The Qi family in Fengjing was not considered a first-rate noble family, but at least there was a second-rank senior official, so the rank of their carriage was quite respectable.
Jiang Sheng sat on the plain silk cushion, her arms resting on the small square table. Out of politeness, she did not touch anything on the table, but she guessed there were probably quite a few cakes and drinks.
"This carriage is really comfortable," she commented. "Even more comfortable than Brother Fufeng's carriage."
Xu Mo smiled.
Of course, the prestigious Wang family of Anshui Prefecture was nothing special in Fengjing, as noble families were ubiquitous here.
If Wang Fufeng had a healthy constitution and passed the imperial exam to become a scholar, perhaps he would have had the potential to revive his family's fortunes.
But Heaven did not seem to tolerate the existence of anyone too perfect.
Thinking of the frail and delicate young master Wang Fufeng, Xu Mo sighed inwardly and decided to write the third letter since arriving in Fengjing.
The letter mentioned the recent cheating scandal in the imperial exams, his own change of heart, and the different growth of his siblings.
After sealing it with a new stamp, he would give it to a familiar merchant to take back to Anshui Prefecture, along with some remuneration.
In just over half a month, the youth back in the Wang family manor in Anshui Prefecture who handled affairs would borrow his eyes to see the intricacies of human relationships in Fengjing and get a complete picture of the ups and downs of officialdom.
Finally, he would clasp the letter to his chest and reveal a look of yearning that could now be reciprocated.
Soon they arrived at the second courtyard.
Although comfortable, the carriage of another family's did not belong to them. Jiang Sheng could only pat it cautiously a couple of times before following Xu Mo off the carriage.
Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan also jumped off one after another, and Jiang Si took the carriage back to the Qi family.
"Where's Jiang San? Didn't he come back already?" Jiang Sheng asked in confusion as she looked around.
Xu Mo was also puzzled.
Chang Yan pursed his lips and said lightly, "I asked him to do something."
As long as he didn't get lost, that was fine.
Jiang Sheng knew her fifth brother was mysterious and scheming. He would say something if he wanted to, otherwise he wouldn’t.
In any case, they all knew that fifth brother would not harm them.
The chubby girl picked up her skirt and rushed into the yard, shouting that she wanted another dumpling.
Xu Mo's pace was slightly slower. He gave the young fifth brother a meaningful look, "Fifth brother is grown up now, and has started keeping secrets from his brothers."
Back then, it was Chang Yan who exhorted Xu Mo repeatedly not to endure silently or deceive others under the pretext of protecting them.
Now it was his turn to do the same thing.
Even with hundreds of schemes up his sleeve, Chang Yan still felt guilty in the face of his eldest brother's questioning.
But this matter really could not be told, so all he could do was glance at the small medicine box by the door and force out an embarrassed smile. "Eldest brother, just this once, never again."
Xu Mo snorted but said nothing, shaking his sleeve as he walked into the yard.
That was as good as consent.
Chang Yan stood at the door, smiling bitterly and shaking his head. He was about to lock the door.
Suddenly, the sound of a carriage came from outside.
Today was New Year's Day. If not for the assassin incident, all citizens of Fengjing should be celebrating at home now.
Even the highest ministers in the Jinluan Hall should be home by now.
Who could still be rushing by carriage and passing their second courtyard on New Year's Day? It must be their second brother returning from his travels.
While it was just a guess, seeing was believing.
Chang Yan turned his head and saw a dusty, rickety carriage on the verge of falling apart, pulled by an emaciated horse stumbling with exhaustion. Inside were three people slumped together fast asleep.
The two on either side were the Gao brothers, and the one in the middle, if not their longed-for second brother, who could it be?
The door bolt he was holding fell at his feet, striking his toes, but he did not notice at all.
As Gao Dawan stopped the carriage, Chang Yan turned his head and shouted in the loudest voice of his life, "Second brother is back!"
"Splash!"
"Flutter!"
