Chapter Eleven: Protecting One's Inferior

  Han Jiangxue raised her eyes and took a look, only to find that it was actually Zhang Haicheng, the eldest son of the Zhang family, walking over this way.

  Zhang Haicheng was accompanied by a man in black clothes who looked somewhat familiar, but Han Jiangxue couldn't quite recall who he was at the moment. At the same time, she hadn't expected to see Zhang Haicheng today, and things were still a bit different from her previous life.

  "Jiang Xue, why have you also come to admire the flowers today?" Zhang Haicheng stopped in front of Han Jiangxue with a smile, clearly implying that he didn't think it was right to run into her at such an occasion.

  However, Zhang Haicheng's tone was light and carefree, looking like he was still in a pretty good mood after seeing Han Jiangxue.

  "Does Brother Zhang mean I'm not welcome here?" Han Jiangxue responded with a smile, straightforward and without any feminine affectation.

  "Of course not, I just thought you wouldn't like this kind of thing." Zhang Haicheng hastily shook his head. In his opinion, horseback riding, hunting, and playing cuju were more to Han Jiangxue's liking. "By the way, why haven't we seen your brother around these days? This isn't like him at all. Could it be that he was grounded by your father because of what happened with the Second Young Master of the Zhuang family last time?"

  The matter of that day, due to the handling by Crown Prince Li Xinghua, did not spread further from the horse farm. However, many people still knew about the part where Han Jing had beaten up Li Xingming for taking revenge for his sister.

  Han Jiangxue didn't dodge the question, and replied naturally: "It's not like that. That matter was originally caused by Li Xingming provoking me first. My big brother took action to teach him a lesson, which already gave face to the Zhuang family. After that, nothing else happened. My father had no reason to restrict his movements. It's just that recently my big brother has become infatuated with studying poetry and books, so he stays at home every day reading, where would he have the energy to run around outside?"

  "Jiang Xue, did I hear that right? You said your older brother..."

  Zhang Haicheng's face was full of surprise, and before he could finish speaking, he couldn't help but smile as he turned to the black-clad man beside him and said: "Mo Li, Jiang Xue said that Han Jing has now reformed and is studying poetry, what do you think about this?"

  When Zhang Haicheng called the man in black Mo Li, Han Jiangxue was stunned for a moment. No wonder she felt that this person was somewhat familiar before, and it turned out to be him!

  In her previous life, Han Jiang Xue and this person were only acquaintances, but they didn't have any real communication. It wasn't until shortly before her death that the name Mo Li left a deep impression on her.

  The Mo family is one of the three major foreign surname vassal kings. If not for the early death of King Mo, the Mo king's mansion should have become the first among the three vassal kings long ago. However, even so, the foundation of the entire Mo king's mansion is still not to be underestimated.

  Mo Li was not a prominent figure, just an ordinary son of the Mo royal family, but within two years, he suddenly rose to prominence and even the emperor had to show him respect.

  Upon closer inspection, Mo Li's appearance was not particularly handsome. To say nothing of being compared to Zhang Haocheng, a top-ranking handsome young master from the capital city, even the Li brothers, Xinghua and Xingming, from the Zhuang Shizi Manor were more eye-catching than him.

  However, Mo Li has a quality that makes people feel at ease, especially those eyes that always seem calm and peaceful, like an ancient well, emitting a unique aura. That's why when Zhang Haicheng came over to call her earlier, she almost immediately noticed Mo Li.

  Just as Han Jiangxue was muttering to herself, Mo Li suddenly spoke up.

  "People are always changing, and Han Jing is no exception." Mo Li's expression was calm, his tone firm, and he didn't think that Han Jiang Xue's words were unbelievable, unlike Zhang Hao Cheng.

  Although it was just a simple sentence that didn't have anything special about it, Mo Li's natural and affirmative tone towards Han Jing made Han Jiang Xue feel very relieved in her heart.

  She immediately smiled with gratitude and nodded in agreement, "Brother Mo's words are wise. Thirty years on the east bank of the river, thirty years on the west bank, nothing remains unchanged in this world, let alone people. Just based on Brother Mo's ability to be so objective, Jiang Xue thinks that it won't take long for him to become famous in the capital and make a name for himself!"

  "Han's sister is overpraising." Mo Li responded with a calm expression. However, when faced with Han Jiangxue's exceptionally serious and affirmative gaze, his eyebrows and eyes couldn't help but flicker with a hint of subtle surprise.

