Mo said in a deep voice. “We plan to follow the example of last time and win over all of the Fang family’s political enemies. Even without a powerful family like the Jiang family, they are not to be underestimated when they are united.”
But what can we use to win them over?
Jiang Sheng didn't understand officialdom or the intrigues, but she knew that powerful families wouldn't show kindness, much less help those without relatives or friends.
Lord Dou appreciates Xu Mo's talent, but what about the others?
"It's just a matter of working for them for a few years," Xu Mo said casually. "It's an equal exchange, and no one loses out."
How could we not lose money?
Xu Mo could have made a name for himself in the officialdom, but due to a deal, he had to work for powerful families and even become their lackey.
Such a future is too terrible, and Jiang Sheng is unwilling to accept it.
She shook her head frantically, her voice urgent and tense. "Big brother, the Jiang family doesn't need me to go back. They're willing to help. I just want to go back and keep Grandmother company. They haven't made things difficult for me. The Jiang family isn't a monster."
Seeing Xu Mo's unwavering resolve, she grabbed Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan, saying, "You two should persuade our elder brother. He shouldn't make deals with powerful families, and he shouldn't betray his conscience."
Chang Yan's lips moved, but he didn't say anything.
Wen Zhiyun seemed to have reached her limit and burst out, "I will beg the Princess Consort of Prince Gong, I will poison the Fang family. I can't stand by and watch them bully my brother and sister like this. It's too much, too much."
But he was so weak that even when he erupted, it was only slightly louder than usual, and he didn't seem to have any intimidating power.
Xu Mo turned his head away, hiding his slightly reddened eyes.
He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something more.
Jiang Sheng didn't give them any chance.
"No matter what you say, I promised Grandma." The chubby girl clenched her fists, resolute. "Do you expect me to deceive the old lady? Do you expect me to let her get her hopes up for nothing?"
The three older brothers fell silent.
People who respect the elderly and care for the young are not necessarily kind, but kind people definitely respect the elderly and care for the young.
"I won't let myself be wronged. I just want to have family and spend time with my grandmother," Jiang Sheng said loudly. "The Jiang family can also help my eldest brother. It's a win-win situation."
Everyone is happy and fulfilled; that's enough.
The brothers' eyes reddened, but Jiang Sheng grinned and smiled.
Jiang San and Jiang Si drove over in a carriage. She grabbed her fourth brother with her left hand and her fifth brother with her right, while her feet were draped over her eldest brother. "After we defeat the Fang family, I must send a letter to my third brother and ask when my second brother will be back. I miss him."
I really miss my loud and silly second brother.
I just want to blindly do whatever I want, that reckless third brother.
But she was also relieved that they weren't there, so she didn't have to toss and turn at night because of the Huiyuan incident, didn't have to worry about her being wronged when she returned to the Jiang family, and didn't have to struggle and tear herself apart. Yet, she was also heartbroken beyond words.
That night, Jiang Sheng was unusually well-behaved and clingy.
She helped Aunt Zhang cook, chatted over the fire, and even learned how to make braised pork hock, how to stew it until it was tender and flavorful while keeping it intact.
Unaware of the situation, Zhang Xianglian chuckled, "Are you planning to make braised pork knuckles for yourself from now on?"
“Yes.” Jiang Sheng rested her chin on her hand. “If we can’t eat Auntie’s cooking, we can make it ourselves.”
After dinner, she dragged Wen Zhiyun along to listen to Xu Mo's lecture, which covered the past and present, the beautiful landscape, folk customs, the struggles between different ethnic groups, and all things in the world.
When the topic turned to the power struggles between aristocratic families, Jiang Sheng's head finally gave way, and she drooled as she slammed her head against the desk.
Chang Yan reached out to cushion the blow for her.
Wen Zhiyun took out a handkerchief and wiped the corner of her mouth clean.
Xu Mo then picked her up and carried her to the warm little bed.
When Jiang Sheng woke up the next day, the sun was already high in the sky. She jumped up, quickly dressed, and saw Zhang Xianglian busy in the kitchen.
"Auntie," she asked, "where are my brothers?"
She also wanted to ask, "Where is the Jiang family? Didn't anyone come?"
Zhang Xianglian smiled and said, "They're all at the gates of the imperial city. Xiao Mo has already entered the Golden Palace and is currently confronting the Fang family."
These stinky older brothers didn't even call her.
Jiang Sheng hurriedly washed up, picked up two pieces of pastry and hid them in her bosom, preparing to personally drive the carriage to the Golden Palace.
Suddenly, a luxurious carriage bearing the Jiang family's insignia stopped at the entrance of the courtyard, accompanied by a familiar yet somewhat slick face. "Miss, I've come to take you to the gate of the imperial city."
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