An Jun entered the Golden Sacred Hall.
The Minister of Rites had not yet returned.
Qi Huai sat restlessly at the Qi residence, and simply squatted at the imperial city gate to wait.
Xu Mo generously kept him company without eating a single dumpling at home.
In the small courtyard.
Jiang Sheng held the dumplings, feeling uncomfortable for some reason, "It's the first day of the new year, how can the Emperor still work when even the brothers are not here, even the meat dumplings are not fragrant anymore."
Chang Yan put down his bowl and glanced in the direction of the imperial city.
According to the laws of the Dayu Dynasty, the Emperor could take seven days off every year, four days before the new year and three days after, he would only need to hold the morning court to process memorials starting the fourth day of the new year.
But since Eldest Brother and Qi Huai revealed the fraud in the imperial examinations before the new year, with his diligence, he certainly would not put it off until the fourth day of the new year to deal with it.
It was a pity that Eldest Brother had worked hard to roll so many dumpling skins, yet he wouldn't get to eat a single one.
"Or we could deliver some to Eldest Brother," Wen Zhiyun tentatively suggested.
Jiang Sheng and Chang Yan looked over at the same time.
Deliver dumplings to the imperial city gate?
This sudden suggestion left Jiang Sheng open-mouthed, and also made Chang Yan's face change dramatically.
They were willing to come to Fengjing for Eldest Brother's imperial examinations.
They were willing to stay in Fengjing to accompany their elder brother and younger sister.
But to get close to the imperial city, that was absolutely forbidden, totally unacceptable.
"I...I won't go," Chang Yan squeezed out the three words with difficulty.
The hesitant Wen Zhiyun and the shocked Jiang Sheng both turned their heads to look over, four big eyes full of puzzlement.
"Little Five, do you not like this proposal?" Wen Zhiyun asked timidly.
He was the most timid boy in the family. Even though he was a doctor, he was still gentle and shy in front of his family. Even when making suggestions, it was softly and lightly, for fear of being rejected.
Chang Yan's lips moved, and he seemed to vaguely see the reddened rims of Fourth Brother's eyes. He quickly swallowed back his words.
"Fifth Brother is probably afraid the meat dumplings would get cold and give Eldest Brother diarrhea," Jiang Sheng scratched her head. "There wouldn't be any toilets at the imperial city gate."
Indeed there were none.
Seeing his little sister lead Fourth Brother astray into discussing toilet issues, Chang Yan didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Oh well, it was just the imperial city.
From eight to twelve years old, a full four years had long since carved him into an unrecognizable form. Even if his former loved ones examined him closely, they probably wouldn't be able to recognize him.
So what did he have to fear?
This trip to the imperial city gate, Chang Yan was merely accompanying his elder brother and little sister, nothing more.
Just then Auntie Zhang brought over another large bowl of freshly steamed dumplings. Jiang Sheng took a shallow plate to cover them, then wrapped them neatly with a clean wadded jacket, and finally brought along two pairs of chopsticks. They drove the carriage to the imperial city gate.
As the imperial city, its location in Fengjing was certainly one of the best. Not to mention being right in the center of the city, its land area was also exceptionally vast. Just the west gate alone was bigger than their small courtyard.
Jiang Sheng held the dumplings, eyes fixed ahead, saliva nearly dripping from her mouth.
Chang Yan laughed softly and used a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her mouth clean, reminding her, "Be careful not to drool into the bowl, letting Eldest Brother eat your drool dumplings."
Jiang Sheng came to her senses and glanced at the sturdy cotton-padded bundle. She glared at Chang Yan, "Meanie Fifth Brother, when did I drool? I was only...I was only thinking how big this imperial city is, if it were ordinary houses, I wonder how many beggars it could shelter."
Even without food, drink, coal, bedding, just a place to keep out the wind and rain, the beggars could hold onto their lives in winter.
But in the end, big houses were for nobles to live in, even if they didn't live there fully, even if they were left empty.
Even if the souls of grievances inside were no less than the beggars who froze to death.
Chang Yan lowered his head, slowly raising the corners of his mouth in what seemed like a smile, yet also strangely creepy.
