A commotion came from afar—the sound of the examination hall gates opening. The students proceeded in order, and their identities and cheat sheets were checked.
The carriage curtain behind him was also lifted, and Xu Mo stepped down from the carriage carrying a bamboo basket.
There's no time left.
Jiang Sheng suddenly raised her head, her round eyes filled with earnestness.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Jizu stopped his personal guard who was carrying out the order, strode to the entrance of the examination hall, said something, and then showed his identity card.
The previously calm and casual examiner immediately became polite and stood up to instruct the two yamen runners.
It's done.
Jiang Sheng was so excited that tears welled up in her eyes. She turned around, grabbed Xu Mo's hand, and said, "Big brother, you'll be alright. Do well on your exam. We'll be waiting for you outside."
Anyone who didn't know better would think the older brother was in jail.
Xu Mo was both amused and exasperated. He took another deep look at Jiang Jizu. Although he didn't know who this man was, he could guess that he had a close relationship with his sister.
Unfortunately, he was about to enter the examination hall, and he couldn't protect his sister personally. He could only take a deep look at Changyan.
"Don't worry, big brother." The fifth brother understood immediately. "Leave everything to me."
Xu Mo then joined the sparsely populated student queue.
Zheng Ruqian, standing nearby, was a little agitated. "What do you mean 'hand over to you'? Is only Xiao Wu reliable? Can't I, the second brother, do it?"
Xu Mo suppressed a laugh, waved to her younger siblings, and then glanced regretfully towards the north of the city.
The inspectors were quick; they first searched the person's body, then their belongings, and finally, after checking that there were no smuggled items in the food, they let the person in.
Xu Mo packed his things into a bamboo basket and then glanced at the north of the city.
I thought it would still be a disappointment, but unexpectedly, several agile young men appeared on the bustling street. They couldn't ride horses in the capital, but their running speed was no less than that of a carriage.
The young man at the head of the group, in particular, had striking features, was tall and slender yet powerful, and moved with the agility of a leopard through the crowd. He finally arrived at the entrance of the examination hall, drenched in sweat.
"Big brother," he called out from afar, "do well on your exam, I'll be waiting for you outside."
Xu Mo just stepped into the examination hall. In the instant he turned around, the last student had finished his inspection. The gate of the examination hall slowly closed, separating the students from their families, but not their hearts that were connected.
When the last crack in the door disappeared, the students and their families either sighed and turned away, or found a corner to wait.
Amid the surging crowd, only the five siblings stood still, smiling at each other.
Two years is neither a long nor a short time.
Apart from Zheng Ruqian, who went to the northern frontier to see Fang Heng once, the others had not seen this brave and resolute brother for two whole years, more than seven hundred days.
He had grown much taller, two fingers taller than the oldest, Xu Mo. He was still thin, and only when he moved could one see the strength he contained.
His appearance has also changed a bit. He has grown up and matured. The childishness that came with his youth has faded, replaced by a steady and heroic air, and a calm and dashing demeanor.
Many people passed by, and there was a lot of noise, but they were focused on each other, carefully observing each other and comparing them to the people in their memories, and then smiling with satisfaction.
No amount of noise can stop our steps toward each other, and no amount of hardship can hinder our desire to be close.
When Fang Heng stood truly before everyone, it was not a dream, not an illusion, nor a longing carried by the wind.
Zheng Ruqian was the first to get red-eyed and punched him, saying, "Why are you only coming back now? Your older brother has already entered the Imperial Examination Hall."
Fang Heng accepted the insult wholeheartedly, explaining with embarrassment, "I misremembered the time; I thought it was late February."
Chang Yan, standing nearby, nodded knowingly, having guessed perfectly.
"How long have you been back this time, Third Brother? Was it hard work on the frontier? Were you tired?" Wen Zhiyun leaned closer and asked in a low voice.
Two years have passed in the blink of an eye. The three older brothers have all matured and have the spirit of young men. Only the two younger brothers are still so young, especially the fourth one, who is thin and weak and lovable.
"Leaving aside the two-month round trip, I'm doing quite well in the Northern Frontier, not tired at all." Fang Heng rubbed his little head. "As for you, I heard your medical clinic in Fengjing is thriving. Our little fourth son is extraordinary; he'll definitely become a renowned doctor in the future."
Wen Zhiyun smiled shyly, still looking just like she did three or four years ago when she was easily carried on someone's shoulders.
Fang Heng smiled as well, his gaze falling on Chang Yan. This younger brother was the youngest but the most thoughtful. He and his older brother made many decisions about the family together, making him the leader among the siblings.
People who overthink are destined to be unhappy.
Even at this moment of reunion, when everyone's joy was overflowing, he remained calm and composed, showing no sign of emotion.
So what? As long as he's the younger brother, he'll always be the younger brother.
Fang Heng stretched out his hands and, under Chang Yan's astonished gaze, pinched his cheeks and pulled them apart. He then leaned closer and whispered, "Tell your third brother what's wrong. Don't keep it bottled up inside."
The hand that pinched his cheek quickly released its grip, and the pressure wasn't so strong that it caused any soreness, but Changyan felt a mix of emotions. He felt as if even the loneliest child had someone to rely on, someone who had their own support.
He gently stroked his cheek with one hand, his eyes sparkling, and after a while, he grinned.
It's finally the youngest sister's turn.
As soon as Fang Heng's gaze fell down, Jiang Sheng put her hands on her hips and said, "Don't say I'm fat."
Fang Heng opened his mouth again, and Jiang Sheng added, "And you're not allowed to say I haven't grown taller."
She was clearly a twelve-year-old young lady, while other girls of the same age from prominent families were all tall, slender, and poised.
Even the little daughter of the old man who sells tofu in the market is gradually growing taller and taller, just like a beautiful flower bud.
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