Yao Siqing's heart suddenly clogged up.
Very clogged and blocked, and very sour.
"How can you be so thoughtful?" She stretched out her hand and squeezed Jiang Sheng's little face, "Don't be so thoughtful, okay? You can be more willful."
With Lady Jiang's guilt, no matter whether Jiang Sheng returns or not, the Jiang Family will help out.
But because of the kindness in her heart, because of her perceptiveness, because of her gratitude, she took the initiative to propose going back.
In the end, Yao Siqing hugged Jiang Sheng and exclaimed, "Every time I see you, I always think that if my sister by birth were still alive, would she be as smart and transparent as you, as round and cute as you."
"It's better not to be too round." Jiang Sheng raised her red face, "Wasn't Sister Yao's sister an accident?"
"Congenitally inadequate, she passed away after two days of being born." Yao Siqing let her go, "If she had survived, she would be about the same age as you now."
So most of this doting has some transference as well.
Jiang Sheng wisely comforted, "Sister, don't be sad. If fated, you will meet again, just like how I was lost for eleven years, but still met you guys again."
Yao Siqing smiled wryly, and took the opportunity to rub her little dumplings a few more times, "Of course there is no problem going back to the Jiang Family, but have you thought about how to tell your brothers?"
Jiang Sheng's expression froze as she subconsciously glanced at the entrance of the Fucheng Mansion.
Lord Dou didn't know when he had left, Qi Huai'an and the others had also gone, leaving only her three brothers standing neatly across the street, their expressions complex and bitter.
Jiang Sheng's heart suddenly sank.
"Oh my, oh my." Yao Siqing shook her head next to her, "It looks a bit tricky. Don't blame sister for not being righteous. At this time, you have to face it yourself."
After speaking, she actually ran away in a swish.
The personal maid behind her almost didn't catch up.
The corner of Jiang Sheng's mouth twitched. In the end, she still hung her head and approached them.
From Xu Mo to Wen Zhiyun, and then to Chang Yan, the three teenagers had serious expressions and didn't say a word.
Usually at this time, they would have already rushed up, calling sister this and sister that.
The more Jiang Sheng thought about it, the more guilty she felt. She spoke up timidly and anxiously, "Big brother, fourth brother, fifth brother, have you guys discussed it?"
Xu Mo didn't speak.
Wen Zhiyun wanted to speak, but was pulled by Chang Yan's clothes, and closed his mouth again.
After a long silence, Xu Mo finally said gently, "Jiang Sheng, I don't need you to go back to the Jiang Family for me, nor do I need you to ask the Jiang Family for help for me."
They were supposed to protect their sister, not have their sister sacrifice for them.
"But we don't have other prestigious families we can ask for help." Jiang Sheng mumbled, "Big brother, the civil service examination is yours, it can't be taken by the Fang family."
"Who said there isn't." Xu Mo said in a deep voice, "We plan to imitate last time to win over all of Fang's political enemies. Even without a prestigious family like the Jiangs, together they are still formidable."
But what could they use to win them over?
Jiang Sheng didn't understand officialdom or sinister infighting, but she knew that prestigious families would not be benevolent, let alone help unrelated people.
Lord Dou admired Xu Mo's talent. What about the others?
"It's just working for them for a few years in the future." Xu Mo said lightly, "A fair trade, no one loses out."
How could they not lose out?
Xu Mo could have displayed his talents in officialdom, but because of the deal would have to work for prestigious families, even becoming their lackeys.
Such a terrifying future, Jiang Sheng was unwilling to see it happen.
She shook her head desperately, anxiously and nervously, "Big brother, the Jiang Family doesn't need me to go back. They are willing to help just because I want to go back and accompany Grandmother. They didn't make things difficult for me. The Jiang Family is not a ferocious beast."
Seeing Xu Mo so determined, she grabbed Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan, "You guys persuade Big Brother! You can't make deals with prestigious families or sell your conscience."
Chang Yan's lips moved but no words came out.
It seemed that Wen Zhiyun could no longer restrain himself and burst out, "I will go beg the Princess Consort of Prince Gong. I will go poison the Fang family. I can't see them bullying Big Brother and Little Sister like this. Too much, too excessive!"
But he was so weak that even when he erupted, he was just a little louder than usual and had no deterrent effect at all.
Xu Mo turned his head away to hide his reddened eyes.
Chang Yan hesitated, as if he still wanted to say something.
Jiang Sheng didn't give them a chance at all.
"No matter what you guys say, I already promised Grandmother." The chubby girl clenched her fists, resolute and fearless, "Should I deceive the elderly? Should I let her be happy for nothing?"
The three brothers were all silent now.
Those who respect the elderly and cherish the young are not necessarily kind, but the kind must respect the elderly and cherish the young.
"I won't let myself be bullied." Jiang Sheng said loudly, "I just want to have a relative. I want to accompany Grandmother."
The Jiang Family can also help Big Brother. It's simply a win-win."
Everyone is happy, and that's enough.
The brothers had red eyes, but Jiang Sheng grinned.
Jiang San and Jiang Si came over with the carriage. She pulled the fourth brother with her left hand and the fifth brother with her right hand, propping her foot on the big brother, "After defeating the Fang family, you must send San Ge a letter, and ask when Er Ge will come back. I miss him."
How she missed the clumsy fool Er Ge.
How she missed the reckless workaholic San Ge.
But she was also glad they weren't here so they didn't have to worry themselves sick over the civil service exam incident, didn't need to worry that she would suffer grievances after returning to the Jiang Family, and didn't need to struggle painfully but unable to articulate their heartache.
That night, Jiang Sheng was exceptionally well-behaved and clingy.
She accompanied Auntie Zhang to cook, chatting over the fire, and even learned how to make braised pork elbows, and how to stew them to be tender and flavorful while keeping the shape intact.
The unaware Zhang Xianglian laughed, "Are you planning to make braised pork elbows to eat by yourself in the future?"
"Yes." Jiang Sheng cupped her cheeks, "In case I can't eat what Auntie makes anymore, I can make it myself."
After dinner, she dragged Chang Yan and Wen Zhiyun to listen to Xu Mo's lesson, talking about history, talking about the magnificent mountains and rivers, talking about customs, talking about struggles with foreigners, talking about everything under heaven.
When it talked about the struggles between prestigious families, Jiang Sheng could no longer hold up her head. She drooled onto the desk as she dozed off.
Chang Yan stretched out his hand to cushion her.
Wen Zhiyun took out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her mouth clean.
Xu Mo then picked her up and carried her horizontally to the warm little bed.
When Jiang Sheng woke up the next day, it was already late morning. She jumped up, hurriedly got dressed, and only saw the busy Zhang Xianglian in the kitchen.
"Auntie." She asked, "Where are my brothers?"
She also wanted to ask, where are the people from the Jiang Family? Have they not come yet?
Zhang Xianglian smiled and said, "They are all at the gates of the Imperial City. Xiao Mo has already entered the Golden Sacred Hall and is confronting the Fang family."
These smelly brothers actually didn't call her.
Jiang Sheng hurriedly washed up, grabbed two pastries and hid them in her arms, preparing to rush to the Golden Sacred Hall in the carriage herself.
Unexpectedly, a luxurious carriage bearing the Jiang Family's crest stopped at the small courtyard gate, with a familiar yet somewhat slippery face accompanying it, "Miss, I've come to take you to the Imperial City gates!"
