Chapter 166: The Plot at the Gate of the Gongyuan

Chapter 166

"Big brother!"

Jiang Sheng turned her head and saw Zheng Ruqian softly collapsing on the ground. She screamed in fright and scrambled over in a panic.

Supporting Zheng Ruqian, she realized that her sturdy second brother had long become skinny, with only a layer of skin covering his bones.

"Second brother."

"Younger sister."

Hearing the commotion, Xu Mo came out with Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan. Seeing Zheng Ruqian lying on the ground, the three brothers were all rendered speechless.

The robust Zheng Ruqian that had left was now emaciated when he returned.

Wen Zhiyun's eyes reddened as he checked his pulse. After repeatedly confirming, he finally said, "He's not sick, just too weak. He needs good nurturing for a period of time."

The brothers worked together, some lifting his head while others his legs, and carried the unconscious Zheng second brother back to his room.

Unexpectedly, he woke up as soon as they moved him. Opening his somewhat protruding eyes, he reached out towards the carriage, "First, first send the roast duck..."

Wang Xiaosong, who still had some energy, quickly stuck out his head, "Don't worry sir, I'll send it right away."

Only then did Zheng Ruqian relax and lose consciousness again.

This time he was out for a full two days.

It was already the morning of the twenty-eighth day of the third month when he finally stirred.

Early in the morning, Zhang Auntie had prepared a pot of hot rice, waiting only for Xu Mo to take a few mouthfuls before filling up his bulging waterskin, taking the lidded chamber pot, brush and inkstone, paste for correcting mistakes and carving knife for alterations, as well as cold food that could keep without heating.

The imperial examination was held three times, with each attempt lasting three days.

Once entered, examinees could not leave for those three days and had to complete eating, drinking, defecating and sleeping all in a small room.

Previously it was Jiang Sheng who prepared everything. Although the young lady tried very hard, she was still limited by her age and there were inevitably some oversights.

Now with Zhang Auntie taking care, everything was provided for, hot or cold, fully prepared without any flaws.

After breakfast, all the items were already packed into the examination basket. Xu Mo only needed to sling it over his shoulder before heading to the Imperial Examination Hall.

Yet he lingered, his gaze fixed on the door to Zheng Ruqian's room.

"Eldest brother, you should go first. Second brother will come to the hall to fetch you when he wakes up," Chang Yan tactfully advised.

Seeing that time was running out, Xu Mo had no other choice but to lightly nod.

Since Hairpin Courtyard's carriage was close by, it was also enclosed.

Xu Mo lifted the carriage curtain, saw the assailant, and was initially startled before quickly recognizing this man. "Sun Quanzhu."

Back in Xieyang County, Sun Quanzhu had been directed by the Wang family to purposefully become Bian Wenxuan's teacher. Unexpectedly, the quick-witted Bian Wenxuan directly hired Xu Mo instead.

The two had borne grudges since, but with one a young student and the other a scholar, their interactions were so limited that they never actually confronted each other.

Meeting again now, it was unexpectedly at the examination hall entrance, and an incident of deliberate carriage ramming had occurred.

Xu Mo found it hard not to associate this with the Sun family, and by extension the Wang and Fang families.

"You're here?" Sun Quanzhu was also surprised. After painstaking selection, he had still rammed the wrong carriage. He couldn't describe what he felt.

Just then the bailiffs came over to investigate.

He steeled his heart and pointed at Xu Mo, loudly proclaiming, "He told me to do this, afraid he wouldn't pass the provincial examination and deliberately harmed his fellow examinees."

These words caused an uproar.

All the waiting examinees looked over, with disgust, anger, and discussing amongst themselves.

Jiang Sheng was so furious she nearly went mad, yelling hoarsely, "You're slandering and framing, spewing nonsense, throwing dirt, we don't even know you!"

But since Sun Quanzhu had named Xu Mo, the bailiffs could not just stand by.

Yuan the bailiff knew Xu Mo was taking the exam today and was somewhat troubled. "I've already sent someone to call the county magistrate to adjudicate immediately. "

But that was still uncertain.

As long as Sun Quanzhu insisted Xu Mo had directed him, they would have to detain Xu Mo in the hall for interrogation to clarify matters.

That would delay the exam.

At this critical juncture, the hall gates opened.

Jiang Sheng was anxious as flames, anxiously scurrying about, afraid her eldest brother's exam would really be delayed.

Events happened quickly.

Fang Steward in the crowd stepped forward and gently said, "Does the young friend need help? The Fang family is willing to lend a hand."

The Hairpin Courtyard children were all stunned.

Soon after, passing by with He Shopkeeper, Jiang Chengyuan raised his brows and squeezed over, "It's little sister Jiang Sheng, is she in some trouble? Does she need brother Jiang's help?"