At this moment.
There were only two groups of people left at the palace gate, along with four carriages.
One was the Qi family, with Dou Weiming and his son, leisurely strolling along the surface of their ideals.
The other was Jiang Sheng and his two elder brothers, tilting their little heads in unison as they gazed at the group across from them in bewilderment.
"Fourth brother, fifth brother, could you make out what they were talking about?" Jiang Sheng whispered.
Wen Zhiyun nodded thoughtfully. "I caught some of it. What Qi Huai's father said about abscesses wasn't quite right. As long as all the pus is drained out and medicinal dressings applied, abscesses can slowly heal over time without needing to be dug out with a knife."
Seeing Jiang Sheng's confusion, he added, "It's incompetent doctors that allow abscesses to recur by failing to clean out the infected material properly. That's not my opinion, it's what Dr. Wu says."
Chang Yan: "..."
Were they even talking about abscesses?! Were they?! Were they?!
However, the two gentlemen were right about one thing - the case of fraud in the imperial examinations was not thoroughly investigated, mainly because of insufficient evidence at the time, but also because the Imperial Court was too beholden to the great families.
When the previous emperor was off conquering the land, it left the coffers of the entire Dayu Dynasty empty and the imperial throne unstable.
The Imperial Court had exerted tremendous effort just to steady the nation, to allow the common people to gradually settle into stable lives again. It's only natural that they want to safeguard this stability, and their desire for domestic tranquility is understandable too.
But is turning a blind eye really in the dynasty's best interest going forward?
Chang Yan did not comment, only gazed deeply at the Forbidden City, as if seeing through its imposing vermillion gates at the man sitting erect on the dragon throne, his brow perpetually furrowed and his face devoid of joy.
To keep a firm grip on the throne, how many has he propped up, and how many has he harmed?
Vexations? It's retribution.
Just like Zhu Zhi - while the assassination and exam fraud cases were not reopened, offending Xu Mo meant he became a scapegoat.
Having his official titles stripped was one thing, but causing trouble twice in a row meant that just a gust of wind would be enough for the Zhu family to abandon him.
Chang Yan waved Jiang San over and whispered some instructions in his ear.
Jiang San's eyes widened first in surprise, then shone with excitement as he nodded and hurried off with a carriage.
Jiang Sheng watched in a daze, quickly coming to his senses. "Fifth brother, Jiang San took our carriage away. What should we do now?"
Wen Zhiyun also looked over questioningly.
The siblings' eyes were both moist, one carrying killing intent and the other pure innocence.
Chang Yan took two steps back, glancing at the Qi family's two carriages. "It looks like we'll have to trouble the Qi brothers for a ride home."
The four meandering in their ideals were jolted awake. Qi Huai readily laughed, "Of course, my father and I can share a carriage."
Everyone bade each other farewell.
Xu Mo bowed with utmost courtesy once more. "Thank you for the guidance, Prefect Dou. This student now understands, and will visit Prefect Dou another day if permitted. I hope Prefect Dou will not shut his door on this student."
Dou Weiming had not spoken yet.
Sitting in a nearby carriage, Qi Gongzhen was already chuckling. "Old Dou, why haven't you told the boy the truth? There's no prefect in Fengjing."
Because in Fengjing, there was only Dou the Minister of Personnel.
Compared to the Wang family's somewhat diminished status among the powerful families after losing the Grand Marshal, the Dou still held more sway, comparable even to the Jiang.
Seeing Xu Mo's astonishment, Dou Weiming gave a wry smile. "Don't listen to Old Qi's nonsense. While I am of the Dou household, I earned the position of Anshui Prefect through my own efforts, without relying on the Dou family's influence."
But ultimately, having the Fengjing great families as his backbone allowed him to govern Anshui justly and protect its common folk for three years. It also enabled him to turn a blind eye to Sun Yu, and to safely depart from Anshui without fearing retaliation from the Suns or Wangs.
That was the crux all along.
Xu Mo's eyes grew moist. He was suddenly reminded of his parents who took their own lives, and wondered if things might have been different had someone powerful backed them too.
Regrettably not.
The youth lowered his gaze, cloaking the intense sorrow.
What met his downcast eyes were his usual azure robes, the black cloth shoes with their thousand pleats, and a chubby little hand that suddenly reached out.
"Eldest brother, your hands are so cold. Let me warm them for you." Jiang Sheng had sidled up without him noticing.
His palms did feel warmer.
Then his right hand was grasped too.
The little physician-in-training curled his soft, delicate fingers tightly. "I don't run as warm as my sister, but I can still lend you some warmth too, eldest brother."
Chang Yan said nothing, only stood back-to-back with Xu Mo.
He didn't know when, but his two younger brothers had grown so much taller, their shoulders reaching his now.
A breeze blew by. Other than his cheeks feeling slightly cool, his whole body was sheltered snugly.
These little ones, they were clearly his weakness yet had become his armor.
Xu Mo chuckled lightly, his moist eyes now bright with relief.
It was fine if he lacked a backer. His younger siblings must have them in the future - those who could ensure their safety in Anshui of Xieyang County, and power through any obstacles alongside them in the great families of Fengjing.
Moreover...who said he didn't have a backer at all?
Xu Mo looked up at the Qi father and son, then at Dou Weiming. "My thanks to the Qi lord, and to Lord Dou. My thanks as well to Young Master Qi. When this student pays a visit in the future, I hope the lords will impart valuable teachings onto me. I could not be more grateful."
At first, he only hoped Dou would not shut him out, his words carrying more apology than expectation.
But now, he genuinely hoped the two lords would instruct him, his intent to curry favor obvious.
Qi Gongzhen stroked his beard without speaking.
Dou Weiming nodded approvingly instead, as if he had been waiting for those words all along. "Good lad. I'll be expecting you at the residence of the Minister of Personnel."
As he finished, he stepped into his carriage.
Qi Gongzhen promptly echoed, "You and Ah Huai are both fine lads. Work hard and grow together."
Xu Mo bowed deeply again until the two lords had left.
Upon straightening, he seemed to have matured by years.
"Eldest brother, you..." Chang Yan hesitated.
Xu Mo shook his head as he boarded the carriage. "Let's go, back home."
People change - differently in different environments, transforming diversely over time.
But as long as one's heart remains unchanged - one's loyalty, convictions, beliefs - he would still be himself. That forthright, bright-spirited youth devoted to state and people.
Clip-clop, the carriage left the palace gates, heading for the second-ring small residence.
In the near opposite direction, a similar distance away, another similar carriage bore three nearly dead souls.
"How much longer..." the fourteen-year-old rasped.
"Nearly there. Just a bit more."
In half a quarter hour, they would be home.
