The snow had stopped long ago, but the heavy snowfall was still quite intense, and now the snow on the ground is ankle-deep, making a crunching sound when you step on it.
After being separated for half a year, the slender boys seemed to have grown quite a bit taller, from the eldest brother's shoulder to his ear.
Upon closer inspection, Chang Yan was even more striking than Wen Zhiyun, who was the same age.
If Jiang Sheng hadn't insisted on arranging them according to the order they were found, it would be hard to say who the older and younger brother would be.
But this does not diminish their deep affection, nor does it prevent Wen Zhiyun from having a blank expression since he saw his fifth brother, and from remaining silent until now.
Even when Changyan came over to flatter him, calling him "Fourth Brother" again and again, he kept his head down and remained in a daze.
"What's wrong with Xiao Si? He seems to be daydreaming." Xu Mo said with some concern.
Jiang Sheng stood by with her arms crossed, watching the commotion. "What do you mean, 'soul wandering outside the heavens'? Fourth Brother is just putting on airs."
On her wedding night, Aunt secretly slipped away, met her eldest brother and younger sister, and secretly helped her third brother. Even her second brother used lychees to communicate with Changyan through letters.
Wen Zhiyun, however, had never met her younger brother, nor had she ever had any contact with him.
My close friend, my closest peer, who I used to spend every day with, suddenly disappeared without a trace, and I lost all contact with him.
If it were someone with a carefree heart, it wouldn't be so bad, but Wen Zhiyun is a sensitive person who secretly sheds countless tears at night.
His only connection to his younger brother was Physician Wu, so he studied medicine with all his might and practiced acupuncture relentlessly, getting up before dawn and resting only when the night was deep.
He devoted all his energy to medicine, and didn't know what else to do besides studying medicine.
He was a useless person, not as upright and honest as his eldest brother, not as shrewd and calculating as his second brother, not as skilled in martial arts as his third brother, and not as well-supported by the Jiang family as his sister.
He had nothing; he was a burden to his younger brother.
So it's normal to be ignored.
Wen Zhiyun stood there in a daze, his hands and feet were cold and lifeless. He raised his head, but his pupils were unfocused, as if piercing through nothingness.
"Fourth Brother!" Changyan sighed and took his brother's hand as he did when they were children. "I didn't abandon you. I just had to do something very serious. I didn't tell you because I was afraid you would worry."
Yeah?
He's a liar; she's clearly just afraid he'll drag her down.
“It’s not that I’m afraid you’ll be a burden.” As if he had read his mind, Changyan said to himself, “I’m waiting for you to become a medical master and inherit your maternal grandfather’s mantle. It would be a pity if such a strong medical family in the Yan family were to die in my hands. Fourth brother is like a gift from heaven. The Yan family’s medical skills will surely be carried forward in your hands.”
"Besides, Fourth Brother is so capable, he will always surpass his master. If I ever have a headache or fever in the future, I will rely on you to treat me. I don't trust anyone else."
When it comes to stirring up trouble, Zhu Changyan is the best.
He speaks eloquently and skillfully, and most importantly, he doesn't make people feel offended.
As Wen Zhiyun's pupils gradually focused, Jiang Sheng and Xu Mo smiled.
"Xiao Wu, you...you've lied to me again." The frail young doctor lowered her head. "I don't believe you. You're a big liar."
"Fourth Brother, you have to believe me, I won't lie to you." Changyan patted his chest. "Your brother has been with me for so many years, believe me, there's absolutely no mistake."
"It's not impossible for me to trust you." Wen Zhiyun suddenly changed his tone, "I also want to help with the things you and my brother are plotting."
Long banquet, "..."
Xu Mo, “…”
I was careless. Who would have thought that Wen Xiaosi, who is usually weak, insecure, and prone to tears, would have such a scheming moment?
He understood the brothers' secret plot and even tried to get involved.
“But Fourth Brother…” Changyan explained with difficulty, “This matter is very dangerous. Although I downplayed it, no one can predict the Emperor’s wrath. I don’t want you to get involved…”
Wen Zhiyun lowered his head in silence, and small pits inexplicably appeared in the snow on the ground.
Large and small, they all gathered at the instep of his feet.
Changyan knew that her fourth brother was most afraid of being lonely and dejected, most afraid of not being able to help his family, and most afraid of becoming a useless person.
He always tried his best to prove himself, to contribute to his family, and to become a useful person.
Even if it means getting involved in the struggle for imperial power, even if it means facing swords and shadows.
He was so timid by nature, yet he insisted on being brave; he was so cowardly, yet he insisted on being bold.
"Is it really that important to be a useful person?" Changyan sighed.
Wen Zhiyun raised her head, two tear tracks on her fair cheeks, her doe-like eyes were endearing, but her gaze was so firm and unwavering, "It's very important."
He learned to be brave, facing Prince Gong's son and countless people.
He gradually grew bolder and protected his elder brother in front of the blushing students.
He is constantly changing and constantly learning.
He is not a little white rabbit who needs to be taken care of; he is an older brother who can protect his younger siblings.
"Alright, then I'll have Physician Wu arrange for you to work at the Imperial Hospital, starting with odd jobs." Changyan finally gave in.
Looking at it from another perspective, having her brother by her side would make life in the palace less unbearable.
"Then it's settled." Wen Zhiyun finally smiled through her tears, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
He wanted to be a useful person; he was going to help his younger brother.
Only when Jiang Sheng lowered her arms did she belatedly realize that she was the one who was left alone.
"Hey, wait a minute, how could you leave me behind?" My younger sister charged at me, brandishing her claws.
Three children of similar age were playing and laughing together.
Xu Mo stood calmly to the side, his eyes and brows full of smiles.
Unfortunately, good times are always short-lived.
As dusk fell, Changyan prepared to return with his guards.
Wen Zhiyun's eyes welled up with tears again, but thinking that they would meet again in a few days, she forced back her tears and repeatedly told him, "You have to take good care of yourself, you must take good care of yourself."
"Fifth Brother, it's one thing for you to leave, but why did you take Fourth Brother with you too?" Jiang Sheng said with the most heartache. "Eldest Brother is an official, Second Brother is busy with business, and Third Brother is on the frontier. I'm the only one left at home."
The court in Fengjing was treacherous, and separation was always inevitable.
Changyan helplessly rubbed his sister's head, glanced at his two brothers, and with the help of the guards, climbed over the wall and left.
He couldn't even use the front door...
"I hope these days will end soon." Jiang Sheng clasped her hands together, regretting that she hadn't kowtowed a few more times at Famen Temple.
“I’ll go look through some ancient books. I remember that acupuncture can change the pulse, so Xiao Wu won’t have to take the risk of misdiagnosis.” Wen Zhiyun remembered something and hurriedly got up.
Xu Mo was the only one left in the huge courtyard.
He brushed the remaining snow off his shoulders, glanced at the gloomy weather, thought about Chang Yan's instructions, and finally got up to prepare the gifts.
This New Year, we must not only pay our respects to Lord Dou, but also to Lady Dou.
Or perhaps, that Miss Dou.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
