Chapter 386

No one had expected that Chang Yan would suddenly leave. The first person to shed tears was not Jiang Sheng, but surprisingly Wen Zhiyun.

But when you think about it, the two brothers were similar in age and inseparable. Even when doing mischief, they went hand in hand. Adding that they ate and slept together, their relationship was even closer than with Jiang Sheng.

Together they had plotted against Zhou Zhiquang, dealt with the county magistrate's wife, and tricked Prince Gong's heir. Together they had been refused admission at the gates of schools.

They were the closest brothers, the best of friends, and the perfect partners in crime.

"Why did you have to abandon me?" Wen Zhiyun choked up several times. "From now on, when we brothers are all busy with our own matters... will I be left alone again?"

The previously strong brothers could not help but redden their eyes and tighten their throats.

Jiang Sheng sucked in her nose and went over to hold his hand. "Fourth Brother, don't be afraid. I am still here, I won't leave. I'm not like Fifth Brother..."

More words were swallowed by the sourness.

What good children they were. How could they separate again?

Zhang Xianglian's eyes were red. Several times she wanted to speak but did not know what to say.

Master Kong put his arm around her shoulders to comfort her, sighing as he did so.

The night after the great joy was filled with great sorrow. Silent winds swarmed in through the windows, brushing up long sideburns, fluttering long robes, rustling paper.

Swish swish.

No one knew who looked up, as if awakening from a dream, and murmured, "No matter where he goes, we can find him right?"

Everyone's spirits were uplifted. That's right, he could leave, but they could look for him.

"Where do we look?" Fang Heng came to his senses and stood up to ask.

Jiang Sheng and Zheng Ruqian looked at each other, and suddenly said in unison, "Anshui Prefecture!"

That was where they had first met Chang Yan. He had been discovered in a small cave in Shili Village. His family was most likely around Xieyang County.

"But we've already left Anshui Prefecture," Wen Zhiyun lifted his tear-stained face. "I'm willing to close the clinic and go back to look."

"No need for that much trouble," Zheng Ruqian shook his head. "I'll write to Dashan and ask him to help look around Shili Village with our brothers." "We can help too," Zhang Qiquan came over at some point. "There are over ten full-time workers at the workshop."

With that it was considerable force already. Adding the temporary workers from Shili Village who helped plant beans, they could comb through the entirety of Xieyang County.

By asking around Anshui Prefecture, they would definitely be able to find their little Fifth brother.

Everyone discussed fervently, suggesting ideas from time to time, or describing Chang Yan's appearance and identifying features.

Only Xu Mo remained silent, eyebrows knitted tightly.

The younger siblings believed that Chang Yan, whom they had found in Anshui Prefecture, must be a native of Anshui Prefecture.

But various things in life showed that their Fifth Younger Brother could also be from Fengjing. The deed they had used as ornament indicated he was of prestigious birth, at least a child of some prestigious family.

But which prestigious family was it?

Xu Mo did not interrupt his siblings' discussion. Let them be happy expecting things. He would leave the rest to the Eldest Brother, and let the Eldest Brother find their youngest brother.

That night, Auntie Zhang almost stayed to accompany Jiang Sheng to sleep, worried that the young lady would feel heartbroken over Chang Yan's departure.

Master Kong at the side was nearly in tears, anxious yet unable to speak.

In the end it was Jiang Sheng who took initiative and said, "Auntie don't worry, I'm not sad. Fifth Brother must have had some big matter to deal with, he will come back after resolving it, or we will find him."

"However, if we find him first, we definitely can't let him off easy. We must beat him black and blue." She clenched her chubby fists.

Zhang Xianglian smiled through her tears, and finally left reluctantly, looking back every three steps.

The night was deep. Everyone bid each other goodnight and went to rest. All smiles as they turned to leave, all gloom once they turned around.

To suddenly lose a loved one, who wouldn't feel bad, who wouldn't feel heartbroken?

But the grown up children had also learned to pretend, also learned not to make others worry.

After blowing out the lights, Jiang Sheng tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Not far away in another bed, Wang Xiaozhu said sympathetically, "Miss, if you feel bad, just cry it out."

"No, I won't cry," Jiang Sheng shook her head. "Fifth Brother just went to take care of some matters. He will definitely come back."

He definitely would.

The next day, Zhang Qiquan left for Anshui Prefecture with Liu Cui. After all, the workshop couldn't be away from people for long. He had to oversee the vegetable deliveries, otherwise leaving for months could cause turmoil.

"Uncle Zhang, slow journey. Auntie Cui, slow journey. Remember to pass our letter to Pang Dashan, and ask him to help us look for our Fifth Younger Brother." The five siblings saw them off, waving their arms.

Zhang Xianglian hurriedly packed two full bags of local specialties for them.

After the carriage disappeared, Xu Mo gave instructions to his younger siblings before leaving on his own. He was going to mobilize his own connections to look for their Fifth Younger Brother in Fengjing.

"Eldest Brother, wait for me," Fang Heng somehow also followed along at some point.

Xu Mo looked at him in surprise and raised an eyebrow, "Why are you coming with me instead of accompanying everyone?"

"Eldest Brother, I may be frank, but I'm not stupid," Fang Heng gave a wry smile. "I was also in Anshui Prefecture, but am I a native of Anshui Prefecture?"

For those determined, crossing half the Dayu Dynasty was not difficult.

What was truly difficult was looking for someone within Fengjing.

Xu Mo first looked for the Zhao and Qi families, gave a simple description of his brother, and asked them to help keep an eye out.

Both Zhao Yuanhe and Qi Huai had seen Chang Yan before, and though surprised, readily agreed.

Fang Heng hesitated again and again before choosing to visit the He family.

The He Family Lord had originally welcomed him with a smile, but upon hearing Fang Heng's request, his smile instantly turned to anger. "I thought you came for revenge over your family's blood feud, didn't expect you were just looking for someone. Could finding a person matter more than avenging your parents' bloody hatred?"

Fang Heng awkwardly lowered his head, and after a long pause said, "Vengeance will come in time, but I must also look for my brother."

Not blood-related, but better than a blood brother.

Only then did the He Family Lord's expression soften, and promised to help keep an eye out.

While the two cities were busy looking, the youth who was in the thoughts and descriptions of countless people had already changed into luxurious brocade robes. He sat in a palanquin on the way to the Imperial City gates.

It was here that Third Brother had kowtowed until his head bled that day.

In the past, Eldest Brother had also realized here how frightening and sinister prestigious families could be.

Now, he was finally entering the maw of this man-eating beast.

"Your Highness," someone beside him asked softly, "are you really going back now? Why not wait a while?"

The youth lightly shook his head, tranquil and wordless.

No more waiting, no more time.

The imperial examination would begin soon...

According to legends of the Dayu Dynasty,

In the 7th year of Heqing, the 5th Prince was of poor health. He went south in winter, and to Rehe in summer to recuperate.

At the end of that year, the 5th Prince disappeared on his travels, vanishing without a trace. His servants were greatly alarmed, but hid the news for fear of their lives, for 5 years.

In the 12th year of Heqing, the 5th Prince recovered from illness and returned. He arrived at the capital 7 days before the imperial examination.

From then on, winds of change arose.