Chapter 382

Even behind Xu Mo, there was the expectant gaze of Minister Dou, the encouraging expression of Qi Huai, the two hundred taels of silver secretly shoved over by Zhu Sihuan, the admiration of An Jun, and the irresistible admiration of Zhao Yuan.

If they really withdrew, how disappointed would these people be?

Xu Mo smiled bitterly, laughing at himself for being sixteen years old but not as thoughtful as his twelve-year-old sister.

"We can't withdraw, we must not withdraw." The pale-faced fifth brother finally spoke, his voice hoarse, "Are we going to abandon Third Brother?"

Fang Heng's feud with the Fang family was irreconcilable and indigestible.

If they withdrew, Fang Heng could only fight desperately on his own, going to extremes and charging forward alone.

"Arriving at today was not a coincidence but inevitable." Chang Yan lowered his eyes, "Eldest Brother still doesn't understand the Imperial Court very well. Although the Dayu Dynasty is the world of the Zhu family, the Golden Sacred Hall is not a place where the imperial family has the final say."

Think about how aristocratic families control the Emperor.

Think about how much say the Fang family, the Jiang family, the Yao family, the Zhu family and other aristocratic families have.

The imperial family even has to appease the Fang family to protect a sword catcher, no matter which prince succeeds to the throne, on what basis can he abandon all the powerful ministers? Note that what is being talked about here is real power.

After all, Xu Mo still has to work hard and climb higher.

"As for the palace examination, rest assured. Once you pass the departmental examination, becoming a jinshi is set in stone. With the Jiang family's and the He family's recommendations, your official career may be bumpy but it won't end." The teenager finally raised his eyes, "Eldest brother, you once said you would be our backbone."

Chang Yan's analysis was like a crack opening in the darkness, revealing a golden ray of light.

The last sentence brought back the past, the school fees earned from selling mushrooms, the nights when they swore to protect their younger siblings, the compassion for the poor beggars, and the aspirations of their tender years.

Xu Mo's expression gradually became firm, "I'm not shrinking back, I'm just afraid of dead ends, but as long as there is a glimmer of hope, I will persevere. I have never forgotten my past ideals for a moment."

He also didn't really understand the affairs of the court. He thought that opposing the prince was a dead end. Fortunately, little Fifth Brother was there, fortunately there is always a way for humans.

"Although privately I do not want the Imperial Family to be restrained by aristocratic families, when that day really comes, I will also preserve the ability to restrain." Xu Mo spoke sonorously, "Eldest Brother will never give up anything. Eldest Brother will work harder. Eldest Brother will also be your backbone."

Don't be afraid, my younger siblings.

Behind you, your eldest brother will always be there.

"You also have Second Brother. Second Brother has money. Even if I have to buy it, I can buy your lives." At some point, Zheng Ruqian had made up his mind, "Second Brother will also protect you."

"Third Brother will too." Fang Heng's palm was covered in thick calluses. "Give me a few more years and I will definitely make great military achievements and rebuild the Fang family army."

They were the elder brothers. They would always protect their younger siblings.

The road ahead was so bumpy, but it didn't matter, they would get through it together.

Chang Yan grinned, smiling on his face but bitter in his heart.

What he said just now was all true, just slightly exaggerated - the imperial family is already uncomfortably restrained by aristocratic families now, so how could they possibly allow the next emperor to continue being restrained?

No matter which prince succeeds to the throne, they will all definitely try to weaken the power of aristocratic families and weaken the power of ministers in order to take back key positions and control into the hands of the emperor.

If the Crown Prince succeeds, it would be even worse. The feud between Fang Heng and the Fang family meant that the two sides were destined to fight to the death. Even if Xu Mo could gain a foothold in the court, he would still be squeezed uncomfortably.

But he couldn't say these words.

He had to leave Eldest Brother some hope, make Eldest Brother take the palace exam, make Eldest Brother charge forward unswervingly.

If someone really had to bear hardship, then let it be him.

Those rotten, disgusting past events, he was willing to pick them up, gather them back, and swallow them again.

"There's no one left at the city gates." Jiang Sheng exclaimed, "Shall we also take the carriage back?"

It was rare for Chang Yan to interrupt her. "Let's walk back. I want to walk with you."

That was good too.

No one refused. The six siblings strolled leisurely inside the vast Fengjing City, watching peddlers hawk, bustling shops, and the coming and going of people.

"I remember Eldest Brother's wish was to be an honest official, to be the clear sky over the people's heads." Chang Yan sighed. "Back then I was wondering how there could be someone so great who was willing to work hard for strangers."

Xu Mo smiled shallowly. "It was also to protect my family and to protect the common people of the world at the same time. With great compassion and filial piety coexisting, it became the wish to be an honest official." That was the inheritance of his father's will, but it also transcended his father's will.

"I'm different. I just want to make money so we can all eat well and dress well." Zheng Ruqian shook his head. "But at the most fundamental level, I'm just unwilling to be mediocre."

With Eldest Brother being so outstanding, how could Second Brother possibly be ordinary?

"Before going to the Northern Border, I only wanted revenge." Fang Heng spread his hands. "When I arrived at the Northern Border, I hoped for peace under heaven."

That was the longing for peace after witnessing cruelty.

"I don't have any big wishes. I just hope that no one will forget me." Wen Zhiyun pursed her lips. "If being a doctor means no one will forget me, then I'm willing to work hard for it."

Maybe only on rare occasions would one recall Imperial Physician Wen's charitable heart.

"Is it my turn now?" Jiang Sheng scratched her head. "I have no ambitions. I'm fine as long as I have food to eat and a place to sleep. It doesn't matter if I'm poor, but I hope that everyone in this world can live well and live in peace."

Whether it was Aunt Zhang, Miao Zhaoying and her mother, or those aunties in the workshop, they needed to eat. Only then did she have the motivation to work hard.

Now there was only little Fifth Brother, who had raised the question, left.

The gazes of the five siblings gathered over, inquisitive, puzzled, and simply happy.

Chang Yan lowered his eyes. "It has always been freedom."

Actually, freedom was a very abstract concept.

Someone who wandered everywhere was not necessarily free, nor was someone sitting in a courtyard necessarily unfree. After careful analysis, the essence of freedom was probably being able to do as one pleased.

"I was born into a very messy family, repeating meaningless things every day. Later, when my elders were not paying attention, I slipped out." Chang Yan lifted the corners of his lips. "Because I felt that leaving was the most free."

"But now, I've finally realized there is no true freedom. No matter what status, there are constraints; no matter what choice, there are things that need to be feared; no matter what position, there are people that have to be respected."

Freedom, after all, was just a concept imagined by mankind.

Chang Yan's smile grew wider and wider, from warm to sarcastic, and then from sarcastic to cold mockery.

"Fifth Brother." Next to his ear came Jiang Sheng's worried call.

Chang Yan put away his smile and acted like the calm and taciturn little Fifth again. "Eldest Brother passed the departmental exam. We once said there would be double joy. "

"Let's prepare Auntie's wedding."

"While we're...still together."