"Bang!"
Three sounds were heard.
Jiang Sheng rushed forward first. Her new dress was wet, she must have spilled her bowl.
Wen Zhiyun followed closely after, with light yellow powder on his chest. He must have knocked over the golden sore medicine from the medicine box.
Xu Mo was the most composed but still walked quickly, with large splotches of dark ink faintly visible on his sleeves.
Counting with their fingers, it had been almost two months since second brother Zheng Ruqian left without any news sent back.
Although he often traveled, although he boasted of abundant experience, although he had the Gao brothers as company, in the hearts of his family, he was still only a fourteen-year-old boy.
Before the new year, Jiang Sheng had always stood on tiptoes waiting expectantly, rushing over at every carriage sound, only to return disappointed each time.
On the night of the 30th, Xu Mo was still secretly considering whether he should personally go to Henan Prefecture to search for him.
Even Wen Zhiyun timidly asked several times, "Second brother wouldn't have gotten into trouble out there, right?"
Now, upon hearing Chang Yan’s shout, everyone could put their hearts back in their stomachs.
Jiang Sheng was the most cheerful. Holding up her skirt, she clamored, "This wretch second brother, we told him to come back early to celebrate the new year, but he insisted on waiting until New Year's Day. We didn't even get to eat the dumplings on the 30th..."
She didn't get to finish her words.
Seeing the disheveled figures on the messy carriage, the little girl froze in place.
It wasn’t Zheng Ruqian’s first long trip. They were all mentally prepared that he would be thinner and endure some hardship when he came back.
But who could have imagined that the once chubby and loud teenager would now be reduced to just skin and bones.
His cheeks were deeply sunken, even his originally broad chin was now sharp, his eye sockets extremely hollowed while his lips were pale and peeling. He looked even worse than Wang Fufeng when he gave up on himself.
While Wang Fufeng had always been sickly, Zheng Ruqian was hale and hearty, fair and plump.
Just what had her beloved second brother suffered these past two months outside?
Jiang Sheng's eyes reddened and her nose soured. Innumerable sour and numb sensations spread from her throat outwards, rendering her unable to speak.
Yet Zheng Ruqian opened his eyes, saw his beloved little sister he had been thinking of day and night, and grinned, "Little Jiang Sheng, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, it’s all New Year. Second brother didn't break his word and came back to celebrate New Year with you."
Even if it meant he had to eat dry rations for three straight days, even if he had to go without sleep, even if he was exhausted to the bone, even if he was reduced to just skin and bones.
But he came back.
Zheng Ruqian's gaunt face was full of pride. He slowly straightened up, wanting to jump off the carriage to hug his big brothers and little brothers, but the moment his feet touched the ground, his vision went dark and he crumpled headfirst to the ground.
"Brother!"
The tears Jiang Sheng had been holding back finally burst out. She shrieked loudly enough to pierce the clouds as she rushed forward with all her might.
At the same time.
At the Jiang family's harmonious reunion banquet, Jiang Chengyuan abruptly stood up, as if that mournful cry of “Brother” was still echoing by his ear.
"Brother, what's wrong?" Jiang Chenghua looked over in surprise when she noticed the movement.
Jiang Chengyuan fumbled at his ear.
Strange. His sister had always spoken gently, but that cry of “Brother” just now made his soul tremble so painfully that he wished he could tear out his heart, lungs and liver to give her.
Yet when he listened carefully again, there was nothing.
"It’s nothing. Maybe I was hallucinating," Jiang Chengyuan explained. His gaze fell upon the new pearl headdress on Jiang Chenghua that he had gifted her, and his pride swelled once more. "Do you like the new headdress brother gave you?"
"I love it, it’s so beautiful!” Jiang Chenghua smiled coquettishly. “Brother’s gifts are the best."
Jiang Chengyuan smiled contentedly and took out another gold ingot from his bosom. "This is your new year money. I hope our dear Chenghua will be happy every year and safe every year."
