The carriage fell silent, all smiles gone. No one had expected that they wouldn't encounter any roadblocks, yet would be intercepted by Fang Yuan at the entrance of the Gongyuan, who pointed out Xu Mo's illness and even prepared an imperial doctor.
"Could it be that he wants to expose eldest brother's fake illness and ruin eldest brother's reputation?" Zheng Ruqian guessed, but soon denied it.
In the Fang family's take on Xu Mo's storm, Xu Mo was the weaker one, and the weaker one always gets sympathy from others, even if faking an illness loses him some face, people can still understand.
In contrast, Fang Yuan was too aggressive, which would only diminish the demeanor of an influential family.
"Or take the chance under the pretence of seeing a doctor to poison eldest brother?" Jiang Sheng widened her eyes, "Making eldest brother faint would be enough to disrupt the exam."
They tensed up at once, especially Wen Zhiyun, who took out several sachets of powder from his clothes.
"Don't worry." Xu Mo placated his younger siblings, not forgetting to raise his voice and reply, "Young Master Fang is considerate, Xu is perfectly fine."
The man outside laughed, "Since Master Xu is fine, see you at the exam venue."
He cupped his fist, then just left like that.
He didn't expose Xu Mo's fake illness, didn't poison him under the pretence of medical examination, didn't even act aggressively. He displayed the demeanor of an influential family to the fullest.
So why did he have to come over and say hi?
Chang Yan pursed his lips, realizing, "He came to tell the other candidates that eldest brother is in this carriage."
No private scheming, but an overt plot!
Seeing that the others still didn't understand, Chang Yan emphasized, "Xu Mo is in this carriage."
And Xu Mo was the one who reported to the Jinluan Hall, causing all candidates to retake and re-exam.
Although close friends like Qi Huai'an Jun didn't object, would other recommendees not resent and hate him?
No matter who tripped Xu Mo, the Fangs could absolve themselves of blame and reap the rewards.
Truly an overt scheme that could not be more overt!
"What should we do then?" Jiang Sheng's voice even trembled, "Outside we can still protect eldest brother, but once in the Gongyuan we really want to help but can't."
It wouldn't take many students harboring hatred, three or two would suffice.
Nor would it take much scheming, tripping him over then pretending to accidentally damage his brush and ink would be enough for Xu Mo to suffer.
The main problem was it was hard to prevent, with over a thousand candidates, who knew who would make a move, who would kick a man when he's down.
Xu Mo lowered his eyelashes, seemingly lost in thought.
The others were panic-stricken, but couldn't come up with any solution.
"Could it be that we can only await our doom, allowing the Fangs to carry out their overt plot?" Zheng Ruqian was puzzled, "Impossible, there are no seamless celestial robes in this world, nor are there absolute schemes."
Having overcome so many difficulties along the way, how could they fail at the hands of such an overt plot?
"Xiao Wu, you're the smartest, do you have any ideas?" Wen Zhiyun's eyes were red as he looked for the last glimmer of hope.
Chang Yan sighed, "If we had sufficient connections, we could find the prefect of Fengtian Fu and ask him to send over two yamen runners to protect eldest brother."
But they unfortunately didn't have those connections.
Even if they did, the Fengtian prefect didn't even dare expose the Fangs' cheating, how would he dare openly oppose the Fangs?
Although Qi Huai was the Minister Qi's legitimate son, he didn't represent Minister Qi. What's more, Minister Qi also feared the Fangs. Minister Dou did have some sway, but who knew whether he had arrived.
Even if he had, with thousands gathered, how long would it take to find him?
The exam was imminent, the Gongyuan gates already had yamen runners standing guard, just waiting for the scheduled opening to verify identities and inspect belongings.
They wouldn't be able to find or help anyone in this gap before entering.
"Forget it." Xu Mo sighed softly, "I'll be more careful and prudent after entering the Gongyuan."
But no matter how careful and prudent, it would be hard to avoid malicious schemes.
The brothers fell silent, the most timid Wen Zhiyun already had tears brimming his eyes, his small hands clutching two sachets of poison, wanting to speak yet stopping himself.
In this quiet moment, the exceptionally reticent Jiang Sheng stood up.
"Where are you going?" Xu Mo gently asked, "Thirsty, hungry or need the toilet?"
Jiang Sheng shook her head without answering.
She recalled the man claiming to be her father yesterday, recalled the sabre at his waist, and felt that the peace in their small courtyard these past days was somehow related.
If he really was from the Jiang family and had that identity, he should still be around now right? He should lend a hand right?
The gates could open any time, Jiang Sheng couldn't wait or dare wait.
Under her brothers' puzzled stares, she alighted from the carriage, unexpectedly seeing the straight-backed, tall and sturdy man standing with his hands behind his back ahead of the carriage.
So he really was here, right in front of the carriage, silently standing guard.
Those who recognized him would politely greet him and call out, "You're back."
The man would just wave his hand, signaling not to make a big fuss over his return.
Who'd have thought this was a general who had been fighting on battlefields for twenty years.
Jiang Sheng pursed her lips, still rehearsing in her heart how to earnestly plead.
The man's attendant had already nudged him and whispered, "The young miss came out, right behind you."
Jiang Jizu abruptly turned around to see the little girl before him, full of unspoken words, the corners of his mouth covered in whiskers turning up. "Why did you come out? Wouldn't it be warmer to stay in the carriage?"
His tone was exceptionally natural, as if they were familiar.
Yet this was only their second meeting!
Jiang Sheng felt a little aggrieved, glanced at the Gongyuan gates about to open, then murmured, "Can you help me with something?"
Having said that, she even revealed an ingratiating smile.
Clearly she was the one who should be ingratiated!
Jiang Jizu's eyes reddened at the corners as he deepened his voice, "What's the matter? Tell me first."
"Can you ask the Fengtian prefect to send two yamen runners to protect my eldest brother? He's about to enter the Gongyuan and we can't protect him," the little girl sincerely pleaded, "I'll thank you for it. I'll bring over pastries for you. I still have two bowls of litchi ice, I'll give you one bowl, or I can give you money too."
The more she spoke the softer her voice became, almost devoid of confidence.
Who would inexplicably help strangers? She was even worse than a stranger to them, she was someone they didn't want.
Jiang Sheng lowered her head, the last glimmer of hope in her heart extinguished as well.
Just as she was about to turn away, the man finally reached out and flicked her neat little hair bun, smiling as he said, "Alright."
