Chapter 174

No one expected that on this joyous day, Wang Fufeng, who had taken Wang Yuyao to Mount Tai for blessings, returned.

He was still the same gentle and elegant young man, but he had become thinner, his body more fragile.

Perhaps it was the rush to come back, or perhaps it was the haste to congratulate, there were still some traces of mud on Wang Fufeng's wide sleeves. However, it did not diminish his graceful demeanor, but rather added a touch of worldly charm to his temperament.

"Fufeng, my brother," Xu Mo cupped his hands, accepting his sincere friendship. "You have worked hard during this time."

Wang Fufeng smiled lightly, his gaze filled with gratification, admiration, and a hint of envy.

Although he didn't want to admit it, his worn-out body was truly a burden. He had only gone to Mount Tai for blessings for two months, and then hurriedly rushed back for several days, yet he was already reaching his limit.

He truly envied this group of brothers and sisters.

They had traveled from the village entrance to Shili Town, then to Xieyang County, and finally to Anshui Prefecture.

In the future, they would go to Fengjing, to the northern frontier, to numerous passionate cities, to taste the flavors of the world, and to witness different landscapes.

And he, either standing in Anshui Prefecture, looking towards a distant homeland.

Or turning into a handful of yellow soil, scattered into the distance.

Unfortunately, this was a day of great joy, not suitable for melancholy.

Wang Fufeng put away the dimness in his heart and regained his smile. "Regardless of anything, I must congratulate Brother Xu and express my gratitude to Chang Yan for their hard work during this time."

Chang Yan, who was called by name, took a few steps forward and returned the account book to Wang Fufeng. "The records are in the steward's hands."

"I trust you, brothers and sisters," Wang Fufeng had no intention of checking the accounts, "I came back ahead of the others. They will arrive in Anshui Prefecture in no more than ten days."

During this period without the oppression of County Prefect He and with the support of the Fang family, the Sun family was gradually recovering and regaining the appearance of an ancient family.

Wang Yuyao relied more and more on others, which was not a good thing for them, the brothers and sisters.

Unfortunately, the feud between the two sides could not be resolved, and it had become an almost inescapable deadlock.

Xu Mo looked at the tender and delicate faces of his younger siblings, and then looked at the hairpin courtyard that was familiar to the bone, smelling the rich aroma of wax coming from the workshop. His mind was filled with countless thoughts. Some thoughts had been loosened early on, sprouting, and now they were gradually expanding, about to blossom completely.

"Perhaps... it's time to leave," he sighed.

Wang Fufeng lifted his head at the words, a glimmer of anticipation flickering in his eyes, mixed with concealed sorrow.

"Leave?" the younger siblings were extremely surprised and asked in unison, "Why does Big Brother want to leave?"

Jiang Sheng's workshop was in Anshui Prefecture.

Zheng Ruqian's mansion and business were in Anshui Prefecture.

Wen Zhiyun's clinic was in Anshui Prefecture.

Chang Yan had nothing, but his older brother and sister were in Anshui Prefecture!

Why would they leave?

How could they leave?

Jiang Sheng felt like she was about to cry again, but in order not to be seen as a crybaby by everyone, she suppressed the sourness that surged up her throat and whispered softly, "We promised Third Brother that we would wait for him to come back in Anshui Prefecture."

"If we leave, who will he come back to find?"

The young girl's innocent question echoed in everyone's ears.

No one could give an answer, including Xu Mo.

They did want to wait for Fang Heng in Anshui Prefecture, but it was indeed a place filled with difficulties, making it impossible for anyone to live in peace.

After much thought, Xu Mo presented the most legitimate reason, "Next February is the imperial examination, and I have to go to the capital for the exams."

Wang Fufeng closed his eyes.

Jiang Sheng widened her eyes in surprise.

The imperial examination, also known as the Chunwei, was an important milestone for the jinshi candidates. Passing the imperial examination would grant them the title of gongsheng, and after passing the final palace examination, they would become esteemed scholars.

The ultimate goal of the imperial examination was to become a jinshi. If one excelled, they could enter the government office in Fengjing that very year, embarking on a path to a bright and limitless future.

No one in the Hairpin courtyard dared to deny Xu Mo's excellence.

Jiang Sheng couldn't bear to let him go to Fengjing alone.

But the thought of Fang Heng returning to Anshui Prefecture empty-handed and unable to be found by anyone made Jiang Sheng feel uneasy.

In her mind, a balance suddenly formed, with Fang Heng on the left and Xu Mo on the right, swaying back and forth, undecided.

After a while, Zheng Ruqian rubbed her little head and said softly, "We can write a letter to our third brother and tell him to come to Fengjing to find us."

Jiang Sheng lifted her head in delight. "Really, Second Brother? Can we write a letter to our third brother?" Zheng Ruqian scratched his head.

Actually, he didn't know if they could, he was just trying to make his sister happy with his words.

But feeling the trust in his sister's gaze, Zheng Ruqian made up his mind. No matter what, he would send this letter to the northern border, and if possible, he would bring some goods to provide support for their third brother.

"We can, we definitely can," the young man said resolutely.

Jiang Sheng smiled, all her doubts and worries finally resolved. She had made this difficult decision. "Alright, I'll go to Fengjing with Big Brother."

Having already separated from one older brother, she didn't want to part ways with another.

"I'll go too," Zheng Ruqian struck a pose. "Although the business in Anshui Prefecture hasn't stabilized yet, I would be happy to expand our business in Fengjing."

Wen Zhiyun didn't hesitate. "Wherever my older and younger brothers and sisters are, that's where I'll be."

Wen's Clinic was opened solely to protect them. If they were not there, the clinic would lose its meaning.

His gaze fell on Chang Yan, the young man with nothing to his name, who simply shrugged and couldn't be bothered to speak.

Who would be willing to separate from their family?

Except for that foolish third brother.

Since everyone had no objections, they could now start preparing to go to Fengjing.

First and foremost, the workshop. Jiang Sheng asked Zhang Qiquan and his wife for their opinion and learned that they were willing to stay here, so she entrusted it to them.

Surprisingly, Zhang Xianglian also expressed her willingness to accompany the children to Fengjing.

Liu Cui had already mastered the techniques of preserved meats and white noodles, so she could continuously supply the surrounding cities.

Zhang Xianglian smiled and said, "Then I'll go to Fengjing and bring the preserved meats with me. I'll also open a workshop there."

Though they said these words, the impending separation caused the two sisters to sob helplessly.

Zheng Ruqian was also dealing with his affairs. Pang Dashan continued to manage the transportation of goods in Anshui Prefecture. Wang Xiaosong and Wang Xiaozhu were willing to go to Fengjing with him, but there were still unfinished business matters in Anshui Prefecture. Wang Xiaosong decided to stay for a few more months and go to Fengjing after everything stabilized.

Wen's Clinic remained open. Wen Zhiyun asked the female physicians if they were willing to go with him. Those who agreed signed a contract, while those who didn't want to leave continued to work as physicians at Wen's Clinic, albeit without the presence of the chief physician.

Xu Mo sent a message to Bian Wenxuan and paid respects to his parents.

Zheng Ruqian sent a message to the county magistrate Pang and reminded Pang Dashan to regularly send some cured meats to the county magistrate. He also didn't forget to bid farewell to the two managers of You Ran House.

Wen Zhiyun went to bid farewell to Doctor Wu.

Ten days later, the Wang family returned to Anshui Prefecture in a grand manner.

The people from Hairpin Courtyard stood at the eastern part of Anshui Prefecture, where they had previously bid farewell to the former prefect of Anshui. Now, it was their turn to bid farewell to them.