Chapter 346

The carriage continued on its way as everyone racked their brains, but could not come up with the most suitable solution.

Wen Zhiyun bit his lip, hesitating over his words several times, "Maybe...maybe...there is a way."

Including Jiang Chengfeng, all eyes turned to look at him.

The already timid little doctor Wen was frightened and jumped, fortunately Jiang Sheng was by his side and timely held his slender, pale fingers, "Fourth brother, don't be afraid, speak your mind."

Wen Zhiyun took a deep breath, "The Fang family is afraid that big brother will study well, afraid that big brother will take first place again in the future. As long as big brother 'falls ill', the Fang family will no longer make sinister plots."

Not just being ill, if Xu Mo was willing, he could even pretend to be drunk, indulging in the pleasures of wine and women, a dejected student.

As long as the Fang family believed he would be no threat for the next six months.

"I can help big brother with acupuncture, make him appear weak on the surface without actually harming him, he may even show symptoms of lung disease and coughing." Wen Zhiyun pleaded, "A pale complexion would not be hard to fake either, just apply some powder."

But this would be no different than deserting at the critical moment.

Using illness as an excuse, using failure to fool the enemy, avoiding the plot while also wasting time that could have been spent on diligent study, and injuring their belief to forge ahead.

Wen Zhiyun meant well, but it was at odds with Xu Mo's unyielding integrity.

Chang Yan deliberated, “If there really is no other way, we can choose this method as a last resort.”

Everyone fell silent again, without much time left to ponder.

Because they had arrived at the second courtyard.

Zhang Xianglian looked around anxiously until she saw the familiar carriage and breathed a sigh of relief, tears welling up as she said, "What happened, what's going on, are the children alright?"

"It's fine, it's fine, everyone has returned." The head steward comforted her at the side.

Only then did Zhang Xianglian stop her tears, “I’ll go bring food, the children must be starving.”

The siblings disembarked one by one, with Jiang Chengfeng last.

He should have taken the initiative to mention being abandoned by the Jiang family’s carriage, or asked Jiang Sheng and the third Jiang brother to send him back to the Jiang residence.

Yet Jiang Chengfeng remained silent for some reason.

The siblings of the second courtyard also could not bring it up, so they simply invited him into the courtyard to share a meal.

Zhang Xianglian's cooking skills were not as good as the Jiang family's head chef, but had a unique flavor. Jiang Chengfeng earnestly ate two large bowls.

After the meal.

Just as the siblings were about to get up, he finally spoke, "Maybe I also have an idea, do you want to hear it?"

As expected, everyone acts with a purpose. Chang Yan was not surprised, "Please, go ahead Young Master Jiang."

"My idea is that I'll be Xu Gongzi's attendant for half a year." Jiang Chengfeng was very serious, "But he has to teach me so I can pass the imperial examination in three years."

Both of the Jiang family's sons had only attained the title of xiucai on the path of examinations, they had also participated in the provincial examination the year Xu Mo took first place, but were eliminated together.

This matter even attracted ridicule from hostile families, who believed the Jiang family’s later generations were not up to par.

"My eldest brother has gone to the northern border to fight, I remained in Fengjing, I can’t just rest easy as a xiucai living off the Jiang family’s wealth." Jiang Chengfeng mocked himself, "The Jiang family can provide for my basic needs for life, but what about my children, my grandchildren, what about the Jiang family’s glory and pride?"

Without an heir, it would be ruin.

Be it money or pride. Upon realizing that complacency was the same as wasting his life away, Jiang Chengfeng set his sights on Xu Mo.

There was no one more suitable as a guide forward than a student who had come first place in the provincial exams. Xu Mo’s excellence went without saying, and he also happened to need protection now.

And Jiang Chengfeng just so happened to have some status, he could even contend with the Fang family.

This was an exchange, a win-win, and was the cunning and strategy nurtured by the Jiang family over two generations.

Do not doubt the second generation ancestors, they have one way of being when not trying their hardest, and another when they do.

Jiang Chengfeng's eyes shone brightly as he stared fixedly at Xu Mo, also secretly observing Chang Yan.

After a long time.

Xu Mo nodded, agreeing with one word, “Alright.”

Back then in order to overthrow Zhu Zhi, he was able to give up his talents and poems, so now just teaching a not so stupid young master from a prestigious family would be no difficulty.

Jiang Chengfeng stretched out his hand, Xu Mo reciprocated, and the two similarly slender hands clasped together as the deal was concluded.

