Chapter 375

In the six days, the Liao Family had experienced a world of change, transforming from a family that everyone admired to livestock that everyone wanted to beat. All of their past wrongdoings were exposed, with the most serious being tax evasion.

It was said that the prefecture had used at least thirty investigators just to calculate the amount of tax that the Liao Family had evaded over the years. Not only did the Liao Family have to pay back every penny, they also faced imprisonment.

There were also many other business penalties that they had to pay, in addition to people seeking revenge. This kept General Jiang so busy that he had no time to accompany his daughter.

Fortunately, Jiang Sheng was not bothered by this. She and Zheng Ruqian had rented a new store in the west of the city that they had not yet furnished. Now it was time for the Imperial College to open its doors once again.

The siblings put down what they were doing and gathered together again, this time with eight loyal servants joining them.

With so many people, they split into two carriages. Fifth Jiang drove for the siblings while Jiang Yi drove for the younger brothers.

The Jiang Sheng siblings waited quietly while the other seven were noisy and lively.

Fifth Jiang scolded them, "Quiet down, we're at the gates of the Imperial College."

The seven boys immediately shut their mouths, even lowering the sound of their breathing.

"Fifth Sis is so fierce," Jiang Sheng said in astonishment. "When can I be like you too?"

Be like what?

Barging through crowds and subduing her brothers with a word?

The brothers in the carriage all turned to stare at the chubby girl who loved eating and sleeping. They didn't realize she had such ambitions.

"What is the young lady thinking?" Fifth Jiang also smiled helplessly. Her seriousness made the corners of her mouth barely move. "Everyone has different experiences, so naturally personalities differ too."

Just as there were serious and cold people, there were also sweet and cute people, sinister and heartless people, as well as sincere and honest people.

The world was so colorful and varied precisely because it was filled with different people, different personalities, leading to different behaviors.

Fifth Jiang's coldness stemmed from her tough personality. She forced herself to stand strong, be even stronger than men, so she could restrain her brothers. Jiang Sheng's sweetness came from her content personality, her willingness to go with the flow, as well as the optimism from having eaten her fill. Most times she was more willing to listen to her brothers.

"Young lady, you're good as you are now. There's no need to be like me," Fifth Jiang turned back, her voice barely audible, "...If possible, no one is willing to become mature and steady."

A pampered child was the most precious.

Jiang Sheng nodded thoughtfully and turned back to the strange expressions on her brothers' faces.

"I really didn't expect our little sister to start having ideas," Zheng Ruqian said sarcastically.

"The child has grown up and wants to scold her brothers," Fang Heng said wistfully, cradling his cheek.

Wen Zhiyun frowned, "Jiang Sheng, am I not treating you well?" Only Chang Yan didn't add insult to injury.

Jiang Sheng's expression faltered before turning ingratiating again. "No, you all treat me very very well. You are the best brothers. Tonight I'll give you the pork elbow stew Auntie made, especially two pieces for Eldest Brother. You must've been starving these past few days."

She was generous indeed, though it was a pity Xu Mo had only been eating rations these days. If he suddenly ate fatty foods, his intestines would surely churn from one end to the other.

The brothers held in their laughter when they heard the gates of the Imperial College open. They all jumped down from the carriages to welcome their Eldest Brother.

The nine days of exams were an ordeal, even if they could go home for two nights in between.

Many students looked disheveled, wrinkled clothes and oily faces marked by dark eye circles. Those unfamiliar would have thought they were harassed by female ghosts at night.

Only a few could maintain a tidy and dignified appearance.

Xu Mo was a prime example of this group. His clothes had slight creases but were neat overall, he lacked energy but remained calm. He even remembered to thank the four yamen runners before slowly walking over to his siblings.

"Eldest Brother," Chang Yan rarely spoke first. "What's the situation?"

Xu Mo's expression was grave as he lightly shook his head.

This meant the Fang Family had not made another move. The exams proceeded smoothly and peacefully, so peaceful it felt eerie, like the calm before a storm, like thunder brewing.

Chang Yan's heart sank to the bottom. He didn't like this unpredictable unknown feeling.

"Don't overthink it. The difficulties we've encountered before, we only understood at the very end," Xu Mo comforted his youngest brother. "Strategizing behind the scenes is naturally good, but who can know every minute detail? Don't exhaust yourself."

"That's right, little Five," Zheng Ruqian patted his shoulder. "Second Brother does business, sometimes earns money and sometimes loses money. It's normal."

"On the battlefield I also have wins and losses," Fang Heng added. "No one knows the outcome of the next battle."

This time, Wen Zhiyun didn't chime in.

As a doctor, if he couldn't predict life or death when treating patients, his clinic's signboard would probably be smashed by angry patients. The last one remaining was Jiang Sheng. After deep thought she said, "It's like when we go out, no one can know for sure if they'll step in dog poop..."

As expected, her analogy wasn't the best.

The brothers unanimously stopped her.

Only after hearing it did Chang Yan truly smile again.

"Mmpf, mmf," Jiang Sheng still tried to struggle. "See... only I work... only I can make Fifth Bro laugh..."

Unfortunately their mouths were covered too firmly for anyone to hear clearly.

The streams of people revealed all kinds of sights.

While they siblings bonded warmly, countless students also chatted and laughed with their families, sharing the sweet, sour, bitter and spicy parts of the exam period, sharing about their back, neck and waist discomforts, asking concerned questions.

Ru Qihai was speaking with a girl in black, occasionally glancing at Xu Mo. Both had subtle expressions.

Ru Anjun was assuring his parents who had travelled a great distance. His gestures of slapping his chest represented his determination to place as a tribute student.

Of course there were also lone figures, like students travelling solo for the exam, or those with reclusive personalities. As well as... Fang Yuan.

The youth's white robes fluttered. He had no friends or companions, no family to greet him, only a few servants flanking his sides. He seemed strangely lonely and sad.

His gaze roamed through the crowds, as if intentionally searching for someone.

When he saw the straight-backed Xu Mo, he revealed a meaningful smile. Then as he swept over Zheng Ruqian, he lightly narrowed his eyes.

They couldn't let him look any further, what if he discovered Fang Heng?

The rare tacit understanding between Xu Mo and Zheng Ruqian had them blocking Fang Heng, while Fifth Jiang was signaled to bring everyone away.

Just as Chang Yan was about to leave, he caught sight of General Jiang walking against the crowds and suddenly called out, "Third brother, stop hiding."

Everyone was stunned.

Fang Heng had hid from the Fang Family for five years, first in Xieyang County, then later went to the northern borderlands. Although he now had some standing as a battlefield commander, he ultimately couldn't compare with the Fang Family.

Not hiding was equivalent to exposing himself before the Fang Family, making himself the Fang Family's target.

"Without third brother, the conflict between us and the Fang Family cannot be resolved," Chang Yan narrowed his eyes. "Instead, third brother can test out the Fang Family's true bottom line."

As for the potential dangers Fang Heng might face, the schemes he might suffer... fear not.

Did they not have an umbrella of protection now?