The plump and chubby little girl was even cuter than a New Year's picture doll. She held her beloved meat porridge and left it for her most respected eldest brother.
Such a pleasing scene captivated even Old Madam Jiang.
Elders have their responsibilities, and children have their order.
All love and sacrifice will be rewarded; that is the best example of brotherhood and sisterhood in the world.
She didn't want to bother the children any longer, so she made an excuse to go to her bedroom in the backyard to rest.
Xu Mo finally breathed a sigh of relief, took the meat porridge, and casually rubbed Jiang Sheng's little head, "You should have some too."
"I'm full." Jiang Sheng quietly swallowed.
It's true that I'm full, it's true that I still like meat porridge, and it's true that the iron pot is almost empty.
Xu Mo smiled and divided half a bowl, handing it to the greedy little girl.
In this way, they all got to eat.
At the dinner table.
Xu Mo's good manners made him accustomed to not speaking while eating or sleeping, but his habit of traveling all over the country made Zheng Ruqian unable to resist chattering. Thus, the following strange scene appeared: the second brother was eloquent, the eldest brother was as still as a mountain, the fourth and fifth brothers just nodded, and the only girl grinned and cheered.
"Let me tell you, it's really hot in Lingnan. Fengjing is still wearing a padded jacket, while people over there are already wearing light shirts. Many people working there are even shirtless and have their pants rolled up, for fear of dying of heat in the fields."
"The sun is strong in Lingnan, and the people there have dark skin and speak in a somewhat slouching manner. You can't understand what they're saying unless you listen carefully."
When the topic turned back to Fengjing, Zheng Ruqian was filled with indignation again, "If I had known that so much had happened, I would have rushed back overnight. I would never have let you suffer any injustice. I would have fought the Fang family to the death. I'm not done with them!"
Xu Mo finally finished the last bite of meat porridge, and slowly put down his bowl and spoon. "What, is this not over yet? Are you going to run him over with your old donkey?"
Jiang Sheng almost spat out her rice.
“That…that won’t do, that’s illegal, it’ll get you imprisoned.” Zheng Ruqian said awkwardly, “But brother, retaking the exam isn’t difficult, the difficulty is that the Fang family will never let you take the exam in peace.”
If you feel you're not smart enough, try putting yourself in someone else's shoes.
Zheng Ruqian imagined himself as a member of the Fang family—having carefully selected a poor boy and used a little trick to steal his achievements. It should have been a natural outcome, but who knew that this poor boy would refuse to accept it and would make a huge fuss about retaking the exam to win back his future.
Ha, dream on!
If that poor kid passes the imperial examination next year, what will become of the Fang family's reputation?
I can choose not to be the top scorer, but you must fail the exam, preferably a disastrous one, losing all motivation to study, plummeting to nothing.
The above is a vivid portrayal of Zheng Lao Er.
Two days have passed since they returned from the Golden Palace. The second courtyard has fallen into silence because of Jiang Sheng's departure, and even the threat from the Fang family has been forgotten.
Although Xu Mo was not afraid, he couldn't stand someone who was scheming, so he had to be on guard in advance.
"The Fang family is so powerful, what if they resort to any means necessary?" Wen Zhiyun said worriedly.
“Basic safety is not a concern, Brother is just like An Xuezi back then.” Chang Yan said meaningfully, “I’m just afraid that the Fang family will use some unorthodox methods and attract evil influences.”
While the eldest brother, with his refined and gentle demeanor, was still in a daze, Zheng Ruqian, standing beside him, patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, don't worry, now that your second brother is back, he will definitely protect you and will never let you suffer the slightest harm."
"Even if it's a mountain of knives or a sea of fire, with me, Zheng Lao Er, here, you can sit as still as a mountain and have nothing to fear!"
Resounding words, resolute phrases, and a triumphant wave.
If Zheng Ruqian hadn't been secretly observing his older brother and younger sister-in-law, and hadn't shown a smug smile, he might have really fooled him.
He clearly just wanted to show off, but he pretended to be all righteous.
Xu Mo chuckled helplessly, "Alright, then we'll have to rely entirely on my second brother."
Zheng Ruqian straightened his chest with increasing pride, as if he had grown several inches taller in the blink of an eye.
Jiang Sheng covered her mouth and laughed beside her; everything was so wonderful.
Unfortunately, happy times are always short-lived.
As noon approached, Jiang Sheng reluctantly stood up. "Grandmother isn't feeling well. She needs to rest every day and has to prepare medicine at noon. We have to go now."
It's my own home, but I have to leave.
Xu Mo, Zheng Ruqian, Wen Zhiyun, and Chang Yan all vanished from their smiles.
They stood in a row, silently, filled with reluctance, yet unable to utter a word.
Finally, Zheng Ruqian said in a hoarse voice, "Jiang Sheng, your second brother has just returned, and you're already leaving?"
The little girl fidgeted with her hands, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.
She hurried to the backyard and bumped into an elderly woman in her sixties who was pacing around.
"What's wrong?" Old Madam Jiang asked, puzzled.
Jiang Sheng suppressed her emotions and said in a low voice, "Grandmother, it's time to go back."
He wouldn't say anything more.
Old Madam Jiang knew perfectly well what was going on. She sighed deeply, glanced at the solemn-faced young men, and a thought began to stir within her.
But looking down at her chubby granddaughter, she felt the same reluctance.
Let her keep a little selfishness and take up a little more of your time.
Just a little bit.
Madam Jiang extended her hand, "Alright, let's go back then."
He Rui drove the carriage to the door, and Tan Yue helped him by holding his hand. Just as he cracked the whip, he saw Jiang San carrying Zhang Xianglian slowly driving from the intersection.
"Hey, girl, that's a girl!" Jiang San exclaimed in surprise.
Zhang Xianglian looked over in a panic, and it only took a moment for her to go from calm to teary-eyed.
Jiang Sheng leaned against the small window and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Auntie, Auntie."
“Yes, yes,” Zhang Xianglian responded loudly.
It's a bit like many years ago when they saw each other off at the village entrance.
But it's not like many years ago; they've all started living good lives.
"Auntie, Grandmother needs to take her medicine, so we have to go back now. We'll come see you next time," Jiang Sheng shouted at the top of her lungs.
Carriages passed by her, and she craned her neck to look out until Zhang Xianglian's figure became a tiny black dot before reluctantly pulling her head back.
Madam Jiang looked over calmly yet lovingly.
Jiang Sheng sniffed and snuggled closer, "If only I could split myself in two."
So half of him stayed at the Jiang family home with his grandmother, and the other half stayed in the second courtyard with his brother and aunt.
Unfortunately, this is ultimately just the world of mortals.
Back at Deren-in.
The medicine in the small kitchen had just been brewed, and Tan Yue was portioning it into small bowls.
The talkative maidservant held up a plate of large, bumpy fruits. "Madam, Miss, these are lychees sent by the Madam. They've been chilled with well water, so they're fresh and sweet."
After saying that, he couldn't help but swallow.
Lychees.
Jiang Sheng had heard of it when she first arrived in Fengjing. It was a rare delicacy in Fengjing, and was sought after by aristocratic families because of its juicy and tender taste. In the previous dynasty, it was even the favorite of a favored concubine.
Even if ordinary people yearn for something like this, they can only dream about it.
Who could have imagined that one day, lychees would actually appear before her eyes?
But why? It was a gift from Jiang Liao Shi.
Jiang Sheng pursed her lips, and for the first time, she didn't drool. Instead, she took two steps back in resistance.
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