Hearing Mo Zhizhang say this, Jiang Mian's expression turned strange.
If Xiao Tianchi knew from the very beginning that the body was fake, why didn't he expose it to the world? Instead, he remained silent, still brought the fake body back to the capital, and even seized the throne to become emperor.
Since Mo Zhizhang was Xiao Tianchi's man, it was likely that he had recognized Xiao Jingcheng as the Crown Prince of the Sheng Kingdom when they were in Dongli Town.
But he didn't kill Xiao Jingcheng. Instead, he indulged her in spreading the deeds of Xiao Jingcheng along the way, justifying this "Crown Prince" and accumulating the common people's prestige for him. What was his intention?
Wasn't Xiao Tianchi afraid that after Xiao Jingcheng gained the love and support of the common people, he would threaten his throne?
Even more strange...
Xiao Tianchi clearly knew that Xiao Jingcheng was with them. He came to Luozhou personally to congratulate her parents on their new marriage, but he didn't ask them about Xiao Jingcheng's whereabouts. It was as if he didn't care about Xiao Jingcheng's comings and goings at all.
Moreover...
Mo Zhizhang didn't ask her about Xiao Jingcheng either, as if he already knew that he had left.
It was so strange, really too strange.
What on earth did this Emperor of the Northern Sheng Kingdom want to do?
Jiang Mian couldn't help but think again. Had Xiao Jingcheng and Taoist Yuanzheng missed something by leaving so quietly?
Seeing her frowning in deep thought, Mo Zhizhang knew that her heart was now entirely occupied by Xiao Jingcheng. He felt a burst of annoyance again.
Even at this moment, she was still thinking about Xiao Jingcheng!
Was that person really that important?
"Mujin..."
Mo Zhizhang opened his mouth and found that his voice had become hoarse.
Jiang Mian came back to her senses and looked at him.
She didn't know if it was because the light around was too dim, but she inexplicably felt that Mo Zhizhang's eyes were as black as ink, which made her feel a little flustered.
But when she looked more closely, she found that his expression when looking at her was very gentle, no different from before.
Actually, thinking carefully, she didn't really have the right to blame Mo Zhizhang.
Everyone in this world had their own things to do and their own paths to take. Hadn't she herself concealed her identity and become an apprentice, never telling her master about her origin?
"Now that I know you had your difficulties in approaching me, I won't blame you anymore." She said seriously, "Although you're not my uncle, you've taught me to recognize, use, and detoxify poisons along the way. You have the grace of teaching me."
"I can't call you uncle anymore, and it's not appropriate to call you Second Brother either. Can I call you Third Master from now on?"
Mo Zhizhang clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging deeply into his palms. He had to use the physical pain to barely maintain his expression on his face.
"Third... Master?"
"Yeah!" Jiang Mian nodded vigorously, "My Grand Master is Doctor Wang. He taught me medical skills, giving me the ability to cure the sick and save the dying. My Second Master is my father. He taught me how to judge people. You taught me poison techniques after my father. Wouldn't you be ranked third?"
Seeing him remain silent, she felt a little disappointed. "Don't you want to? Do you think I haven't learned well enough and don't want to recognize me as your apprentice?"
Mo Zhizhang closed his eyes and then opened them. He smiled and said, "How could I not want to? You're the smartest student I've ever seen. But you're not much younger than me, and I'm not married yet. If you call me master, won't you make me sound old?"
"This..." Jiang Mian hadn't thought of this aspect.
"How about we become sworn siblings?" Mo Zhizhang suggested.
Jiang Mian pondered.
Becoming sworn siblings was acceptable.
To be honest, after getting along for so long and going through hardships together, she really didn't want to lose Mo Zhizhang as a friend. If they became sworn siblings, she wouldn't have to worry that he would use poison techniques against them in the future.
There happened to be a teapot and teacups on the stone plate. Jiang Mian poured two cups of tea. Then they found an open space and knelt down facing the moon.
"May the heavens above bear witness. I, Jiang Mian—"
She paused for a moment, and Mo Zhizhang continued, "Mo Zhizhang."
"We hereby become sworn siblings. From now on, we'll share weal and woe, help each other, and never leave or forsake each other."
After saying that, they both bowed respectfully to the moon three times.
They were very close, and the hems of their clothes overlapped. Mo Zhizhang looked at their shadows that were almost merged into one, and there was a hidden sense of pleasure in his heart.
Although they were sworn siblings, wasn't this also like paying homage to heaven and earth?
Had Xiao Jingcheng ever thought that he would take advantage of this opportunity?
Jiang Mian had no idea what was going on in Mo Zhizhang's mind. After bowing, she poured the tea in her hand into the soil. Thus, it was done.
Mo Zhizhang stood up first and reached out his hand to Jiang Mian. He said with a smile, "From now on, I'll still call you little sister."
Jiang Mian handed her hand to him and stood up with his strength. A bright smile bloomed on her face. "Then I can't call you Second Brother anymore. I'll call you elder brother."
Previously, in order to conceal Xiao Jingcheng's identity, they claimed to be a family, so they had the titles of elder brother and second elder brother. Now that her father had regained control of the Li family and was personally welcomed back to the capital by Xiao Tianchi, they naturally couldn't call each other like that anymore.
"Okay." Mo Zhizhang reached out his hand to stroke Jiang Mian's temples. His voice was as gentle as water.
"Thank you, little sister, for not disliking elder brother's background. From now on, elder brother finally has relatives to care about in this world."
Jiang Mian's heart skipped a beat. She subconsciously wanted to avoid him, but his words were so pitiful. Thinking of his background, she endured it.
"Elder brother, are you also going back to the capital this time?" she asked.
Mo Zhizhang replied "Yes". Jiang Mian asked again, "Have you been active in the capital before?"
Mo Zhizhang said, "Not really. I'm in charge of the Feiyu Hall. I go wherever there's a mission. I've never had a fixed residence."
"Feiyu Hall?" Jiang Mian looked curious. It was the first time she had heard this name.
Mo Zhizhang explained to her, "It's an organization responsible for collecting and transmitting information."
"I heard elder brother call yourself 'Partridge' in front of the emperor. What's the meaning of this?"
Mo Zhizhang smiled. "I'm alone, with no relatives and no fixed residence. I'm no different from a partridge, so I used this name."
Jiang Mian knew that the partridge symbolized melancholy and parting. Looking at his calm appearance, she felt inexplicably sad. She thought for a while in her heart and finally made a decision.
"Elder brother, since we've become sworn siblings, my parents are your parents, and my home is your home. When we get back to the capital, you can live with us, okay?"
"You don't have to worry about my parents. We've supported and relied on each other along the way. They know your character well. If I talk to them properly, they'll definitely agree."
Really?
Mo Zhizhang said, "Let's talk about these things another day. It's getting late. We have to continue our journey tomorrow. I'll take you back to your room to rest."