Chapter 121

Liu Cheng's "vehicle" was a beautiful black ox-cart. The ox's fur was as black and shiny as lacquer, glistening in the setting sun. The carriage body was built of solid sandalwood, wide and tall, looking much larger than Xie Xinghan's yellow ox-cart, and appearing more imposing.

At this moment, Wang Yang stood in front of the carriage, looking at the brass decorations on the carriage railing, lost in thought.

Liu Cheng was still a man of his word and had left this carriage behind.

But the problem was that he hadn't left a "driver."

Wang Yang himself didn't know how to drive a carriage, so how exactly was he supposed to get it back?

"Does Young Master Wang need help?" Yu Qianlou walked over.

"Official Yu." Wang Yang bowed and smiled bitterly: "If I had known, I would have added a driver to the bet..."

Yu Qianlou laughed: "With Young Master Wang's talent, aren't there plenty of drivers?" He then ordered his servants to drive the carriage for Wang Yang.

Wang Yang heard Yu Qianlou talk about his talent and didn't mention his family background, and his heart stirred.

He suddenly thought that Yu Qianlou was the Registrar of Jingzhou, a provincial official! Could it be that Yu Qianlou had tampered with his household registration at the provincial government?

No way.

He didn't have a deep friendship with Yu Qianlou! Was it possible he would take such a risk to help him? His relationship with Yu Yuling was quite good, but Yu Yuling didn't know his identity was fake either. Taking a step back, even if Yu Yuling had asked his brother for help, he would definitely have told him afterward; there was no reason to hide it.

Wang Yang found it difficult to probe easily, lest he reveal his flaws, so he just thanked him solemnly.

Yu Qianlou laughed: "A small matter, not worth mentioning. My father said that if Young Master Wang has leisure, you can come to our house to visit."

Yu Yi?

Wang Yang remembered the jade pendant on his body and said: "Since that is the case, I will definitely come to disturb you in the future."

Just as Yu Qianlou left, Le Zhan hurried over excitedly:

"Zhiyan, you hid it from me so well! Last time I asked you to recite poetry, you dodged the question, but this time you've been exposed! Come, come, come, let's go to my house, and we can discuss the art of poetry properly!"

"Uncle, this nephew still has things to do today, another day..."

"What things are there at this twilight hour? Speaking of which, your seven-character song was truly superb; it even surpassed the previous dynasty's Commander Bao! Actually, I sometimes write seven-character poems too, but I'm not as good at it as five-character ones. Listen to these lines of mine, how are they: The sun turns to the Yanzi Mountains and the moon turns cool, the willows steal people's drunkenness and the wind steals the fragrance..."

Wang Yang saw Xie Xinghan slightly lifting her skirt to get into the carriage. He hurriedly said: "Uncle, let's discuss poetry later, this nephew has urgent matters! Next time, next time I will definitely visit!"

Le Zhan watched Wang Yang run away in a flash and sighed endlessly. He had only heard the beginning of the poetry talent; why did he leave! He hadn't even heard the most brilliant part! While sighing, he suddenly realized he had forgotten the main point. Of course, discussing poetry was also a main point, but he had invited Wang Yang not just to talk about poetry, but also to give this genius youth a reminder.

"Xie Xie Niangzi, please stay!" Wang Yang rushed to the carriage.

The curtain was not lifted, and Xie Xinghan's voice came from inside: "What is it?"

Wang Yang lowered his voice: "Thank you, Xie Xie Niangzi."

"Thank me for what?"

"Uh... can I get in the carriage to talk?"

When Xiao Ning heard Wang Yang wanted to get in the carriage again, she became vigilant.

Xie Xinghan pursed her lips: "Get in."

"Alright!"

Xiao Ning hurriedly persuaded: "Xie Xie Niangzi! This is the entrance to the Wang Fu! So many people are watching!"

"So what? I met him in Yixing; we are old acquaintances."

"Yi... Yixing? How come I didn't know?" Xiao Ning was confused.

Xie Xinghan poked Xiao Ning's forehead: "Can you know everything? Go sit outside; I have a few words to say to Young Master Wang."

"But Xie Xie Niangzi..."

"Go quickly."

Xiao Ning had no choice but to exit reluctantly.

Wang Yang entered the carriage and saw Xie Xinghan sitting alone inside, her eyebrows like willow leaves, her bright eyes like water, her jade-like face full of grace, as if a lotus flower reflecting in water; her phoenix bun was high, like a clear plum blossom standing alone. Coupled with a wisp of a young girl's faint fragrance lingering at the tip of his nose, it made him feel a bit distracted. He hurriedly calmed his mind and straightened his expression, bowing:

"Regarding the grain transport, it was all thanks to Xie Xie Niangzi's management! You have worked hard, Xie Xie Niangzi!"

