Only three people truly enjoyed the meal.
Jiang Sheng, Fang Heng, Zheng Ruqian.
Xu Mo frowned slightly when he learned that Jiang Chenghuan had fallen from a height. When they were alone, he quietly asked, "What are the chances of survival after falling like that?"
Wen Zhiyun, pale-faced, gently shook her head.
That's very small.
Looking back, Magistrate Xu and his wife were slandered, and after sending their only son away, they chose to commit suicide in anger.
As a result, Xu Mo also suffered the torment of having both legs broken. He was only able to survive after being reunited with his younger siblings. By the time his legs had healed, Magistrate Xu and his wife had already been hastily buried.
For so many years, he still didn't know how his parents committed suicide.
Was it suicide? But they were too weak to even kill a chicken, and the mother had a problem fainting at the sight of blood.
Was it poison? But there was no poison in the house. Given their reputation at the time, even buying arsenic would only attract rotten vegetables and eggs; no one would be willing to sell it to them.
The most likely explanation is a fall from a height, meaning... outwardly calm and peaceful, but inwardly shattered and riddled with wounds.
At that time, they didn't even have a Wen Xiaosi to help them relieve the pain.
Xu Mo lowered his eyelashes, the food in his mouth tasted like cardboard, and the regret for his parents' passing remained forever in his heart.
The wrongful conviction has been overturned, and the murderer has been brought to justice. Now, all that remains is to become a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, to be the top scholar or the second-highest scorer, to comfort the spirits of his parents in heaven.
After finishing her meal, Jiang Sheng drowsily chose to go to sleep.
Xu Mo also put down his chopsticks and said, "I'm going to read a book."
"Brother is so diligent. He even has time to read. If it were me, I would have already gone to bed and rested." Zheng Ruqian shook his head.
"So you're a merchant, while your elder brother is taking the imperial examinations." Fang Heng loved to tell the truth.
The two brothers exchanged a knowing glance, a subtle spark igniting between them.
One of them, relying on being the older brother, rolled up his sleeves, wanting to teach his younger brother a lesson.
One of them relied on his agility to hide all over the yard, making sure he couldn't be touched.
Wen Zhiyun was exhausted and should rest, but after hesitating for a moment, he still picked up his small medicine box and asked Wang Xiaosong to drive him out.
"Where is Xiao Si going?" Zheng Ruqian asked, not forgetting to ask even while chasing and playing around.
"Perhaps... he went to the Jiang family." Chang Yan said indifferently.
For a doctor, failing to save a patient is always something that lingers in their mind.
"I don't know how that Miss Jiang could be so fragile, actually giving up her young life." Fang Heng shook his head and sighed, "Clearly, as long as you're alive, there are countless possibilities."
"Do you think everyone is Jiang Sheng? After struggling for so many years, enduring so much hardship and bullying, he still managed to survive." Zheng Ruqian laughed and scolded, "The key is that he lives so carefree, able to eat and sleep well."
Yes, it's so difficult.
Not afraid of being born in the dust, not afraid of being crushed in the mud, not afraid of hardships and dangers, not afraid of numerous difficulties.
The fundamental reason why Jiang Sheng was able to survive was that she was content and happy, that she was from the lower class, and that she couldn't afford to be any worse off.
The so-called ability to endure hardship and hunger is something that is accumulated over time and years.
An optimistic and contented mindset is the foundation of her survival.
Jiang Chenghuan had too much and was too afraid of losing it, so it's normal that he couldn't accept the collapse of the mountain.
But we are both Jiang Chenghuan, while Jiang Sheng is unique.
Even Fang Heng, with his temperament, almost committed suicide in the dark room, struggling for half a year before finally coming to his senses.
Zheng Ruqian was unwilling to face his birth mother, Xu Mo was forever grieving the loss of his parents, Wen Zhiyun kept silent about the doctor and his wife, and even he... did not want to touch that heartless place again.
But can we really avoid facing certain things by running away from them?
Chang Yan raised his hand, and a smooth breeze passed through his fingers, gently brushing his face, lifting his hair, leaping behind his ears, and swirling around him.
"Fifth Brother, what do you like the most?" I vaguely heard Jiang Sheng ask cheerfully.
“Freedom, I love freedom the most,” he replied with a smile.
Because I was once imprisoned, I will always love freedom, love the world, love unfamiliar places, and love everything that is warm.
But can he really be free?
The courtyard was peaceful and solemn that night.
A sharp longsword lay beside Fang Heng, and the eight Jiangs were on high alert, ready to leap up at any moment.
However, even after they escorted Xu Mo back to the entrance of the examination hall at dawn, there was still no movement.
"It seems the Fang family is determined to devise a ruthless plan." Fang Heng clenched his fist. "What exactly are they trying to do? What kind of conspiracy are they planning to use!"
No one knew, and no one answered.
Xu Mo tidied up the bamboo basket, ready to enter the examination room at any time.
Some familiar students nodded as they passed by, and Qi Huai'an waved gently, but none of them called out his name.
The two constables from last time have reappeared, this time with two colleagues. It seems General Jiang is worried and has added more guards.
"Brother, the examination hall gates are open," Zheng Ruqian called out. "Go take the exam quickly, we'll wait for you outside."
Xu Mo nodded slightly, glancing out of the corner of his eye as Fang Yuan also entered the examination hall.
Without pausing, he left with four constables.
"I hope you do well on your exam, brother." Jiang Sheng clasped his hands together, somewhat regretting that he hadn't kowtowed at Famen Temple.
"Go home and wait patiently." Fang Heng patted her little dumpling.
The siblings turned around, and Wen Zhiyun followed, getting into the carriage that returned to the courtyard.
"Fourth Brother, aren't you going to the Jiang family today?" Jiang Sheng asked curiously. "Has the Jiang family's Third Miss's sprain healed?"
Wen Zhiyun gave a wry smile. "Alright, you don't need to go to the Jiang family anymore."
Without much thought, Jiang Sheng pulled Zheng Ruqian aside to discuss opening a branch.
The pastry business has been booming lately, and one shop is no longer enough to satisfy the appetites of these two money-grubbers. They want to open Jiuzhenfang all over the Great Yu Dynasty, just like You Ran Ju did.
"Although it's a bit difficult, you always have to have something to look forward to." Jiang Sheng grinned, showing her big teeth.
“That makes sense.” Zheng Ruqian nodded in agreement.
The two of them were whispering to each other, and although it was a bit noisy, it was real and full of everyday life.
Fang Heng watched with a smile, enjoying this rare moment.
Only Wen Zhiyun noticed that something was wrong with Changyan and leaned over to ask softly, "Xiao Wu, is something on your mind?"
The young boy snapped out of his reverie and shook his head. "Fourth Brother, don't worry, I'm fine. I'm just... just thinking about Big Brother and the Fang family."
If the Fang family really wants to change their goal from being the top scorer in the provincial examination to becoming the top scholar, Fang Yuan would first need to obtain the status of a tribute student. However, the provincial examination is not over yet, and there is still some time before the results are released, so it is impossible to make a judgment.
The siblings could only return to the small courtyard and wait.
This wait lasted for six days.
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