Chapter 233

Wang Yang knew who the uncle Director Liu Tan Tan was talking about. When he first traveled through time, he used the big banner as a tiger skin and mentioned a few times that his second uncle was a Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary. He didn't know how it spread, but later, through Xiao Baoyue, he learned that there really was a Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary surnamed Wang in the imperial court! He also quickly guessed Director Liu Tan Tan's intention; this was the time to pay taxes on his bragging.

Wang Yang did not hide his trembling hand but naturally placed the duck egg on the dish. While wiping his hands, he looked at Director Liu Tan Tan and asked suspiciously:

"Which uncle of mine?"

Director Liu Tan Tan's gaze was surprised: "The Cavalier Attendant Wang, of course. The imperial edict was issued last month, ordering your uncle to hold the tally and go to the barbarians to proclaim the edict, specifically overseeing the affairs of the Wenyang barbarians. Your uncle has already set off; calculating the time, he will arrive in these few days. You didn't know?"

Wang Yang shook his head: "My uncle rarely discusses official business with me."

Director Liu Tan Tan remained silent.

Wang Yang knew that Director Liu Tan Tan was a bit unsure whether what he said was the truth or an excuse because he didn't want to get involved.

He looked at Director Liu Tan Tan and said sincerely:

"I won't hide it from you. Although my uncle and I are uncle and nephew by name, we are long past the five degrees of mourning in terms of kinship, and we don't see each other often. If I said we were close, that would be a lie. However, regarding Liu Cheng's matter, as long as I can help, I will certainly do my best."

Hearing Wang Yang expose his own family affairs, Director Liu Tan Tan immediately felt that he had measured a gentleman's heart with a petty person's yardstick, and hurriedly bowed to apologize: "I was abrupt, and I hope Young Master Wang will be magnanimous."

Wang Yang smiled: "Official Liu doesn't know my family affairs, so it's inevitable to have doubts; this is human nature. How about this: after my uncle arrives, I will rush back in time, and we can discuss a strategy together."

"Rush back?"

"Yes, Mr. Liu went to the Nanping Commandery School to lecture before. The Libationer of the local commandery school entrusted Mr. Liu to invite me to lecture once as well. I have already agreed. I was originally supposed to set off three days ago, but I have some loose ends in my business and couldn't leave for the time being, so it was delayed. I already prepared my luggage yesterday, and I cannot delay any longer today."

Director Liu Tan Tan knew about Liu Zhao going to Nanping Commandery to lecture, and coupled with Wang Yang's confession just now, Director Liu Tan Tan did not doubt him, so he said: "Then I will see you off."

"No need, I will be back in a few days. As for my uncle, you don't need to worry too much. He is acting under imperial orders to save people; how could he not be diligent? Perhaps he already has a strategy..."

Wang Yang's voice paused, and after pondering for a moment, he said:

"I will also ponder it further. How about this: as soon as I think of a solution, I will tell you immediately."

Director Liu Tan Tan immediately stood up and gave Wang Yang a deep bow.

On this matter, his opinion was the same as his father's: a piece of imperial edict and a verbal agreement were probably not enough to get Liu Cheng back; Wang Yi's character and learning were beyond reproach, and he knew barbarian affairs, but his nature was leisurely and self-indulgent, so he might not have any brilliant strategies. But if he had Wang Yang's help, the chances of success might be much greater.

After Director Liu Tan Tan left, Wang Yang immediately called out:

"A-Wu! Tell your father to pack the luggage and prepare the carriage; we are going on a long journey! Tell your Sister-in-law Chen to bring the horse lance, and we will set off immediately!"

Little A-Wu didn't ask where they were going or what they were doing, and immediately ran to pass the order.

Wang Yang unlocked the lock to take money, thinking in his heart that he had to go to the commandery school before leaving to get his story straight with Mr. Liu.

There was no help for it; if it were any other member of the Langya Wang clan, he could still maneuver and pull strings, but this one was his "second uncle," which basically meant death upon exposure—well, basically...

While he was packing, the Wang Fu guards came to the door, saying the Prince of Badong was summoning him.

Wang Yang said: "I have to go to the commandery school to handle some business. You go back and report to the Prince that I will come a little later."

The guard bowed and said: "I don't know what business the Young Master has to handle? Can you let me do it for you? The Prince has an urgent matter and said to ask the Young Master to go to the mansion immediately, the sooner the better."

"What urgent matter?"

"I don't know."

