To date, quite a few people from the Jiang family have appeared.
Neither the kind old lady nor Jiang Chengyuan, who threw the small paper ball, could make Jiang Sheng change her mind.
But at this moment, the tall and imposing Jiang Jizong, dressed in a scarlet official robe, with his hands folded in his sleeves, exuded a profound yet sharp civil official aura.
However, given the significant height difference between the two, his leaning down exuded an imposing aura befitting an adult man.
Jiang Sheng was instinctively afraid and blurted out, "Second Uncle."
Jiang Jizong paused, seemingly somewhat surprised.
The three Jiang brothers behind him were dumbfounded, exchanging incredulous glances.
"She called him Second Uncle?"
"She never called him brother."
"I've never called her 'little sister'."
The three of them chattered away, feeling both heartbroken and excited.
Jiang Jizong snapped out of his daze and reached out his hand.
He probably wanted to make amends to Jiang Sheng, but the memory of being beaten was too vivid, and Jiang Sheng couldn't help but shrink back.
The broad, thick hand remained suspended in mid-air for a moment before slowly retracting.
Jiang Sheng stammered, unsure how to explain the way she had been addressed earlier.
Fortunately, Jiang Jizong did not linger. He left with only the words, "Go home anytime," and departed with three members of the Jiang family.
A breeze blew by, carrying Jiang Chengyu's many questions: "Father, why is my sister called Nannan, but I am called Xiaoyu?"
Jiang Jizong was silent for a moment, then said, "You were almost the older sister..."
The rest of the conversation was inaudible, and silence returned to the gates of the imperial city.
Jiang Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, finally seizing the opportunity to rush to Xu Mo's side, grabbing his blue robe and asking expectantly, "Big brother, isn't the Golden Palace beautiful? Is it made of gold everywhere? Is every piece you pick out gold?"
Xu Mo, “…”
Chang Yan and Wen Zhiyun both started coughing at the same time.
Jiang San and Jiang Si burst into laughter.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony is not made of gold, but rather paved with gold bricks made using a special firing method. The price of these bricks is quite high, and the story spread among the people that the Hall of Supreme Harmony is paved with gold.
"Even if it's paved with gold, who would dare to take a piece off?" Xu Mo gently tapped his sister's head. "After all that, I thought you were going to worry about me, but it turns out you're worried about the gold."
“I know you’re going to retake the imperial examination.” Jiang Sheng reached out to block, then slyly slipped behind Wen Zhiyun. “Big brother, you’re going to offend the successful candidates this time.”
Although the imperial family added thirty extra slots, greatly reducing public resentment, it doesn't mean that Xu Mo, who insisted on filing a complaint, wouldn't be resented.
Besides the grumbling and complaining of the candidates waiting for the palace examination, Fengtian Prefecture also had to go through the trouble of informing the failed candidates that they would have to take the exam again next year.
"What a hassle," Jiang Si muttered from the side. "Why can't we just let the eldest young master take the exam alone with that guy from the Fang family? Whoever is more capable can win the top prize."
Jiang Sanshen agreed wholeheartedly.
Xu Mo shook his head and sighed, a hint of bitterness in his eyes.
In the minds of ordinary people, this is of course the most time-saving and labor-saving choice. However, the officialdom is ruthless, and powerful families are paramount.
After Chen Qing appealed his case by beating the drum, it became clear to anyone with eyes to see who was cheating in this imperial examination fraud case.
However, the Fengtian Prefecture dared not pronounce the verdict directly, for fear of offending the Fang family.
If the imperial family were to hold a separate examination, what difference would that make from simply stripping the Fang family of their face?
"Even with the Jiang, Dou, and Yao families joining forces, plus so many others helping, they only managed to get the Fang family to agree to a re-examination." Chang Yan said with a half-smile, "The Fang family would never agree to a separate examination."
"If this is really set up, other unsuccessful candidates will follow suit and bang on their grievances. The imperial family will have to stop doing anything this year, and there will be no more court sessions in the Golden Palace. All the candidates will be taking separate exams."
The unwritten rule was to restart the imperial examinations if someone was suspected of cheating.
Jiang Si suddenly realized that there were so many twists and turns involved.
"I told you long ago you were stupid, you couldn't even see this clearly, you had to be personally reminded by the young master." Jiang San suddenly said righteously, "Fourth son, you still have a lot to learn from your third brother."
Jiang Si bared his teeth and lunged forward, and the two began to fight.
Wen Zhiyun and Jiang Sheng watched the spectacle with great interest.
“But brother,” Changyan’s tone changed, “the Fang family agreed to the re-examination, so they must know there are too many opportunities to tamper with things.”
If Xu Mo fails the exam again next year, even if he beats the grievance drum in Fengtian Prefecture until it breaks, no one will care.
What's more, there's that vicious "extermination of nine generations of relatives" policy.
Xu Mo's face was filled with sorrow, but his pupils burned with flames, filled with soaring fighting spirit, "Heaven has eyes, but reincarnation is unjust. We will not yield, and evil will not prevail over good!"
Having already suffered a sudden and unexpected loss, and being on guard, it would be a gross underestimation of him for the Fang family to still try to scheme against him.
No family can remain powerful forever, and no one can be arrogant forever.
Even dynasties in history have been overthrown countless times, so what is the Fang family compared to them?
"Let them take the exam, let them use whatever means they want. I want to see what other dirty tricks this unorthodox Fang family can pull!" Xu Mo stood with one hand behind his back, his spine straight, gazing into the distance.
He still looked like a slender student, but his back view was so tall and so captivating.
Chang Yan stared blankly, unable to discern where he was for a moment.
Is it within the red walls and green tiles, or in the carefree and leisurely stream?
Xu Mo turned around and said with a smile, "Let's go home and write letters to the second and third brothers."
As if waking from a dream, Chang Yan gazed at the towering imperial city gate and climbed onto the carriage without hesitation.
Perhaps the second courtyard was dilapidated, and perhaps the carriage was not comfortable, but all of this carried the flavor of freedom, even the wind had a sweet fragrance, and the rain was like sweet dew.
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