Jiang Sheng was still staring ahead blankly, unaware.
Wen Zhiyun saw it in his eyes. While feeling strange, he also vaguely sensed he had brought up the wrong topic, and shouldn't have spoken up to ask when Little Five refused, leading to Little Five changing his original decision.
But they had already come, unable to turn back.
He could only move over, patted Chang Yan's shoulder comfortingly, then leaned forward and said softly, "Don't be afraid, Little Five, Fourth Brother is here."
Although he was weak, timid, always hesitant.
But he wanted to protect his younger siblings too!
Sensing it, Chang Yan lightly leaned against his eldest brother's slender shoulders, and let out a soft "Mm" from his nose.
Wen Zhiyun was immediately happy and smiled.
Soon the carriage was pulled to a stop.
Xu Mo and Qi Huai were standing in front of the Qi family carriage, looking at the imperial city gate with solemn expressions.
When they noticed more people arriving, they turned around at the same time and saw the third and fourth sons of the Jiang family driving the carriage.
"Eldest Young Master, Young Master Qi."
After Jiang San and Si greeted them, one tethered the horse while the other lifted the carriage curtain, steadily supporting the excited little girl who had jumped down.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, Jiang Sheng rushed to Xu Mo and presented the bowl and plate in her arms like a treasure, "Eldest Brother, I've brought dumplings for you!"
Xu Mo accepted them and found they were still hot.
He took out a pair of chopsticks and passed them to Qi Huai, "On joyous new year holidays, one should still eat dumplings. Don't stand on ceremony, have a taste."
After saying so, he picked one up and put it in his mouth. The rich meaty fragrance filled his mouth.
"Tasty, Eldest Brother?" Jiang Sheng looked up and asked.
Xu Mo swallowed it down, the corners of his lips curving up slightly. "Delicious, extremely delicious."
The fragrance of the dumplings was secondary. Most important was the company of family, giving one a sense of comfort and warmth. Even in the cold windy weather of January, one could stand tall and fearless.
Qi Huai ate half a bowl by association, and was still reluctant to put down his chopsticks. "Brother Xu must have cultivated blessings in his past life."
"What makes you say that?" Xu Mo asked in surprise.
The undisguised envy in Qi Huai's eyes, "One must have cultivated blessings in past lives to encounter such brothers and sisters."
Xu Mo was stunned at first, then smiled brightly. He looked back at the three little ones behind him.
The dumplings were already finished, yet the younger siblings still did not leave, clearly intent on accompanying him here to wait.
Family was just like this, sharing weal and woe, joy and sorrow together.
"It is indeed blessings cultivated in past lives." Xu Mo raised the corners of his lips and murmured softly.
But the January winds were still cold after all. He planned to persuade his siblings to wait in the carriage soon, at least to avoid catching a cold or falling ill.
Yet before he could turn around, the west gate of the imperial city opened.
Countless people walked out.
There were the current Prime Minister, Minister of Rites, members of the Jiang, Zhu, Tao families and other prominent families of Fengjing. They wore first, second, third rank official uniforms, crane wing shaped formal hats, with either solemn or chatting expressions in groups of three or five.
Xu Mo knitted his brows. He didn't see An Jun among them.
Chang Yan also frowned. He saw many familiar yet unfamiliar people.
The twelve-year-old boy turned around, wanting to hide in the carriage.
Just then Qi Huai saw the Minister of Rites and cried out brightly, "Father!"
Most of the officials in the Golden Sacred Hall turned to look.
The Minister of Rites had a grave expression, yet his eyes also held faint smiles. He rebuked, "You brat, why did you come over, hurry back home to celebrate new year!"
Qi Huai bowed with clasped hands, "Your son is here to bring father home."
A touching display of fatherly love and filial piety.
Xu Mo suddenly felt he was also envious of Qi Huai in this aspect.
He bowed in greeting, and was about to withdraw after seeing off the Minister of Rites.
Suddenly, an angry snort rang in his ears.
"Little Xu, what did this old man instruct you clearly back then? And how did you promise this old man?"
