Chapter 355

Time passed steadily from the first month to the fifteenth, and from the fifteenth to the second month.

When counting, young master Xu Mo had already been bedridden for over three months, yet showed no signs of improving.

The imperial examinations were imminent, bringing joy to some and sorrow to others, relief to some and worry to others.

Until the court finally announced the exact date of the examinations: the fifteenth day of the second month: these emotions had been brought to the extreme. It was said that Zhao Yuan secretly shed many tears, crying and wailing that he wanted to fall ill on behalf of brother Xu.

Later, he was beaten with a rod by his mother, so he really did become sick.

When the news reached the small courtyard in the second wing, Xu Mo felt very guilty. “After the examinations, I will definitely go to apologize in person.”

Almost all the relatives and friends who came to visit him left behind money, medicine, or other gifts. Even An Jun personally transcribed the examination aids from the National University and delivered them.

These were both sentiments, as well as apologies he would have to make in the future.

And that was fine. But as the examination date approached, the Fang family became restless again. Strange men dressed in black often appeared around the small courtyard, furtively, as if afraid no one would notice their ulterior motives.

“I don’t think they have ulterior motives, they just want to scare brother into becoming more seriously ill,” Chang Yan saw right through them. “At the same time, they can also find out if brother really is sick.”

Xu Mo’s constitution could not be considered strong, but it was by no means weak either. Falling into an icy pond in winter would injure anyone’s health, but it should not have kept him bedridden for three months.

Perhaps they had pretended to be sick too extremely.

But recovering at this critical juncture would be even more dangerous than arousing suspicion.

“It looks like we should go out for a walk,” Xu Mo murmured thoughtfully. “When little four returns from the medicine shop, and second brother and little sister return from the workshop, we can discuss this properly.”

In order to earn money, to survive, but also to pursue the joy and dreams in their hearts, everyone was busy with their own affairs during the day.

Only when the skies gradually darkened at dusk, when Auntie Zhang closed the doors of the Nine Treasures Restaurant and returned home to cook, when the aroma of meat permeated the air, did the quiet little courtyard regain its warm liveliness.

As dishes were brought out one by one and placed on the table, all the doors and windows were shut tight. Only then could Xu Mo’s feet touch the ground as he walked around freely. “Big brother, you don’t need to pretend so hard. Do people who are sick have to stay in bed all the time and cannot even take two steps?” Zheng Ruqian complained loudly. “Luckily the examinations are almost here, otherwise if you have to lie down for a few more months, I think your legs would turn into tails.”

Jiang Sheng was sipping on some meat porridge and nearly spat it out when she heard this.

Wen Zhiyun thoughtfully handed her a handkerchief to wipe her mouth clean before gently saying, “Being sick for three months does seem questionable. Anyone with some medical knowledge would be suspicious.”

It is said that people who live together long enough develop a special connection. This saying was true.

The things they had discussed during the day were now brought up by Zheng Ruqian and Wen Zhiyun at night, and Jiang Sheng nodded along beside them.

Xu Mo smiled and spoke frankly at the dinner table. “I want to go out for a walk and show everyone the truth.”

This was just like a gourd. The more it was covered up, the more curious others became. When it was finally cut open and its contents revealed, it was nothing special after all.

“That works too,” Zheng Ruqian picked up some pork elbow skin with his chopsticks. “After being sick for so long, there should be some signs of improvement to convince others.”

This was the art of lying. All true masters of deception knew that a mix of seventy percent truth and thirty percent lies was the easiest way to fool the enemy. Blending truth and lies together was the best way to confuse hearts.

“Perhaps we can even set a trap for the Fang family,” Chang Yan finally spoke up. His brows lifted lightly and the corners of his lips curled up. “Aren’t they unable to tolerate brother getting better?”

No more words were needed. After so many years as brothers, their hearts and minds were connected.

Only Wen Zhiyun secretly sighed.

He secretly lifted his head to glance at second brother who was heartily eating meat, then at little fifth brother who was always strategizing behind the scenes, then at big brother who was as calm as still water.

