Chapter 285

As two young men full of ambition, they once faced challenges together with laughter.

But when the crucial moment arrived, he chose to retreat.

Though it was for the sake of Qi Shangshu's graying temples and the hard-earned family fortune of the Qi family, Qi Huai still felt ashamed and dared not look back as he fled in disgrace.

If only he could remain a little more composed, if only he could stay a while longer, he would see the smile on Xu Mo's face.

He would hear Xu Mo say, "Brother Qi, how could I blame you? This is my own affair. I can face danger alone, but I cannot implicate my friends."

After realizing the extraordinary identity of the person behind the exam fraud, Xu Mo had already given up on uniting a few friends.

Learning from the cautionary tale of the scapegoat, one should not act without absolute certainty and involve the innocent.

"But, elder brother, how can we confront the Fang family with our limited strength?" Jiang Sheng asked bewilderedly.

It was the formidable Fang family they were talking about.

They had forced Fang Heng to flee in a sorry state, even hiding in the borderlands, and they still didn't dare to return to confront the Fang family.

As one of the top noble families in Fengjing, with a centuries-long history dating back to the founding of the empire, they had produced four renowned generals, boasting a long list of military achievements and countless powerful connections. They could make or break the world with a wave of their hand.

Just think about how difficult it was for them to deal with the Wang and Sun families in the past.

But the Wang and Sun families were just two of the countless noble families who sought to align themselves with the Fang family.

"Yes, elder brother, do we really have the ability to confront the Fang family?" Wen Zhiyun also timidly asked.

Chang Yan remained silent, one hand resting on the door frame, deep in thought about the possibilities.

From Anshui Prefecture to Fengjing, they had come a long way, from being penniless to now having some assets, appearing prosperous and beautiful on the surface. But they still belonged to the lowest rungs of society—ordinary commoners with no power, no influence, and no support.

To contend with the Fang family was nothing but a pipe dream.

Fortunately, there is always a way where there seems to be none.

"Don't forget, Fang Yuan achieved the top rank in the imperial examination," Xu Mo said lightly.

That was the only weakness he had identified after careful consideration. Just think about the day the results were announced, even Zhao Yuan, who was usually carefree, doubted Fang Yuan's top-ranking position. Wouldn't others have doubts too?

After all, if it were so easy for anyone to give up martial pursuits and excel in literature, how could the top rank in the imperial examination be meaningful?

Geniuses who excelled in both martial arts and literature were exceedingly rare.

The energy of ordinary people is limited; to truly excel, one must study diligently for a long time.

The same is true for martial arts and scholarly pursuits.

Take Fang San as an example. He began martial arts training at the age of three, and now, after ten years, he wakes up at the crack of dawn without fail. He has developed formidable martial skills but finds literature rather tedious, and his handwriting is only passable.

Now look at Xu Mo. He began his education at the age of two, diligently studying for thirteen years, honing his handwriting to perfection. Yet he can't even do a somersault, and if it weren't for the training he received during those years at the dilapidated temple, he wouldn't even have the strength to lift a chicken.

"A scion of a martial family unexpectedly rises to the top in the imperial examination, surely this is beyond the Fang family's expectations," Xu Mo lowered his gaze. "They are indeed a top noble family, but top noble families are never monolithic. If the Fang family has allies, they must also have adversaries."

Their adversaries wouldn't intervene to help Xu Mo, but they would act against the Fang family.

"Borrowing strength to exert strength." Chang Yan, who was leaning against the door, finally looked up with bright and radiant eyes. "Big brother, there should be a place for you in the officialdom."

But who are the counterparts of the Fang family?

Whether it's Xu Mo, Wen Zhiyun, or Jiang Sheng, they all turned their heads to look at Chang Yan.

It turns out that everyone knows that Xiao Wu is usually mysterious, but he is truly familiar with Fengjing.

