Zhu Sihuan actually followed along.
Although the Zhu family was also a prestigious family, compared with the Jiang Family they were still slightly inferior. Moreover, he was from a branch of the Zhu family, so he should not offend the Jiang Family either emotionally or rationally.
The kick from Zhu Sihuan really shocked Xu Mo, and also made Xu Mo more puzzled about this person.
"If I say I did it out of justice, would you believe it?" Zhu Sihuan laughed lightly.
But soon he put away his smile, "Actually, I did it to make a name for myself. The fame from writing poetry alone is not enough. I, Zhu Sihuan, also want to uphold justice and speak righteously, and have an aloof and unconstrained reputation."
At least that kick landed in the hearts of many scholars.
Xu Mo pursed his lips. This explanation sounded the most reasonable, but he felt that Zhu Sihuan was sincere. As for how much, it remained to be proven by time.
"In any case, Xu must thank Young Master Sihuan." The youth with the grace of a bright moon bowed with clasped hands.
Zhu Sihuan smiled faintly, "I will richly reward Sihuan if I achieve my goal, you have my word."
There were footsteps again at the door of You Ran House. It turned out to be his younger siblings holding silver money.
Xu Mo did not linger and accompanied his family into the carriage back to the small courtyard.
As the two had guessed.
The next day...
Zhu Sihuan, who already had some fame, became the talk of the town in Fengjing. The scene of him protecting the three commoner siblings at the door of Wenchang Pavilion was enthusiastically talked about by many scholars. Many people bet and speculated that Young Master Sihuan would certainly pass the county exam in three years.
As a result, even the main branch of the Zhu family was shocked.
Speaking of the Zhu family main branch, one had to mention the marriage between the Zhu family and the Tao family.
At first, the Zhu family was looking for a marriage for Zhu Zhi. After much deliberation, they still couldn't find a suitable one until Zhu Zhi passed the county exam and met the requirements of the Tao family. Then the two families were brought together and became a community of shared interests.
During the period when the engagement was set between the children of the two families, the Zhu and Tao families had already collaborated on several business deals. The solid relationship between the two families was destroyed by Zhu Zhi's illegitimate child.
The marriage agreement was broken, but the business collaboration still continued. Both the Zhu and Tao families were in an awkward position, caught in a dilemma.
If they went through with the marriage, the Tao family would lose face.
If they called off the marriage, they were reluctant to let go of the fat meat that was almost in their mouths.
At this time, the sudden appearance of Zhu Sihuan was seen by the Zhu family main branch as a godsend, the key to continuing the good relationship between the two families.
In just three to five days, people from the main branch came to convey a message to Zhu Sihuan, asking if he was willing to marry the Tao family's daughter.
Zhu Sihuan pretended to hesitate and pondered for a long time before reluctantly saying, "Wouldn't I be taking the fall for my uncle then?"
It wasn't until the main branch said they would not shortchange him that Zhu Sihuan reluctantly agreed to the marriage.
The next day, the Zhu and Tao families discussed it.
Although the Tao family's conditions were harsh, insisting that their daughter only marry a scholar-official, the Zhu family really had no eligible scholar-officials of marriageable age. Zhu Sihuan also had the hope of passing the county exam, and most importantly, the Tao family was reluctant to give up the business partnership with the Zhu family.
After weighing both sides, this marriage was finally settled.
When the news spread to the small courtyard, the wedding invitations had been switched, and they were discussing the wedding date.
"I thought the Tao family would wait until after the county exam in three years before getting married," Chang Yan said slowly. "Just like Wang Haoran of the Wang family."
Last year, Wang Haoran was engaged to a daughter of the Zhou family. The agreement was to get married after he passed the county exam. Both Third Master Wang and Wang Haoran were full of confidence, but unexpectedly, Xu Mo got the first place. Wang Haoran didn't even make the ranking.
Not making the ranking meant failing the exam, so he was no longer a scholar-official and would have to prepare for the exam again in three years.
According to Wang Fufeng, the Zhou family wanted to tear up the marriage contract, but Third Master Wang and his son refused and insisted on getting married. They were currently at a standstill.
"I heard Young Master Sihuan is already sixteen years old, and the young lady from the Tao family is two years older than him," Xu Mo said softly.
Three years was not long nor short. Even if Zhu Sihuan was willing to wait, the young lady from the Tao family could not hold out.
So after all the twists and turns, the young man got his way in the end.
He had schemed thoroughly just to embrace a beauty.
Even though Xu Mo was wary of Zhu Sihuan's mentality, he couldn't help but applaud his continuous maneuvers.
He only hoped that in his moment of delight, Zhu Sihuan would not forget their agreement.
In the bright and clean study of the small courtyard, a long scroll of rice paper was spread out on the plain wooden table.
The youth lifted his thick ink brush and solemnly wrote the four characters "One Strike To Kill" on it.
Xu Mo's hatred for Zhu Zhi had not diminished over the years. Even though Zhu Zhi was from the main branch and had the support of the family head and Master's wife's doting, it could not stop his intense killing intent.
Joining forces with Zhu Sihuan was only the first step. There were still the second and third steps to follow.
Suddenly, tinkling laughter came in through the window.
Xu Mo lifted his head and realized it was his second brother returning, with his younger sister circling him asking questions. He had also received a huge bunch of local specialties.
"Fengjing is so big that after wandering around for half a month, I finally made my way out. On the way, I passed Henan Prefecture and brought back some treats for you," said Zheng Ruqian covered in dust, having lost half the weight he had recently gained.
Jiang Sheng happily unpacked the packages, and was startled by the scattered red fruits on the ground. Only after picking them up did she realize they were jujubes.
Beside her, Chang Yan laughed, "Second brother, no one brings jujubes as local specialties."
"Don't look down on them. These are the big jujubes from Zheng Xin, with thin skins, thick flesh, small pits, and great taste," Zheng Ruqian retorted. "Most importantly, these are lucky."
How could dried fruits not be lucky, they wouldn't even go bad after being kept for half a year.
Jiang Sheng pouted, and carefully unwrapped another package. This time she was more careful so the fruits didn't spill out, but they were still bright red and round, hurting her eyes.
"What's wrong, you don't like them?" Zheng Ruqian raised his voice, "Little Jiang Sheng, these are hawthorns. Your favorite candied haws are made from them. Why the expression?"
Jiang Sheng had no words. Just because she liked candied haws didn't mean she liked to eat hawthorns! Who told second brother that?
The little girl gave up and randomly opened the third package, and as expected, they were some big and plump chestnuts. They looked pretty good, just not edible.
Jiang Sheng was about to cry.
Meanwhile, Zheng Ruqian was still smug, "Henan Prefecture really is a nice place. The jujubes are tastier than others', the hawthorns are sweeter, and even the chestnuts are bigger."
"I've gotten quite lucky this trip. I'll go deliver some to You Ran House later to see."
The ambitious youth thought that You Ran House in Fengjing was no different from Anshui Prefecture. Since he could raise the price of cured meats back home, he must also be able to establish new delivery partnerships here.
But he didn't expect that when he hauled a cart of local specialties to You Ran House, all he got was contempt from the head steward.
"Young Master Zheng, we at You Ran House do not take just any cured goods."