  Zhang Haicheng couldn't help but laugh again, with a smile that wouldn't fade, teasing Han Jiangxue: "I've known you for so many years and never heard you praise me even half a sentence. Now Mo Li just said one sentence leaning towards your brother, and you're not stingy with your praise at all! You siblings are really fiercely protective of each other!"

  "What's wrong with being protective? Being able to protect the people I care about is the greatest happiness in the world!" Han Jiangxue didn't mind Zhang Haicheng's kind teasing, but instead acknowledged it openly and clearly stated her stance.

  Han Jiangxue was originally extremely beautiful, especially her bright and moving eyes. Just now, for a moment, she naturally showed a unique charm that was different from others. She had the same wildness as before, but also added a touch of openness and transparency, two completely opposite qualities that perfectly blended together on her, making her even more charming.

  Of course, at this moment, Han Jiangxue himself did not realize this point.

  For a moment, Zhang Haicheng was stunned, and then murmured in agreement: "That's right, there's nothing wrong with being protective."

  Mo Li beside him didn't make a sound, but couldn't help taking another glance at Han Jiangxue, whose eyes were as calm and still as an ancient well, making it impossible to discern any emotions.

  After a moment, Zhang Haicheng quickly regained his composure, smiled slightly, and asked Han Jiangxue again: "Looking at it this way, I heard someone say that your older brother is going to participate in the imperial examination this year. Is this true?"

  This time, Zhang Haicheng's tone was no longer as humorous as before, and it sounded a lot more serious.

  Han Jiang Xue thought to himself that the news had spread quickly enough, and some people were indeed paying close attention. However, this kind of thing is afraid of being unknown, after all, what Big Brother wants to contend for in the end is not something like being first in the literary exam, but rather it's about getting recognition for his attitude and transformation. It's laughable that some people are still harboring such lowly thoughts as wanting Big Brother to lose face in this matter, yet they don't know that times have changed!

  Before he could respond with a definite answer, a melodious and pleasant voice like silver bells rang out from behind him.

  "Haocheng brother is right, my brother indeed has to participate in this year's Wenwu Shuangshi in the palace." Han Yajing spoke as she floated over to several people, her face full of pride, saying to Zhang Haocheng: "Brother has been studying hard at home these days, not even leaving the door, Brother is full of confidence, and this year's Wen exam will definitely achieve good results!"

  Han Yajing's appearance made Zhang Haicheng's smile even more pronounced. Compared to Han Jiangxue, Han Yajing was obviously much more well-behaved and likable. Anyone who saw such a beautiful and lovely woman would naturally feel a few points of affection for her.

  "It seems that Han Jing is really going to make a big splash this time!" He looked at Mo Li again, and unconsciously used the phrase "make a big splash" that Han Jiangxue had previously praised Mo Li.

  Before the ink had time to dry, Han Jiang Xue's smile on her face suddenly disappeared, and she rebuked Han Ya Jing beside her: "Ya Jing, don't talk nonsense. Although big brother is confident, he is not arrogant at all. When did he ever say that being full of confidence would definitely lead to good results?"

  Han Jiang's expression changed suddenly, and Han Ya Jing's face turned bright red in an instant. She looked innocent as if she had said something wrong, and quickly explained: "Sister, don't be angry, I was just happy for big brother, and my words were a bit too hasty."

  "Rumors are more ferocious than tigers. Once your words get out, people will misunderstand that Big Brother is arrogant and ignorant, excessively proud. Big Brother was just speaking frankly about participating with effort, even Father has acknowledged his diligent yet not opportunistic attitude, how could he say such ignorant and arrogant words?"

  Han Jiangxue didn't care about being humble and tolerant in front of outsiders, but with just a few words, she pierced the heart of Han Yajing's seemingly careless but actually very harmful ignorant remarks. At the same time, she cleverly used the word "again" to hint at her own older brother's bad reputation outside, which was largely exaggerated and distorted by others.

  "Jing'er... Jing'er really didn't mean to, sister don't be angry anymore, in the future Jing'er will definitely pay more attention when speaking." Han Yajing had a pitiful look on her face, although she was apologizing to Han Jiangxue with her words, but her eyes kept glancing at Zhang Haicheng across from her, with an expression as if she was often scolded by her older sister and never dared to retort.

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