Having such remarkable brothers was nice because he did not need to rack his brains. The downside was that his abilities were seldom put to use.

Even in big brother’s scheme to pretend to be sick, his own contribution had merely been some medical knowledge and medicine. He did not actually provide any useful suggestions.

Yet he had also thought of ideas, he really had!

Wen Zhiyun lowered his slender neck, his heart filled with complicated emotions tinged with sadness and joy, helplessness and delight.

“Then tomorrow, let little four take me out,” Xu Mo suddenly spoke again amidst the chatter around the dinner table. “Zhiyun, are you making any house calls tomorrow?”

Caught by surprise at being addressed, he stammered slightly in nervousness. “No, I’m very free tomorrow.”

“Good. Then think of an illness I can pretend to have to trick the Fang family. Let them suffer a huge loss when the time comes.” Xu Mo put down his chopsticks. “I’m full, I’ll go read first.”

He walked away so casually while everyone else continued heartily eating, chatting, and laughing without even lifting their heads.

No one secretly exchanged glances or intentionally comforted him. No one paid special attention to his dejection.

Wen Zhiyun heaved a sigh of relief. Remembering Xu Mo’s instructions, the corners of his eyes and mouth curled up happily once more.

After he smiled, all the brothers and sisters also smiled. Beneath the glowing oil lamp, Xu Mo turned the pages of his book, a faint smile also on his lips.

The next day...

It was already the second month. Yongjing’s weather still held traces of winter’s chill but was also infused with the warmth of spring. Unable to withstand confinement any longer, young masters and misses were roused and unconsciously went out to appreciate spring scenery together.

It was at this time that Jiang San brought the frail Xu Mo out. His complexion was pale and he wore padded garments. He held a bowl of steaming broth and occasionally gazed longingly when he saw vibrant youths of the same age having fun.

This yearning was genuine.

He had not stepped out of home for three months.

“Big brother, don’t feel upset. You’ll get better.” Chang Yan patted his hand and sighed.

Jiang San outside the carriage forcefully suppressed his urge to laugh for fear of exposing their act.

“I hope so,” Xu Mo's voice was listless, with no discernable emotion.

The carriage advanced steadily. It seemed to want to follow the troupe appreciating spring but gradually diverged from them.

When they reached the willow forest west of Yongjing, the young masters and misses happily recited poems and exchanged verses. They gathered in groups of three or two, while Xu Mo’s carriage lingered far away, not daring to get close.

To outsiders, it looked like: This person is not in the best health and wants to join in the festivities but does not dare approach.

However, the truth was that Wen Zhi Yun pointed at a youth in flowing white robes amidst the crowd. “That’s Fang Yuan,” he said softly.

Fang family, Fang Yuan.

Someone they had heard so much about for five years yet had never met before.

Thanks to the massage business Wen Zhi Yun had built up, although they did not make a name for themselves among the wealthy and nobility of Yongjing, they still carved out a small niche.

Several madams from prestigious households had hired the medical house’s masseuses before. It was Wang Xiaozhu who had the opportunity to meet young master Fang Yuan alongside Madam Fang. Thus, she remembered this second young master of the Fang household’s appearance.

Later, when she encountered the Fang family again on a house call, Wang Xiaozhu pointed him out to Wen Zhi Yun, allowing him to differentiate Fang Yuan amidst the group of heirs from prestigious families.

He looked about fourteen or fifteen. He resembled Fang Heng in appearance but lacked that air of heroic spirit. Instead, there was more of a refined scholarly presence.

Judging purely by looks, he was an ordinary heir of a wealthy family and was even less outstanding than the two sons of the Jiang family.

Yet somehow this sort of person had been embroiled in the struggle between the two Fang household branches and snatched away Xu Mo’s examination results.

If Xu Mo had not happened to place among the top candidates in the provincial examinations, if Fang Heng had not been tough and courageous, there might have been two less outstanding youths in the world.

Now, whether it was for himself or for little third brother Fang Heng, Xu Mo focused his eyes calmly and unperturbedly uttered, “Do it, little fourth.”