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.

Jiang San brought the carriage and the group was just about to set off with their examination baskets when Zheng Ruqian, who had slept for two whole days and nights, finally woke up. Wearing crooked clothing with his boots not yet worn, hair a mess like a madman's, he still shouted loudly and crawled over upon seeing the departing carriage.

"Eldest brother, eldest brother, I'll send you to the exam!"

Just as promised, even in his dreams he had woken up.

Xu Mo's nose turned slightly sour, though the corners of his mouth lifted gently. Reaching out from the carriage, he said, "Come, younger brother."

Zheng Ruqian took his hand and with a slight pull, sat in the carriage.

Jiang San outside cracked his long whip and the horses pranced off lightly.

Unfortunately, Fang Steward was missing.

They soon arrived at the gates of the Imperial Examination Hall.

Students from all directions either sat in carriages, stood with examination baskets on their backs, conversed with classmates, or knitted their brows reciting.

Jiang Sheng was especially curious, poking her head out to look around before reporting back to her brothers, "I saw many examinees with graying hair, some even older than Uncle Zhang."

"I also saw the younger brother of the Fengfu elder brother, squatting at the hall entrance reading, muttering to himself."

Seeing Fang Steward in a corner, she frowned slightly, feeling somewhat uncomfortable and withdrew her little head.

Xu Mo did not do any last minute cramming, nor observe those around him, but closed his eyes to nurture his spirit and conserve his energy.

Zheng Ruqian, Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan also dared not disturb him, even breathing more softly.

Everyone was waiting for the gates to open.

During this long yet brief time, an unoccupied carriage lightly clip-clopped over. The driver was around thirty years old, with a broad face and mouth. Originally quite dignified looking, but his roving eyes made him appear furtive.

His gaze swept back and forth over the crowd, a hint of jealousy in his eyes as he saw the exam candidates.

He seemed to be looking for something but could not find it. His gaze passed over Jiang San but moved on since he did not recognize him. Finally it settled on the other two carriages beside Hairpin Courtyard's.

From the conversation he overheard, he learned one carriage contained an examinee surnamed Xu.

He hesitated no longer, viciously jabbing a needle into the horse's butt.

The horse neighed painfully and charged at the two carriages. Unable to dodge, the carriages were smashed to pieces and examinees flung to the ground, their palms bleeding profusely. "Who is it, who harmed people at the examination hall entrance!" the examinees angrily shouted.

The Yuan bailiffs guarding the hall gates hurriedly drew their long knives, encircling the nearby area.

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?"