Chang Yan chuckled, tapping his right hand on his left hand's back and murmured, "Third Brother's second uncle dared to seize power and bully Third Brother only after the death of the Fang family's old madam."

This sentence revealed an important piece of information: Fang Old Madam was partial to Fang Heng.

"But Fang Yuan is still a member of the Fang family after all." Xu Mo hesitated, "After Third Brother disappeared, they have no reason to target Fang Yuan."

"This involves a secret of the Fang family." Chang Yan said lightly, "Back then, the old madam favored the main branch, and there were rumors that the second branch was born out of wedlock."

Furthermore, it is even said that the second branch of the Fang family had a hand in the death of Fang Old Madam.

Based on this, it's impossible for Fang Old Madam's maternal family to maintain any goodwill towards the Fang family. Not turning hostile is already the last bit of tolerance.

"Oh, by the way, Fang Old Madam's maternal family name is He." Chang Yan suddenly added.

Xu Mo stood up in shock, recalling He Chengzhang, the Prefect of Anshui, and the deal he made with the Fang family. After a while, he laughed bitterly.

These noble families in Fengjing are truly chaotic.

But no matter what, the He family is a breakthrough point.

After a brief discussion between Xu Mo and Chang Yan, they sent their visitation cards the next day, intending to visit the head of the He family. As expected, they were refused.

Undeterred, Xu Mo sent visitation cards for three consecutive days until someone met him through the crack in the door.

However, it wasn't the head of the He family but a melancholic young man with exquisite features. In the fair-skinned beauty-centric Fengjing, his slightly dark complexion appeared dull.

"Who are you, and why are you visiting the He family without reason?" The dark-skinned youth was cold and indifferent. "The head of the family is busy and has no time to see an unknown person."

It was evident that this young man from a noble family had an air of arrogance, to the point of being oblivious to the world.

Xu Mo also knew that the He clan youth could close the door at any moment, so he had to say the most crucial things in the shortest time.

"I am Xu Mo, a student from the territory of He Chengzhang, the Prefect of Anshui."

"I came today because it concerns the Fang family."

If words could cause harm, this dark-skinned youth from the He family would have spurted blood and died.

He changed his previous indifference and first looked around in panic before pulling Xu Mo into the He family and hiding in a secluded courtyard.

"You must not mention the name of the Fourth Uncle in the He family." The dark-skinned youth said nervously, "Luckily, it's me who came to send you away. If it were the head of the family, he would have beaten you to death long ago."

Xu Mo, "..."

Which noble family in Fengjing doesn't have some secrets?

Which family can be clean and pure?

The dark-skinned youth continued asking, "You came from Anshui Prefecture? Have you seen the Fourth Uncle? How is he?"

Xu Mo sighed, "The adult is doing well. He is an upright official, but it seems that he has some connection with the Fang family..."

"Hush, hush, hush." The dark-skinned youth became anxious. "Don't mention the Fang family in the He family. It's a taboo."

"But I came precisely because of the Fang family." Xu Mo innocently said, "You should have heard that Fang Yuan from the Fang family achieved the top rank in the imperial examination."

The expression on the dark-skinned youth's face turned disdainful once again, accompanied by a faint sense of disgust.

Xu Mo suppressed his emotions and spoke directly, "The Hui Yuan he took was originally mine."

The dark-skinned youth was astonished once again, his beautiful almond-shaped eyes staring directly at Xu Mo as if trying to read him, see through him, examine him closely.

"I was the top scholar of Anshui Prefecture, and I earned the Hui Yuan in this examination. But the Fang family switched the test papers. I know that there is an old grudge between your He family and the Fang family. I have no ulterior motive, I just wanted to pass on this information." Xu Mo bowed respectfully, "My message has been delivered. Farewell."

He left without even looking back.

The dark-skinned youth stood dumbfounded in the same spot, unable to regain his senses for a while.

And he claims to have no ulterior motive? Well, it's as if the abacus beads have jumped onto his face.