The little girl was as cute as a doll, even cuter by two folds, holding her beloved meat porridge for her most respected elder brother.
Seeing such a pleasing sight even made Old Lady Jiang stare with fixation.
The elder has elder duties; the younger has younger orders.
All the love and care will only be reciprocated when siblings have the best impression of one another.
She didn't want to disturb the children anymore and used going to the backroom to rest as an excuse.
Xu Mo finally let out a sigh of relief, took over the meat porridge, and casually rubbed Jiang Sheng's little head, "You should have some too."
"I'm already full." Jiang Sheng secretly swallowed her saliva.
She was full, she still liked the meat porridge, and the iron pot was really empty.
Xu Mo smiled lightly and split half a bowl, handing it to the gluttonous little girl.
This way, they both got to eat.
At the dining table.
Good upbringing made Xu Mo used to not speaking while eating or sleeping. But Zheng Ruqian couldn't stand the silence from his habit of traveling far and wide. So a strange scene appeared: Youngest brother chatted eloquently while eldest brother sat still like a mountain, fourth brother and fifth brother only nodded, and the only girl made faces to chime in.
"Let me tell you, Lingnan is truly hot. Fengjing is still wearing padded clothes but over there only thin shirts, many labourers even work bare-backed with rolled up pants for fear of dying from heat in the fields."
"The sun is also big in Lingnan. The people there have darker complexions and talk kinda slurred. If you don't listen carefully you won't know what they're saying."
When the topic turned to Fengjing, Zheng Ruqian's face was full of indignation again. "If I knew so much happened I would have rushed back overnight, would never let you suffer wrongfully. I would have fought with the Fang family to the end, never finished with them!"
Xu Mo finally finished the last bite of porridge, slowly put down his bowl and spoon, "What do you mean never finished? Smash them to death with your donkey?"
Jiang Sheng nearly spat out rice.
"That...that won't work. That would be against the law, imprisoned." Zheng Ruqian awkwardly said, "But big brother, it's not difficult to retake the exam. What's difficult is the Fang family will never let you take the exam in peace."
Try thinking from their perspective if you feel you're not smart enough.
Zheng Ruqian imagined himself as someone from the Fang family -- picked out a poor kid after countless selections, easily took his fruits of labor with a little scheme. It should have been fair and square, but who knew this poor kid wouldn't take it lying down, making a scene about retaking the exam for his future.
Humph, dream on!
If this poor kid passes as a successful candidate next year, would this Old Master Fang still have any face left!
I can give up being an official, but you must fail the exam, best to fail miserably, lose all interest in studying, fall steeply from grace and amount to nothing.
The above was Zheng Er vividly impersonating.
It had been two days since returning from the Golden Hall. The small courtyard was immersed in tranquility without Jiang Sheng, even the threat from the Fang family was put aside.
Although Xu Mo was fearless, it was hard to guard against malicious scheming that must be prevented ahead of time.
"The Fang family is so big. What if they use unscrupulous means?" Wen Zhiyun worriedly said.
"No harm in shaking the foundation. Eldest brother is just like Ansheng from back then." Chang Yan profoundly said, "Just fear the Fang family uses some crooked ways to bring in evil winds."
Before the pure and noble eldest brother could react, Zheng Ruqian already thumped his chest, "Don't worry, don't worry. Now that second brother is back he'll definitely protect you and definitely won't let you get the slightest harm."
"Climbing mountains of knives and seas of fire, with me Zheng Er here, you'll sit as steadily as mountains, fearing nothing!"
The resonant words, resolute vocabulary, overwhelmingly arrogant waving.
If Zheng Ruqian didn't secretly observe his older and younger siblings, revealing a smug smile, he might have really fooled them.
Clearly he wanted to stand out. Yet pretending to be so righteously justified.
Xu Mo helplessly laughed, "Alright, we'll completely rely on second brother then."
Zheng Ruqian even more proudly straightened his back, as if he grew a few inches in the blink of an eye.
Jiang Sheng laughed into her hands at the side. Everything was so nice.
Too bad pleasant times were always fleeting.
Seeing it was almost noon, Jiang Sheng reluctantly stood up. "Grandmother's health is poor. She needs to nap everyday and take medicine at noon. We have to go."
Clearly this was her family, yet she had no choice but to leave.
Whether Xu Mo or Zheng Ruqian, Wen Zhiyun or Chang Yan, all their smiles vanished.
They stood in a line, silently standing, full of reluctance yet unable to speak up.
In the end Zheng Ruqian hoarsely said, "Jiang Sheng, second brother just got back and you're leaving?"
The girl fiddled with her hands, seemingly wanting to say something yet unable to get it out.
She hurriedly went to the backyard, just happening upon the pacing old woman.
"What's the matter?" Old Lady Jiang asked in puzzlement.
Jiang Sheng suppressed her emotions to quietly say, "Grandmother, it's time to go back."
Unwilling to say more despite how much more she wanted to.
Old Lady Jiang understood clearly with a long sigh, gaze sweeping over the grim youths as some thoughts sprouted and spread.
But looking down at the round little granddaughter, she was just as reluctant to part with her.
Just let the old woman indulge in a bit more selfishness and companionship.
A tiny bit more.
Old Lady Jiang stretched out a hand. "Alright, let's go back."
He Rui pulled the carriage to a stop at the entrance. Tan Yue helped prepare as he put down the horse whip. Then they saw Jiang San drive up slowly with Zhang Xianglian from the road corner.
"Madam, miss, it's the miss!" Jiang San excitedly yelled.
Zhang Xianglian anxiously looked over, going from tranquil to tearful eyes in an instant.
Jiang Sheng leaned against the little window shouting, "Auntie, auntie!"
"Oh, oh!" Zhang Xianglian loudly responded.
It was a bit like many years ago when they bid farewell at the village entrance.
Yet it wasn't many years ago. They were both living good lives now.
"Auntie, grandmother needs medicine. We have to go back. Will come see you next time!" Jiang Sheng shouted.
The carriages brushed past each other. She stuck her head out watching until Zhang Xianglian's figure became a black dot before reluctantly shrinking back.
Old Lady Jiang tranquilly yet lovingly looked over.
Jiang Sheng sniffed and snuggled close. "It'd be great if I could split myself into halves."
That way one half could keep Old Lady Jiang company while the other stayed with eldest brother and auntie at the small courtyard.
Too bad this was only a mortal world after all.
Back at De Ren Yard.
The freshly brewed medicine tonic had just finished. Tan Yue prepared small bowls for portioning.
The chatty little maid carried a plate of bumpy big fruit. "Old madam, miss, these are lychees sent by the lady. They've been soaked in well water, perfectly sweet and juicy now."
Then unable to resist, she sucked in some drool.
Lychees ah.
Jiang Sheng first arrived in Fengjing hearing they were a Fengjing rarity, loved by noble families for the succulent juicy texture, even becoming imperial concubines' favorites during previous dynasties.
Normal people could only yearningly dream about things like this even if dying of thirst.
Who could have thought a day would come when lychees appeared right before her eyes.
Yet why were they sent by Mrs. Liao?
Jiang Sheng pursed her lips. For the first time not salivating. Instead she backed away two steps in rejection.
