To be fair, Jiang Chengfeng was a very good protector.
With the Jiang family as his protector, he was fearless in the face of any powerful family.
He has a reckless personality; he dares to hit anyone except women, and he's not afraid to get into fights.
Even something as mundane as relieving oneself can be done casually in a corner.
Xu Mo admitted that he couldn't do it.
Whether due to his background or his parents' upbringing, he has a completely different personality from the two Jiang brothers.
He was upright, unyielding, and fearless.
The Jiang brothers are shrewd, unrestrained, and free-spirited.
In the past, Xu Mo admired this kind of unyielding spirit, and it was this spirit that supported him from Xiyang County to Fengjing.
However, his exam results were changed, and the Fang family made things difficult for him, especially the incident of being kidnapped to a brothel, which made him feel that some of his perceptions were overturned.
No matter how strong a person is, they will always be helpless in the face of a soft knife.
Just like Fang Heng back then, when faced with his once close little cousin kneeling and begging, and then shouting and cursing, only going to the far frontier could calm the waves.
It was like a courtesan blocking the road and harassing him; without Jiang Chengfeng, Xu Mo really didn't know how he would have avoided it.
Jiang Chengfeng could only help him for six months. After the imperial examination, he would have to walk his own path and pave his own way.
Xu Mo vaguely realized that his strong character might not be suitable for Fengjing, for officialdom, for the imperial court, or for the intrigue and backstabbing among aristocratic families.
It is as clean as green bamboo. It can withstand the wind and rain, but if you pour a little soil and fertilizer on it, the bamboo will eventually rot from the roots.
And who would willingly rot away?
Xu Mo stared blankly ahead, as if he saw his father's straight and unyielding back, as if he saw Minister Dou's confident smile, and the similar smile that all officials wore.
"To succeed in life, you need to be tactful," Jiang Chengfeng said, shaking his head beside him.
Two unintentional words, yet they dispelled the fog.
Xu Mo paused slightly, his eyes burning. "Brother Jiang, what you said is well said. May I ask whose famous quote it is?"
Jiang Chengfeng was taken aback. "It's my father. He taught my older brother and me this when we were very young. He also told us to listen, observe, and learn more about the cunning and treacherous schemes that aristocratic families use in their struggles."
The incidents Xu Mo experienced were merely minor inconveniences. There was even a family that specifically trained their daughters to become concubines in powerful families, plotting against their legitimate sons and daughters, and then supporting their own children to rise to power.
More than a decade later, most of the heirs in Fengjing were related to this family, which speaks volumes about their status.
Some families specifically train their daughters to be second wives, spoiling their firstborn sons so that they can give birth to a son. Not only will the daughters be respected and favored, but their maternal families will also rise in status.
“There’s nothing in this world that you can’t imagine, only things you don’t know,” Jiang Chengfeng concluded. “Brother Xu, you are smart and upright, but you lack insight. If the Fang family dares to take me to a brothel, I’ll make them send me their most beautiful courtesan.”
"How about this, you come with me to a brothel today, so you can be more adaptable if you encounter similar situations in the future."
Xu Mo almost choked to death on his own saliva.
He really wanted to be in control and learn the Jiang brothers' unrestrained methods, but going to a brothel was out of the question. As the eldest brother, he couldn't lead his younger brothers and sisters astray.
"Let's go home first," Xu Mo said gently, getting into the carriage.
As the cart wheels moved forward, the Imperial College and the autumn wind were left behind.
The thoughtful young man, upon arriving in Fengjing that year, learned to make friends and win over the sons of officials in order to bring down Zhu Zhi. He took his first shrewd step.
Now, with the guidance of the Fang family and the instruction of the Jiang family, he has come to understand the true meaning even more.
As time goes by, the tender bamboo shoots will eventually grow into real green bamboo, bending low in strong winds and standing tall when there is no wind. They can bend and bend, or stand proudly upright.
Just like the four characters written by Wenchang Pavilion: "Green Bamboo Gentleman".
As the car wheels came to a stop, the second courtyard came into view.
Xu Mo slowly stepped off the carriage shaft, turned around and cupped his hands, "Thank you for your help these past few days, Brother Jiang. It's time to put our teaching on the agenda. I dare not guarantee that Brother Jiang will pass the imperial examination, but I will definitely share all my knowledge and skills."
He remained the same as before, standing straight and still.
But it's different from before, though I can't quite put my finger on it.
Jiang Chengfeng cupped his hands in greeting, "Alright, then I'll trouble you, Brother Xu."
The carriage drove away again, and the gate to the courtyard was opened, revealing a round face.
"Big brother is back." Jiang Sheng was very excited. "You weren't given a hard time today, were you? You didn't suffer any losses, did you?"
Look, even his younger sister is worried about him.
Despite being the older brother, he caused his younger siblings endless worry and required them to rack their brains to save him.
That really shouldn't have happened.
Xu Mo smiled faintly and gently stroked her dark hair, "Don't worry, it won't happen again."
I will no longer allow the Fang family to scheme against me, I will no longer be stubbornly upright, and I will no longer avoid all the filth and unspeakable things.
But if you ask him if his heart is still the same as before.
The answer is beyond doubt.
People's behavior, cognition, and thoughts may change, but the inherent righteousness in their bones can never turn into evil, and it is even difficult for it to sway.
The next few months.
Xu Mo taught Jiang Chengfeng seriously and also learned the unruly nature unique to scions of noble families from him. They learned from each other, protected each other, and complemented each other, thus forming a bond of friendship.
After failing to get what they wanted several times, the Fang family never bothered them again.
Even though Jiang Chengfeng thought the Fang family was out of options, Xu Mo remained vigilant.
When the autumn wind turned into a cold wind, and the biting snow covered the earth, he sought out Wen Zhiyun, who was studying medical books.
"Fourth brother, I need your help," Xu Mo said in a deep voice. "I want to get sick."
Wen Zhiyun stood up blankly, only realizing belatedly that her suggestion had been adopted.
"Brother, aren't you the one who hates to lie the most?" Chang Yan was so shocked that he almost fell off his chair. "You really want to put makeup on your face? Are you sure you want to do that?"
why not?
Xu Mo laughed, "The Fang family won't let me go. Instead of waiting for them to make a move and expending all our energy to defend ourselves, we might as well lower their guard. She's just a mere woman, she's just faking illness."
A man is capable of bending and stretching.
Back then, my father was too upright, and when he was slandered, he chose to commit suicide to prove his innocence.
But what good was it? Zhu Zhi still became the county magistrate. The people of Xieyang County suffered in silence, and his only son barely survived, losing both of his legs.
Little Xu Mo was used to admiring his father, respecting his character, his integrity, and his incorruptibility.
He still admires his father, but he is unwilling to be like his father, a sturdy but easily broken bamboo.
“Come on, Xiao Si.” He stretched out his hand, serious and calm. “Make me sick, make me the sickly young master in everyone’s eyes.”
Perhaps you can also sense how Brother Fufeng has gotten through these years.
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