No one expected that when Chang Yan suddenly left, the first person to shed tears was not Jiang Sheng, but Wen Zhiyun.
But thinking about it, the two brothers are about the same age and are inseparable. Even when they do something bad, they hold hands. In addition, they eat and sleep together, so their relationship is even closer than with Jiang Sheng.
They schemed against Zhou Zhiqiang together, dealt with the county magistrate's wife together, cheated Prince Gong's son together, and were rejected from school together.
They are the closest brothers, the best friends, and the best partners.
"Why did you abandon me?" Wen Zhiyun choked up several times. "From now on, my brothers will all be busy... Will I be all alone again?"
Even the usually strong brothers couldn't help but tear up and their throats choked with emotion.
Jiang Sheng sniffled as she went over and took his hand. "Fourth Brother, don't be afraid. I'm always here. I won't leave. I'm not Fifth Brother..."
Any further words would be swallowed up by the bitterness.
What wonderful six children! How did they end up separated again?
Zhang Xianglian's eyes were red, and she tried to speak several times, but didn't know what to say.
Master Kong put his arm around her shoulder, offering comfort tinged with a sigh.
The night following the great joy was filled with great sorrow. The silent wind rushed in through the window, lifting the long hair at the temples, raising the hem of the robe, and making the paper rustle.
Splash!
Someone looked up, as if waking from a dream, and murmured, "No matter where he went, isn't finding him all we need to do?"
Everyone's spirits were lifted; yes, he could leave, and they could search for him too.
"Where should we look?" Fang Heng perked up and stood up to ask.
Jiang Sheng and Zheng Ruqian exchanged glances, then suddenly exclaimed in unison, "Anshui County!"
They first met in Anshui County, and Changyan was discovered in a small cave in Shili Town. His home is very likely near Xiyang County.
“But we’ve already left Anshui County.” Wen Zhiyun raised her tear-streaked face. “I’m willing to close the clinic and go back to find them.”
“No need for that trouble.” Zheng Ruqian shook his head. “I’ll write to Dashan and ask him to take his brothers to inquire around Shilipu.”
“We can help too.” Zhang Qiquan walked over unnoticed. “There are more than a dozen long-term workers in the workshop.”
This is already a considerable force, and with the help of short-term workers from Shilipu Village planting green beans, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they could turn Xieyang County upside down.
If they keep asking around in Anshui County, they'll eventually find their Xiao Wu.
Everyone engaged in lively discussions, offering suggestions from time to time, or describing the shape and basic characteristics of the long banquet.
Xu Mo remained silent, his brows furrowed.
The younger siblings believed that Chang Yan, who was discovered in Anshui County, was a native of Anshui County.
However, various aspects of their lives suggest that their fifth brother may also be from Fengjing, and the land deed used as part of the dowry proves that he was of noble status, at least from a prominent family.
But which family is it exactly?
Xu Mo didn't interrupt his younger siblings' discussion, letting them happily look forward to it. He left the rest to his eldest brother, letting him find the youngest brother.
That night, Aunt Zhang almost stayed to sleep with Jiang Sheng, afraid that the little girl would be sad because of Chang Yan's departure.
The head chef was almost in tears, anxious but dared not speak.
Jiang Sheng took the initiative to say, "Auntie, don't worry, I'm not sad. Fifth Brother must have something important to do when he comes home. He'll come back once it's resolved, or we'll find him."
“However, if we find him first, we definitely won’t let this go so easily.” She clenched her chubby little fist. “We’ll definitely beat him black and blue.”
Zhang Xianglian stopped crying and smiled, finally leaving with many backward glances.
As the night deepened, everyone said goodbye and rested, turning to face each other with smiles, then turning away with a somber and lonely expression.
Who wouldn't feel sad and heartbroken if they suddenly lost a loved one?
But the children who have grown up have also learned to pretend and not to worry others.
After blowing out the lights, Jiang Sheng tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
Lying on another bed not far away, Wang Xiaozhu said with sympathy, "If you're feeling unwell, just cry it out."
“No, I won’t cry.” Jiang Sheng shook her head. “Fifth Brother just went to handle some matters. He will definitely come back.”
It definitely will.
The next day, Zhang Qiquan took Liu Cui back to Anshui County. After all, the workshop could not function without someone, and he also needed to help with the delivery of vegetables. He was afraid that leaving for months at a time would cause unrest.
"Uncle Zhang, take care. Aunt Cui'er, take care. Be sure to give the letter to Pang Dashan and ask him to help us find out about Xiao Wu." The five siblings waved goodbye.
Zhang Xianglian rushed over and brought them two bags full of local specialties.
After the carriage disappeared from sight, Xu Mo gave his younger siblings some instructions and then turned to leave.
He was going to mobilize his own forces to search for his fifth brother in Fengjing.
"Big brother, wait a minute." Fang Heng had also come over at some point.
Xu Mo raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Why aren't you with everyone? What are you doing here?"
“Brother, although I’m a bit straightforward, I’m not stupid.” Fang Heng smiled wryly. “I also appeared in Anshui County, but am I a native of Anshui County?”
For those with the will, traversing half of the Great Yu Dynasty is not difficult.
The real difficulty lies in finding people within Fengjing City.
Xu Mo first approached the Qi and Zhao families, briefly describing his younger brother's appearance and asking them to keep an eye on him.
Zhao Yuan and Qi Huai had both seen the long banquet before, and although they were surprised, they readily agreed.
After much hesitation, Fang Heng decided to visit the He family.
The head of the He family had initially greeted him with a smile, but upon hearing Fang Heng's request, his smile instantly turned to anger. "I thought you were here because of the Fang family's hatred, but I didn't expect you to be looking for someone. Is the blood feud between your parents less important than finding a person?"
Fang Heng lowered his head in embarrassment, and after a long while said, "I will take revenge, and I will also find him. He is my brother."
A brother who is not related by blood but is closer than blood relatives.
The He family patriarch's expression softened, and he promised to keep an eye out for him.
While both cities were busy searching, the young man, whom countless people remembered and talked about, had already changed into a magnificent brocade robe and was traveling in a sedan chair to the gates of the imperial city.
That day, my third brother knelt here and kowtowed until his head bled.
It was here that my elder brother discovered how terrifying powerful families were and how monstrous people's hearts could be.
Now, he has finally stepped into this man-eating beast.
"Your Highness," someone whispered beside him, "Are you really going back now? Shouldn't you wait?"
The boy gently shook his head, remaining calm and silent.
I can't wait any longer, there's no time left.
The imperial examination is about to begin...
According to unofficial historical records of the Dayu Dynasty.
In the seventh year of the Heqing reign, the fifth prince fell ill and was moved to Jiangnan in the winter and Rehe in the summer to recuperate.
At the end of the same year, the Fifth Prince disappeared without a trace. His maids were terrified and, to save their lives, concealed the incident for five years.
In the twelfth year of the Heqing reign, the fifth prince recovered from his illness and returned to the capital seven days before the palace examination.
From then on, a storm was brewing.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