Wang Yang thought for a moment and said: "Then let's go. You wait for me outside. I have a few things to arrange."

Seeing several guards bow and withdraw from the courtyard, he felt a little more at ease. He said to Xiao Shan, who was preparing to accompany him:

"You stay behind and continue to organize the luggage. Use a light carriage and fast horses, don't bring too much. We will leave as soon as I return. If I haven't returned after three hours, you go find someone and tell him this..."

Wang Yang whispered into Xiao Shan's ear. Xiao Shan nodded subconsciously at first, her movements carrying a bit of mechanical quality, and only then did she seem to find herself again, her phoenix eyes full of worry: "Nothing will happen, right?"

"Nothing will!"

"Then why did you say..."

"Just in case."

Chen Qingshan insisted stubbornly: "I'd better accompany you, let Blackie go to deliver the message."

"He has his own business." Wang Yang smiled as he said this: "Don't worry, when has your Young Master ever suffered a loss?"

Seeing Wang Yang's smile, Chen Qingshan felt as if she had been scalded, and she moved her gaze away in some confusion, but she felt much more at ease in her heart.

"Blackie."

Blackie bent his waist and cupped his fists: "Young Master, your orders!"

"If I don't return after three hours, proceed according to Plan B."

"I understand!"

"A-Wu."

Little A-Wu held up a folding fan: "The folding fan is here!"

"No folding fan today. Go and get that pot of bamboo leaf wine that Mr. Zong gave me five days ago; I'll drink it on the way."

Chen Qingshan asked suspiciously: "Drink it on the way?"

Wang Yang nodded: "Not only drink it, but also sprinkle some..."

Lightly drunk in light clothes, strolling along, fresh wine stains on his body.

Drunken eyes gaze at the vermilion gate, the Wang Fu is as majestic as a tiger.

Do not fear, do not fear, the Langya Young Master has come to attend!

Wang Yang was led by the guards into a room and saw the Prince of Badong talking to someone.

Wang Yang didn't look at the person, but stared straight at the Prince of Badong, cupped his fists with a slightly uninhibited air, and said loudly: "Your Highness."

Seeing that Wang Yang had a drunken look, the Prince of Badong asked: "Zhiyan, have you been drinking?"

Wang Yang looked into the Prince of Badong's eyes and smiled drunkenly:

"Ying Xiulian said: 'A dipper of wine should be for joy, do not wait for the future.' It was boring on the road, so I had a small drink; I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

The Prince of Badong laughed: "How much have you drunk, that you don't even recognize your uncle?"

Damn!

I knew it!!

The thing I was most worried about happened after all!!!

Wang Yang's heart was "full of sorrow," but on his face, he first looked blank, and then turned his gaze to the other person.

He saw a middle-aged man, about forty years old, wearing a thin crane cloak of plain gauze, holding a feather fan, with a relaxed and open expression, looking as if he were detached from the world.

Wang Yang hurriedly bowed to pay his respects: "Nephew pays respects to Uncle."

Wang Yang kept his head low, not knowing Wang Yi's current expression, only knowing that Wang Yi did not respond.

One second, two seconds, three seconds!

Still no one spoke!

The Prince of Badong looked at Wang Yi suspiciously. He saw Wang Yi staring at Wang Yang without moving, as if frozen.

Wang Yang's heart was pounding, sweat began to break out on his back, and the Prince of Badong's expression became strange, calling out:

"Cavalier Attendant Wang?"

Wang Yi seemed to wake up from a dream, his face becoming more vivid, his voice filled with emotion:

"I remembered some old things; I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

He looked at Wang Yang again and said indifferently:

"Get up. Come closer and let me see you."

He didn't expose him?

The tight string in Wang Yang's heart suddenly relaxed, and a tingling sensation spread across his temples, like the moment after immersing his whole body in a hot spring—very comfortable, yet somewhat dazed.

However, this brief relief did not truly put him at ease.

At this moment, he already had several guesses in his heart, and among them, the most likely one was not a good thing for him.

Under the curious gaze of the Prince of Badong and the scrutiny of Wang Yi, Wang Yang walked forward, cupped his fists in a family greeting, and said:

"Nephew did not know Uncle had arrived, so I drank a few too many cups and was discourteous for a moment; I hope Uncle will forgive me."

Wang Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, looked Wang Yang up and down, and then relaxed his brows:

"It doesn't matter, we are family, no need for such formalities. It's been a few years since we last met, right?"

"Yes."