You have worked hard, Xie Xie Niangzi? Once the surname is not added before "Xie Xie Niangzi," why does it feel strange...

Xie Xinghan smiled: "Easy to say. I never break my promises."

Actually, the two things Wang Yang really wanted to investigate were:

First, whether the household registration records in the province were handled by Xie Xinghan.

Second, Xie Xinghan said they had met in Yixing; was it true or false?

If they had really met, this would involve the original owner's identity, which was a big deal and had to be verified.

If it was false, the matter was also not small. Did Xie Xinghan know his identity was fake? Where was the flaw, and did he need to remedy it? Also, since she said they met in Yixing, at the very least, they had to discuss the specific details so as not to reveal the truth inadvertently in the future.

But the most difficult problem was, how could he figure out these two things without exposing himself?

This required conversational skills.

Seeing that Xie Xinghan didn't mention proving his identity at the banquet at all, Wang Yang took the initiative to say: "If it weren't for Xie Xie Niangzi's help today, I fear I would have had to go through a lot of trouble."

No problem, helping out; it could refer to the household registration help, or it could refer to the help regarding their meeting in Yixing. It depended on which direction Xie Xinghan took.

Xie Xinghan smiled slightly and didn't take the bait.

Fine, if you don't choose a direction, I'll choose for you.

"May I ask Xie Xie Niangzi, do you still remember where we first met in Yixing?"

Xie Xinghan looked at Wang Yang with interest: "Don't you know where, Young Master Wang?"

Wang Yang said frankly: "I don't remember clearly."

"You really don't remember clearly?"

"I really don't remember clearly."

Xie Xinghan stared at Wang Yang.

Wang Yang's heart stirred, and he deliberately showed a slightly guilty and embarrassed expression.

Xie Xinghan's smile was mischievous: "Young Master Wang, why don't you just say it; do you still remember what place in Yixing?"

I see.

So Xie Xinghan hadn't met him.

Remembering the famous restaurants in Yixing he had seen in books before, he hesitated and said: "Wujin Tower?"

Xie Xinghan smiled: "What kind of outdated local records are you looking at? Wujin Tower was sold off long ago; it's called Pan's Wine Workshop now."

"Then we met at Pan's Wine Workshop."

"A place like Pan's Wine Workshop doesn't suit our status..." Xie Xinghan thought for a moment, "Let's say it was at 'Pinxian Residence,' met in the third month of the sixth year of Yongming, uh, that is two years ago. At that time, I was listening to the zither on the second floor, and the zither player was playing 'The Five Pieces of the Cai Family.' I sighed halfway through: The tune has errors, the Zhou Lang looks back. And then..."

And then Xie Xinghan improvised a "Meeting at Pinxian Residence" story for Wang Yang on the spot, with details so vivid! She even clearly stated what everyone said and what tea they drank!

Wang Yang thought to himself, this little beauty is also a master of fabrication!

After Xie Xinghan finished excitedly, she saw Wang Yang's strange expression and asked: "What's wrong?"

"Aren't you afraid that if I'm really an impostor, you'll be implicated?" Wang Yang couldn't help but ask.

Xie Xinghan looked at Wang Yang and asked word by word: "Then are you an impostor?"

For a moment, Wang Yang wanted to tell her the truth.

But this was not a novel, nor was it a movie.

Such a life-and-death matter, how could it be casually entrusted to others?

So Wang Yang just asked back: "What do you think?"

"I think you... are of course not fake!"

Wang Yang was amused: "How can you tell?"

A calm smile appeared on Xie Xinghan's small face, and she said lightly:

"The reason why people are mediocre is nothing more than talent, learning, and insight.

Talent is a heavenly gift, unrelated to background; commoners can also produce talented scholars.

Learning is derived from teachers and books.

However, famous teachers are hard to find, and books are miscellaneous and numerous. Without a path, if lucky, one works hard with little merit; if unlucky, one goes in the wrong direction. Therefore, the learning of commoner children often struggles to reach the first class. However, there are also exceptionally intelligent people who are not restricted by this.

Talent and learning can be self-achieved, but only insight cannot.

Insight comes from vision and experience, which is most closely related to family background and status.

The pine growing in the valley does not see as much as the seedling on the mountain; the terrain makes it so.

You established the theory of Zhuangzi's deep feelings, refuted the 'Ancient Text Book of Documents,' lectured on the differences between Laozi and Zhuangzi, and spoke of the situation between the North and South, all breaking the old and establishing the new, with a magnificent scope. This kind of spirit and insight is definitely not something a small household can cultivate. Commoner children wouldn't even dare to think of it, let alone establish such a theory. This kind of confidence engraved in the bones cannot be faked."

Um, is it possible that the confidence is not fake, but I am fake...