The He Family had an old feud with the Fang Family. Someone who had a grudge against the Fang Family went to the He Family to tell on them. The He Family certainly could not let people make them a target!
However, despite his indignation, the dark-skinned young man still reported the matter to the family head at the first opportunity.
As for He Chengzhang’s matter, he took it upon himself to conceal it.
That night.
Xu Mo was a little worried and asked Chang Yan, "Is it really okay for me to go knock on their door so directly? Won't the He Family think I'm taking advantage of them?"
The exquisite-browed young man shook his head lazily and drawled, "Prominent families are never lacking in clever schemes. If you beat around the bush, they will certainly be cautious and wary. On the contrary, being upfront about your purpose and letting them choose for themselves would be better."
People all seek benefits and avoid harm. Prominent families also weigh pros and cons.
Xu Mo was just revealing information to them. As for how the He Family chose to handle it, that was their business.
"We don't rely on the He Family either," Chang Yan sat up straight and said seriously, "Big brother, it's time to sacrifice our little sister."
Jiang Sheng, who was drinking soup in bewilderment, looked up.
Wen Zhiyun looked at him timidly, "Isn't that going a bit too far, little five?"
"There’s no other way. She’ll have to do it," Chang Yan continued speaking in riddles.
Jiang Sheng’s features were already scrunched up in confusion, the distorted large eyes full of puzzlement, "Fourth brother, fifth brother, do you want me to get even fatter to crush the Fang Family members to death?"
Xu Mo couldn't hold back a laugh, "Pfft".
Although determined to fight against prominent families to the end, this was still an oppressive matter. He hadn't laughed for a long time.
Finally, with the concerted efforts of his younger siblings, Xu Mo revealed his curved eyebrows and neat white teeth in a smile.
"Silly girl," Chang Yan stretched lazily, "I’m talking about sending dozens of your aunties from the village to stir up a bloodbath in Fengjing."
Don’t doubt it. The gossiping capabilities of village women going from east house to west house cannot be underestimated. They can spread tales of a fat little kid into a skinny little kid, a short little kid into a tall one. They don't have malicious intent, but they can exaggerate.
Now they were working in Jiang Sheng’s workshop.
Taking money from the east house, they naturally had to listen to the east house’s commands. If the east house told them to chat about something, then they would chat about it.
So the next day, batches of chatting village women appeared in Fengjing, cracking melon seeds and blending into the crowds. Unknowingly, they brought up yearning for today’s top scorer in the provincial examination and even some admiration for the military officer who turned civil official.
In Miao Zhaoying’s words this was, "This top scorer is a once-in-a-century genius! He’s guaranteed to be the champion in the palace exam!”
It had to be said, this move was too ruthless.
If Miao Zhaoying and the others were releasing malice and slandering Fang Yuan, the news would quickly reach the Fang Family’s ears and be suppressed by their influence.
But they didn’t have malicious intent. It was admiration, worship, using one surprised expression after another to push Fang Yuan to an unparalleled position.
The provincial examination was not as famous as the palace examination. Few people chattered about who was the top scorer, unlike who was the champion.
Thanks to village women led by Auntie Miao Zhaoying, in just three to five days, the whole Fengjing city knew that the Fang Family’s heir Fang Yuan had arisen from obscurity as a young genius. He had taken the top spot in the provincial exam, and next would be the champion spot in the palace exam.
During this time, Xu Mo was not idle either.
After helping Zhu Sihuan obtain fame and reputation, he finally entered Wenchang Pavilion in his own name. He extensively conversed and made friends, pouring out all his talents.
He chatted vivaciously, stood tall and straight, elegant as the wind, conversing smoothly and effortlessly.
True excellence could not be concealed. Talent all over his body shone brilliantly. When someone asked his name, Xu Mo picked up his writing brush and added the characters “Qing Zhu” next to “Fu Feng Gentleman”.
Hewn and polished but still hardy, indifferent to the winds from east, west, north and south.
Qing Zhu. It was Xu Mo’s benchmark for his own growth, his breezy attitude towards past sufferings, and fearlessness towards future setbacks.
No matter how much wind and rain came, bending his back but unable to extinguish his resilient spirit.
"What a talent, Young Master Qing Zhu is!"
Someone shouted loudly, eliciting resounding applause from the crowd.
Xu Mo located the voice to see Zhu Sihuan’s sly face.
The Zhu Family were in-laws with the Fang Family so he couldn't stand out, but still helped his friend in his own way.
This group of people...
Xu Mo smiled lightly, feeling endless complex emotions.
Time passed swiftly from April 10th to late April. The palace exam loomed before them.
After twenty days of fermentation, Fang Yuan’s reputation had risen from an ordinary son of a prominent clan to a nationally acclaimed boy genius who only waited to claim the champion spot in the palace exam.
The Fang Family also noticed this over-promotion and made efforts to suppress it, only managing to reduce the noise by half.
Who made some self-important people eager to gain the Fang Family’s support? This rare chance for flattery was naturally something they ardently publicized Young Master Fang’s excellence for.
Unknowingly, enemies had also become friends.
For this, all Xu Mo could do was give Chang Yan a thumbs up.
But the He Family still hadn't made a move, causing him some worry. "If the He Family doesn't make a move, I can only go seek Lord Dou.”
But the Dou Family had no injustice or enmity with the Fang Family, so it was inappropriate to drag Minister Dou into this.
Xu Mo felt very conflicted internally.
Chang Yan comforted him, "Don't worry, wait a little longer."
Early May.
While attending court, the He Family Lord submitted an impeachment against the Fang Family, with the justification that Fang Yuan was no genius yet managed to obtain the top provincial examination spot. He suspected cheating in the provincial exam and beseeched the imperial court to investigate thoroughly.
Once this news came out, the entire Fengjing was in an uproar.
Some lamented that the He Family still resented the Fang Family after so many years. Others started paying attention to Fang Yuan’s top provincial examination title. Some clan descendants who fell off the rankings also wanted to take advantage of the situation.
But in any case, imperial attention and Fengjing attention were drawn to this provincial examination result.
"Now is the time," Chang Yan stood up, "Big brother, it’s your stage now.”
The He Family head had just submitted an impeachment to voice suspicion. To constitute real threat still needed Xu Mo. He was a fallen candidate in the recent exam, yet also the famous Young Master Qing Zhu of Wenchang Pavilion. These two points were already contradictory.
What if he went to the imperial secretariat to beat the drum of injustice, claiming the exam papers were not the original?
In this grand play of over-promotion, they had the He Family’s aid while utilizing public attention in Fengjing. Finally the critical moment arrived.
Wearing green robes, Xu Mo stood up and glanced at his younger siblings, then at his writing hand. Finally he steeled his resolve and marched forward fearlessly.
He didn’t take a carriage, simply heading to the imperial secretariat on foot.
Familiar people recognized him. "Isn't this Young Master Qing Zhu whose fame has been rising recently?"
He didn’t respond, still walking straight ahead determinedly.
Passing by Vice Minister Zhao’s estate, Zhao Yuan silently followed behind him, refusing to turn back no matter how others persuaded him.
Passing through poor alleys, An Jun gritted his teeth and caught up, prepared to die.
Passing by Minister of Rites Dou’s estate, the Qi siblings stood by the wall corner, eyes fixed unwaveringly on Xu Mo’s back.
The inner battle between ideals and family consideration reached its climax at this moment.
Just as Xu Mo calmly turned, Qi Huai’s taut thread of heart finally snapped. He was still that patriotic youth burning with ambition, his fiery aspirations had not extinguished. He raced over with the fastest speed, leaping over.
He shouted loudly, "Brother Xu, wait for me!"
