No one knows how difficult it was for Zhu Sihuan to say those words.
However, after this suggestion, people compared the poems that made Si Huan Gongzi famous and found that they were similar in style to Qing Zhu Gongzi's, suggesting that they were written by the same person.
Students across the country were incredulous that the scholar they trusted, Xu Zhuangyuan, had actually done something like writing for someone else.
Since he can ghostwrite for others, he might also find someone to ghostwrite for him.
Once the seed of doubt is planted, it can sprout and grow into a towering tree in an instant.
But that's not enough.
Letters circulated in Fengjing, containing conversations between a young man named Fufeng and Xu Mo about everything under the sun, from the people's livelihood and the war situation to sharing stories from ancient times to the present.
The idea of "fighting first and then making peace" mentioned by Scholar Xu in the palace examination seems to have been first mentioned by the young man from Fufeng, who then elaborated on and endorsed it.
Fufeng?
Young Master Fufeng?
Someone stepped forward and mentioned that Young Master Fufeng was from Anshui County, just like Xu Mo, and had great talent. Could it be that Xu Mo's achievements as a child scholar, a scholar, and a top scholar were all stolen from him?
This claim quickly gained traction and was affirmed by countless people.
Once there is one, there will be two; once there are two, there will be three.
The layers of truth, the envelopes circulating among the students, and the testimony of the young master Si Huan who was willing to ruin his own reputation—originally, the more scholars in the world supported Xu Mo, the more they hated him.
The hatred and insults that Fang Yuan had originally inflicted were about to be multiplied and turned back on Xu Mo.
Qi Huai and An Jun got up again and rushed to the second courtyard.
Unlike last time when Xu Mo stayed behind alone, this time Jiang Sheng and Wen Zhiyun were both there, but because they knew very little, they couldn't join the conversation.
"Brother Xu, Brother An guessed right. The Fang family is trying to kill you with flattery, they're plotting against you." Qi Huai's voice cracked with anxiety. "And that Zhu Sihuan, he actually turned around and accused you! You have to clear your name quickly, Brother Xu, otherwise..."
Otherwise, they would be cursed by countless scholars and students, and even be infamous for eternity.
"This is the envelope that was handed to me." An Jun was so nervous that his hands were sweating profusely, but he dared not wipe them on the paper.
Xu Mo reached out and took it, and what came into view was the familiar small calligraphy with the hairpin flower, as well as the caring conversations between them.
He remained silent and slowly flipped through the pages.
Jiang Sheng was extremely anxious, pacing around the group, "Second brother isn't here, third brother isn't here, fifth brother isn't here either. Now the Fang family is bullying eldest brother, what are we going to do?"
"Jiang Sheng, stop spinning," Wen Zhiyun said slowly. "I'm a little dizzy."
Jiang Sheng had no choice but to find a small stool and sit down angrily.
She remembered Fang Yuan's words when the lychee season ended. Could this be what he was referring to?
"If only I hadn't let him leave, I would have caught him, beaten him, and tied him up." The girl gritted her teeth, her anger rising.
"Shh, don't talk, listen to what your older brother has to say." Wen Zhiyun covered her mouth.
The brother and sister turned their heads at the same time, watching Xu Mo put down the envelope, and remained lost in thought for a long time.
If these letters were all left behind by the Wang family, does that mean that, besides Zhu Sihuan, Wang Fufeng also betrayed their friendship?
That sickly but noble young man, would he really do that?
As if in response to them, Xu Mo finally spoke up, "Part of it is Fu Feng's handwriting, and part of it is a forgery."
Truth and falsehood, reality and illusion.
Like a lie, it's seven parts truth and three parts falsehood, enough to fool the vast majority of people.
"Is it really a forgery?" An Jun asked timidly. "In my opinion, these characters were written by the same person."
If even Zhu Sihuan, who never forgets to bring two hundred taels of silver when visiting someone in the hospital, can go back on his word, then the betrayal of the others seems quite reasonable.
The Fang family, after all, is still one of the top families.
"Even if it really is him, it's understandable." Qi Huai was still trying to smooth things over.
Xu Mo shook his head firmly. "He won't."
Wang Fufeng had little attachment to this world. Power was fleeting to him, and the Wang family was nothing but dirt to him. If it weren't for a bit of kindness in his heart, and if it weren't for the promise he made to his siblings, he would have been gone forever.
He didn't even want to look at the world.
"The everyday conversation is in Brother Fufeng's handwriting, but the war-related writings are all imitations by later writers." Xu Mo put away the letter. "This imitator is very skilled; if I weren't so familiar with him, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference."
Therefore, finding this imitator is crucial.
An Jun and Qi Huai exchanged glances and said in unison, "We are willing to help."
Xu Mo shook his head. "Since the Fang family is willing to ruin their reputation to pave the way for this cheating scandal in the imperial examination, how could they easily let us find imitators?"
More than that, he was concerned about how the letters were circulated.
He was more interested in knowing if Wang Fufeng was alright.
It was at this moment that Xu Mo realized that he had not received a reply from Anshui County for a long time.
Including the one from half a month ago, there have been three emails that have gone unanswered.
He didn't know what had happened to Wang Fufeng, nor what changes had occurred in the Wang family. He only felt uneasy, but there was nothing he could do to help.
Geographical limitations are one issue, and his current dire situation is another.
"Die, you bastard who cheated on the imperial examinations!" someone shouted from outside the courtyard, throwing in a rotten melon.
Jiang Sheng was startled and instinctively stepped in front of Wen Zhiyun.
Jiang San and Jiang Si rushed out, but the man had already disappeared.
“Back then, the Fang family even encountered dog shit.” Qi Huai said with heartache. “Brother Xu, it’s almost your turn.”
Fang Yuan remained silent because he had a trump card, but they could not remain silent.
Jiang Sheng owns two Jiuzhenfang clinics, and Wen Zhiyun has built a medical clinic; neither can withstand any damage.
Zheng Ruqian also wanted to do business with the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, while his fifth brother was in seclusion and lying in wait.
They could not bear the insults from scholars and intellectuals across the land, nor could they bear the prospect of being disgraced and ruined. They were even less willing to see the imperial examinations come to an end and have their efforts benefit others in vain.
"You'll climb up by stepping on the corpses of my siblings." Xu Mo said calmly and coldly, "Fang Yuan of the Fang family, don't even think about it."
Since the source of the letter could not be found and he could not return to Anshui County, he decided to start with Zhu Sihuan and find out whether the words he had said against his conscience were hurtful or not!
Over the next few days, Xu Mo repeatedly sent letters to the Zhu family, making a big show of inviting Zhu Sihuan to a gathering at the Wenchang Pavilion.
At first, Zhu Sihuan was able to refuse, but after a while, it inevitably aroused suspicion.
"Since you have a clear conscience, why can't you point it out to my face?"
"I am willing to confront Brother Zhu face to face and discuss the reasons behind the poems."
"Brother Zhu, what are you afraid of? Are you afraid that what happened back then will be completely exposed? Or are you afraid that Miss Tao will despise you for your dubious and despicable behavior?"
Zhu Sihuan felt a chill run down his spine and refused again, but then received a message from the Fang family asking him to attend the Wenchang Pavilion.
Since Scholar Xu wants to be judged by scholars from all over the world, then let's send him to the gallows.
The truth will eventually be revealed.
A petty person who steals the top scholar's title deserves the contempt of all students.
“Go, Sihuan, nail him to the pillar of shame, make him infamous for eternity, and ensure he never rises again.”
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