Zhu Sihuan walked over from the street. In the time it took him to do so, Jiu Zhen Fang had transformed from deserted to bustling. Even Zheng Ruqian, the owner of the shop, had to go inside to help.
Zhu Sihuan clicked his tongue in wonder. "If I had known your shop would be so busy, I wouldn't have come to compete with the commoners for pastries."
"You flatter me," Xu Mo said with folded hands and a smile. "For Young Master Sihuan to come here is an honor for my humble shop. With you standing here, the talented scholars of Wenchang Pavilion will certainly not stay away."
The celebrity effect was useful everywhere. But most importantly, Xu Mo's flattery stroked Zhu Sihuan's vanity just right.
"Brother Xu is too kind with his words," the two bantered as they walked into the shop.
Jiang Sheng and Chang Yan were left standing at the door, feeling complicated emotions.
In his travels between cities, Big Brother had grown up and even learned how to flatter others. He now had his own circle of friends. He was just like those people they used to have to look up to.
This was something to be happy about, but it also made the two siblings feel a little lost, with some indescribable emotions.
Until Zhu Sihuan's servants came out carrying over a dozen bags of oil paper packages. Zhu Sihuan bid farewell to Xu Mo, saying, "I will distribute these at the Zhu residence. If they like them, they will come to Jiu Zhen Fang themselves to make selections."
Zhu Sihuan bowed with his hands folded. "Brother Xu's talent is unmatched, and Little Brother is smart and wise. In time, you two brothers will surely make a name for yourselves here in Fengjing."
"Zhu is too kind with his jokes. This is but child's play," Xu Mo said lightly with a faint smile. "The shop is busy, so I won't see you off."
Zhu Sihuan nodded, waved his fan, and left in a carefree and unrestrained manner.
Xu Mo turned back without immediately going into the shop to help. Instead, he took out three steaming hot pastries from his sleeve.
One for Jiang Sheng, one for Chang Yan, and one he told them, "This is for Little Four. We've sold out in the shop, but luckily I was quick to hide this away."
Having said that, he went into the shop. Though he was a refined and elegant scholar, he was willing to roll up his sleeves and get busy in this new shop opened by his younger brother, squeezed this way and that by the married women and aunties.
The indescribable feeling in Jiang Sheng's heart suddenly vanished without a trace.
No matter how Big Brother grew and became smooth and slick, he was still the big brother of the family. He had a straight spine and upright character. He cared for and protected his younger siblings. He was considerate and meticulous.
Jiang Sheng unwrapped the oil paper and stuffed her mouth full of the soft and chewy dates bursting with flavor. She was reluctant to swallow the last bite.
Chang Yan bravely charged into the medical hall, shoved and pushed his way through the crowd, stuffed the date pastry into Wen Zhiyun's sleeve, then desperately shoved his way back out to the door of Jiu Zhen Fang.
"Fifth Brother, your clothes are a mess," Jiang Sheng cried out. She stuffed the date pastry into her mouth and bit down hard while using her hands to straighten Chang Yan's lapel and smooth out his sleeves.
Her actions were extremely natural, as if she had done this countless times before. This stunned Jiang Chengyuan, who was not far away.
Although Jiang Chenghua was clingy and attentive, she strictly observed interactions between men and women and never fixed his clothes or had such intimate contact.
Or rather, the Jiang family's upbringing dictated that siblings should adhere to propriety and keep their distance.
Like right now, Jiang Chenghua also saw the brother and sister at the pastry shop entrance. She immediately frowned in displeasure, "The ancients in the Book of Rites said, 'Men and women should not sit together or even hand objects to one another directly. Brothers and sisters-in-law should not make inquiries of one another. A stepmother should not adjust her stepson's skirt or hairpin. Children of seven years or more should not share the same mat. Propriety and etiquette must be strictly upheld, with great prudence between men and women.'"
"Only such lowly commoner families would disregard propriety and have physical contact in broad daylight, sullying the eyes and ears of others."
The contempt in her tone was clear, yet her words showed she was well-read and knowledgeable.
Was this really so?
Jiang Chengyuan felt strange inside. His reason told him his sister's attitude was right, yet he felt some repulsion emotionally.
Until Zhao Yuan, who was passing by, couldn't help but rebuke, "You're seeing the world through your own red eyes, then blaming the world for being red. The ancients said this, the ancients said that—were the ancients never wrong? "
The Jiang siblings all whipped around, looks of shock on their faces.
"What are you looking at? I'm just tired of listening to you people." Zhao Yuan said indignantly. "It's none of you outsiders' business if other siblings are a little closer. Judging and gossiping all day—even crows aren't as chatty as you!"
Jiang Chenghua had lived a pampered and privileged life in the Jiang family for a full eleven years. She had never been spoken to in this way before. Her face immediately changed color.
Jiang Chengyuan quickly shielded his sister and frowned, "Zhao family brat, what nonsense are you spewing?"
"Take it as nonsense if you like, just don't see yourself in it." Zhao Yuan glanced sideways at him and strode to the entrance of Jiu Zhen Fang. Meeting Xu Mo's eyes briefly, his face lit up in a smile.
"Brother Zhao, you've arrived."
Xu Mo, who was busy, quickly put down the pastries and came out with folded hands. "Brother Zhao honors my humble shop with your presence. I don't have many pastries inside, but please try some at your leisure. Let me bring out a couple for you to taste."
Compared to Zhu Sihuan's gloomy personality, Zhao Yuan was more innocent and carefree. His relationship with Xu Mo was also simpler—pure admiration for Xu Mo's talent and respect for him.
"Brother Xu, I've come to support you," Zhao Yuan said brightly, turning his head to dive into the crowd. "I want this one, this one, this one, that one, and that one..."
Xu Mo laughed helplessly and tried to persuade him to buy less, afraid the simple Zhao household would not be able to finish them all.
Only the Jiang siblings were left standing at the entrance again.
They tilted their little heads in unison, observing Xu Mo's new friends while whispering to each other.
Jiang Chengyuan watched them from afar, and the strange feeling in his heart grew more and more. It climbed higher and higher, standing upright in the clouds.
"Big Brother, shall we still go in?" Jiang Chenghua asked softly. "If you don't want to squeeze in, we can send some servant girls in to buy them. That would also support Big Brother's intention to help drum up business."
She sounded as gentle and considerate as always, but it only made the strange feeling in Jiang Chengyuan's heart grow stronger.
"No need." He shook his head. "Let's go in ourselves."
He wanted to see Little Jiang's happy expression, wanted to support them himself.
Although unwilling, Jiang Chenghua still lowered her head obediently and said, "I'll follow Big Brother's wishes."
The siblings slowly walked to the entrance of Jiu Zhen Fang.
Jiang Sheng happened to be tired of standing and was half leaning against Chang Yan's back, finishing the last bite of date pastry reluctantly. "How could they sell out? The date pastries are so delicious."
Chang Yan still had half left in his hand. Hearing this, he unhesitatingly held it out to her.
Jiang Sheng opened her mouth wide— "Ahh" —and ate it all in one bite.
In the days of hardship at the dilapidated temple, they had shared bowls of soup and pieces of bread, slept in the same bed. No one minded interactions between men and women. No one cared about dirty or clean.
But in Jiang Chenghua's eyes, it was nothing but contempt.
"Big Brother." She stopped in her tracks. "Chenghua really cannot force herself to act against her principles. Chenghua does not wish to enter such a shop either. Please forgive Chenghua for lacking manners. I will return home first."
Having said this, she turned and left, leaving Jiang Chengyuan at a loss over what to do.
