There were many students gathered in Wenchang Pavilion, and once a word was uttered, it would become an established fact.
Xu Mo didn't even have time to stop them before the people around grew excited, dispersed to talk, and shared with each other.
"Young Master Fufeng is going to chat with us about ancient and modern times."
"It's really rare, who wouldn't go?"
"We must go, we must!"
Even though this was New Year's Eve, a time when families should be together.
After the scholars and students dispersed, Xu Mo finally stopped and solemnly said, "The grievances between the Fang family and I have been going on for more than just a couple days, and cannot be resolved through just a chat."
"Besides..." His gaze was full of worry, "You have always been frail, and now you've traveled thousands of miles, even money steward Zhou complained about being exhausted. I'm afraid your body can't endure it."
What's more, you still have to find each former teacher one by one, and find the sealed letter written by He prefect.
Xu Mo didn't know how Wang Fufeng noticed something was wrong and how much heart and effort he had put into it. He only worried about his friend's frail body and hoped his friend would be safe and sound.
He glanced at his fourth younger brother, and the latter stepped forward two steps, wanting to check his pulse.
Wang Fufeng laughed softly and imperceptibly retracted his wrist, "I'm not that frail. You all are too nervous. After actually traveling, I discovered it's not as arduous as imagined."
"Rather, for this matter, I want to apologize to Brother Xu," the young master frowned slightly, an apologetic look on his gaunt face, "I didn't keep an eye on Wang Yuying well, allowing her to steal the sealed letter and escape to Fengjing, causing all this trouble."
Theoretically, even if the Fang family had ill intentions, it would be hard for anyone to guard against.
But it was also a fact that the sealed letter kept by Wang Fufeng added credibility to this carefully concocted lie.
Xu Mo's brows furrowed slightly, seeming to want say some consoling words.
Wang Fufeng changed the topic, getting ahead of him, "The discussion isn't to overthrow the Fang family when the opportunity rises, but simply to chat about ancient and modern times with friends from thousands of Fengjing families."
He finished speaking and, not waiting for Wen Zhiyun to check his pulse or for Xu Mo to continue dissuading, took the lead to walk out of Wenchang Pavilion.
Wang Mingyu followed closely, like a bodyguard.
Leaving Xu Mo with furrowed brows, yet also helpless.
There were still many things that needed to be done next, such as settling the teachers who had come from afar, fulfilling his duty as host, and trying to quickly resolve the ghostwriting incident as soon as possible while guarding against the Fang family's next move.
By the time he was done with all this, the sky had gone completely dark.
Wang Fufeng lay in a room with burning silver brazier charcoal. Under him was a soft, glutinous tiger skin mat. Covering him was a thin blanket. Within reach was a small square table with freshly brewed hot tea, its fragrant aroma lingering around his nose.
Although this was Xu Mo's room, after a round of fussing even he felt it was a bit unfamiliar.
Some people were born noble, and the rooms they occupied would be glorious and magnificent.
"Fufeng, it's been so long since we last chatted leisurely like this," Xu Mo sat opposite him and pulled up his wide sleeve to pour tea.
The warm liquid carried mellow sweetness. It was premium Bi Luo Chun, no doubt.
"Less than three years," Wang Fufeng accepted the teacup and lightly sipped it before setting it aside, "Time passes quickly yet slowly. Lying alone in the Wang family manor, it felt like the days would never end, but when I suddenly came to my senses, I realized you all have reached this point."
Back then, for the matter of Sun Yu succeeding his father as prefect of Anshui, they had busied about anxiously.
One became the top scholar and took up the sixth-rank Compiler position, with a bright future lying ahead.
One took over as the imperial merchant, and his business grew bigger and bigger, earning money comparable to the entire Wang family.
One joined the army as a general, and the latest letter mentioned with the deliberate promotion of General Jiang, he made it to commander of a thousand troops, ranking above the deputy commander of the third brigade.
One apprenticed under a genius doctor, and his medical skills gradually became miraculous, with his clinic becoming quite famous.
One's status was noble, yet he was still willing to run ordinary workshops and stores, never forgetting his original aspirations.
As for the one who looked the most average, he was actually the least average, with a shockingly impressive background.
"You've shown me that with effort, it's possible no matter if your status is noble or lowly." He turned his head and smiled shallowly, "Nobility won't lead to looking down on others, just as ordinariness won't let people be willingly mediocre."
The class boundaries brought about by status and the inequality brought about by money and silver seemed to disappear in these six siblings.
This originated from their shared sufferings and tribulations, but even more from their sincere and unchanging hearts.
"It must have been Auntie who told you right," Xu Mo smiled, "Some things were mentioned briefly in letters, but still not in such detail after all."
"What surprised me the most was Auntie becoming so spirited and vigorous, completely different from her past destitution and despair." Wang Fufeng laughed lightly again, "As expected, there is hope in life as long as one strives."
But any hope must be built on the foundation of health and safety.
Seeing Wang Fufeng's smile fade, Xu Mo's heart lurched, and he brought up the topic from the daytime again, "Have you gone to see Doctor Wu these past three years to get your pulse diagnosed? Has he said how your health is? Let Little Four's new master also diagnose you."
"No need." Wang Fufeng shook his head to refuse again, "I brought doctors with me this time. Having others suddenly diagnose me might displease them as medical professionals, and we still have to return to Anshui."
"Besides, look at how spirited I am. Where is there any sign of frailty?"
The youth's tone was natural and sincere, his complexion also quite peaceful. Xu Mo couldn't pick out anything wrong and could only forcibly repress the vague unease in his heart.
"Brother Xu, tell me about what you all have been up to these years," Wang Fufeng's eyes and brows curved again. "Auntie only gave a general overview. I want to hear the details from you."
Tell of when his top scholar title was seized, tell of when he went to Golden Sacred Hall alone, tell of Jiang Sheng recognizing a relative and the bumpy road, tell of Zheng Ruqian snatching lychees in a breathtaking and thrilling moment, tell of Wen Zhiyun robbing the rich to help the poor, tell of Chang Yan's helplessness in leaving.
Tell of the situation with powerful families in Fengjing, tell of the incompetence of the imperial court, tell of the Balance of Power in the court hall, tell of the consequences brought about by fraud in the civil service exams.
The night was so dark, the starry sky so bright, the burning silver brazier charcoal gave off distorted warmth, the candle flames in the oil lamp flickered, the tea turned cold then cool, turned cool then reheated.
Wang Fufeng unknowingly fell into deep sleep at some point. Xu Mo had just stood up when Wang Mingyu flashed in, and his sufficiently strong body allowed him to carry his younger brother flat in his arms and place him on the bed.
"Go rest, Brother Mingyu," Xu Mo thought of how he too had traveled a thousand miles.
But Wang Mingyu shook his head to refuse, "I promised Fufeng I wouldn't leave his side."
Xu Mo could only resign himself to going to rest in Wen Zhiyun's room.
Luckily, people in the family were scattered all over, otherwise it really wouldn't fit everyone.
And so, the few teachers who had come from afar were all still arranged to stay at the guesthouse. Tomorrow, he would have to take them sightseeing around Fengjing.
It was the New Year Festival. Since they had taken the effort to travel a thousand miles here already, how could they return light as a feather.
Eating well and having fun were basics. Also buy some local specialties to bring back for relatives at home.
When someone brought up returning home first, everyone else shook their heads to refuse, "Since we came together, we'll leave together too. Wait for Fufeng."
"Yes, yes, I want to see Young Master Fufeng's discussion meeting too."
So after all, what would that sight be like?
