Chapter 245

「It's fine, if uncle were a woman, she would definitely be a beauty, one smile topples a country, another smile topples a city. 」

「However……」

Jiang Yunchu shrugged their shoulders, "Good thing uncle is not a woman."

「Otherwise the world wouldn't be peaceful; who knows what would happen just for a beauty's smile? 」

That middle-aged man froze, still the first time someone had spoken so bluntly, "Hahaha..."

A string of unrestrained laughter flowed from his mouth; the just-now beautiful bones seemed to change in an instant, losing all femininity, a wild and spirited aura sweeping over.

「People who used to talk to me like that are already dead. 」 He let out a light sigh, but the corners of his mouth kept turning up, indicating he was in a good mood.

「Overbearing person. »

Jiang Yunchu raised their eyebrow, merely out of admiration, yet this person would cost lives; in youth, how unrestrained and wild must they have been?

「Isn't there a problem? 」

The man was obvious, not wanting to linger on the topic of his appearance, he directly asked.

Jiang Yunchu looked at the person opposite, arms crossed, body leaning back against the chair, seeking a comfortable position, also a……

A defensive posture!

「Handsome uncle, you're very familiar with the Regent Prince's Manor? 」

When speaking with smart people, don't beat around the bush; that's too boring. Although they think the person opposite may not be smart, otherwise why would they willingly draw a line as a prison for so many years?

「It's called the Regent Prince's Manor now! 」 The uncle laughed, "Too much time has passed; I feel like I've missed too much."

「This manor used to be called Prince Ying's Manor. 」

「Prince Ying……」

Upon hearing that title, Jiang Yunchu's gaze shrank instantly.

Prince Ying was the former emperor's status before ascension.

"Well, I saved Prince Ying's life; Prince Ying gave me this place to stay, and sent his young son to be my disciple, but before long I was framed and imprisoned for twenty years."

When he spoke, he seemed somewhat wistful and lost, and between his brows and eyes there was intense sorrow, as if grieving for something, as if he had been abandoned, with only one person left in the world.

「Ning Chengyan? 」

Jiang Yunchu was speechless, what is all this?

"Exactly, that's the little log." The man nodded, curled the corner of his mouth, but finally he didn't want to force himself, so he let go.

「Little log? 」

Jiang Yunchu's mouth twitched, where is the log?

With that strength, even using all my strength I couldn't push him open, like a little log?

"I don't know what he's like now; back then he was extremely thin, always sick, which is why Prince Ying gave him to me."

Jiang Yunchu looked at his indifferent expression, not knowing whether to feel sorrow for Prince Ying's misplaced trust or pity for Ning Chengyan's ill fate.

Stuck with such an unreliable person.

「Then… who are you? 」

After laying groundwork for so long, this question was finally asked; Jiang Yunchu stared intently at him, not letting any subtle expression slip, fearing to miss any information.

「Who am I? 」 The middle-aged man froze; for many years no one had asked who he was—before it wasn't needed, after being imprisoned for twenty years, still no one asked.

Over these years, it's still the first time someone has asked, who is he?

He… who should he be?

「Call me Ze. 」 He ultimately still didn't say his full name; his surname, he feels unworthy to mention.

Ze……

Ze?

Ze!

Three symbols, representing Jiang Yunchu's three states of mind.

「One of the Three Great Carvings, Ze? 」

They asked uncertainly, then gave a wry smile and shook their head; the master carver who had disappeared for years—how could they gather two of them? Impossible…

But……

「Oh? Although I've retreated from the martial world for so long, I didn't expect my name to still be known there? 」 The man gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

Carving, he merely did it to accompany her.

But now she's gone; what use is the name he wants to carve?

「Indeed it's you……」

Jiang Yunchu looked at his expression, already certain in heart; back then they had complained that the names Ying and Ze were a bit of a show‑off of affection.

But their adoptive father isn't Jiang Wen Fu, is it?

Then what's the deal with Ze?

Her mother was already gone, she also lost interest in continuing to discuss, but she didn't expect the male lead of the topic to suddenly appear in her life.

"Handsome uncle, do you like my mother?" She opened her mouth and still asked directly.

After hearing her address, Ze helplessly shook his head; this clever and mischievous nature, after all, takes after Ying er.

However, after hearing her question, he tried several times to open his mouth, but it seemed he couldn't open it.

Do you like?

Then what is liking? Willing to slice one's own flesh and pick one's bones, not wanting her to be harmed in the slightest; willing to imprison oneself for life, just so she can be safe, even if she has married another.

Ze didn't speak, but all the expressions on his face were not concealed in the slightest, letting Jiang Yunchu see clearly.

"It seems to be deep love."

No need to wait for the answer, she already knew.

Some things don't need to be said by the person involved; what one feels oneself is more truthful than what they say out loud. Words can sometimes conceal, but microexpressions do not!

"Right?"

Ze let out a bitter laugh, "But she's already gone!"

She's gone; everything is empty talk, everything is illusion.

As he spoke, Ze seemed to have all his strength drained, his spirit dejected, like a homeless child.

Jiang Yunchu didn't speak, merely let out a soft sigh.

The emperor's maternal uncle treated his mother like a sister, showing affection and pity, but without love; whenever he mentioned her, his eyes had no light.

As for her stepfather, there's no need to mention; in the year since she crossed over, she hasn't even seen him, let alone received any news—she can be said to have neither heard nor asked about him.

Moreover, not long after her mother's passing, he took a concubine into the household and later had a daughter named Yun Hui.

There's no resentment, just some lack of understanding; for the sake of his reputation, would he really not do this?

Even if it's an act, one should at least put on a show!

Most importantly, she has never seen her stepfather, but she has seen her aunt, and naturally knows the aunt's feelings toward her mother; such a thing must never be done—what secret lies between them?

"Alas!"

Jiang Yunchu let out an involuntary sigh, helplessly gazing at the person opposite; their painful eyes showed no concealment.

So, what kind of person was her mother, exactly?

What secrets does she hold? Everything is a mystery, as if no one could answer.