Chapter 186

This was just a tentative question. But it was enough to make Xu Mo's expression change instantly when he heard it, smile disappearing. Something he had suppressed in his heart for a whole month was dug out so easily by little Jiang Sheng. If it had been someone else, Xu Mo would have just responded coldly and reprimanded them. But this was little Jiang Sheng, his clever yet innocent little brother, so he could only sigh helplessly, "Why do you have to be so clever?"

Chang Yan's face was the picture of innocence and kindness.

"Little Jiang Sheng, I won't harm my brothers and sisters. I just want to get justice for our parents," Xu Mo said gently.

From the moment he saw Zhu Zhi, the hatred in his heart churned like waves, never calming.

He thought back to that time, when he wasn't even a scholar, just a commoner who dared to go before Magistrate Dou's manor, willing to take fifty heavy strokes just to get justice for his parents.

In the blink of an eye he became a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, and now a top scholar who could meet officials without kneeling, yet didn't dare to beat the injustice drum at the government offices, much less lodge a complaint at the Fengjing Prefectural Administration.

Was it because he was timid?

Or was it because he was weak?

No, neither. It was because he clearly understood the power of influential families was not something ordinary people could shake. If he stubbornly charged ahead, it would be like smashing eggs against rocks, being smashed to pieces.

Xu Mo did not fear death, but he didn't want to die in vain.

His life was long, his ambitions great. He had younger brothers and sisters to take care of. He wanted to be a responsible and reliable older brother. He still wanted to benefit the common people, to become the blue sky watching over the people's heads.

So he could only resort to strategy.

After noticing Zhu Zhi's subtle but undeniable jealousy towards Fang Yuan, the heir of the Fang family, Xu Mo formed a bold and dangerous plan in his mind.

He figured that after a couple years his appearance must have changed somewhat, so maybe he could approach Zhu Zhi under an assumed identity, and then find a way to stoke Zhu Zhi's resentment towards the Fang family. By making use of the Fang family's influence, he could force the Zhu family to abandon Zhu Zhi.

Without the protection of a powerful family, Zhu Zhi would just be a powerless middle-aged man. Unfortunately, imagination was beautiful but reality was cruel.

Firstly, it was uncertain whether Zhu Zhi would remember his face and appearance. Just based on Xu Mo's temperament, it would be extremely difficult for him to deliberately get close to someone and carry out instigation.

After a month, they had only caught fleeting glimpses of each other twice, without exchanging even half a sentence.

So when Chang Yan asked, "Big brother, how far along is your plan?" Xu Mo's usual serene expression briefly turned red with embarrassment.

Jiang Sheng happened to hop out at that time. Seeing the blush on big brother's face, she looked around suspiciously. "Fifth brother, did you bully big brother?"

Chang Yan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "No, I wouldn't dare."

Jiang Sheng thought that made sense. Big brother was the most authoritative person in the whole family. Even third brother didn't dare make trouble in front of big brother, so who would bully him?

Humming a song, she hopped and skipped back to the kitchen, insisting on watching the stewing of the pork elbows.

The small courtyard quieted down again.

Chang Yan took a deep breath, his gaze sincere and earnest. "Big brother, you shouldn't have hidden something like this from us. If you want to take revenge on Zhu Zhi, even scheme against him and set traps for him, that's fine, but you should have at least told us."

Xu Mo was silent.

Ever since the siblings came together, they had always helped each other, working together seamlessly without ever falling back.

But that was in Anshui Prefecture. The greatest danger there was also just assassination attempts from the county magistrate's wife, and they had Fang Heng's protection.

Now in Fengjing, not only were there complex and powerful family forces, there were also countless officials and nobles. Even if there were two upright prefecture magistrates like those who served in Anshui Prefecture, they still wouldn't be able to forcibly protect people.

After a long time, Xu Mo spoke. "The situation in Fengjing is complicated. I didn't want to implicate you all in my personal quest for revenge."

Chang Yan almost laughed from exasperation.

He really didn't expect that big brother, who was usually so wise, would make such a silly mistake on this matter. People really can't see their own flaws.

"Big brother, we live under the same roof, calling each other brothers and sisters. If something really happened to you, do you think Fengjing's nobles would care if a few more people died and a bit more blood was shed?" Chang Yan spoke forcefully. "Or if something happened to you, do you think your siblings could still live happily?"

They had agreed to never split up.

Back when Fang Heng went to the northern border, Jiang Sheng had cried and clung to him, unwilling to let go, afraid that the chaos of war would take away another brother.

If she knew that after coming to Fengjing, she might lose another brother again, she probably would have refused to come even if it killed her.

It had been a full three years since the six siblings came together. Maybe this number seemed insignificant, but for little Jiang Sheng, who was only ten years old now, three years already accounted for nearly one third of her life, and were her happiest memories. Losing Xu Mo, the rest of her life would never be happy again.

Just thinking of her brother brought tears to her eyes rather than smiles.

Imagining this scene made Xu Mo's heart tremble. He suddenly wondered if he was being too stubborn in seeking vengeance for his parents. Should he give up his hatred of Zhu Zhi for the sake of his siblings?

"Big brother, villains should be punished." Chang Yan walked over to stand in front of Xu Mo. "Whether it's the Fang family or the Zhu family, sooner or later there will be conflict between us. But you shouldn't have plotted revenge alone. You should have told us, at least told me."

Xu Mo raised his head, his gaze colliding directly with Chang Yan's deep eyes that were like twin pools.

There was no doubting little fifth brother's intelligence.

Most importantly, he now understood that there was no point in hiding it further.

"Alright, then I'll only tell you." Xu Mo still didn't want his siblings to worry along with him, so he emphasized this point.

Chang Yan didn't speak, only quietly took two steps back.

Xu Mo sensed something off. He turned around in puzzlement.

Then he saw Jiang Sheng holding the pork elbows, Zheng Ruqian with a face full of resentment, and Wen Zhiyun looking grievously wronged.

"Big brother, why did you hide it from us?" Jiang Sheng yelled.

"I guess we're not worthy of knowing." Zheng Ruqian said sarcastically. "Since we don't have little fifth brother's cleverness."

"Big brother, do I really not have fifth brother's cleverness?" Wen Zhiyun's eyes brimmed with tears.

Xu Mo didn't know how to respond, put on the spot.

He felt like he needed help, so his gaze swept around until it landed on the only savior, little fifth brother Chang Yan.

But the not even shoulder height tall Chang Yan just pursed his lips, and surprisingly took two steps back to choose self-preservation.

Xu Mo's mouth was suddenly filled with five flavors.

He turned his head to look. Although the three siblings had different expressions, the grievance and anger in their eyes was exactly the same.

He smiled wryly and lowered his head.

He hadn't moved a stone, yet still smashed his own foot.