Chang Yan sighed, also feeling this was already the best outcome.

They were truly lacking in power and protection.

Jiang Sheng could go seek help from old Lady Jiang, and Xu Mo could also seek help from Chancellor Dou, but that kind of assistance asked for would not feel as comfortable and reassuring compared to the exchange with Jiang Chengfeng.

Oh well.

Since the decision had been made already, then they should make full use of this influence.

Chang Yan’s eyes flashed with fiery light, “Eldest brother, the Fang family has gone too far, we cannot let them off so easily.”

Weren’t they afraid of Xu Mo striving harder, weren’t they afraid of Xu Mo ranking first place again, weren’t they fond of sabotaging the examinations?

Then let’s start a six month long battle of wits.

With both sides maneuvering their chess pieces to determine victory or defeat in the examinations.

The three youths looked at each other, seeming to understand each other’s thoughts as they burst into loud laughter together.

Only Jiang Sheng poked the sticky little doctor Wen, “Fourth brother, what are they laughing about?”

“Yes, what are they laughing about?” Wen Zhiyun was just as confused.

They soon found out.

In the days that followed, Xu Mo still diligently studied as usual, only he would no longer casually discard his writings, instead he would tear them into small pieces and throw them into the deepest part of the ash heap. The size he tore them into was also cleverly done, just enough to be pieced back together but always missing a few fragments.

Xu Mo hid behind the door, listening to the sounds of someone searching through the ash heap outside, a cold smile on his face as he waited for Fang Yuan to be led astray by the incorrect writings.

Picking up scraps scheme, foiled!

When going to and returning from school, it was always Jiang Chengfeng himself who came to receive him.

Sometimes a curious little girl would tag along, only to be shooed away when they arrived, and could only pout and go find Jiang Sheng to play with.

Xu Mo regarded him as an attendant without reservation, teaching what needed to be taught, and not going easy on him when ordering him around.

For example, when the two arrived at the gates of the Imperial College, they were blocked by shameless schoolmates. Before even greeting them with cupped fists, Jiang Chengfeng had already kicked them down with a sweeping kick, one for each.

"Xu brother, how can you hit people?” The schoolmate yelled angrily.

“I hit you because I hit you, do I need a reason?” Jiang Chengfeng said coldly, “If you’re unhappy then go complain to the Jiang family.”

That was the influential Jiang family.

Although the Jiang family’s eldest young master had left, the second young master Jiang was also not to be trifled with. Who would dare provoke them?

The schoolmate quickly scurried away crestfallen, leaving behind a charming young woman with a pale face still standing in place.

“You want to get hit too?” Jiang Chengfeng glared at her.

The young woman took two steps back before fleeing without looking back.

Honey trap scheme, foiled!

After getting rid of her, Xu Mo was still not anxious, patiently waiting.

When the weather in Fengjing turned cold, a young master from one of the prestigious families could finally no longer restrain himself. Taking advantage when Jiang Chengfeng went out to pay respects, he blocked him in a corner.

"Esteemed Xu the great talent, xiucai from Anshui Prefecture right?" The son of the Zhu family sneered coldly, “I heard you write remarkable essays. Do you want to help me write some poems to make a name for myself at the Wenchang Pavilion?”

Several of his followers surrounded them at the same time, one even taking out brush and paper, ready to record at any moment.

Xu Mo remained expressionless without saying anything.

"Hey you, you actually dare show attitude with me?”

Before the Zhu family son could finish his threats, Jiang Chengfeng appeared with a sweeping kick that was swift and fierce like warriors from a military family were known for, easily subduing several students.

"The writings Xu Gongzi produces, what makes you think you deserve them?" He stomped on the Zhu family son’s face, “Do you want this young master to write you something instead?"

He really was suddenly inspired to write, yelling out, “You wear red and green, worse than dog shit!”

Even students at the distant Imperial College heard and burst into mocking laughter.

The Zhu family son's face turned red, but had no recourse.

If the easy to offend Jiang family found out, he also would not have dared to seize the opportunity when Jiang Chengfeng stepped away.

Intimidation scheme, foiled!

After letting the Zhu family son endure two more kicks, the two finally turned to leave.

As they walked Xu Mo asked, “Didn’t you go pay your respects just now, how did you return so quickly?”

Jiang Chengfeng awkwardly did not answer and as they passed by the wall, glanced furtively at the conspicuous water stains on the ground, giving an embarrassed smile.