In Jiang Sheng's heart, eldest brother Xu Mo was the smartest and most capable person in the whole family.
Although she had been struggling with Big Elbow earlier, little Jiang Sheng's ears didn't miss her brothers' words. She knew that big brother had encountered difficulties and second brother was a little confused.
But in the mouth of fifth brother Chang Yan, everything became easy and even pointed out the direction.
This surprised Jiang Sheng enormously. Could it be that fifth brother was smarter than big brother?
It was not noticeable at all in ordinary times.
As Jiang Sheng's words fell, the boys' gazes fell back onto Chang Yan at the banquet.
Xu Mo had seen little five's abilities and knew that this child was unusually clever and scheming. He had also privately speculated about his origins but had never opened his mouth to ask.
Wen Zhiyun was relatively more muddled. He also knew that fifth younger brother was definitely smarter and more capable than himself. Usually nobody mentioned it so he let it be. Today it was rarely brought up so he couldn't help but become curious.
Only Zheng Ruqian was truly surprised, "Fifth brother, how do you have so many brains?"
Chang Yan pursed his lips, unable to speak.
He was unwilling to lie to his beloved relatives, but he also could not directly tell everything.
Those machinations, those bloodstained past events, those unspeakable histories.
If possible, he hoped that all of this could be buried in the past, and treat it as if eight-year-old Chang Yan really did die in that cold, icy cave.
To guard his elder and younger siblings and live for them, that was his wish, his life's pursuit.
The small courtyard became quiet.
Xu Mo sighed, just about to help Chang Yan out of the awkward situation.
Jiang Sheng suddenly picked up the big elbow in front of her and solemnly served it to Chang Yan, "Fifth brother is probably naturally clever, or has read extensively, just like little Jiang Sheng. Born a clever embryo, naturally not much worse when grown up."
She was completely serious, and also praising herself. It made everyone amused.
Zheng Ruqian reacted, exaggeratedly shouting, "Little Jiang Sheng you're biased, giving all the big elbows to little five. I want some too."
"I also want some, can't leave out little four," Wen Zhiyun chimed in pleadingly.
The corners of Chang Yan's mouth turned up, and his eyes also became slightly moist.
How wonderful, nobody in this family forced him.
That little sister was willing to contribute her big elbows, she was also sincerely apologizing.
Chang Yan picked up his chopsticks and evenly distributed to second and fourth brother. Finally he picked up a piece of elbow skin stewed soft and tender, just about to put it in his mouth, when suddenly an empty bowl was pushed in front of him.
Then he heard Xu Mo's tranquil voice, "What, none for big brother?"
...
With a direction in mind, life in Fengjing became simple.
Xu Mo no longer racked his brains to get close to Zhu Zhi. Instead he casually chatted with fellow student Lang Lang, graceful and relaxed.
What youth with a gentle breeze and bright moon could not appreciate this? The accomplished graduate with literary flair was even more admirable. Xu Mo himself had a unique charm, able to attract other pure and lofty students.
In just over half a month, he had made three friends at the National Academy.
The first was the legitimate son of a drafter official, just past his 17th birthday. Last year he passed the county-level exam and attempted the provincial exam but failed to place. By chance he saw the 14-year-old graduate Xu Mo and was shocked, desperately insisting on becoming friends.
The second was the legitimate son of the Minister of Rites. Already 16 years old, he barely passed the provincial exam and planned to consolidate for two years before taking next year's imperial exam. He happened to see Xu Mo preparing for the imperial exam and suddenly wanted to befriend him.
The third was actually a young master of the Zhu family, but a distant branch. He could call Zhu Zhi "Cousin" but when mentioning Zhu Zhi he disdainfully snorted, making Xu Mo take note and deliberately befriend him.
At first everyone just composed poetry together, talking about wide skies and oceans.
Over time they inevitably became curious about each other's backgrounds and stories and wanted to dig deeper. Who said literati weren't gossipy?
"My father is just a drafter official, barely considered third rank," Zhao Yuan casually waved his hand. "My father and mother have an exceptionally loving relationship, didn't even take a minor concubine, so I'm called Zhao Yuan, meaning principal wife."
What a crude name.
Qi Huai shook his head. "Although my father is the Minister of Rites, in this he is not as good as Master Zhao. He took two or three concubines, resulting in not only illegitimate sons but illegitimate daughters, and consequently there is a lot of scheming and in-fighting."
Zhu Sihuan spread his hands. "My father is just an imperial physician. My mother passed away early so I could only grow up with my stepmother."
It was Xu Mo's turn. He was silent for a moment before saying, "My parents both died. I have no background, only a few younger siblings to accompany me from the village entrance until now."
Like attracts like, birds of a feather flock together, it was no different here.
At the National Academy, students usually disdained to associate with those of lower rank. Children of top first rank officials generally looked down on second rank officials' children, and third rank officials' children had to squeeze desperately to get in.
But Xu Mo stated his background so gracefully, and had the accomplishments of a 14-year-old graduate. Zhao Yuan, Qi Huai and Zhu Sihuan were unwilling to look down on him, instead they admired him more and more.
"Judging someone solely by family background is too boring. The exam papers don't look at what position your family holds," Qi Huai seemed to recall his experience barely passing the exam, and was apprehensive.
Everyone laughed, inevitably making some jokes and learned allusions.
Xu Mo listened, his gaze falling on the not-so-distant Zhu Zhi. His thoughts stirred and he looked at Zhu Sihuan, "It's not common for uncles and nephews to study together at the National Academy. I heard you also have an uncle studying here?"
Zhu Sihuan was startled at first, then quickly seemed to recall something. Frowning, he said, "It can't really be considered a close relationship, we're almost three generations apart."
Xu Mo intelligently did not speak.
But Zhao Yuan casually said, "You mean Cousin Zhu Xiao's third uncle called Zhu Zhi right? I've heard of him. They say he took the provincial exam nine times before passing. My mother often grabs my ear and educates me about him, for fear I'll be like him."
Zhu Sihuan's complexion immediately turned red. "Why mention him, inauspicious."
This time Xu Mo spoke up. He pretended to be surprised and said, "What's this about? Is there some hidden matter?"
Zhao Yuan and Qi Huai also looked over.
Zhu Sihuan's lips moved for a bit before he finally lowered his voice and said, "I've never gotten along with this cousin. I heard he got into trouble as an official in the provinces and the clan helped cover it up. Afterwards he stubbornly refused to leave Fengjing. Previously he tried to propose marriage a few times without success. Just as he finally passed the provincial exam and is going to marry a Fengjing lady, I heard he's already considering two or three families."
This wasn't some big gossip.
Although Zhu Zhi was over thirty, and had married before, his wife had passed away so it was normal for a man to remarry.
But just then, Zhu Sihuan looked left and right before explosively revealing another shocking detail, "Let me tell you, don't spread this around, but this cousin acts all righteous when he's actually keeping concubines outside, and even has a eldest son. He's relying on the Zhu clan's help to keep it quiet so it doesn't affect this marriage."
If nobody was keeping it quiet, or they couldn't keep it quiet, would it affect Zhu Zhi's marriage?
Zhu Sihuan smiled schadenfreudely.
But Xu Mo's eyes were deep, probing his thoughts.