"How many years has it been?" Wang Yi asked, staring at Wang Yang.

Wang Yang was a bit at a loss.

This Wang Yi should know he is a fake, so why did he play along before, but now put on an interrogating look?

Wang Yang thought for a moment and said: "Seven years."

Wang Yi immediately denied it: "No, eight years."

???

Is that how we're playing?

Wang Yang began to shift from passive to active, looking at Wang Yi: "Actually, we met just a month ago."

Now it was Wang Yi's turn to be at a loss.

He looked into Wang Yang's eyes, seemingly trying to capture some information.

Wang Yang smiled:

"Cai Bojie said: 'There is no date for meeting, only letters can serve as a face.' Ma Rong said: 'Receiving a letter and seeing the handwriting, how great the joy is, as if seeing the face.' Letters and notes are faces from a thousand miles away. Seeing the writing is like seeing the person; unfolding the letter is like meeting. Uncle sent me a letter last month; does that not count as meeting?"

Wang Yi was stunned at first, then the fine lines at the corners of his eyes slightly crinkled, a smile unfolded bit by bit, and he pointed at Wang Yang and looked at the Prince of Badong:

"Isn't my nephew excellent? This is the thoroughbred of our family; the one who will revive our clan must be this child."

The Prince of Badong's gaze settled on Wang Yang, his eyes complex, and he said softly:

"He is indeed excellent..."

Wang Yi's tone suddenly changed, looking at Wang Yang, shaking his feather fan lightly, his face full of regret:

"It's a pity he doesn't look as good as when he was a child."

Wang Yang smiled:

"When Nephew was a child, I only had the appearance but no substance, and I had no resemblance to my clan uncle; it was only after I grew up that I gained a bit of your charm."

Wang Yi's feather fan stiffened slightly.

This sounded like a compliment at first, but why did it taste worse the more one pondered it?

The Prince of Badong looked at Wang Yang and then at Wang Yi, puzzled: "You two don't look alike either."

Wang Yang said leisurely: "Charm lies in the spirit, not in the appearance."

Wang Yi said lightly: "It lies in the bones, not in the skin."

Wang Yang's eyebrows danced: "When voices are the same, they respond to each other even when in different places."

Wang Yi's expression was lively: "When virtues match, they feel close even without meeting."

The two looked at each other and said in unison: "This is what is called family style."

The Prince of Badong was stunned, thinking to himself that they were really family, using secret codes here?!

He asked in confusion: "What kind of relatives are you two anyway?"

Wang Yi sighed: "It's a long story."

Wang Yang exhaled: "It's a long story."

The Prince of Badong leaned back: "It's okay, I'm quite curious, tell me."

Wang Yi said: "Let's put it this way: his great-grandfather's cousin's legitimate eldest grandson's cousin-aunt and my great-great-grandfather's second branch concubine's son's maternal cousin's great-grandson are distant relatives of the same clan..."

Prince of Badong: What????

Wang Yang continued: "My great-great-great-grandmother's cousin's female cousin's great-granddaughter and Uncle's great-great-great-grandfather's cousin's cousin's female cousin are close relatives of the same branch..."

Prince of Badong: Ah????

Wang Yi gazed slightly into the void, seemingly lamenting the changes in the family:

"The seniority in their branch got messed up when they split the clan years ago. Originally, my grandfather and his great-grandfather were of the same generation (two generations older), but later their branch inherited the main clan and also the minor clan, which raised their generation for no reason. That's why he calls me clan uncle. If we calculate according to the original genealogy before the split, he would still have to call me grand-uncle!"

The Prince of Badong only felt his head getting bigger and bigger!

Wang Yang quietly rubbed his jade pendant, seemingly reminiscing about the vicissitudes of the past:

"No wonder when Clan Uncle was in the ancestral hall years ago, he stood in the seventh position on the west side; it turns out he was avoiding the order of Zhaomu."

Wang Yi nodded and sighed:

"That's right, my great-great-great-grandfather's cousin's great-granddaughter and your great-grandfather's second branch concubine's son's cousin have gone beyond the five degrees of mourning of the same clan, so—"

"Stop!" the Prince of Badong roared suddenly!

Wang Yi and Wang Yang looked at the Prince of Badong together.

The Prince of Badong took a deep breath and revealed a reluctant smile:

"I understand now, you are... uncle and nephew."

Uncle and nephew said together: "Your Highness is wise!"

Prince of Badong's face turned black: Wise my ass!!!